Boga Wreck · Kubu — Pink My Dive

The story

A purpose-sunk reef
standing on its bow.

The Boga was a former Dutch cargo-patrol boat, ~40 metres long. After decommissioning, she was bought by local dive operators in Kubu (5 km north of Tulamben), towed offshore, and scuttled in September 2012 as a planned artificial reef.

She landed on a sandy volcanic slope and settled in an unusual posture — almost vertical, bow tipped slightly downhill toward shore. The bow sits at 18 m, the stern at 36 m. The result: 18 vertical metres of corridors, open holds, and exterior decks — a single-shot tour of every level on one descent.

"Twelve years on, she's fully colonised — soft coral curtains, glassfish clouds, batfish in formation."

Iconic features: the fake steering wheel in the bridge (perfect photo subject), the open bow corridors you can swim through, and the cargo hold where lionfish ambush small reef fish. Beach-accessible (kit-up at the parking lot, swim 60 m out).

Topography

How the dive unfolds.

The Boga sits almost vertically on a sandy volcanic slope, 60 m offshore from Kubu beach. Bow at 18 m tilted shoreward, stern at 36 m on the deep sand. You drop straight down the bow, descend the corridor to the cargo holds, peer into the bridge, then swim out the stern at 36 m — full vertical tour of every level.

Plan a typical 35–45 min dive: walk in from Kubu beach, swim 60 m out + drop on the bow at 18 m, descend through corridors past the bridge (27 m, fake steering wheel) to the stern at 36 m, exit on the sand, ascend along the outside of the hull, safety stop at 5 m. Nitrox 32% strongly recommended — extends bottom time meaningfully.

Marine life · what you might see

The ocean's not a zoo.

Sightings are pure chance — current, season, time of day, and luck. Below is what divers spot at this site, but no operator can guarantee any specific encounter on any specific dive.

Resident Glassfish clouds 90%

Resident Lionfish 85%

Resident Scorpionfish 80%

Resident Moray eels 75%

Resident Batfish 75%

Resident Bannerfish 70%

Resident Anthias clouds 65%

Resident Garden eels 55%

Resident Nudibranchs 70%

Resident Cleaner shrimps 60%

Resident Octopus 50%

Visitor Schooling jacks 30%

Visitor Barracuda 25%

Visitor Whitetip sharks 20%

Resident Soft corals 100%

Resident Sponges 95%

Always-presentThe structure itself — 12 years of soft-coral curtains, glassfish swirling inside corridors, lionfish hanging upside down under doorways.

Sometimes-presentThe deeper Kubu bay attracts occasional pelagics — jacks, the occasional whitetip cruising past. Less marine traffic than Liberty.

Practical

What you need.

01 · Cert

Certification

AOWD minimum. Wreck specialty preferred for full corridor penetration. Stern at 36 m is solid Advanced territory — beyond OWD limits.

02 · Entry

Entry · Distance

Beach dive from Kubu. Park beside the road, kit-up at the parking lot, walk down to the water, swim 60 m offshore to drop on the bow. No boat.

03 · Flow

Currents

Mild to moderate. Position is more exposed than Liberty Bay — full/new moon brings stronger flow. We check tides every dive.

04 · When

Best time of day

Mid-morning (09:00 – 11:00). Sun penetrates deep enough to light the corridors. Avoid afternoon — surface conditions deteriorate as Kubu wind picks up.

05 · Fees

Park fee

Local Kubu entrance ~25,000 IDR (€1.50) per diver — included in your PMD safari price.

06 · Gas

Nitrox strongly recommended

Nitrox 32% available on the boat. At 36 m on air your NDL is ~9 minutes; on EAN32 it's ~22 minutes. Triple your bottom time.

Ready?

Dive Boga Wreck
on a Tulamben safari.

All-inclusive: flights, transfers, villa, dives, food, fees, Nitrox. Tulamben rotation includes Liberty, Drop-Off, Coral Garden, and Boga as the advanced wreck day. Vehicle transfer 5 km north to Kubu.

Plan Your Trip ← Back to Bali map

A purpose-sunk reefstanding on its bow.