Melasti Point · Tulamben

The story

Where Tulamben opens up.

Twelve kilometres south of Tulamben, past Seraya Beach, the coast forms a small headland called Melasti Point. The reef here drops to 35 metres on a wall, the current pulls steadily north along the face, and pelagic fish use the topography as a hunting and resting spot.

The dive is a drift along the wall — usually moderate, sometimes brisk. Schooling jacks circle the deeper portions. Tuna patrol the blue. Sea turtles rest on the gorgonians. In mola season (Aug–Oct), the cold thermocline that sometimes pushes through the strait brings the occasional sunfish up the wall.

"Pelagic chance, big-water feel — the open ocean from a Tulamben base."

Plan it as a half-day boat trip from Tulamben village, ideally first thing in the morning before currents pick up. AOWD recommended. Pair with Seraya Secrets for a south-coast double — pelagics in the morning, muck in the afternoon.

Topography

How the dive unfolds.

Drift wall 6 km north-east of Tulamben. Boat entry, descend on a coral plateau at 12 m, ride the current south along a sloping wall down to 35 m. Outer-reef site — bigger pelagics, occasional reef sharks, schooling barracuda.

Plan a 40-min drift: boat drop on the plateau, descend on the wall, drift south with the current to 35 m, ascend back to 18 m for the safety drift, SMB up, boat pickup. AOWD strongly recommended — currents can be brisk.

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 Schooling jacks 75%

Visitor Tuna · Wahoo 40%

Visitor Mola mola (Aug–Oct) 6%

Visitor Sea turtles 60%

Visitor Whitetip reef sharks 25%

Visitor Napoleon wrasse 35%

Resident Bannerfish · Moorish idols 90%

Resident Pyramid butterflyfish 90%

Resident Anthias clouds 85%

Resident Gorgonian sea fans 100%

Resident Moray eels 70%

Resident Scorpionfish 65%

Resident Soft corals 100%

Resident Black coral (deep) 80%

Resident Sponges 100%

Resident Hard coral plateau 95%

Always-presentThe wall, gorgonians, butterflyfish, anthias, the drift.

Sometimes-presentSchooling jacks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse, sea turtles. And — once a season, with luck — mola mola.

Practical

What you need.

01 · Cert

Certification

AOWD recommended (max depth 30 m+). Some current and depth — Open Water divers stay shallower.

02 · Entry

Entry · Distance

Boat dive. ~25 min from Tulamben village by traditional jukung outrigger. Negative entry.

03 · Flow

Currents

Moderate to strong on the outer reef — drift dives common. Always carry an SMB and stay close to your guide.

04 · When

Best time of day

Morning slack tide window (07:00–09:00). Currents pick up after midday — plan accordingly.

05 · Fees

Site fee

Local Tulamben village fee ~30,000 IDR (€2) per diver per day — included in your PMD safari price.

06 · Schedule

Surface intervals

Back to the resort between dives. Two-tank trip standard — outer reef in the morning, sheltered shore site in the afternoon.

Ready?

Dive Melasti Point
on a Tulamben safari.

All-inclusive: flights, transfers, villa, dives, food, marine fees. Two-tank Tulamben day with this site as part of the rotation.

Plan Your Trip ← All Tulamben sites