Bali

Dive Site: Boga Wreck

14–40 mAdvanced Wreck
© EsriSource: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar, GIS Community · Labels © Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS

Which liveaboards dive Boga Wreck?

About Boga Wreck

The Boga Wreck, also known as the Kubu Wreck, is an Indonesian ex-patrol vessel purposely sunk in 2012 to create an artificial reef and enhance marine biodiversity. Located near Kubu, just north of Tulamben on Bali’s coast, it provides an exciting alternative for divers looking beyond the popular Liberty Wreck. This site has successfully developed into a thriving underwater habitat, attracting a diverse range of species. The wreck lies on a sloping black sandy seabed, with its bow at 18 meters and stern extending to 40 meters. Its structure is well-preserved, allowing exploration of the bow, propeller, and upper deck. Unique additions include a sunken Volkswagen car, Buddha statues, old scuba tanks, and a wooden steering wheel, creating distinctive photographic opportunities. Marine life flourishes here, with the steel structure encrusted by various corals, providing shelter for numerous fish and invertebrates. The wreck offers an engaging dive experience, with gentle to moderate currents adding to the adventure. It is particularly suited for advanced divers or those seeking to practice deep diving skills. Shore access is convenient, approximately 300 meters off Kubu beach, with porters available to assist with equipment. The site's blend of history, artificial structures, and natural marine development makes it a compelling and rewarding dive for experienced enthusiasts.

Highlights

Intentionally sunk patrol vesselSunken VW carBuddha statues on wreckDeep exploration opportunityThriving artificial reefWell-preserved structureShore accessible from Kubu

Season calendar

Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good

Apr – Oct (Apr–Nov)

The dry season brings calm seas, 25–30m+ visibility, and strong currents that attract mantas, sharks, and pelagics to Komodo. Alor offers pristine reef diving with 20–40m visibility. Bali's Nusa Penida delivers Mola Mola encounters from July to October. Water temperatures range from 24–28°C — a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit is recommended.

Nov – Mar (Oct–Apr)

Raja Ampat peaks during the wet season with calmer seas, plankton-rich waters attracting manta rays, and excellent biodiversity. Water is a warm 28–30°C with 15–25m visibility. The Banda Sea opens its rare expedition window from September to December, with hammerhead sharks and pristine seamounts. Lembeh Strait offers world-class muck diving year-round. A 3mm wetsuit is sufficient.

Dive site facts: Boga Wreck

Depth
14–40 m (recreational), up to 50m (technical)
Typical dive
18–40 m
Current
None to moderate
Visibility
15–30 m
Water temperature
26–30°C
Entry
Shore entry (Kubu beach)
Level
Advanced (AOWD) recommended
Dive type
Wreck, artificial reef, deep
Region / port
Kubu, Tulamben, Bali
Coordinates
8.2435° S, 115.5780° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents at the Boga Wreck range from none to moderate, providing an element of adventure to the dive. Divers typically experience good visibility, generally between 15 to 30 meters, which can drop to 10 meters during the rainy season. Water temperatures are comfortably warm, averaging between 26 to 30 degrees Celsius. While shore entry is straightforward, divers should be prepared for varying current conditions, which can influence dive planning and ascent strategies. The site’s depth profile from 18 to 40 meters necessitates careful air management, especially for deeper sections or if experiencing stronger currents.

Marine life & sighting chances

Batfish at the dive site Boga Wreck

Batfish

common
Lionfish at the dive site Boga Wreck

Lionfish

common
Octopuses at the dive site Boga Wreck

Octopuses

common
Sharks at the dive site Boga Wreck

Sharks

occasional
Tuna at the dive site Boga Wreck

Tuna

occasional
Mola-mola at the dive site Boga Wreck

Mola-mola

June-October · rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at the Boga Wreck begins with a convenient shore entry from Kubu beach, approximately 300 meters from the wreck. You'll descend onto a black sandy slope, which leads directly to the bow of the 45-meter long vessel at around 18 meters deep. From there, you can navigate along the wreck's exterior, exploring its well-preserved features like the propeller at 38 meters and the upper deck. The dive progresses deeper towards the stern, which rests at 40 meters. Experienced divers can explore the unique additions within the wreck, such as the VW car, Buddha statues, and the steering wheel. The return ascent typically involves gradually making your way back up the wreck to shallower sections, allowing for a natural depth progression for your safety stop before heading back to the shore.

Underwater photography

The Boga Wreck offers excellent opportunities for wide-angle photography, capturing the imposing 45-meter structure, its unique artificial elements like the VW car and Buddha statues, and the surrounding topography. For macro enthusiasts, the wreck's encrusted surfaces and various crevices host an abundance of smaller marine life such as nudibranchs and crustaceans, benefiting from macro lenses and careful strobe positioning. The black sandy seabed provides a dramatic contrast, enhancing subject definition. Maintaining good buoyancy is crucial to avoid stirring up sediment and to navigate through the wreck's interior. The ever-changing light and shadow play on the wreck also creates dynamic and visually stunning scenes.

Combine with nearby dive sites

Getting there & logistics

Diving the Boga Wreck is typically organized from dive centers in the Tulamben or Kubu area, which are accessible from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). Travel to Tulamben/Kubu from the airport usually takes a few hours by car. Trips often combine dives at the Boga Wreck with other famous sites like the USAT Liberty Wreck, given their close proximity. Dive packages commonly include multiple dives over several days, with shore access being a key convenience for the Boga Wreck. Divers benefit from porter assistance to carry equipment to the beach, ensuring a smoother entry. No specific park fees or permits are mentioned beyond standard dive operation costs.

Safety & environment

For serious medical emergencies, the nearest hyperbaric chamber is located in Denpasar, requiring transport from Kubu which can take several hours, highlighting the importance of comprehensive dive insurance. Divers should ensure their insurance specifically covers technical diving depths if planning to explore beyond recreational limits, as the wreck reaches 40 meters recreationally and deeper for technical divers. Site-specific hazards include variable currents, which demand good physical condition and proper gas planning, especially given the wreck's depth. Maintaining excellent buoyancy is vital to avoid silting the wreck and disturbing marine life. Always dive within your certification limits and with an experienced guide.

Who it suits, and who it doesn't

Suited for

  • Advanced Open Water divers (AOWD)
  • Divers interested in wreck exploration
  • Underwater photographers seeking unique subjects
  • Technical divers exploring deeper sections
  • Those looking for less crowded dive sites

Less suited for

  • Beginner Open Water divers
  • Divers without deep diving experience
  • Those who prefer white sand coral gardens
  • Divers prone to seasickness (as shore entry is used)

FAQ

Boga Wreck FAQ

What is the history behind the Boga Wreck?
The Boga Wreck was originally a Dutch-built patrol vessel for Indonesia. It was intentionally sunk in 2012 off Kubu, Bali, to create an artificial reef. This initiative aimed to enhance marine biodiversity and offer divers another unique site to explore, attracting a rich variety of sea creatures.
What unique features can divers expect to see on the Boga Wreck?
The Boga Wreck is distinguished by several intriguing additions placed by divers over the years. These include a sunken Volkswagen car, various Buddha statues, old scuba tanks, and a prominent wooden steering wheel. These features, along with the well-preserved ship structure, create exceptional visual interest.
What is the depth range of the Boga Wreck and what level of diver is it suitable for?
The Boga Wreck spans a depth range from 14 meters at its shallowest point to 40 meters at its stern, with deeper sections for technical divers. Due to its depth profile, it is primarily recommended for Advanced Open Water (AOWD) certified divers and those with experience in deep diving.
How is marine life developing on the Boga Wreck?
As an artificial reef, the Boga Wreck has rapidly developed into a thriving ecosystem. Its steel structure is now encrusted with diverse corals, attracting a variety of marine species such as moray eels, barracudas, batfish, lionfish, nudibranchs, and octopuses, creating a lively underwater habitat.
Is the Boga Wreck accessible from shore or by boat?
The Boga Wreck is easily accessible from shore, located approximately 300 meters off Kubu beach. Divers can benefit from porter assistance to carry their equipment to the entry point, making the logistics for this deep wreck dive straightforward and convenient.

Why dive Boga Wreck from a liveaboard?

Boga Wreck is one of Bali's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.

Below are the liveaboards that include Boga Wreck on their Bali itineraries.

Liveaboards diving Boga Wreck

These liveaboards may visit Boga Wreck on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Naga Biru liveaboard at Boga Wreck

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m
Ilike liveaboard at Boga Wreck

Ilike

Indonesia

16 guests40 m
Mermaid I liveaboard at Boga Wreck

Mermaid I

Alor

15 guests28 m
Sunshine Liveaboard liveaboard at Boga Wreck

Sunshine Liveaboard

Indonesia

10 guests31 m
Tiare Cruise liveaboard at Boga Wreck

Tiare Cruise

Indonesia

12 guests37 m

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5 liveaboards run the Boga Wreck route.

Three to four guided dives a day on Boga Wreck and the other signature sites in Bali, sleeping right above the reef.