Dive Site: Lekuan

About Lekuan

Lekuan refers to a series of three renowned dive sites—Lekuan 1, Lekuan 2, and Lekuan 3—located along the southern shore of Bunaken Island within the protected Bunaken Marine Park in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. These sites are celebrated for their dramatic wall topography, plunging from shallow reef tops to depths exceeding 100 meters, though typical dives remain within recreational limits. The area's status as one of Indonesia's oldest marine parks, established in 1991, ensures exceptional reef health and biodiversity. The underwater landscape is characterized by vertical walls densely covered with an astonishing variety of hard and soft corals, massive barrel sponges, and sea fans. This rich environment supports a thriving ecosystem, making it a prime location for encountering abundant marine life. Divers can expect to see large numbers of green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles, along with schooling pyramid butterflyfish, and occasional sightings of reef sharks and eagle rays cruising in the blue. While the walls themselves present spectacular wide-angle opportunities, the intricate coral formations and crevices also host a wealth of macro subjects. Divers frequently discover pygmy seahorses, orangutan crabs, and various nudibranch species. Conditions generally range from mild to moderate currents, but some sections of Lekuan 1 and 2 can experience stronger flows, offering drift diving experiences. Visibility is consistently excellent, often ranging from 15 to 35 meters, with water temperatures comfortably between 26°C and 30°C year-round. Access to Lekuan is exclusively by boat, typically involving a short transfer from nearby resorts. Dives often begin on a shallow reef flat before transitioning to the wall, accommodating various skill levels. Lekuan 3 is notably accessible to Open Water divers due to a gentler sandy slope leading to the wall, while Lekuan 1 and 2, with their immediate and vertical drop-offs and potentially stronger currents, are more suited

Dive site facts: Lekuan

Depth

5–40 m (walls continue past 100 m)

Typical dive

15–25 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild to strong, site-dependent

Visibility

15–35 m

Water temperature

26–30 °C

Entry

Boat

Level

All levels (Open Water for Lekuan 3, Advanced recommended for Lekuan 1 & 2)

Dive type

Wall, coral reef, macro

Region / port

North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Coordinates

1.5805° N, 124.7937° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Lekuan vary significantly across its three sections, ranging from gentle to strong depending on the specific site and tidal conditions. Lekuan 3 typically offers milder currents, making it suitable for less experienced divers or those undertaking Open Water training. Conversely, Lekuan 1 and 2 can experience moderate to strong currents along their vertical faces, especially where the drop-off is immediate, demanding comfort with water movement and potentially drift diving techniques. These stronger flows often attract larger pelagic species. Visibility at Lekuan is consistently high, usually between 15 to 35 meters, and is rarely affected by local rainfall due to the lack of significant sediment runoff. Water temperatures remain warm throughout the year, averaging 26-30°C, negating concerns about thermoclines. Divers should consult with local guides to understand daily curren

Marine life & sighting chances

Green sea turtle

common

Hawksbill sea turtle

common

Pyramid butterflyfish

common

Whitetip reef shark

occasional

Eagle ray

occasional

Pygmy seahorse

occasional

Orangutan crab

occasional

Nudibranch

occasional

Moray eel

occasional

Sweetlips

occasional

Reef octopus

occasional

Napoleon wrasse

occasional

Bumphead parrotfish

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Lekuan typically commences with a boat entry onto the shallow reef top, especially at Lekuan 3, which features a gentle sandy slope ideal for initial descent. From the reef crest, divers then transition to the main wall. The dive progresses along the vertical coral-laden wall, which plunges past 100 meters, though most diving occurs in the 5 to 40 meter range. Depending on current strength, this often involves a relaxed drift, allowing divers to observe marine life such as green turtles, pyramid butterflyfish, and various macro critters concealed within the coral. The dive concludes with an ascent along the wall or into the shallow reef for the safety stop, with boat pickups designed to meet divers at their surfacing point. The exact route and depth profile will be adapted by guides based on current conditions and diver experience.

Underwater photography

Lekuan offers abundant opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. For capturing the expansive reef scenes, sheer walls, and schools of pyramid butterflyfish, a wide-angle lens is ideal. The clear visibility, often 15-35 meters, enhances long-shot composition. When currents are present, plan to shoot reef sharks or eagle rays in the blue. For macro subjects, including pygmy seahorses, orangutan crabs, and nudibranchs, a macro lens with a dedicated strobe or focus light is essential. Pay close attention to crevices and sponges where these smaller creatures reside. Buoyancy control is paramount to avoid contact with the fragile wall ecosystem, especially when focusing on macro details. Be mindful of marine life, maintaining a respectful distance, and avoid touching or disturbing subjects for the perfect shot.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Bunaken Timur

  Bunaken Timur is a renowned dive site situated on the eastern coast of Bunaken Island, forming a key part of the world-famous Bunaken…

• Ron’s Point

  Ron’s Point is a distinguished dive site located on the southwest corner of Bunaken Island, Indonesia, within the renowned Bunaken National…

• Fukui Point

  Fukui Point, named after a Japanese diver, distinguishes itself from Bunaken's prevalent wall dives with its unique sloping reef topography.

• Tanjung Kopi

  Tanjung Kopi, also known as "Coffee Point," is a notable dive site situated on the side of Manado Tua, the volcanic island within Bunaken…

• Manado Tua

  Manado Tua, or 'Old Manado,' is one of five islands that form the Bunaken Marine Park, a celebrated marine protected area in North…

Getting there & logistics

Accessing Lekuan begins with flying into Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) in Manado, North Sulawesi. From Manado, it's typically a 45-minute to one-hour boat transfer to resorts located on Bunaken Island or nearby islands like Siladen. Most diving operations in the Bunaken Marine Park, including those to Lekuan, are conducted as day trips from these resorts, with three dives a day being standard. Divers are required to purchase a Bunaken Marine Park entry permit, which is valid for one calendar year. Lekuan is frequently part of wider North Sulawesi itineraries that may also include muck diving in the Lembeh Strait and reef diving in the Bangka Islands, often organized through liveaboards or land-based dive centers offering multi-destination packages.

Safety & environment

Diving at Lekuan requires adherence to standard safety protocols and awareness of site-specific conditions. Given that Lekuan 1 and 2 can experience moderate to strong currents, divers should have appropriate experience and comfort with drift diving. Always follow your guide’s instructions, particularly regarding entry, exit, and current management. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi. In case of a dive emergency, evacuation would primarily be by boat to Manado, then to the nearest medical facility, which underscores the importance of adequate dive insurance covering medical treatment and emergency evacuation. Maintain good buoyancy to protect the fragile coral walls, and ensure all gear is properly secured, especially during drift dives, to prevent accidental damage to the reef or entanglement.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Lekuan FAQ

Liveaboards diving Lekuan

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

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m

$273/day

Ecopro Duyung Baru

Indonesia

6 guests27 m

$361/day

Jaya

Indonesia

14 guests23 m

$280/day

Wellenreng

Indonesia

9 guests25 m

$426/day

Komodo Aggressor

Komodo, Indonesia

16 guests29 m

$312/day

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m

$488/day

Mari

Indonesia

14 guests32.2 m

$327/day

Situju7

Komodo, Indonesia

10 guests32.7 m

$362/day

Pindito

Indonesia

16 guests37.79 m

$533/day

Mermaid II

Komodo, Indonesia

18 guests

$354/day

Pearl of Papua

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

14 guests30 m

$303/day

Putri Naga

Komodo, Indonesia

6 guests25 m

$222/day