Dive Site: Lekuan I

About Lekuan I

Lekuan I is a premier dive site located in the heart of Bunaken National Marine Park, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. This site is celebrated for its dramatic wall diving, featuring steep drop-offs that plunge to significant depths, creating a spectacular underwater landscape. The walls are richly adorned with diverse hard and soft corals, barrel sponges, and sea fans, thriving thanks to the nutrient-rich waters that characterize the park. The topography transitions from a shallow reef top, often with a sandy slope, to a vertical wall that extends well past 30 meters. These intricate structures, including caverns, cracks, and overhangs, provide a habitat for a wide array of reef fish and smaller critters. While its adjoining sections, Lekuan II and III, present varied current conditions and profiles, Lekuan I itself is known for moderate to strong currents that can attract larger pelagic species. Marine life at Lekuan I is exceptionally rich, with frequent encounters of green and hawksbill turtles, sometimes more than ten on a single dive. Schools of pyramid butterflyfish, bannerfish, and fusiliers are common, alongside sightings of reef sharks, eagle rays, and trevallies. The healthy reef ecosystem and abundant biodiversity make it a captivating dive destination for both macro enthusiasts and those seeking pelagic action. Logistically, accessing Lekuan I typically involves a boat entry from resorts within Bunaken National Marine Park, following a flight into Manado. Diving here often forms part of a multi-day itinerary exploring the diverse sites of Bunaken, offering an experience suitable for advanced divers comfortable with currents, especially at Lekuan I and II.

Dive site facts: Lekuan I

Depth

5–40 m

Typical dive

20–40 m, 50–60 min

Current

Moderate to strong

Visibility

20–40 m

Water temperature

26–30 °C

Entry

Boat

Level

Advanced recommended (20+ logged dives)

Dive type

Wall, coral garden, pelagic encounters

Region / port

Bunaken National Marine Park, North Sulawesi

Coordinates

1.6178, 124.7534

Conditions & Currents

Lekuan I frequently experiences moderate to strong currents, which can vary depending on tidal movements. Divers should anticipate a drift dive scenario, requiring comfort with water movement and good buoyancy control. While currents can bring in pelagic action, they also necessitate careful dive planning, including appropriate gas management and an awareness of entry and exit points, which are typically managed via live pickup by the tender boat. Visibility generally ranges from 20 to 40 meters, though it can occasionally drop to 10 meters, particularly during certain seasonal transitions or after heavy rainfall. Surge is usually mild, but a strong current can intensify it.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green sea turtle

common

Hawksbill turtle

occasional

Pyramid butterflyfish

common

Black triggerfish

common

Anthias

common

Whitetip reef shark

occasional

Eagle ray

occasional

Napoleon wrasse

occasional

Banded sea krait

occasional

Moray eel

occasional

Giant trevally

occasional

Tuna

occasional

Nudibranch

occasional

Crabs

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Lekuan I begins with a boat entry, typically positioning you at the top of the wall. You'll descend onto a shallow reef, which quickly transitions into a dramatic vertical drop-off, plunging past 30 meters. The initial part of the dive explores this vibrant wall, looking for turtles and schools of reef fish. As you progress, the current will often carry you along the wall, allowing for a relaxed drift. Keep an eye out for canyons and cracks that harbor moray eels and other macro life. The turn point is usually dictated by your air consumption and no-decompression limits, or when the dive guide signals a change in direction to maximize sightings. Your safety stop will typically be performed in the calmer, shallower sections of the reef top, where you can admire the coral garden and look for smaller creatures before surfacing for a tender pickup.

Underwater photography

Lekuan I offers excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. For the dramatic wall scenery, schooling fish, and encounters with turtles and rays, a wide-angle lens is ideal. Be prepared for potentially strong currents, as this can make stable shooting challenging; practice good buoyancy control to avoid damaging corals. For macro subjects like nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp, and other small critters hiding in cracks, a macro lens is essential. Consider using strobes to bring out the true colors of the vibrant corals and marine life, especially in deeper sections of the wall. Always maintain a respectful distance from marine life and ensure your fins do not stir up sediment or impact the delicate reef.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Lekuan II

  An adjoining site with similar wall diving, numerous canyons and cracks.

• Lekuan III

  A calmer, less current-exposed adjoining site, suitable for beginners with a sandy slope.

• Muka Gereja

  A steep winding wall with caves, cracks, and barrel sponges.

• Mike’s Point

  Known for strong currents, diversity of corals, and larger pelagics.

• Raymond’s Point

  A beautiful wall with sponges, wire corals, and a large cave.

• Tanjung Kopi

  A pelagic-rich site on Manado Tua, characterized by strong currents.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Lekuan I typically begins with flying into Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) in Manado, North Sulawesi. From Manado, it's a 45-minute to one-hour boat ride to your resort on Bunaken Island or one of the nearby islands within Bunaken National Marine Park. Most diving operations are conducted as day trips from these resorts, offering three dives daily. Bunaken National Marine Park requires diving permits, which are usually arranged by your dive operator. Trips to this region generally involve several days of diving to explore various sites within the park, often combined with other North Sulawesi destinations like Lembeh Strait for muck diving, depending on the itinerary.

Safety & environment

Diving at Lekuan I requires adherence to standard safety protocols and an awareness of site-specific conditions. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Manado, approximately an hour's boat ride from Bunaken, plus transit time on land. Comprehensive dive insurance, including coverage for emergency medical evacuation, is highly recommended due to the remote location. Strong currents are a frequent feature, so divers must be proficient in drift diving techniques and maintain excellent buoyancy control. Always dive with a surface marker buoy (SMB) for visibility upon surfacing and stay close to your dive guide. Never exceed your training limits and ensure all gear is properly maintained. Respect marine life by observing from a distance and avoid touching corals or animals.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Lekuan I FAQ

Liveaboards diving Lekuan I

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

Naga Biru

Indonesia

12 guests40 m

$309/day

Ecopro Duyung Baru

Indonesia

6 guests27 m

$361/day

Jaya

Indonesia

14 guests23 m

$280/day

Wellenreng

Indonesia

9 guests25 m

$425/day

Komodo Aggressor

Komodo, Indonesia

16 guests29 m

$312/day

Blue Manta

Indonesia

20 guests45 m

$482/day

Mari

Indonesia

14 guests32.2 m

$371/day

Situju7

Komodo, Indonesia

10 guests32.7 m

$362/day

Pindito

Indonesia

16 guests37.79 m

$533/day

Mermaid II

Komodo, Indonesia

18 guests

$443/day

Pearl of Papua

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

14 guests30 m

$303/day

Putri Naga

Komodo, Indonesia

6 guests25 m