Dive-site story
Batu Mandi is an offshore rock pinnacle off the coast of North Sulawesi, near Bangka Island. Massive granite boulders drop into sandy bottoms, carpeted by dense patches of soft corals, large gorgonians, and tunicates. Water movement around the exposed structure attracts pelagic predators as well as schooling reef fish seeking shelter in crevices and overhangs.
Vast fields of multicolored Dendronephthya soft corals coating granite pinnacles
Frequent sightings of passing white-tip reef sharks and hunting trevallies
Abundant macro critters sheltering in crags, including Bargibanti pygmy seahorses on sea fans
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Calmer seas and optimal visibility generally run through the dry season months.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banded sea kraitLaticauda colubrina | Common | ||||||||||||
| Bargibant's pygmy seahorseHippocampus bargibanti | Common | ||||||||||||
| Whitetip reef sharkTriaenodon obesus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Bigeye trevallyCaranx sexfasciatus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Blue-spotted stingrayNeotrygon kuhlii | Common |
Marine forecast
