Sumbawa, Moyo & Sangeang

Sumbawa’s strongest scuba circuit is spread across Moyo Island, Sangeang volcano, Banta and Bima Bay. Moyo adds reef slopes and seamounts, Sangeang is best known for volcanic sand and macro life, and Banta sits in current-exposed water near Komodo.

Best time
May–Oct
Certification
Advanced open water
Budget
$$–$$$ · $2,000–4,000 to over $4,000
Trip length
5–10 days
Trip style
Liveaboard, Land based, Day trip
Access
Moderate

The short version

Known forVolcanic macro diving at Sangeang.

Main tradeoffThe useful sites are dispersed across a large area.

Sumbawa, Moyo & Sangeang dive region

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Your outlook

Explore 4 dive sites

Browse the map and wildlife below, or add an optional preference to narrow Sumbawa, Moyo & Sangeang.

Most relevant wildlife

  • Grey reef sharkApr–Nov
  • Hawksbill turtleApr–Nov
  • Pygmy seahorseApr–Nov
  • Giant trevallyApr–Nov

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4 sites shown.

Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest May–Oct · Strong current · 26.5–29.5°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
Best months Operating Closed / no trips
Current
Strong
Water temperature
26.5–29.5°C (coldest Jul, warmest Jan)
Visibility
5–30m: Bima muck sites can be low visibility; Moyo and exposed Banta reefs are often clearer.
Experience
Moyo offers moderate reef profiles, but Banta and the Sape Strait can carry strong, changing current.

01 · Marine life

What you may see

rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed

Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.

Grey reef sharkCarcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberdestination closed

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricata
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberdestination closed

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Pygmy seahorseHippocampus bargibanti
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberdestination closed

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Giant trevallyCaranx ignobilis
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januarydestination closed
Februarydestination closed
Marchdestination closed
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberdestination closed

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

See all 8 species

02 · Dive sites

Dive sites worth knowing

A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.

See all 4 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsModerate. Fly to BMU. Typical trip $$–$$$.

Route overview

Moderate

Reachable but with some friction: 1 domestic flight, a 6h boat crossing.

Airport options

BMU

Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport, Bima

Domestic connection, then operator transfer to Bima port or a liveaboard embarkation point

Typical trip cost

$$–$$$

$2,000–4,000 to over $4,000

Per person, excluding international flights.

  • Most representative coverage is sold as a multi-night Sumbawa–Komodo liveaboard; land-based Moyo diving covers a much smaller area.

Sources & last checked

Checked September 2026

Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.

View 3 sources and checking notes

Note on the data: Scuba-site evidence is strongest from itineraries and REEF observations. Saleh Bay whale sharks are real and scientifically important, but no whale-shark sighting entity is created because the tourism product is normally snorkelling at bagan lift nets. Water temperature: Rounded regional planning bands; exposed straits and bays differ. Access: Bima is the practical air gateway, but complete coverage normally requires a repositioning liveaboard and multi-hour crossings.