Diving in Belongas Bay

Famous for it’s dive sites “The Magnet“ and “The Cathedral“, here you’ll find pristine reefs and an abundance of marine life. Diving in south east Lombok, the seasonable sighting of schooling barracudas, tunas, and other pelagic life is fairly regular, and apart from the mobula- and eagle ray season during September, hammerheads have the tendency to sometimes school around the Magnet end June until early November.

As currents and dive conditions in south east Lombok can at times be quite challenging, we recommend diving “The Magnet” only to the more experienced diver!

Minimum Prerequisites for diving the “Magnet” and the “Cathedral” are a advanced certification and, from November until end April, 50 logged dives. From May until end October, 100 logged dives. The dive center reserves the right to ask for a check dive before diving at these dive sites.

Travel to Belongas Bay

Belongas Bay is on the south western shore of the idyllic Lombok Island, facing into the Indian Ocean and west of the Kuta area, and the bay is deep and sheltered.  There are several reefs in the bay which offer opportunities for snorkeling, with a plentiful supply of lobsters, parrotfish and corals.  Nemo would be quite at home here.

The bay also offers plenty of fishing, either from the beach or on chartered fishing boats, and tuna, mackerel and wahoo are regular catches.  The sea is rich enough in food to attract schools of hammerhead sharks.

The beaches are white and inviting, and the perfect setting for picnics.  The many small islands along the coast offer opportunities for exploration.

Belongas (or Blongas) Bay is one of the lesser developed areas of Lombok, and a good centre for trekking if you feel like exploring on foot. Local guides will show you a way of life that does not appear to have changed for hundreds of years.

Getting to Belongas Bay is a little more challenging than getting to other areas of Lombok, but worth the effort for the peace and seclusion.  The airport is only a half hour drive from Kuta, but Belongas to Kuta is a two hour slog along a not particularly good road.

Accommodation at Belongas is very limited, currently only The Lodge, which offers one double bedroom and two singles, in bungalows, but there are more options at Kuta Beach or  Sekotong beach, if you can face the journey. 

Sekotong is closer and offers accommodation ranging from modest lodging houses to exclusive (and expensive) bungalows. It is fast becoming a top destination on Lombok Island, and will provide you with plenty of choices of both accommodation and entertainment.

(By Angela Webster)