Palung-palung

This dive site, Palung Palung, lies just beyond Tulamben’s well-known Drop Off, accessible via a short boat ride in a traditional jukung. Its slightly more remote location means it sees fewer divers, allowing its pristine coral formations to thrive undisturbed. The site takes its name from the Indonesian word for "trough," referencing the sandy gully that marks the start of the dive. Descending along a gradual slope, divers encounter a stunning variety of corals—from intricate brain and honeycomb formations to vibrant branching and mushroom corals. Purple tube sponges emerge from briar coral fields, while blue sea stars and other echinoderms dot the reef. This rich coral ecosystem supports diverse marine life, including schools of butterflyfish, chromis, and sergeant majors, as well as occasional sightings of pufferfish, cornetfish, and camouflaged scorpionfish. Larger visitors like turtles and reef sharks may also appear, while batfish, tangs, Moorish idols, and clownfish add to the site’s vibrant biodiversity.