Belongas Bay: The Magnet Dive Site – South Lombok

Site Overview

The Magnet is widely regarded as the ultimate dive site in southern Lombok and one of the best pelagic diving experiences in all of Indonesia. This submerged seamount rises from 40 meters to just 8 meters below the surface in the open Indian Ocean off the coast of Belongas Bay, creating an underwater mountain that acts as a powerful magnet for large marine life. The pinnacle's exposed position in the path of deep ocean currents means it receives a constant supply of nutrients, which attracts spectacular concentrations of pelagic species. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are the headline attraction, with schools of 10 to 50 individuals regularly seen patrolling the deeper slopes during the dry season. Grey reef sharks cruise the mid-depths alongside massive dogtooth tuna and giant trevally, while enormous schools of barracuda, fusiliers, and surgeonfish create living walls around the pinnacle summit. The current can be extremely strong, requiring experienced divers to use reef hooks and maintain close proximity to the rock face. Despite the challenging conditions, The Magnet rewards adventurous divers with an intensity of pelagic encounters that few other dive sites in the world can match. The site is only accessible during favorable weather and tidal conditions, adding to its reputation as a dive for serious enthusiasts seeking the thrill of big animal encounters in raw, open-ocean conditions.