Likuan 2

Likuan 2 is the central and most visited section of Bunaken’s celebrated Lekuan wall system, widely regarded as one of the finest wall dives in Indonesia.

Overview

Sitting in the heart of Bunaken Island’s south-facing wall sequence, Likuan 2 offers the most continuous and visually dramatic section of vertical coral architecture on the island. The wall plunges from just below the surface down past 40 metres, and the sheer density of life covering the face sets it apart even by Bunaken’s exceptional standards. Large barrel sponges, purple and orange sea fans, black coral trees, and fields of hard plate corals all compete for wall space. The site sits deep inside Bunaken National Marine Park, protecting this biodiversity hotspot for the past three decades.

What to Expect

Divers enter from the boat directly above the wall crest and descend along the near-vertical face. The wall’s most photogenic sections are between 15 and 30 metres, where overhangs festooned with soft corals frame views into the deep blue below. Giant barrel sponges at these depths regularly host cleaner shrimps, making them favourite photo stops. The base of the wall, where it meets the sandy slope, is hunting territory for whitetip reef sharks — two to four individuals are commonly seen resting in the sand.

Green turtles are so reliably present at Likuan 2 that guides often guarantee sightings. They feed on the soft coral growth clinging to the wall face and frequently appear unconcerned by diver presence after years of careful interactions. Napoleon wrasse cruise the mid-water column, and large schools of big-eye trevally sometimes surge past in tight formation. The shallow reef flat above the wall holds seahorses, nudibranchs, and ghost pipefish for those who linger during safety stops.

Conditions

• Depth range: 2–40+ m
• Visibility: 15–30 m
• Currents: Moderate to strong; upwellings possible — experienced buoyancy management required
• Water temperature: 27–30°C
• Best season: May–October

Tips

This site is best dived when current is manageable, allowing time to explore the wall face rather than drift quickly past it. Morning dives typically offer the best light angle for photography on the wall. The boat captain will anchor up-current, so the return swim is straightforward. A dive torch reveals the colourful invertebrates tucked inside overhangs that are invisible in ambient light.

Sources: Murex Resorts - Diving Bunaken Guide, Two Fish Divers - Bunaken Dive Sites, Bluewater Dive Travel - Manado Bunaken, Dive The World - Bunaken Manado, ZuBlu - Beautiful Bunaken Guide, Murex Resorts - Diving Bunaken, Tasik Ria Dive Sites Bunaken, ZuBlu - Best Dive Sites in Bunaken, Dive The World - Bunaken National Park, Underwater Asia - Bunaken Diving Guide. Last updated 2026-04-04.