Tunang Wall

Tunang Wall is one of the most dramatic dives in the Gili area — a true open-sea wall starting at 10 metres and plunging vertically past 35 metres into deep blue. The pinnacle it forms part of sits several kilometres north of the Gili Islands in exposed open water, which means this site is only accessible when weather and tidal conditions align. We run Tunang Wall exclusively on slack tide: when the current is running it can be powerful enough to make the dive impossible and the boat ride uncomfortable.

The wall face itself is exceptional. From the top at 10 metres to the recreational limit at 35 metres, it is covered in a succession of gorgonian sea fans, black coral trees, and large barrel sponges growing from every ledge and crack. The vertical profile means the coral communities change noticeably with depth — the shallower sections hold dense hard coral gardens and schools of fusiliers, while the deeper sections transition to the fan and black coral formations that thrive in the cooler, nutrient-rich water upwelling from below.

Between 18 and 25 metres there is an established reef-shark cleaning station. Whitetip reef sharks line up here to have parasites removed by cleaner wrasse — on a good day five or six sharks can be observed resting motionless while being serviced, a remarkable behaviour to witness underwater. Eagle rays cruise the open water off the wall, and sea snakes hunt along the wall face. Trevally and schools of fusiliers sweep past in tightly organised groups.

The site is Advanced level and not for the faint-hearted. Current can accelerate rapidly at this exposed location, and boat conditions can change quickly. Experienced divers who make it here are rewarded with some of the most dramatic scenery and most concentrated big-animal encounters in the region.

Diver tips: Descend close to the wall and use it for reference throughout the dive — open-water disorientation can be an issue at exposed pinnacles. Check air consumption carefully; the remoteness of the site means there is no chance to surface close to the boat if you go low on air. Bring a reef hook if you have one — attaching briefly to an empty, dead-coral area at the cleaning station allows you to watch the sharks without fighting current. Surface early and signal the boat well before you drift out of visual range.