Sunlight falling through a narrow reef chimney lined with sea fans and sponges

Hukurila Cave

Hukurila, Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia

  • Beginner
  • No current

Hukurila Cave is a beginner dive site in Hukurila, Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia. Dives run from 10 to 20 m, with little or no current. Marine life here includes pygmy seahorse. 3 dive shops on Scubalo run trips here.

Updated

Conditions at Hukurila Cave

Max depth
20 m
Depth range
10–20 m
Current
None
Level
Beginner
Depth profile: dives from 10 m to 20 m.

About Hukurila Cave

Hukurila Cave is a cave and swim through dive off Hukurila beach on the south coast of Ambon, about 15 kilometres from the city. Two rock arches lead to a swim through at around 10 metres, and a chimney can be followed down to about 20.

The dive is built around a chimney in the reef that splits into three exits at its base. One entrance is a narrow slit only two to three metres wide. Visibility is usually near 15 metres and average depth over the dive is about 20.

The cavern walls carry red, pink and orange gorgonian sea fans, sponges and whip corals that catch the light coming through the openings. Dogtooth tuna, jacks, trevallies, sweetlips, snapper and barracuda shelter around the structure, and blue spotted stingrays rest on the sand nearby. Pygmy seahorses sit on the sea fans for divers who slow down and look.

This is an overhead dive with several exits, so dive it with a guide who knows the route. A torch helps pick out the colour on the walls.

When to dive Hukurila Cave

Season

Best months
May to September on this stretch of the south coast.
Rest of the year
Ambon's operators run across much of it, so check with the shop you book.
Water temperature
About 26 to 30°C.

Marine life at Hukurila Cave

What divers report seeing here. Tap one to see where else it turns up.

Location

Questions about Hukurila Cave

What is Hukurila Cave known for?

Hukurila Cave is Ambon's cave dive. A chimney in the reef splits into three exits at its base, and two rock arches lead to a swim through at about 10 metres. The walls carry red, pink and orange gorgonian sea fans, sponges and whip corals.

How deep is Hukurila Cave?

The swim through sits at roughly 10 metres and the cave can be followed to about 20. Average depth over the dive is around 20 metres and visibility is usually near 15. Water temperature runs between about 26 and 30°C.

What should divers know before diving Hukurila Cave?

This is an overhead dive. One entrance is a slit only two to three metres wide and the chimney has three exits at its base, so a guide who knows the route matters. A torch helps pick out the sea fans and sponges on the cavern walls.

When is the best time to dive Hukurila Cave?

May to September is usually given as the best window for this part of Ambon's south coast. Operators on the island dive much of the rest of the year too, so check the season with the shop you book.

What marine life lives around Hukurila Cave?

Dogtooth tuna, jacks, trevallies, sweetlips, snapper and barracuda shelter around the structure, and blue spotted stingrays rest on the sand nearby. Pygmy seahorses live on the sea fans inside, for divers who take their time.

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Dive shops that go to Hukurila Cave

3 shops in the directory run trips here.

Dive sites near Hukurila Cave

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