School of scalloped hammerhead sharks in the Galápagos Islands

The Magnet

Belongas Bay, Lombok, Indonesia

  • Expert
  • Very strong current
  • Best Jul to Sep

The Magnet is an expert dive site in Belongas Bay, Lombok, Indonesia. Dives run from 15 to 40 m, in very strong current. The best months are July to September. Marine life here includes white-tip reef shark, barracuda and tuna. 3 dive shops on Scubalo run trips here.

Updated

Conditions at The Magnet

Max depth
50 m
Depth range
15–40 m
Current
Very strong
Level
Expert
Depth profile: dives from 15 m to 40 m.

Safety

Surge
Felt down to 20 metres; stay below about 15 metres and make safety stops away from the rock.
Current
Very strong and can shift; for experienced divers with a local guide.
Experience
Most shops ask for Advanced certification and at least 50 logged dives.

About The Magnet

The Magnet is a rocky pinnacle in the open sea off Belongas Bay, southwest Lombok, rising from about 50 metres, known for hammerhead sharks from July to September and for strong current and surge.

The Magnet is the reason most divers make the trip to Belongas Bay in southwest Lombok. It is a large rocky pinnacle in the open sea, 20 to 30 minutes by boat from the bay, rising from about 50 metres. Waves crash over the top of the rock, and the surge can be felt as deep as 20 metres, so the dive is made below about 15 metres and safety stops away from the rock.

The draw is pelagic life. Hammerhead sharks are seen here, most often from July to September, together with whitetip reef sharks, mackerel, large dogtooth tuna, mobula rays, eagle rays and walls of barracuda. When the current is strong, divers stay on the north side; when it eases, it is possible to circle the whole rock.

Most shops take divers here on full-day trips to Belongas Bay and ask for at least an Advanced certification and 50 logged dives.

When to dive The Magnet

Best months: July, August, September.

Season

Right now
Hammerhead season
July to September.
Best months
April to October, the dry season, with calmer seas and the best visibility.

Marine life at The Magnet

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

Type of diving

Questions about The Magnet

When is the best time to see hammerheads at The Magnet?

July to September.

How deep is The Magnet?

The pinnacle rises from about 50 metres. Surge near the top means the dive is made below about 15 metres.

Who can dive The Magnet?

Experienced divers only. Most shops ask for at least an Advanced certification and 50 logged dives.

What else can you see at The Magnet?

Whitetip reef sharks, mackerel, dogtooth tuna, mobula and eagle rays, and schools of barracuda.

Where is The Magnet?

In the open sea off Belongas Bay in southwest Lombok, 20 to 30 minutes by boat from the bay.

Reviews

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Dive shops that go to The Magnet

3 shops in the directory run trips here.

See all 3 shops