3W Dive Center
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4.3 km away as the crow flies
Lombok · Indonesia · Asia
Max. depth · 30 mDiving Turtle City, Lombok: Green Turtle Encounters on a Hidden Reef
Descend onto a distinctive underwater hill in Lombok where countless green turtles thrive, offering intimate encounters amidst vibrant coral and schooling fish.
What makes this site special
- Encounters with numerous green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
- Underwater hill topography from 8m to 30m deep
- Dense schools of fusiliers and jacks
- Vibrant coral reefs on two sides of the hill
- Potential for strong currents for an exhilarating dive
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Turtle city about the site
Dropping onto Turtle City, you'll immediately sense the unique profile of this submerged hill. The summit, rising to a shallow 8 meters, acts as a beacon, drawing in the light and the creatures that thrive in its embrace. From this elevated plateau, the reef slopes gradually down to its base at 30 meters, creating a diverse landscape that caters to a wide array of marine life.
The topography of Turtle City is defined by its two flourishing coral reef sections, flanking the sides of the hill. These healthy coral formations provide both shelter and sustenance, attracting a concentrated population of marine residents. It’s along these vibrant slopes that you can truly appreciate the health of the ecosystem, often watching green turtles browse among the corals with calm indifference to your presence.
As you explore the contours of Turtle City, you'll find yourself amidst a dynamic oceanic environment. The site lives up to its name, with green turtles being the absolute highlight; they are virtually ubiquitous, appearing frequently both at the shallower summit and along the deeper parts of the hill. Observing their natural behavior, from feeding to resting on ledges, is a defining element of any dive here.
Beyond the star attractions, the water column around Turtle City pulses with life. Immense schools of fusiliers often form shimmering, dense clouds, constantly on the move. These are frequently shadowed by watchful jacks, patrolling the reef edges, along with smaller but equally captivating groups of damselfish and transient mackerel, adding to the bustling activity of the site. Be prepared, as the current here can be very strong, often dictating a drift profile and adding an extra layer of exhilaration to the dive.
Diving Turtle city: the marine life you’ll meet
Diving conditions
Turtle City is accessible for divers of all levels, offering a dive profile that spans from 8 meters at the summit down to 30 meters at its base. Be aware that currents at this site can be strong, requiring careful attention to buoyancy and group management. While specific visibility details for the site are not provided, regional conditions suggest clear waters. There is no specific best period mentioned for diving Turtle City.
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Frequently asked questions about Turtle city
What level of diver is Turtle City suitable for?
Turtle City is accessible to divers of all levels, so you can explore the site regardless of your experience. You should still pay close attention to buoyancy and group management, because currents can be strong. The submerged hill offers varied terrain, with coral-covered slopes and marine life across its profile.
How deep is Turtle City?
Turtle City ranges from 8 meters at the summit to 30 meters at the base. You can explore the shallow elevated plateau before following the underwater hill down toward deeper areas. Its changing depth creates varied scenery, including coral reef sections along both sides and turtles at different parts of the site.
What are the currents like at Turtle City?
Currents at Turtle City can be strong and may dictate a drift profile during your dive. Careful attention to buoyancy and group management is important as you move around the submerged hill. These conditions add an exhilarating element, while the current also carries you through areas of coral and schooling fish.
What can you see at Turtle City?
At Turtle City, you can encounter numerous green turtles browsing among coral, resting on ledges, or moving along the hill. Dense schools of fusiliers and groups of jacks animate the water, while damselfish and mackerel add variety. Vibrant coral reefs flank two sides of the underwater hill.
