Bunutan is one of Amed’s most exciting drift dive sites, known for its dramatic underwater slopes and vibrant reef. The site is typically accessed by traditional jukung boat, as the dive benefits from starting over deeper sand and following the reef along its length. Depths range from around 5–40 meters, with an average around 18–30 meters.
The dive usually begins over a garden of Garden Eels on a sandy slope, where these elongated creatures sway like grass in the current. From there, the reef quickly becomes more pronounced, with large barrel sponges, hefty coral formations, and expansive sea fans decorating the slope. Currents often pick up here and can carry you gently along the reef, creating a true drift dive experience that many divers describe as “flying” over the underwater landscape.
Bunutan is also known for its marine life diversity. Larger species such as schools of Barracuda and Giant Trevally patrol the blue water above the reef, while Moray Eels and Octopuses shelter in the coral and rocky overhangs. In deeper sections and during stronger currents, the reef structure provides occasional shelter for juvenile Reef Sharks beneath ledges. Macro subjects such as Nudibranchs and Shrimp can also be found among the sponges and coral rubble.