kapalselam.org · Independent Trip Report
Trip report describing a current-swept Pala Pala with corals, anthias, and deep-water cave structure.
Boat-accessed Maratua dive with a wall, a large cave, and strong current that rewards careful gas planning.
About Pala Pala
Pala Pala is a boat-accessed deep wall-and-cave dive in the Maratua / Derawan region. The site combines a long wall, a broad cave entrance, and enough structure to make gas management and buoyancy planning the core of the dive rather than the easy part. Divers come here for the overhangs, sponges, soft corals, and the reef sharks that often rest inside the cave.
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Where Is Pala Pala?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Pala Pala Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
Up to 36.8m
Depth Note
Described as a deep dive at 36.8 m and hard to do on a single tank; divers should plan to reserve enough gas for a decompression stop.
Best Season
Year-round, with peaks from September to December and March to April.
Typical Conditions
Deep wall-and-cave diving with strong current, warm water, and generally good visibility.
Safety & Access At Pala Pala
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Overhead environmentDangerous wildlife
Safety Notes
Use a reliable primary dive light with a backup for the cave. Plan gas reserves to allow for a decompression stop.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; plan with a liveaboard or Maratua resort dive operator.
Legal Notes
Follow local marine-area rules and the guide's plan.
Local Intel For Pala Pala
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A deep cave-and-wall dive to about 36.8 m, requiring strong gas management and appropriate lighting, with decompression planning mentioned.
Freediving
Not a freedive-first site; the depth and cave structure make scuba and solid gas planning the better fit.
Snorkeling
Not a snorkel-first site; the interesting part starts deep on the wall and inside the cave.
Wildlife at Pala Pala
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Pala Pala
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Pala Pala
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
No community dive data has been logged here yet. Be the first to record a dive and seed the averages.
