Hairball

Hairball is a classic muck dive on a sand-and-rubble slope in the Lembeh Strait, famous for its black volcanic sand and an abundance of small, well-camouflaged critters. The site is named for the fuzzy 'hairy' frogfish commonly seen there and for fine hair-like algae; it comprises multiple adjacent sections, with Hairball One the original and most dived. Dives typically start in shallow water (a few metres) and slope steeply to about 28-30 m at the deepest point. Water temperature is roughly 25-28 °C. Access is by boat with a giant-stride entry after a short 15-20 minute ride from nearby resorts. The site sits on a point so occasional moderate currents can flow across the slope; the dark volcanic sand and sediment are easily stirred, so good buoyancy and slow finning are recommended to avoid reducing visibility. Standard muck-dive precautions apply: watch finning near the bottom, be aware of puncture creatures like sea urchins and venomous fish such as scorpionfish and stonefish, and follow a guide. Night diving is commonly done and often produces additional macro sightings.