Sulawesi
Northern Sulawesi
Manado in Northern Sulawesi is probably one of the most popular starting points for most UK divers considering Indonesia as a potential destination.
For non-divers there is the option to relax in some very good quality hotels with all the amenities. For the more adventurous, there are day trips into the Tangkoko area to see the local flora & fauna and one of the local volcanoes. It is also possible to take a small boat ride to Bunaken Island and see one of the traditional villages. There are also waterfalls to visit and for the more adventurous, white water rafting.
Manado has not been developed as a tourist destination in the conventional sense. However the city is served by it's own airport with connecting flights to/from Singapore 3 times a week. There are two main resort hotels with self-contained dive centres. In addition, there is a dive resort on one of the islands in the Bunaken National Park, just of the coast to the east of Manado City. There are also some smaller dive/ accommodation operators in the area around Manado City. In addition, there are dive resorts serving the Lembeh Straits which are about an hour and a half's drive from Manado City.
There is also a liveaboard operating from Thalassa dive centre based at the hotel Santika near Manado City.
Mimpi is known to do 3-4 day excursions to all the dive sites in the area including the Lembeh Strait. Mimpi can also be chartered for longer durations and takes a northerly route up to the dive sites of the south Philippines area.
South Eastern Sulawesi
There is a island-based dive resort known as Wakatobi serving the Tukang Besi Archipelago.
Notable Dive Sites
Manado/ Bunaken Park
This is the most popular area. Most of the diving is wall diving. There is a good diversity of marine and coral life. The viz is generally good with white sand to reflect light. There are about 30 dive sites in this area.
Lekuan 1/2/3
These sites have slightly different characteristics but a good of fish and coral species. Turtles and reef sharks found here as well
Barracuda Point
Usually a drift dive. Pelagic sightings common
Fukui
Large napoleon wrasse and three giant clams are the favourites here
Banka
Probably for the more experienced diver due to currents. Fantastic corals
Molas wreck
A second world war casualty down approximately 38 metres and reasonably intact. Good to compare the state of this wreck with UK WW2 wrecks.
Prima reef 1 & 2
(Poopo) Good for sea horses and the legendary Rinopias fish. On the surface and suspended below you will see floating pearl farms.
Lembeh Strait
This is a world Class muck diving site with many varied and unique species. Here the bottom is composed of near-black volcanic sand. Can be dived as a day trip from the Manado dive centres or transfer to more local accommodation if you plan to spend a few days here. The water temperature is usually a few degrees less than Bunaken and the viz is also reduced. There are about 15 or more notable dive sites in the straight. Typical examples being:
Aer Parang
(war water) After the fist world war a war ship blasted a hole in the rocks to get at fresh water. Average depth about 10 metres. Good for sea horses, shaggy frog fish, snake and ribbon eels.
Hairball
Not the most alluring of sites - but look a little closer and you will find some amazing Macro life
Macawbe
Sloping muck bottom. Nudibranch, clown trigger fish and frog fish here
Batu Angus
Try this as a night dive. You won't be disappointed at the nocturnal displays of courtship and socialising provided by the local marine life
Bimola wreck site
Japanese WW2 freighter at 30 metres. Also home to frog fish and barracuda
California Dreaming
Hills and valleys of coral with a distinct orange/ pink hue.
Critter Hunt
Many varieties of nudibranch
Angel's Window
Arched swim- thru make this site different
Best Time to Visit
Anytime but dry season is May-October. Water temperature minimum is 26°C, rising to around 30°C in August.
There is a island-based dive resort serving the Tukang Besi Archipelago & Pulau Kaledupa region
World Wise
Manado is a thriving, working city & has no tourist infrastructure & sight seeing potential.
South Eastern Sulawesi is notoriously difficult to reach. Make sure you are comfortable with the journey & transfer times.
Photography by Steve Parry ©
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