Diving in North Sulawesi

Diving in North Sulawesi

Diving in North Sulawesi

Located east of Borneo, in the heart of the Celebes Sea situates the star shaped island of Sulawesi. One of the largest of Indonesia's 17,000 islands, it's chracterised by rich and diverse cultures, verdent mountain ranges and deep surrounding waters which play host to an abundance of marine life.

There's plenty of diving to be had throughout many areas of the island but the range and wealth of the dives sites that surround the northern tip surely provides a first class diving experience and makes an ideal diving holidays Sulawesi. This region is known as North Sulawesi.

There are many islands that can be reached confortably over a two week period. Starting on the western side, Bunaken Island has incredible walls that drop just offshore and plunge to hundreds of meters. Densely packed hard and soft corals drench these reefs in colour and there's a staggering divesity of fish life which dart frantically in and out of the reef walls. For those staying on the island itself it's possible to snorkel directly from the shore out over the plateau to the wall, be careful to keep a reference on shore as strong currents can push you away you from your entry point. It's possible to see sharks, turtles, rays and other passing big fish around Bunaken which has recently been declared a marine park in order of protecting these very species.

Moving further east, just an hour or so by boat and you'll find the islands of Gangga and Bangka. Experienced divers will note the change in topography, whereas Bunaken is typically walls the marine environment here features ridges and pinnacles which tend to be blanketed in soft corals. Deep oceanic trenches channel nutrient rich waters which in turn supports the abundance of soft corals that are typical of this area. Again it's possible to stay on the islands, only now you'll be lucky enough to relax on white sand beaches with views uninteruppted by mangroves as is the case with Bunaken. Keep your eyes out in the blue for passing pelagics, if you prefer macro or have an interest in photography be sure to stay close to your dive guide who will most likely have a better chance of spotting small critters.

Off Sulawesi's north eastern coast lies the island of Lembeh. The strait that separates offers a unique diving experience that really should not be missed when visiting this region. The black volcanic slopes at first look desolate and lifeless but over generations marine life has evolved in ways that are found in few few places on earth. Evolution has run wild as predator and prey compete in the cycle of life. Divers flock from all over the world in a phenomonen which is know as muck diving, it may not be pretty but the strange marine life more than makes up for the colour found on reefs in other areas of Sulawesi.

Diving holidays Sulawesi can be made pretty much year round but if possible avoid the months of December and January as this is the rainy season, however almost all dive operations dive year round. Enjoy!

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