Page 101 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Morotai

Dive Site and Marine Life Highlights of Morotai Snorkeling

Morotai is becoming see a range of species including damsels, and Freediving
known for its shark parrotfish, boxfish, puffers and all of Highlights of
diving and almost all Indonesia’s most common reef fish. Look DIVE CENTERS
dive sites in Morotai offer reef shark out for moray eels, reef octopus, crocodile Morotai
sightings. The most commonly spotted fish on the sandy patches and a host of IN MALUKU
species is the blacktip reef shark along different shrimps. For snorkelers and freedivers there
with white tips and grey reef sharks. is certainly plenty to see around
Morotai is not only about sharks though, Aru Point is a beautiful wall dive site Morotai and snorkeling in many
you’ll find a plethora of marine species which has some of the best coral coverage places is simply just a walk off BLUE MoTIoN (SSI)
here – both large and small! Schooling in the area. Whilst the wall plummets the beach. During windy periods, Address : Jl. Pelabuhan No. 14, Laguna Hotel,
fusiliers, occasional barracudas and tuna, down to 70 meters it can be dived at surface conditions can be choppy Banda Neira, Maluku 97593
dolphins, devil rays, turtles, Napoleon any depth and is suitable for all levels of so snorkelers and freedivers are Phone : -
wrasse and even an occasional passing diver. The vibrant mix of both hard and recommended to visit from March Email : contact@dive-bluemotion.com
Website : www.dive-bluemotion.com
manta ray all share the dive sites with an soft corals here creates a rich tapestry of through to July which is when
abundance of colourful reef fish and coral vivid colours and attracts a multitude of sea conditions are calmer and all GAPI DIVE TERNATE (SSI)
dwelling critters! reef fish. Look out for fusiliers streaming snorkeling sites are accessible. Address : Jl. Maliaro, Maliaro, Ternate Island,
by in the blue, predatory tuna hunting and Maluku 97711
Other than marine life sightings, Morotai turtles resting on the reef. Aru Point also The majority of reefs around Morotai Phone : -
diving is steeped in history from World yields good shark sightings, look out for are fringing reefs which are easily Email : gapidive@gmail.com
War II. The Morotai Wreck site is located black tip, white tip and grey reefs. accessed and offer good coral Website : -
in front of what was a World War II coverage in the shallows. There is a
airport and is now a treasure trove of Rifky’s Point is one of the most productive healthy range of marine life and the DoDoKU DIVE CENTER (SSI)
Address : Jl. KBN BLK, Kelurahan Kastela
wartime artifacts which range from sites in Morotai. This rock pinnacle is opportunity to see reef sharks, turtles Ternate Island, Maluku 97751
aircraft wrecks through to tanks and bursting with colour and teeming with and sting rays. Phone : -
trucks. The site needs to be dived more life. Not only is this an excellent spot for Email : info@dodokudivecenter.id
than once in order to see everything that shark sightings, it’s a must visit site for One of the biggest draw cards to Website : www.dodokudivecenter.id
is on offer here, however some of the critter aficionados and macro underwater snorkeling in Morotai though is the
wrecks are better suited to advanced photographers. Black tip, white tip and island itself. This is off the beaten NAIRA DIVE (SSI)
level divers due to the depths at which grey reef sharks pass through; barracudas track and tourism is very much in Address : Jl. Maulana, Banda Neira,
they lay. In the shallow waters here and tunas are common sightings; and its infancy. If you want to go off the Maluku
there is also a pretty coral reef which is among the corals you’ll find a host of rare grid and the thought of experiencing Phone : -
Email : adjunaidi68@gmail.com
home to an abundance of diverse marine marine species. Look out for nudibranch, a “real Indonesian island” appeals Website : www.nairadive.com
species – the perfect place for a safety flat worms, cephalopods, cleaner shrimps to you then Morotai is definitely
stop! and moray eels hiding out in the reef. worth a visit. The local people are SALI BAy (PADI)
warmhearted and welcoming but if Address : Sali Bay Kecil, Bacan, Halmahera
For those who are thinking of diving in you a hoping for international style Maluku 97791
Morotai for the shark encounters, the luxury accommodation, western Phone : +62 812 4294 5843
best sites for sightings are Terminal dining and all of the creature Email : info@salibayresort.com
Gorango, Blacktip Point, Grey Shark Point, comforts from home, this may not be Website : alibayresort.com
and Rifky Point in Pulau Tabailenge. the right destination. What Morotai
lacks in luxury though it more
Terminal Gorango, Pasar Gorango and than makes up for with charm and
Grey Shark Point are all relatively flat dive authenticity.
sites which either bottom out or drop off
at between 15 and 24 meters. As well as
sharks at these sites, you can expect to

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