Page 73 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Dive Site and
Diving Overview Temperature Marine Life

Diving temperatures tend to be Highlights
much more stable in North Sulawesi
than in other, more southerly areas Dolphin and pilot whale pods are spotted
of Indonesia. Bunaken Marine Park throughout the region. Seasonal sperm
dive sites are around 27 – 29 degrees whale sightings are a highlight around
Celcius consistently throughout the Bangka and Bunaken and dugongs are also
year. Lembeh Strait temperatures known to frequent these areas.
drop from August to October and
range between 24 to 26 degrees – a Bunaken Marine Park is best known for
seasonal cool which is not detected its huge resident population of green
on the west side of the region. turtles. The Lembeh Strait is known for
offering the best muck diving in the world
Conditions due to it’s unrivalled abundance of rare
and unusual critters, including blue ring
Diving conditions around North octopus, three species of pygmy seahorse,
Sulawesi are generally calm hairy frogfish (and seven other species),
which make it an ideal place flamboyant cuttlefish, stargazers, coconut,
for those learning to dive, less long arm and hairy octopus, ghost
experienced divers and those who enjoy pipefish, an array of nudibranch, harlequin
taking their dives at a relaxing pace. Dive shrimps, tiger shrimps, rhinopias, pipefish
sites vary from wall diving through to and mandarinfish – the list goes on!
sloping reefs with sandy bottoms.
Also found in North Sulawesi are several
Some currents do occur, particularly endemic species including the Lembeh sea
around the Bunaken Marine Park Islands, dragon and the Banggai cardinal fish.
Bangka and Gangga, usually around full
moon. The Lembeh Strait and Manado Snorkeling and Freediving
Bay are sheltered and mostly remain calm.
Shore diving in Manado Bay is affected by Highlights
waves when there is wind or swell which The turtles in the Bunaken
he diving around in North Sulawesi is arguably the most diverse in all results in more difficult entries and limited marine park are spotted
of Indonesia. From world famous muck diving in the Lembeh Strait, visibility. in the shallows as are sea
Tthrough to the immense walls of the Bunaken Marine Park which was snakes, moray eels, lionfish
one of the first Marine Protected Areas in Indonesia and the vibrant reefs of Bunaken Island acts as a natural barrier and many other interesting
North Sulawesi’s outlying islands such as Bangka and Gangga. to weather conditions and one side of species. Vibrant corals
the island will always be on the leeside, which are teeming with fish are a definite
allowing for diving regardless of weather.
North Sulawesi is also on the migratory path of several whale species, highlight.
dolphin pods are a common sight and the range of marine life species Visibility is generally excellent all year
spotted here ranges from the tiniest of macro critters through to some of round at North Sulawesi’s reef and wall The critters of the Lembeh Strait are
the largest marine mammals on Earth. dive sites. Muck diving sites such as those exceptionally well camouflaged and can
be difficult to spot from the surface,
found in the Lembeh Strait and Manado occasional low visibility also makes
For wreck divers, the Molas wreck is located in Manado Bay and the Lembeh Bay are affected by run off from the Lembeh not the best choice for snorkelers
Strait is also home to several wreck opportunities. mainland during rainy periods and visibility although the sites located on the North
is limited accordingly. and East coast offer clear water and an
Whether wide-angle or macro photography is your calling, North Sulawesi is abundance of marine life and corals.
literally packed with underwater photography opportunities. Areas to visit Bangka and Gangga offer excellent

- Bunaken Marine Park snorkeling and freediving conditions with
- Manado Bay good visibility, and a wide variety of marine
- The Lembeh Strait life and diverse corals.
Bangka and Outlying Island
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