Page 85 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

The Togean Islands

Central Sulawesi

Stunning walls with world class corals off Kadidiri, abundant fish life at
Una Una and some interesting muck diving with a variety of critters.
Very few operators in the area makes diving in the Togeans an exclusive sand beaches, rock Conditions
pinnacles, turquoise
experience. water, lagoons and Warm water, good visibility and little current make the
sunsets that take your dive sites of the Togeans suitable for divers of all levels.
breath away make the For experienced divers looking for more challenging
Togean Islands as awe conditions there are a couple of deep sites with
he Togean Islands are an archipelago which are based around the bay. The inspiring on land as they stronger currents.
in the Gulf of Tomini, Central nearest town is Wakai, just off Togean are underwater.
TSulawesi. Most operators are based Island which is a small harbor town with Annual Water temperature in the Togean Islands
on Kadidiri Island which is accessed local shops, warungs and a bustling Sinking beneath the is from 28 degrees Celcius in January and February
either by taking the overnight ferry from market. Wakai is the entry point to diving surface reveals a density through to 32 degrees Celcius in October and
Gorontalo to Wakai or 3 hour ferry from in the Togeans. and variety of coral that November. Togean’s protected location means very
Ampana to Wakai. Ferries from Gorontalo is hard to match – walls little rainfall; the wettest months are January and
and Ampana to Wakai run twice a week The main stream language in Togean with overhangs, ledges, February but rainfall is not torrential and mainly during
only and dive operators will pick up guests is Bahasa Indonesia and the people are caverns, branching fans the night, the driest months are July and August.
from Wakai which is a 20 minute boat predominantly Muslim. Agriculture is and attention grabbing Visibility is weather dependent and can range from
ride from Kadidiri. the main industry in the Togean islands side profiles that will as low as 5 meters immediately following rain falls
where the equatorial climate provides astound even the most but stretch as far as 40 meters from March to May,
Gorontalo Airport is serviced by domestic ideal conditions for growing cocoa, cloves seasoned of divers. average visibility is 20 meters.
airlines only so transit is usually via and coconuts. The driest months are from
Makassar. Private boat charters to Wakai May to October and the wettest months The Togean’s are one of Togean diving is based around both Kadidiri and
are possible – check with your operator are December to February; resorts all Indonesia’s hidden gems Una Una. Kadidiri boasts a selection of topographies
in advance if you do not want to take the open all year round. – relatively untouched from muck diving sandy slopes to coral reefs and
public ferry. If you are staying at Walea with pristine reefs, vertical walls of stunning corals. Una Una offers more
Dive Resort fly into Luwuk. There is no denying that the Togean secluded paradisiacal abundant fish life, the opportunity of passing pelagics,
Islands are not the easiest dive islands and a true display a spectacular pinnacle and beautiful walls. For wreck
Kadidiri is off the north west tip of Togean destination in Indonesia to access but of the natural beauty of diving enthusiasts there is a B24 bomber wreck located
island and is just 5km long. The island is waking on the ferry as it nears Wakai at the underwater realm. on the south side of Togean Island and if you have a
skirted by white sand beaches and the sunrise makes it all worthwhile – and this day off from diving there is also a jelly fish lake which
interior is rainforest. There is no town or is only a taster of what is to come. White makes for some interesting snorkeling.
local community on Kadidiri – the only
occupants being the few dive resorts

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