Page 86 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

The Togean Islands The Togean Islands

Dive Site and Marine Life Highlights of Snorkeling and
the Togean Islands Freediving Highlights
of the Togean Islands
Off Kadidiri’s northern macro life as well as resting bat fish. unusual species can be
outer barrier reef lay found. The site is a shallow, Be prepared for remote tropical reefs without
three incredible sea Whilst Kadidiri diving is all about the long shore reef dive which another snorkeler in sight – this is the beauty
mounts: Labyrinth, coral, the diving around Una Una is slopes down to a vast
Catacomb and Mini Canyon. These definitely more about the fish – schooling sand bottom consisting of snorkeling and freediving in Togean! Life
literally seems to move at a slower pace here
three sites, whilst being similar, also fish in the blue, a multitude of both small of numerous small sandy and you can’t help but be carried away by
have some distinguishing features; at and medium sized reef fish and turtles, peaks; the reef is a mix of the easy going island vibes. A slower pace
the base of Labyrinth seamount is a eagle rays and passing predators are medium density, undulating on land however, does not mean less action
haphazard collection of various size rocks frequently seen here. hard and soft corals with underwater. The bountiful reefs are awash
and boulders creating a coral encrusted sandy areas in between. In with colour and there is a broad diversity of
maze. Eagle rays, bumphead parrot fish, The Pinnacle is a steep sided small the shallows small fish life is fish.
sting rays and napoleon wrasse are often pinnacle to the south of Una Una and abundant, electric blue and
seen here. Catacomb is bordered by Menara Dua is a small sea mount slightly yellow damsels dart back The opportunity to see larger pelagics
staggering walls with bulbous overhangs, further north. Both sites offer divers and forth over branching does present itself but not with guaranteed
huge gorgonians, rifts, faults and deep walls and steeply sloping reefs of corals and basslets bask frequency. The highlight here is the clear
craggy caverns which makes for some abundant coral which hosts numerous in the sun light. The rolling warm water, the kaleidoscope of colours and
phenomenal scenery and Mini Canyon critters. coral reef is home to the chilled out approach to exploring the
features a wall with a protruding arm numerous anemones which reefs.
offering ledges, critter filled recesses and Menara Dua’s walls offer a rich mix of host a range of anemone
undulating corals. corals ranging from tables, stag horn and fish, porcelain crabs and Freedivers have ample sites which lend
boulders to huge gorgonian fans, leather cleaner shrimp. Amongst
Coral coverage extends from the plateau corals and sponges. The coral coverage the hard corals moray eels, themselves to making deeper and longer
freedives but caution should be exercised due
to the base of the mount and the variety is dense, healthy and colorful and the reef cuttlefish and octopus to the remoteness of the area. Snorkeling and
of species is phenomenal; huge barrels multitude of species creates a dazzling hide out and the branching freediving is available for all levels in Togean
and fans stand out against the densely patchwork effect in the sunlight. The corals are also home to but be mindful of currents are around Una
packed branching corals, sponges, corals host an abundance of marine life brittle sea stars and small Una.
plates and boulders; tubers, sea squirts, from hoards of damsels to tiny squat aggregations of cardinal
anemones and other soft species cover lobsters - turtles are often feeding and fish. Muck diving on the
any spaces left between. taking a break on the reef and keep an sand reveals an abundance
eye out to the blue for eagle rays passing of sea cucumbers with
Fish life on the mounts is not as prolific through. outstretched feeding
as at Una Una but small schools of yellow tentacles, dwarf cuttlefish
back fusiliers and neons pass through the The Pinnacle also boasts rich and varied hiding behind sand dunes,
blue and damsels congregate over the corals but with abundant fish life in the snake eels’ beak like heads
corals catching glimpses of the suns light. blue it is easy to be distracted as schools can be found staring up at
Critter life on the walls and slopes though of fusiliers stream by, barracuda hover you, gobies and their hard
is both abundant and varied; hunting lion menacingly and snappers and surgeon working shrimps busily
fish, moray eels, nudibranches, porcelain fish cruise past. burrow and the common
crabs, a range of shrimps and Christmas sea horse is also found here.
tree worms inhabit the sea mounts’ Little Lembeh is situated just a few Little Lembeh is home to a
rugged and craggy walls. Overhangs minutes north of Kadidiri and as the host of critters and certainly
create huge caverns which are worth name suggests this is a muck diving and lives up to its name.
exploring for shade dwelling shrimps and critter site where some of Togean’s most

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