Page 97 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019
P. 97

Weda Bay (Halmahera)





                                                                                          Conditions
                                                                                                   Weda Bay’s annual water
                                                                                                   temperature ranges from   Weda Bay hosts numerous open sea
                                                                                                   28 – 30 degrees Celcius   atoll reefs which can be kilometers from
                                                                                                   and visibility from 15   land; sites are located using GPS - these
                                                                                                   meters after rainfall to   sudden eruptions of coral reef surrounded
                                                                                       40+ meters. Some diving operations   by turquoise water are like small oasis’ in
                                                                                       close from June until September for the   the big blue!
                                                                                       monsoon season so check in advance if
                                                                                       planning to travel around this time.  The diving in Weda Bay is very much an
                                                                                                                         exclusive experience, not a single other
                                                                                       Dive sites are suitable for all levels, from   dive boat on the horizon. Dive sites range
       WEDA BAy                                                                        shallow sandy, coral gardens through to   in depth from shallow sand bars like Pasir
                                                                                       deep sea mounts and open ocean atolls –
                                                                                                                         Putih to walls such as Gorango which
       (Halmahera)                                                                     there is something here for everyone from   plummet to almost a kilometer in depth.
                                                                                       beginners to the most seasoned of divers.


             almahera is predominantly rain forest, and upon first sight the enormity               Dive Site and Marine Life Highlights of Weda Bay
             of which is difficult to comprehend; steep mountainous peaks and ridges
       Hcarpeted in deep green, textured with folds and creases and seemingly                       Weda Bay offers just   The outside walls of the atoll reef offer
        never ending. Weda Bay is the large bay on the south east of Halmahera                      about every diving   a breathtaking display of color, diversity
        which opens up into the Halmahera Sea. Outside of Ternate and Sofifi most                   topography imaginable   of coral species and the sheer volume of
        people in Halmahera live in small coastal fishing villages and fish and farm                including immense walls,   coral is difficult to match. The reef scape
                                                                                                    shallow white sand reefs,
        for subsistence. Mining companies are major employers in many regions           caverns, black sand muck diving, slopes   is a candy box patchwork of brain corals,
                                                                                                                         plates, tables and stone corals competing
        and bring work to areas otherwise without employment opportunities. Some        and deep sea mounts. This pristine   fiercely for space on the reef. Branching
        mining companies are replanting areas of forest once work is completed but      and relatively unexplored area boasts   out like outstretched fingers from the
        unfortunately illegal logging is still an issue in places.                      some of the easiest and most diverse   wall are vast gorgonians in a variety of
                                                                                        diving in Indonesia - and with further   colors, sea fans, whips and tubers. The
                                                                                        exploration anything is possible here!   wall itself offers small ledges, overhangs,
        The main airport in Halmahera is Ternate.   In Ternate the population is        Marine diversity is not only limited to   areas of inversion and towards the north
        From Ternate a 30 minute speedboat   predominantly Muslim however outside       topography – the range of coral species   of the reef there is selection of caverns
        crossing to Sofifi is required and a 4   of the city religion is mixed; Christian and   found at any one site is nothing short of   which start from 15 meters and extend
        hour drive through breathtaking primary   Muslim. Visitors should try and dress   staggering.                    down to around 25 meters – these huge
        rainforest to reach the edge of Weda Bay.  conservatively with ladies keeping their                              hollows with cathedral like ceilings offer
                                          shoulders covered out of respect for local    Elmoo’s Reef is a unique open sea atoll   shady recesses and swim throughs for
        Transport around Halmahera is by both   traditions.                             reef which offers phenomenal walls   juvenile bat fish, sweetlips and larger reef
        sea and road, in more remote areas                                              of world class hard corals, incredible   predators such as giant trevally and large
        the road conditions vary from excellent   English is taught in schools but with so   visibility and simply staggering   groupers.
        through to rough tracks requiring   few tourists it is not frequently practiced -   topography. One minute you are cruising
        four-wheel drive vehicles. The land of   knowing a few Indonesian phrases can be   through vast deep blue ocean and   Whilst the reef is literally teeming with
        Halmahera is rich and fertile; the main   invaluable – and a lot of fun to try out with   the next an oasis of bright blue reef   coral to around 25 meters the most
        agricultural crops include coconuts,   the locals!                              appears as if out of nowhere – it’s a truly   abundant fish life is within the top 15
        bananas, sweet potato, sago, nutmeg and                                         breathtaking arrival!            meters. Small schools of juvenile fusiliers,
        cassava.


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