ABOUT SULAWESI
Once called
Celebes, Sulawesi was born of a violent collision between two islands three
million years ago. As a result, much of it was thrust above 500 meters where,
today, 17 active volcanoes still growl. The island's extraordinary shape gives
the forested 227,000 square kilometer land mass a massive 6,000-kilometer
coastline. On top of that, it also boasts coastlines of more than 110
reefringed offshore islands.
So remote is Sulawesi that its wonders have been largely ignored by the 20th
century.
Sulawesi offers excellent trekking, white water rafting,
sailboarding, eco tourism, cruises
& sailing and scuba
diving.
Transport & Accommodation
Flights: Direct from Singapore to Manado and Ujung Pandang; small
aircraft from Ujung Padang to Toraja; domestic flights from major cities to
Manado and Ujung Pandang.
Land: Cars and minibuses are available; regular intercity mini buses
in North Sulawesi. Hotels and resorts offer airport transfers.
Accommodations: International standard hotels up to four-star in
Ujung Padang and Manado and three-star in Tana Toraja.
Dive Season: Good from March to November. The best is expected in
April and October.
Internet Access: In Manado you can access the internet at The News
Cafe in the heart of town. The cost is less than $1 per hour and the speed is
usually pretty good for email. While surfing you can enjoy a cup of traditional
Turanese coffee or a soft drink or snack. Atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed
and the staff is always more than happy to assist you with technical help if
necessary. They also have a networked printer that will allow you to print
those important messages.
Scuba
Diving in Sulawesi - Remote, Pristine, World-class.
In 1989, 75,265 hectares of underwater at the northern tip of the island
were made a national marine reserve - the Taman Nasional Laut Bunaken-Manado
Tua. The reserve, which is reached by a short boat ride from Manado City, has
world-class diving. Steep and pristine walls are smothered with hard and soft
coral, and are a dazzling show of fish life. Access to this astonishing marine
wonderland has vastly improved with recently introduced non-stop international
air connections.
Further north lie the Sangihe-Talaud Islands, dominated by the 1,827 meter
Karangetang volcano with its sulphurous clouds. Diving in Sangihe-Talaud is so
new, it brims with the unexpected and unknown. The best way
to explore these waters is on board one of the live-aboard dive vessels operating
trips to either Sangihe-Talaud or the Togian Islands.
The Togian Islands, located off the Eastern coast of Northern Sulawesi,
represent every known type of coral within an unusually small area.
Taka Bone Rate in South Sulawesi is the third largest atoll in the world. As
for the Tukang Besi islands, it is rumored that Jacques Cousteau once said that
it held the finest diving in the world.
On the south side of Sulawesi is located Wakatobi Resort. Said to have one
of the best house reefs in the world, they cater to divers who are looking for
those remote, untouched reefs.
Dive Resorts in North Sulawesi
Divers can enjoy some of the finest diving in the world from any of three
dive resorts or live-aboards. All are driving distance from the Manado airport
and each offers its own collection of ammenities to guest divers.
Hotel Santika is the home to Thalassa Dive Center, a
PADI Five-Star Dive Center located about 30 minutes east of Manado. For divers
who want to enjoy the comforts of a four-star hotel, this is the perfect
option.
Murex Dive Resort is
about 30 minutes west of Manado. Murex offers a complete dive/accommodation
package as well as three different live-aboard options.
The
Tangkoko-Dua Saudara Reserve, located In Batu Putih, North Sulawesi,
Indonesia.
Kukunan Bay Resort is located near Bitang in the middle of the Lembeh
Straight, about 1.5 hours from Manado.
Quicktime VR interactive tour of Wakatobi
Dive Resort
Please select your destination:
South Sulawesi
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