North Sulawesi Travel Guides

North Sulawesi (Indonesian: Sulawesi Utara) is a province of Indonesia. It is on the island of Sulawesi, and borders the province of Gorontalo to the west (originally a part of North Sulawesi until 2001 when it became its own province). The islands of Sangihe and Talaud form the northern part of the province, which border the Philippines.

The capital and largest city in North Sulawesi is Manado. With a population of about 2 million (2006[1]), the region is predominantly Christian (70%) with Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist minorities, which is an exception in this predominantly Muslim country. The largest ethnic group is Minahasan.

Administrative areas
North Sulawesi is divided into nine regencies (Indonesian: kabupaten) and four cities (Indonesian: kotamadya).

Regencies (seat):
* Bolaang Mongondow (Kotamobagu)
* Minahasa (Tondano)
* North Bolaang Mongondow (Boroko)
* North Minahasa (Airmadidi)
* Sangihe Islands (Tahuna)
* Sitaro Islands (Ondong)
* South Minahasa (Amurang)
* Southeast Minahasa (Ratahan)
* Talaud Islands (Melonguane)

Cities:
* Bitung
* Kotamobagu
* Manado

Get in
You can get to North Sulawesi by air, sea, and land.

By plane
Manado has an International airport with numerous flights a week to Singapore, Davao (in the Philippines), and just about all the big cities in Indonesia.

By Boat
Manado has a harbour with ships going to and from the more Northern Islands (Sangir Talaud area). Bitung is the major port of North Sulawesi and you can get on board a Pelni ship to sail towards other area's of Indonesia. Some of the larger cruise ships that travel from Australia towards Thailand or other Asian countries also make a stop at Bitung.
By car or bus
You can travel by car or bus from South Sulawesi towards Manado, however due to security issues in Central Sulawesi this is currently not recommended. So, if you plan on travelling by land, check the local situation first!

Do
Scuba diving is the main draw for tourists to North Sulawesi. Famous diving areas are:
* Bunaken National Marine Park
* Lembeh Strait, for it's excellent muck diving
* Bangka area, for it's brilliant soft coral and diversity in dive sites (from beginner to very advanced)

Languages
In the Minahasa area alone there are 8 indigenous languages spoken: Tonsea, Tondano, Tombulu, Tontemboan and Tonsawang, Bantik, Ratahan and Ponosakan. The first five languages form a genetic group called proto-Minahasan. They are more closely related to each other and cover the greater part of Minahasa. It is therefore reasonable to assume that they all derive from a common parent language which was itself spoken in Minahasa.

The other three languages have their closest links with languages spoken outside Minahasa. Ponosakan is closely related to Mangondow, spoken in the Bolaang Mangondow Regency. Ratahan, also referred as Bentenan, and Bantik have their closest links with Sangir, spoken on the islands of the Sangihe Talaud Archipelago and in the north of Minahasa District.
The use of these languages, however, is decreasing as many people are more and more switching to Manadonese, also known among the local people as Malayu Pasar or Manado Malay. It is Malay, mixed with words derived from the Spanish, Portugish, English, Dutch and local languages.

North Sulawesi is a land of magnificent coral reefs protecting virginwhite beaches, mountains and active volcanos, reminding the islanders and the world of the potential power of one of the earth's most awesome forces. It is a land of vast coconut plantations fringed along the coastline, which is why the area is also known as "Bumi Nyiur Melambai" or "The Land of Waving Coconut Palms."

The origins of both the names Sulawesi, which has only become common after the Indonesian Independence, and the island's original name Celebes are not clear. Celebes is said to come from the Portuguese, who landed as the first Europeans on the island. When they sailed around it they called it Ponto dos Celebres which means point of the notorious/ill-famed/ill-reputed. This might refer to the many pirates that were sailing in Sulawesi (and Indonesian) waters those days, or to the strong Monsoon winds which caused many ships to sink.

A local myth says that when the Portuguese first landed on the island, the captain of the ship met a man who was busy working as a blacksmith. The captain asked the man - in Portuguese - what the name of the island was. The blacksmith, not understanding, thought the captain had asked him what he was doing, and answered "sele besi", which means "heat iron" or "work with iron". The captain was satisfied with the answer and registered Selebesi as name of the island in his logbook.

The modern name Sulawesi is said to be derived from the two words sula (island) and besi (iron), referring to the rich sources of iron on the island.

Manado City - North Sulawesi Travel Guides

Manado is the capital of the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. Manado is located at the Bay of Manado, and is surrounded by a mountainous area. The city has about 417,548 inhabitants. The municipality of Manado is divided into nine districts: Malalayang, Sario, Wanea, Wenang, Tikala, Mapanget, Singkil, Tuminting and Mapanget.

History
The Dutch East India Company built a fortress in Manado in 1658. As with regions in eastern Indonesia, Manado has undergone christianization by Dutch missionaries, including Riedel and Schwarz. The Javanese prince Diponegoro was exiled to Manado by the Dutch government in 1830. The English biologist Alfred Wallace visited Manado in 1859, and praised the town for its beauty. The city was heavily damaged by Allied bombing during World War II. In 1958, the headquarters of the rebel movement Permesta were moved to Manado. When Permesta confronted the central government with demands for political, economic and regional reform, Jakarta responded in Manado by bombing the city in February 1958, and then invading in June 1958.

Tourism and Places of interest
As the largest city in the region, Manado is a key tourist transit point for visitors. Sam Ratulangi International Airport of Manado is one of the main entry ports to Indonesia. In 2005, no less than 15,000 international passengers entered Indonesia via Sam Ratulangi International Airport. Ecotourism is the biggest attraction in Manado. Scuba diving and snorkelling on the nearby island of Bunaken are popular attractions. Ban Hin Kiong Temple is another tourism spot in the city, especially during the chinese new year celebration. Souvenirs shops are located on B.W. Lapian street. Other places of interest are nearby Lake Tondano, Lokon Volcano, Klabat Volcano and Mahawu Volcano.

Shopping malls
It is easy to find places to shop around Manado, since many of the shopping malls are located on Piere Tendean Boulevard. There are four recent shopping malls there, namely Mega Mall, Manado Town Square, Boulevard Mall and IT Center. Traffic jam usually occurs at Piere Tendean Boulevard because of the existence of the shopping malls.

Language
The local language spoken in Manado and the surrounding area is called Manado Malay.

The city also has a good number of hotels and restuarants as well as bars and karaoke lounges, which makes it the only option in the province for any kind of nightlife. Places seem to open and close fairly regularly so try to get some local knowledge before setting out for a night on the town. A string of seafood restaurants and stalls along the waterfront set up in the evening, offering visitors a taste of the fiery Minahasan cuisine. If you like it hot sample the Ikan Tude (pronounced "tooday"), a traditional fish recipe with an abundance of chilli – but remember you were warned!

Manado has also become the focal point of Minahasan culture, and while it seems to be fading somewhat, with some luck and persistence you may be able to witness a performance of either of the two main traditional dances. The most engaging is certainly the Cakalele or war dance. Derived from the words for "fight" and "shout" this pretty much describes the Cakalele. Wide-eyed warriors decked out in blood red costumes with a profusion of hornbill beaks and feathers arranged on their heads gives them a frightful appearance as they scream and engage each other in mock fighting. Originally designed to deter invaders, the dance is now used to welcome visitors.

The other more sedate performance is the Maengket. With colourfully attired singers in bright pinks, greens and yellows, the full harmonies of the Maengket are as much a joy to hear as they are to see as the dancers continuously move in carefully choreographed unison. This dance once had connections with the rice harvests and building of new houses but seems to be performed now only for the benefit of visitors. Finally, for sighteeing and perhaps a bit of retail therapy, check out the Chinatown disrict. On Jl Panjaitan you’ll find the Ban Hian Kiong Buddhist Confucian temple. Originally constructed in the early part of the 19th century, the temple had to be rebuilt in the 70s following some severe vandalism, which partially destroyed the structure. Now though it is functioning as a place of community worship and its colourfully decorated walls also contain a selection of Portuguese and Dutch artifacts including an ancient set of cannon.

There you have it, a diversified tour of the best of North Sulawesi’s non-diving culture and attractions. There is much more to this extraordinary province than just those amazing sights to be found under the surface of the water. Spectacular scenery, colourful culture, brilliant beaches, diverse diving and awesome adventure – all of these and more await you in North Sulawesi – so go on, take the plunge!

Bunaken Islands Diving Information

The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia's growing system of marine parks. The park covers a total surface area of 89,065 hectares, 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists.

The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and harbor some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Pick any of group of interest - corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken. The park has around 70 genera of corals; compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found.

Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park.

Biologists believe that the abundance of hard corals is crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. Hard corals are the architects of the reefs, without them, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals (folious, branching, massives, etc.) for shelter and egg-laying. Others, like the enormous Bumphead Parrotfish, Balbometopon muricatum, are "coralivores" and depend on hard corals for their sustenance. Bony mouth parts fused into an impressive "beak" allow these gregarious fish to crunch corals like roasted peanuts.

Some 20,000 people live on the natural resources of Bunaken National Marine Park. Although there are inevitable conflicts between resource protection and use by people, the Indonesian government is taking a fairly unusual and pragmatic approach to park management. The idea is to promote wise resource use while preventing overexploitation. Local communities, government officials, dive resort operators, local nature groups, tourists and scientists have played an active role in developing exclusive zones for diving, wood collection, fishing and other forms of utilization. Bunaken Marine Park has become an important example of how Sulawesi, and the rest of Indonesia, can work to protect its natural resources.

Bunaken Island offers a plethora of wall experiences for visiting divers. Everyone has their favorite site and mine is Lekuan 2. Judging from the number of divers who frequent the site, many agree with me. The reasons are obvious immediately upon entry. You can't help but notice the high concentration of schooling fish from the drummers and fusliliers that greet you as you begin your descent, the blizzards of brightly-colored anthias you pass along the edge of the reeftop, continuing to fall through the clouds of pyramid butterflyfish and bannerfish underneath. The variety of reef fish is astounding: you could pick out over 20 species of butterflyfish alone if you so desired.

The start of the traditional dive offers small treasures as candy crabs frequent the beautiful soft corals in the area, often adorning themselves with a sprig of live soft coral they've affixed atop their head. The faerie crab, a fingernail-sized squat lobster that's pink and hairy can be found by a discerning eye peering among the outer folds of barrel sponges. But don't become engrossed with the macro life so much that you miss any of the larger residents: sharks that pass you by below your fins, napoleons wrasse or bumphead parrotfish above you, or turtles out in the blue off the wall.

Toward the end of the site, the Lekuan point, the current predictably picks up just as you notice the schools of redtooth triggerfish around you. Sharks enjoy the current as well, often coming up to only five meters in depth to cut over the point to Lekuan 1. Resident napoleons, giant trevally, jacks, batfish and solitary giant barracuda are predictably seen along this stretch, but smaller denizens such as leaf scorpionfish are common as well, keeping your attention divided between the lush wall and the blue ocean.

With the wall going from only 2-5 meters along the top to 50-70 meters along the bottom, where a narrow shelf exists before the wall continues to plunge into the abyss, you can alter your depth to find an entire new set of attractions dive after dive. Boredom is definitely not an option.

The island of Bunaken in the Bunaken National Park is rated in the top ten best diving destinations on the planet. The Park and islands are situated in Manado Bay and consist of five islands; Bunaken, Siladen, Manado Tua, Montehage and Nain. The deep, clear, warm waters around the islands contain astoundingly high numbers of species of corals, sponges and fish. Oceanic currents rich in food and nutrients sweep past the area, these attract an abundance of marine life ranging from big pelagics to tiny critters.

Most of the diving around Bunaken is done on deep walls which are carpeted in coral and pocked with caves and crevaces. There is something for everyone here from the deep freaks and pelagic fans to marine biologists and macro photographers, a dive destination to cater for all tastes. Since most of the dive sites around 6km long Bukanen island are very similar we have only included the most popular. Other great dive sites include Raymond's Point, Ron's Point, Pangalisan, Cela Cela and Depan Kampung all of which offer impressive wall dives and an abundance of marine life.

Bunaken can be dived year round but the best time is between April and November, and the islands are around 30 to 60 minutes from Manado.

General Information

The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia's growing system of marine parks. The park covers a total surface area of 89,065 hectares, 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists.

The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and harbor some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Pick any of group of interest - corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken. The park has around 70 genera of corals; compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found.

BUNAKEN NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE:
Bunaken National Park Entrance Fee Tag All visitors to the Bunaken National Park (divers and non-divers) are required to pay an entrance fee, in accordance with North Sulawesi Provincial Government Provincial Law Number 9/2002. The entrance fee for foreign visitors is Rp 50,000 per daily ticket (approximately US$6), or Rp 150,000 (approximately US$17) for a waterproof plastic entrance tag valid for the full calendar year.

Entrance tags and tickets can be purchased direct from all NSWA members, or from ticket counters on Bunaken Island and on Siladen Island. They must be carried at all times that guests' are within the park boundaries, and tags can easily be affixed to guests' diving or snorkeling gear or on backpacks. Enforcement of the entrance fee system is conducted via spot checks by park rangers on land and at sea.

The entrance fee system has been adapted from the well-known Bonaire Marine Park system, and the proceeds from the sales of the entrance tags are managed by the Bunaken National Park Management Advisory Board (BNPMAB), a multi-stakeholder board that NSWA is a member of. The system has been very successful in raising over $250,000 for conservation programs in the Bunaken Marine Park since its inception in 2001.

Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park.

Biologists believe that the abundance of hard corals is crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. Hard corals are the architects of the reefs, without them, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals (folious, branching, massives, etc.) for shelter and egg-laying. Others, like the enormous Bumphead Parrotfish, Balbometopon muricatum, are "coralivores" and depend on hard corals for their sustenance. Bony mouth parts fused into an impressive "beak" allow these gregarious fish to crunch corals like roasted peanuts.

BUNAKEN DIVING

A growing number of dive centers is operating from the mainland around Manado and directly from Bunaken Island. Generally spoken you should rather pay a few dollars more and go for safe and experienced operators than just choose the cheapest option. Tank fillings can be a problem, and headaches after each dive give you a clear sign that your dive operator saves money on filters; better go somewhere else if you experience this.

In general diving standards in North Sulawesi are high, as is environmental awareness among the dive operators, at least the ones who have formed the North Sulawesi Watersports Association, NSWA. The NSWA has made significant strides in improving the management and conservation of Bunaken National Park and surrounding marine ecosystems and in conferring concrete benefits of tourism to the villagers living within the park. Many of its members have spent a lot of their money and time for various ecological and social achievements within the park. This has not gone unnoticed; recently the Bunaken National Park has received the "Tourism for Tomorrow Award" and the "UN Equator Prize".

Unfortunately some stupid backpackers still think that they know everything better than these international organisations and refuse to pay the entrance fee to the National Park. If you are planning to do this, please stay away. You are not welcome - the National Park needs support, not ignorance!

Minahasa Tomohon Tours - North Sulawesi Travel Guides

The Minahasa (alternative spelling: Minahassa or Mina hasa) are an ethnic group located in the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia (in past called by Portuguese as North Selebes). The Minahasa speak Manado Malay (also known as Minahasa Malay), a language closely related to the Malay language.

Minahasa Raya is the area covering Bitung City, Manado City and Minahasa Regency, which are three of the seven regional administrations in the province of North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Originally inhabited by Malay-speaking peoples, the region was colonized in the 16th century by the Portuguese, then the Dutch. The Minahasa identify strongly with the Dutch language and the Protestant faith — so strongly, in fact, that when Indonesia became independent in 1945 factions of political elites of the region pleaded with the Dutch to let it become a province of the Netherlands. There is a considerable number of people from the Minahasa living in the Netherlands, as part of the Indo community.

Their music, too, is highly influenced by that of their former colonial rulers; their festivals feature large marching ensembles made up of clarinets, saxophones (source), trumpets, trombones, and tubas, all constructed out of local bamboo.

History
The name of the land of Minahasa has been changed several times: Batacina-Malesung-Minaesa and then finally the current name Minahasa, meaning "becoming one united". This name dates from the war against the Kingdom of Bolaang Mangondow.

In 670, North Sulawesi never developed any large empire. In North Sulawesi the leaders of the different tribes, who all spoke different languages, met by a stone known as Watu Pinawetengan. There they founded a community of independent states, who would form one unit and stay together and would fight any outside enemies if they were attacked.

PLACE OF INTEREST IN MINAHASA AREA
MOUNT LOKON
Located to the west and not far from the resort, the active Mt Lokon affords a magnificent panoramic view of the Highlands and out towards the sea. Solidified lava flows meander down the side of the volcano and can easily be followed up to the steaming crater (a brisk walk of about 45 minutes). Ash is often seen around the tip of the crater and is sometimes blown into the nearby town.

MOUNT MAHAWU
Opposite Mt Lokon is its smaller sister, Mt Mahawu. The gentler slopes of Mahawu offer a less challenging hike but the view is no less impressive. Inside the crater is a steaming emerald-green lake ringed with yellow sulphur deposits.

KALI WATERFALL
This beautiful, quiet and very impressive waterfall is only one hours walking distance from the resort. A very pleasant jungle trek.

JAPANESE CAVES
Located on the hill along the roadside approximately 20 kms from the resort, are Japanese tunnels dug during the Japanese occupation in World War Two. Largely used for storage purposes, they are an eerie reminder of a turbulent time in Indonesia’s history.

LINOW LAKE
The colours in this highly sulphurous lake constantly change depending on the light and viewing perspective. Many species of large and small birds make their home around the lake and the grassed area to one side is a very pleasant spot to take a picnic lunch.
Watch out for bubbling mudholes at the edge of the lake, or you will end up with serious burns.

TONDANO LAKE
The largest lake in the region, the scenic area in the plateau is well worth a visit. Fertile rice paddies lead towards the lake’s edge and numerous fish restaurants are dotted upon the lakeside where you can sample baked ikan mas (koi fish) served with fresh water spinach. Don’t forget to try the fiery dabu dabu , a local accompaniment to the fish consisting of chopped chillies, tomatoes and spring onions.

RANOPASO HOTSPRINGS
The thermal delights of the Ranopaso Hot Springs are a short distance from the resort and are surrounded by rice fields. You can enjoy a hot water soak in one of the specially built bathrooms with the thermal water supplied from one of the hot springs in the area.

WATU PINABETENGAN
This stone monument is believed to be the most spiritually powerful site in Minahasa. Through the ages, this has proved to be a politically potent gathering spot for Minahasan leaders.

TRADITIONAL HOUSEBUILDING
A short drive from the resort you can visit the site where traditional wooden houses are built in the small village of Woloan. These "knock down" houses can be transported to a site of the purchasers choice and the style is particular to this region.

WARUGA
Located in Airmadidi is an ancient historic cemetery where Minahasan ancestors are buried and is a remnant of the megalithic age. Waruga (head stones) are unique square stones with holes in the middle and prism shaped lids. The scenery en route to this venue is also interesting with a sweeping vista of coconut and spice trees (25 kms from the resort).

WHITEWATER RAFTING
One of the most spectacular and thrilling adventure tours in North Sulawesi. Your journey down the river will take about one and a half hours and at the end you will scream for more.

TANGKOKO BATUANGUS NATURE RESERVE
This Nature Reserve is located on an open grassland and is home to a great variety of flora and fauna. There are black apes, maleo birds, snakes, wild pigs, hornbill birds and rusa deer. But special interest is given to the Tarsius Monkeys which sneak out at dawn and dusk. About the size of a childs fist, these tiny monkeys are the smallest in the world and a delight to see.
The reserve is located north of Bitung and covers an area of 3,196 hectares. The day out is perhaps strictly for the adventurous amongst you as the road is rough and the 3 hour trip rugged, but for those prepared to make the journey, the delights of the jungle await you.

TOURS OFFER:
MINAHASA HIGHLAND TOUR
(Duration: approximately 7 hours)
We depart Tasik Ria Resort heading for the small village of Woloan, where you can see the Minahasan Style Houses being built, knock down style, ready for delivery or shipping. Then it's off to see the traditional food & flower market in Tomohon, surprises in store for you! After having lunch on Tondano Lake, close to the goldfish farm, where you will enjoy the serenity of Tondano Lake, we travel to Pulutan Village, a cottage industry for making pottery. As we start to head back towards Manado, the WW II Japanese Caves are a must to visit & explore. Last stop is Lake Linow (the changing color lake), a one of a kind experience.

TREKKING TOUR
(Duration: approximately 6 hours. Departure: suggested 8:30)
This is soft adventure at its best!! Off we go from Tasik Ria Resort straight through Tomohon. Arriving at the base of Mount Mahawu we begin the 1-hour trek to the crater's edge. From that vantage point we can see Bunaken & Manado Tua Islands, as well as the bay of Manado. At the bottom of the crater, one can observe a steaming lake and experience the smell of sulfur from the pools. After this magnificent hike we stop for lunch at a shore-side restaurant on Lake Tondano.

TANGKOKO NATURE RESERVE
(Duration: approximately 10 hours. Departure 12:30 PM)
Departing Tasik Ria Resort, we proceed 2.5 hours to the 9000 hectare National Park where we will hike in search of the Black Crested Macaque (Black Monkey indigenous to North Sulawesi) as well as the Tarsier Spectrum (the world's smallest primate). Cameras, long pants and a flashlight are the order of the day. Exciting trip for nature lovers, trekkers, and anyone who likes the outdoors.

DEEP SEA FISHING
Enjoy the thrill of fighting Wahoo and yellow fin tuna aboard out fully air-conditioned 14 meter Fiberglas vessel. Powered by three 225 HP outboard engines this boat can make your fishing trip and day at sea, an unforgettable experience.

Lembeh Strait - North Sulawesi Diving Travel Guides

Lembeh Strait
The world renowned Lembeh Strait lies off the northern tip of Sulawesi. Since resorts started to open in the mid-90s the area has rapidly gained popularity amongst macro photographers and is now considered the diving Mecca for critters and macro marine life. The extremely diverse marine habitat in this stretch of water offers a plethora of macro species, many of which can found nowhere else on the planet. Diving here is the ultimate experience for photographers in search of the unusual and unseen. It is often refered to as a muck divers paradise as most of the sites are either sandy areas or small reefs, there are no spectacular walls of drop offs here. With over 30 dive sites to choose from and even a WWII wreck all within a short boat ride over calm waters from the resort it is no surprise that the Lembeh Strait is a world class dive destination.

Lembeh is diveable all year but the conditions do vary from month to month. January to June sees variable (but still fine) conditions and less divers. August sees the poorest visibility but the richest numbers of critters and September to October are probably the best two months overall.

The Lembeh Strait has over 30 dive sites so since the topography and marine life is very similar for most of them we have only included the most popular. Other good dive sites in Lembeh include Jahir; a large sandy site with coral blocks, Nudi Retreat; very similar to Nudi Falls, Aw Shucks where whip coral and pipefish are abundant, Pantai Parigi; more muck marine life, Kapal Indah; wrecked cargo boat teeming with life, Jiko Yance; reef slope with good viz, Aer Perang and the house reefs at Kungkungan and Divers Lodge.

LEMBEH DIVE SITES INFORMATION

Police Pier
The sandy shallow slope here has a lot of rubble, trash and things that look out of place underwater. However don't let this put you off, they all make excellent hiding places for all manner of exotic critters. Under the pier itself you can expect to see frogfish, seahorses, waspfish, snake eels, cleanershrimp and cuttlefish, also keep a lookout for the endemic Banggai cardinalfish. This is also a great spot for a night dive wherre countless species of crab come out to forage for food and the rare Bobbit worm may be found.

Nudi Falls
A small vertical rock drops into a slope that ends on a grey sandy bottom at 25 meters. As its name suggests the highlight of this dive site are the sheer numbers of nudibranchs that can be found. The soft coral bed houses myriad macro creatures including pygmy seahorses, frogfish and mantis shrimps. The elusive Rhinopias can also be found here though your dive guide is more likely to spot one.

Hairball
This bizarrely named spot is one of Lembeh's more popular. Frogfish sightings here are pretty much guaranteed on this black sand bed of life. This is a true muck dive site with seahorses, octopus, crabs and plenty of other crustaceans. Many of the critters are very well disguised, as algae makes a great camouflage. Close by is Hairball 2 where juvenile batfish, cardinalfish and zebra crabs are seen.

Critter Hunt
Situated at the southern tip if Sarena Kecil Island is this spot which upon first impressions does not look like much. However with the majority of Lembeh's dive spots a keep eye and patience is the key for scattered amongst the rubble and small coral heads are myriad macro critters, hence the name! Keep a look out for decorator crabs, waspfish, frogfish and squat lobsters.

Angel's Window
Situated off the north coast of Lembeh Island the submerged peaks here have a number of gorgonians that are home to pygmy seahorses. It is a little different to the rest of Lembeh's muck dive sites, this spot is more like a coral reef dive. Visibility is usually a bit better and there is a couple of swimthrough at about 25 meters which makes up the "Window". Snappers and jacks are often found hanging out here and the walls are lined with crinoids and featherstars.

California Dreaming
This is a nice dive to get a break from all the muck. Colourful coral gardens with large orange tree corals and red gorgonians feeding in the current here. The visibility is also often better that that of the murkier muck sites. There is a plateau at around 14 meters where the critters can be found for those macro addicts that simply cant get enough!

Teluk Kembahu
These dive sites, abbreviated to TK1 and TK2, are named after a local village and are found on the Sulawesi side of the Strait. Topography consists of a dark sandy bottom with scattered rubble and sunken logs. It is where the first mimic octopus was sighted in Lembeh, also the home of the Banggai Cardinalfish which can only be found in this region. No shortage of other marine inhabitants here either with mandarinfish, gobys, devilfish, frogfish, porcelain crabs and razorfish, this is an exceptional dive site.

Mawali Wreck
A Japanese steel cargo ship from WWII was scuttled and sank in 1943. She now lies in 30 to 15 meters of water on her port side. The wreck is around 65 meters long and has heavy coral growth, a number of large lionfish lurk in suspension over the hulk. Spotted baramundi cod are seen along with the usual macro subjects including pipefish, nudibranchs and shrimps. Penetration is no longer recommended due to the heavily encrusted surfaces and instability of the structure.

Bimoli Wreck
Another Japanese freighter from WWII lies on her starboard side in 30 meters of water. Torpedo damage is quite extensive and the wreck is very overgrown and is almost its own mini reef. The wreck starts at 18 meters with the propeller at 30, ammunition can still be seen and very little has been removed. The twisted structure now forms the home of a number of critters such as rock lobster and circling barracuda and tuna.

Gangga Island Resort - North Sulawesi Travel Information

Gangga Island

On the tip of a small island near Manado in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, lies Gangga Island Resort & Spa. The resort's fifteen wooden bungalows are discreetly set on the edge of a long, white sand beach in the shade of coconut trees.

An unparalleled scuba diving experience is waiting for you at Gangga! Gangga offers sensational diving where you can get up close and personal with diverse and remarkable sea life from both the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. The resort is an ideal starting point for the diving sites of Bangka Island, Bunaken National Marine Park and Lembeh Strait, making it a favorite destination for underwater photographers.

The resort is situated on 5 hectares of natural gardens on the island of Gangga which is approximately 3 miles (15 minutes with a boat) from the coast of North Sulawesi. According to legend, Gangga was named after a local prince who was the first to send people to live on the island. This island is the first of an archipelago of small islands, many of which are still unexplored, connecting Indonesia with the Philippines. The strait that separates Gangga from the mainland is the one that unites the Pacific Ocean with the Indian Ocean and that is why this place is considered one of the world's best environments for encountering diverse underwater life. The closest city is Manado, capital of the North Sulawesi (former Celebes) which is one hour by car and 30 minutes by boat from Gangga.

Manado is easily accessible via Singapore four times a week with a direct flight (about 3:20 h) and daily flights from main Indonesian cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar and Denpasar/Bali.
From the airport you can reach the island with air conditioned transportation arranged from the resort.

For both divers and non-divers the picturesque white sand beach, the large salt-water pool, a traditional spa and the high quality of service at Gangga Island Resort will guarantee a peaceful and relaxing stay.

The Resort

The resort lies on a white sand beach surrounded by a garden of tropical trees and plants at the base of a jungle covered hill. Your stay with us begins with our air-conditioned vehicle picking you up from the Manado International Airport and taking you through the beautiful North Sulawesi countryside. After an hour's drive you arrive at a pier, where one of our spacious boats is waiting to take you across the strait to Gangga Island. Upon your arrival

on the island, our staff will welcome and assist you to settle down in one of the fifteen wooden bungalows built on stilts with high ceilings and a spacious veranda overlooking the beach. Your elegantly furnished room will have air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a satellite television with international channels, a bathroom with hot water, tea and coffee making facilities and a mini bar.

Facilities
Gangga Island Resort features:
* The fully-equipped Gangga Divers dive center
* A salt-water eternity swimming pool on the edge of the ocean
* The Pasung SPA
* Two restaurants serving Mediterranean and Indonesian dishes
* A full bar
* Free babysitting services
* A boutique featuring an exclusive selection of jewelry, textiles and gifts from around Indonesia

Restaurants and Coconut Bar
The Gangga Island Resort has two open-air restaurants and a full-bar. The main restaurant located in the center of the resort offers a selection of Mediterranean and Indonesian dishes made with the freshest local ingredients. The outdoor Bamboo Restaurant set under the coconut trees serves fresh fish barbeques two nights a week accompanied by local musicians from the island performing Polynesian style music. The Coconut Bar is open all day long with your favorite cocktails, as well as tea and coffee readily available.

Spa & Wellness
Pamper yourself at Pasung Spa
Pasung Spa is an elegant and yet warmly intimate spa with an emphasis on local knowledge and techniques. Don't leave Gangga without experiencing one of our special treatments, all with our unique Gangga flair.

Our spa treatments combine rare therapies from the Minahasa families on Gangga Island, reflexology, and traditional Balinese massage and use specially created products from Jamu Spa.

Pasung Spa uses aromatherapy, the ancient art of using the healing power of aromatic essential oils, distilled from plant extracts, flowers, and leaves. The use of the natural aromatic power of plants is the most ancient way to maintain the balance of mind, body and spirit.

These treatments have been used generation after generation to sooth tired muscles, foster well-being, and keep the skin soft and supple. At the Pasung Spa, we would like to introduce you to the secrets of healthy-looking skin and true relaxation that lead to emotional and physical well-being.

Scuba Diving in North Sulawesi
Discover the Underwater Worlds of Bangka, Lembeh Strait and Bunaken

PADI Gold Palm Resort
Gangga Diver's PADI "Gold Palm" Dive Center is run by International dive instructors. Qualified guides and dive masters pride themselves in offering very personalized diving service to suit and divers of all levels of experience. The dive center provides racks for each room to store equipment and has toilet and shower facilities with hot water- perfect for after those night dives.

With its more than 30 world-class diving locations, the island offers a wonderful variety of marine life with rare species and pristine reefs. Gangga is the ideal starting point for diving the Bangka Archipelago, Bunaken National Marine Park (near Manado) and Lembeh Strait. During your stay, the dive guides will help you discover the marvelous underwater world and see the astonishingly rich variety of flora and fauna which delights underwater photographers. Scientists of marine biology from all over the world come to study and photograph the marine life found here.

Gangga Divers has 5 all-wood boats specifically built for diving, three with onboard toilets, all with easy on and off access. The engine power ranges from 80 plus horsepower to 360 plus. The staff on the boats is trained to anticipate all your diving needs. Each boat is also full stocked with towels, freshwater tanks for cameras, drinking water, hot drinks and snacks.

Rate Per Peson	Low Season	High Season
Single Full Board	US$ 150/Night	US$ 195/Night
Double	US$ 130/Night	US$ 150/Night
Triple	US$ 110/Night	US$ 150/Night
Transfer	US$ 30/Person	US$ 45/Person

Tangkoko National Park - North Sulawesi Travel Guides

Environmentalists in Sulawesi are sounding the alarm for the dwindling population of Maleo, the big bird endemic to the island. They have noted that the Maleo has disappeared in 44 places where they used to be abundant.

Unlike most birds, Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) has the size of a chicken with a white breast and brownish-black feathers and cannot fly a long distance. This bird usually flies from one tree to another, and just like a chicken, it seeks seeds and legumes on the ground.

Maleo birds used to live in nearly regions of Sulawesi. However, the places where the Maleo used to be found are now in a state of neglect.

In Tatongko Dua Saudara, North Sulawesi, for instance, the population of Maleo was reported to have dropped by 80 percent due to uncontrolled egg collection, an activity which has been going on for decades.

A research conducted recently by the Jambata Foundation, a non-governmental organization focusing on Maleo protection, showed that out of 46 locations where Maleo could be found in the western part of Central Sulawesi and the northern part of South Sulawesi, Maleo's existence in 11 sites were considered "threatened" and "very threatened" in 16 sites. In the remaining sites, the birds were still considered safe, simply because they were located in the Lore Lindu National Park.

Palu-based Jambata members also reported that another 44 Maleo habitats have disappeared in the last two decades.

Jambata's director Buttu Ma'dika attributed the disappearance of Maleo from 44 areas where they used to be abundant to excessive collection of Maleo eggs and damage done to the forest area where the unique birds used to live.

"This research shows that the disappearance of Maleo is attributed more to human acts than natural disasters," Buttu said.

Another unique thing about Maleo birds are the way it lays eggs. Although it lives in forests and mountains about 1,200 m above sea level, it will find a lowland area to lay its eggs. Usually, there are two places where they lay eggs: a sandy beach or a sandy river bank. These places must get enough sunshine to warm the eggs.

Although a Maleo is as big as a chicken, its egg is the size of an adult's fist. A Maleo egg is the same as five to six chicken eggs, or weigh about 250 grams. The eggs are kept in warm sand about 60 cm - 70 cm underground. When the mother bird lays her eggs, the male bird will keep watch from a tree and immediately signal its "spouse" in case of danger.

The legs of a pair of Maleo birds are strong enough to allow them to move a cubic meter of sand when making a hole to lay the eggs. In the process, both of the "parents" take turns digging the eggs, including other holes as decoys to keep their eggs from being discovered by predators. That's why those digging for Maleo eggs often find only empty holes.

A pair of Maleo birds can only have, on average, about seven to eight eggs a year, although research data showed at least one pair was able to produce 12. The egg-laying periods are usually in April, October and November. The eggs are usually laid about a week apart. After being warmed by the hot sand, the eggs will hatch between 35 and 75 days after being laid. After the egg is hatched, the infant Maleo chicks will have to make its way up through the sand, to find food and deal with potential dangers on its own.

To this point there is still no conclusive understanding in the scientific community revealing precisely how the infant Maleo gets out of the sand.

Djaling, a Maleo warden at Bakiriang Protected Forest in Banggai regency, Central Sulawesi, theorizes that a Maleo always places its eggs in an upright position and when the egg hatches, the small Maleo will "cut" around the middle of the egg and use the nearly conical shaped top end of the egg as piercing shield/umbrella to plow its way up through the sand. If the shield/umbrella is broken on the way, the baby Maleo will never reach the surface.

At the Lore Lindu National Park, Maleo prefer laying eggs in sandy riverbanks. The locations are safer there than in other places, but there are still a number of poachers who enter the park.

Despite the problems which threaten the bird's existence, efforts to breed it in captivity are still progressing quite slowly, but breeding sites have been set up in Bakiriang, Pantai Toili, Banggai regency; Sausu Piore, Donggala regency; and Tanjung Matop, Buol Regency in Central Sulawesi.

And in these areas, sadly, the threat does not come from illegal hunters but from government officials who visit captive breeding sites and take the eggs. Djaling said that most of them wanted the eggs as "souvenirs" for their bosses.

Buttu acknowledged that some residents were even in collusion with forestry officers to sell Maleo eggs on the market.

These eggs, he said, are offered at Buol market or Toili market at Rp 2,500 to Rp 5,000 each.

"This so-called captive breeding has been implemented only to meet the project requirement set by the government," Buttu added.

Kungkungan Bay Dive Resort - North Sulawesi Travel Guides

Kungkungan Bay Resort
Kungkungan Bay Resort is a comfortable resort occupying an enviable and unrivalled position overlooking the quiet and unique Lembeh Straits. KBR, as the resort is known locally, is a favourite with divers from around the world and is revisited by many of them year after year.

All the rooms, cottages and bathrooms at KBR have recently undergone a major makeover and have had air-conditioning added (late 2007/early 2008), whilst still retaining their unique local atmosphere.

Facilities at KBR include a private jetty with camera rinse tanks and hot showers, swimming pool with swim-up bar, lounge, internet access and lending library. Restaurant service is available 24-hours of every day. By the end of 2004, the resort’s facilities will be enhanced with the opening of a health spa to cater to your every need from traditional massage to coiffeur treatments or sauna.

The resort has 16 rooms in 3 categories, all built entirely from wood, with ocean views:
Traditional House
Room has 2 queen beds, ceiling fans in the rooms, well-equipped bathroom with shower room. Our L shape room gives privacy for each bed. Perfect room for non couple.

Cottage Suite
Room has large sitting room with veranda, 2 queen beds, ceiling fans, and large bathroom with bath facilities.

Deluxe Rooms
Modern-traditional house style. Perfect room for couples or honeymooners. Room is air conditioned and offers an open style with a huge living area, king bed, spacious veranda and large bathroom with bath facilities.

OTHER FACILITIES
There is an attractive restaurant offering local and international choices and bar built over the water with beautiful views, along with an attractive pool and swim up bar. An upstairs lounge area offers you the change to relax and read. The resort also offers traditional Indonesian massages.

LOCATION
N.E. coast of North Sulawesi, 1 to 1.5 hour drive from Manado and the airport.