Critical Acclaim & Advice for Divers

What the Critics Say about Diving in Gorontalo

"The fact that very few divers have ever set their fins on these pristine reefs means that there is an enormous wealth of rare marine critters waiting to be discovered here." - William Tan, FiNS magazine, April 2004

"One of Sulawesi's best-kept secrets, Gorontalo is capable of changing a diver's itinerary from pelagic paradise to macro sensation at the flick of a fin." - Jeffrey Loh, Asian Diver Magazine, December-January 2005

"Gorontalo has some of the best (if not the BEST) hard coral colonies that Takako and I have encountered in our travels...In all of our countless dives around the world, we saw so much in Gorontalo that we had never seen before." - Stephen Wong, What's Happening magazine, March 2006

"X-traordinary Dive" - Takako Uno, Australiasia ScubaDiver, April 2006

"Indonesia's Best Kept Secret" - William Tan, Asian Diver Magazine, Jun/Jul 2006

"Daya tarik Gorontalo bagi penyelam adalah beranekaragamannya lingkungan laut, dari tebing-tebing karang yang menakjubkan sampai teluk-teluk kotoran yang sepi, dari bangkai-bangkai kapal yang misterius sampai tiang-tiang karang yang menjulang, dari gua-gua yang gelap sampai taman-taman karang dangkal yang bercahaya di bawah sinar matahari...Gorontalo bawah laut adalah sekeping surga." - Rantje Allen, Garuda Inflight Magazine, August 2006

Advice from Miguel's Diving

Because of unique ocean features, diving in Gorontalo is different that other dive locations in Sulawesi.

Depth

Most dive sites are coral-rich walls and very long, so there is plenty to see. After establishing neutral buoyancy, enjoy the amazing diversity here. Because of the extreme depths and good visibility, divers can be easily tempted deeper than their dive plan. Keep a look at your depth gauge. The nearest decompression chamber is located in distant Manado in North Sulawesi, so do not flirt with safe diving limits.

Temperatures

Waters are quite warm, measuring between 28 - 30 degrees Celsius (82 - 86 F). Shorty wet suits are available for your comfort.

Traffic

Because locals in small outrigger canoes travel along the shallow reef crest, make sure you understand safe surfacing procedures. This includes listening for a boat motor, looking above and around you with your buddy, and ascending with your gauge held high above your head.

Noise

Sometimes sharp, loud noises occur underwater. Be assured that no one is blast fishing in the area. Most often these noises come from a boat wake hitting the back wall of a surface cavern. At a few sights closer to Gorontalo Town, divers may hear the noise of a tanker docking at port.

Currents

Many dive sights in Sulawesi require some understanding of current diving, including North Sulawesi's Bunaken Marine Park. Tips for current diving include: maintain neutral buoyancy, relax and go with the flow, and notice the fish: they will all face into a moderate to strong current. In a down current, they will swim upwards; in an upwelling they will be swimming downwards. Down currents are always strongest close to the coral wall. Usually our dive master will enter the water while other divers are suiting up to check on the direction and strength of the current. In some locations currents will vary during a dive. The stronger the current, the more fish come out to play!

Drift Diving

Almost always divers in Gorontalo will be drift diving. That basically means that you don't have to return to a certain location to get back into the boat. Instead, the boat will pick you and your buddy up where you surface.

Marine Life

Although we cannot promise sightings, large marine life is part of the environment here. This includes sharks, dolphins, and whales. Consider all of them wildlife not used to humans, so approach or pass with caution.

Medical & Health Issues

Here is some general medical and health information for those diving in Sulawesi.

Vaccinations highly recommended for Indonesia include Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, and Polio.

The two health problems you are most likely to face are dehydration and sunburn. Both of these can lead to serious medical complications. You should plan to drink ten glasses or about two and a half (2.5) liters of water a day. Dehydration packs are available locally in Gorontalo and throughout Sulawesi as Pharolit or Oralit or you can bring something like Gatorade from home. One dehydration pack mixed in water every other day makes a good strategy for resupplying body salts lost in sweating. Please bring sun block (like SPF 30) and apply prior to going outside.

Although the area where Miguel's Diving takes guests diving in Gorontalo is not known as a malaria area, your doctor may advise taking anti-malaria medication. If you plan to do any scuba diving, DO NOT take Mefloquine (known as Lariam). Chloroquine and Paludrine are recommended. Also note that you will typically need to begin taking your prophylaxis a week prior to departure. Mosquitoes carrying this disease bite around dusk. The best strategy is to avoid getting bitten.

Dengue fever can be common during the rainy season in certain areas of Sulawesi. Since there is no drug to take for this disease, avoid getting bitten. Mosquitoes carrying this disease bite in the afternoon hours when people often take naps. Make sure your room has been sprayed. Mosquito nets are rarely available.

Bring insect repellent, antihistamine ointment for insect bites, tri-antibiotic ointment for cuts, and seasickness tablets if you are likely to encounter this problem. Divers should NOT use the scopolamine patch, which has been reported to cause narcosis at shallow depths! Antibiotics are available locally in Gorontalo and throughout Sulawesi without a prescription.

Although diving with a cold or sinus trouble is NOT advised, divers might consider bringing sinus decongestants (non-drowsy) such as Sinutab, Triogesic, or Sudafed.

Divers are advised to complete the PADI Medical Form with your doctor, although many Sulawesi dive operators are unlikely to require this.

Should you happen to encounter some stinging plankton, the best remedy is hot compresses. This can be in the form of hot water pressed onto the affected area with a cloth, heat from a hair dryer, or even heat from the hot metal of a car. Take as much heat as you can. If you are still itching several hours later, try another round of heat. Since marine venoms break down with heat, this treatment will also help for stings from lionfish, scorpionfish, etc.