City Limits Map Partial species list

Sulawesi diving is famous for its incredible marine diversity and diving within the limits of Gorontalo City confirms this view. After only a brief boat ride, divers can explore a double coral wall. The first wall begins virtually at the surface and quickly becomes a steep slope with a sandy shelf or two, where the distinctive Celebes splendor wrasse (Cheilinus celebicus) is found. The second wall begins around 18 meters, falling to about 50 meters. More than 160 species of fish have been recorded here, including 15 butterflyfish species, a key indicator of a healthy reef. Our dive guides can show you Tomini Bay’s endemic Orange-back wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis 1999). Although hard corals are dense and diverse here, this dive site also has areas of rubble, which provide habitat for different marine life.

Along with five types of anemonefish including Nemo, anemones here are crawling with Sarasvati commensal shrimp (Periclimenes sarasvati 2002). Another new specie, Coleman’s coral shrimp (Vir colemani), only named in December 2003, makes its home here. In addition to these new species, several yet unnamed ones are also commonly found here, such as the Yellowspot slingjaw wrasse (Ephibulus sp.), Hybrid flasher wrasse (Paracheilinus sp.), and a newly discovered endemic, the Yellow crown demoiselle (Chrysiptera sp.). A colony of rare Pinkeye gobies (Bryaniops natans) has proved a huge hit among underwater photographers. Because of its closeness to the boat dock, great marine diversity, and the chance to see many of our new species in one dive, this dive site has quickly become a favorite.

This site is about 550 meters long.

Depth: 0 - 40 meters

Highlights: double coral wall, new species, anemonefishes

Conditions: Visibility typically is about 15 meters. It can be adversely affected by waves or rain that stirs up the sand and by silt-laden water from the adjacent river. Currents are seldom an issue.

Special Note: This site has the only nice beach within Gorontalo City limits. The wide seagrass flat is usually too shallow to snorkel but Snowflake morays (Echidna nebulosa) and baby octopi love this area.

Virtual Dive

Divers descend to a small sandy ledge full of cauliflower soft coral where Celebes wrasse and the endemic Orange-back wrasse are easily spotted. Cruising just above the wall top, divers skirt a huge pinnacle where a school of up-side-down swimming Coral shrimpfish hover (Aeoliscus strigatus). After a swath of coral rubble tossed down from the reef flat above, the right angle of the upper wall looms ahead. While crossing a steep sand slope, watch for a White-spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) plowing the sand for mollusks.

After the surreal dimness of the wall bottom, divers enjoy more sunlight through a series of ridges and pinnacles sprinkled over a steep slope of coral and sand. After rounding a small point, divers traverse a section of wall gouged by steep coral-filled bowls. Midway is a massive coral point with a large crack. Beyond this point the curved wall is pitted with numerous large holes. Here a long length of shipping cable hangs from the wall down to a much deeper flat. Sponges and other marine life live in mid water on the surface of the cable. Just beyond this, the wall abruptly ends with a channel tumbling from the reef crest to the steep slope below. At the clumps of red whip coral on the adjacent point, divers turn back for a slow ascent to safety stop level over a gentle coral slope.

City Limits Map Partial species list

Virtual Dive

Dive in Gorontalo