Photo by Rantje Allen
Photo by William Tan
Photo by Rantje Allen
Photo by William Tan
Photo by Rantje Allen
Miguel’s Diving is pleased to announcement another confirmed endemic species in our area. The Blue belly blenny (Escenius caeruliventris) was only described scientifically by Springer and Allen in 2004 after it was first discovered in Tomini Bay, Sulawesi, where Miguel’s Diving operates. Only this past dive season have we noticed this cute little fish, finding it… Continue Reading
As diving season in Gorontalo draws to a close, whales are showing up just off areas where Miguel’s Diving takes guests diving. Several days ago Miguel’s Diving staff thought a bomb exploded only to see a 12 to 14 meter long Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni) blowing, sending spray up almost four meters. It played on the surface for half… Continue Reading
The list of undescribed and/or endemic species found in Gorontalo continues to grow. Miguel’s Diving can now show guests a recently discovered undescribed specie found only in northern Sulawesi and Tomini Bay. The Yellow crown demoiselle (Chrysiptera sp.) is commonly found in Gorontalo’s coral rich reefs. It is also quite easy to photograph. Distinguishing features include the… Continue Reading
Guests from Taiwan, Japan, and Jakarta have seen multiple pods of both Bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins each day. Rarely seen elsewhere, Risso’s dolphins are resident in Gorontalo. They have distinctive white bodies with scaring, black dorsal fin, no nose, and are noticeably larger than Bottlenose. Today on the way to a dive site, a pod of… Continue Reading
Guests diving in Gorontalo on Christmas Eve day enjoyed quite a show. On the first dive we watched asquadron of eight pygmy mantas, probably Shortfin devil rays (Mobula kuhlii), which are common here. On the same dive a Black-tip reef shark and large Nap.olean wrasse made appearances. Two other Napo.lean wrasse came up from the… Continue Reading
Several days ago another sunfish showed up in the river mouth where Miguel’s Diving ties the dive boat. About this time last year a similar one appeared. Both fish were caught by hook at night during the dark moon. We sent a cutting of the first one to an international Mola mola researcher. DNA testing… Continue Reading
Winning photo is a great souvenir from a dive trip to Gorontalo. Miguel’s Diving Guest with Winning Photo Congratulations to Suzannah Browning! This tall blonde member of Singapore’s Free Flow Divers entered its first underwater photography competition. We just learned that a photo she took while diving here with friends over last Chinese New Year holidays won Overall… Continue Reading
That is marine researcher Leyla Knittwise’s reaction after only a single dive in Olele Bay, Gorontalo. Leyla along with the rest of the Wallacea Expedition Indonesia II team recorded 136 coral species and 160 species of fish during a single dive in mid-August. She said that Olele has notably higher marine biodiversity when compared to other locations… Continue Reading
Sperm whale carcass is a rare site worldwide. Imagine the surprise when one drifted onto a remote reef in Gorontalo! New but Temporary Attraction In early May, Miguel’s Diving staff received word that a mysterious whale had died in west Gorontalo. As a result, we made a whirlwind trip to its remote location. We were… Continue Reading
Travelers flying into Gorontalo?s new Jalaluddin Airport from Makassar (Ujung Pandang) to the south have a chance to see the Togian (Togean) Islands from the air. Those sitting on the aircraft?s port (left) side (seat A) can see these jungle-covered gems on the plane?s approach to Gorontalo. Within a few minutes of take off from… Continue Reading
