Photo by Rantje Allen
Photo by William Tan
Photo by Rantje Allen
Photo by William Tan
Photo by Rantje Allen
Although some areas of Sulawesi have experienced coral bleaching, Gorontalo has not. Those diving here sometimes see white on coral and think something is wrong. Coral bleaching is generally associated with water temperatures that are too hot for the symbiotic bacteria that provides both color and food supplements to hard corals. As a result of… Continue Reading
Two days ago a whale shark appeared at Olele village where Miguel’s Diving frequently takes guests diving. August is the height of wave season here in Gorontalo, so we are still closed until mid October. Whale sharks are not aware that this is wave season. Perhaps he was looking for one of his dive buddies.… Continue Reading
There is never a dull moment while diving in Gorontalo. Yesterday during a surface interval, guests shouted in excitement to see a school of fish jumping along the surface within a few meters of the boat. And then the cause of their alarm became apparent when a nice Spanish mackerel jumped out of the water,… Continue Reading
The list of new species found in Gorontalo continues to grow! Miguel’s Diving staff have noticed a particular kind of lionfish over the past several years that has a different appearance from the other ones. We have now confirmed it is the newPterois andover, named in 2008. Its dorsal fins are noticeably taller than other lionfishes’… Continue Reading
Today’s wreck diving was postponed a bit for another pelagic encounter, this time tuna. As divers were getting ready to enter the water, sudden splashes disturbed the still surface of the ocean. Towards the new moon, minnows start massing for migration up the Bone River where Miguel’s Diving has its docks. These minnows in turn… Continue Reading
Among all the wonderful creatures sighted this week while diving the hidden paradise of Gorontalo was a Snake blenny (Xiphasia setifer). Growing up to 50 cm in length this unusual blenny looks more like an eel. Miguel’s Diving staff found this one lying on a shallow sandy bottom during a rest stop. Check out additional photos… Continue Reading
A rare wind off the deep ocean brought unusual marine life right to the edge of Gorontalo’s reefs this week. During one surface interval between dives, guests watched inch-long baby barracudas, various swimming crabs and immature filefish. On a floating clump of Sargassum weed was an unusual nudibranch whose gills imitated the shape of weed bulbs.… Continue Reading
Miguel’s Diving staff have discovered a striking new species of fantail goby. Named after the Japanese emperor in 2005 by Allen & Randall, the Akihito goby (Exyrias akihito) sports a dorsal fin with three majestic fin rays and a row of double brown spots on its side. Unlike the other three species of fantail gobies, it is found… Continue Reading
This morning Miguel’s Diving staff took a much need break from above ground activities that keep us busy during off season. Even though we left the dock prior to 7 a.m. before the winds start, the swells in the river mouth were 1.5 meters and one wave entered the boat, making rinsing the boat easy… Continue Reading
Divers from Malaysia and Jakarta had some unusual if brief opportunities to shoot video and take photos this week. Two rarely seen dottybacks made brief appearances for divers to see: the endemic Togean dottyback and the undescribed Goldcap dottyback, both of whom are quite shy. Taking their photo takes great patience and a bit of luck. As… Continue Reading
