Explore Central Sulawesi

Diving in Central Sulawesi offers an unparalleled experience in an underwater Eden, perfect for both novices and seasoned divers. The region boasts warm, crystal-clear waters that reveal a vibrant underwater world teeming with life. From the colorful reefs and dramatic walls to intriguing caves and historic wrecks, the marine environments here provide a diverse range of exploration opportunities. The Donggala peninsula, near the capital Palu, the secluded Togian Islands, and the idyllic Banggai Archipelago each offer unique dives that cater to different interests.

One of the standout features of Central Sulawesi is its relatively unfrequented dive sites, allowing for tranquil diving experiences surrounded by endemic species and pristine conditions. The Gulf of Tomini, encircling the Togian Islands, is renowned for being the calmest deep-water bay globally, promising smooth diving adventures. The Banggai Islands are ideal for liveaboard trips, offering a chance to explore these remote waters thoroughly, while Donggala provides easily accessible sites with an abundance of critters, a fascinating wreck, and occasional sightings of dugongs. For underwater photography enthusiasts, the region's diverse marine life and clear visibility create perfect conditions for capturing breathtaking images. With each dive cluster having its distinct season, there’s always a new underwater bounty to discover in Central Sulawesi.

Places to explore

Mares

Togian Islands

Togean consists of white sands and lush rainforests is remote enough that you either need to go and stay there or do a liveaboard to explore them properly.

Dive Activity

Diving in Central Sulawesi

In Central Sulawesi, diving enthusiasts will find a treasure trove of underwater experiences. The region boasts several exceptional dive sites, each offering a unique adventure. One of the highlights is the wreck dive at the "Batu Gong," where divers can explore a sunken vessel teeming with marine life. For those who prefer shore dives, "Togian Islands" provide easy access to vibrant coral gardens and diverse underwater ecosystems. Here, night dives reveal the fascinating nocturnal behaviors of reef creatures, offering a captivating spectacle. Central Sulawesi also caters to a variety of diving preferences with both shore and liveaboard diving options. Shore dives allow for relaxed exploration at one's own pace, while liveaboard trips provide access to more remote and untouched sites, enhancing the diving experience. This balance ensures that divers of all skill levels can enjoy the region's rich marine biodiversity and unique underwater landscapes to the fullest.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Central Sulawesi

Central Sulawesi, a gem for divers, boasts vibrant marine life, with its reefs teeming with species like clownfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish. The rich coral gardens create a haven for these common reef fish, offering divers a picturesque underwater experience.

During specific seasons, divers can encounter majestic creatures like sharks and rays. Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks are occasionally spotted, particularly around deeper drop-offs. Sea turtles are frequent visitors to seagrass beds, while eagle rays often glide gracefully through the open waters. The best time for divers hoping to see these larger species is typically between April and October.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
361 Sightings
J
13
F
18
M
18
A
24
M
16
J
12
J
48
A
71
S
42
O
35
N
47
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
220 Sightings
J
3
F
9
M
8
A
14
M
11
J
9
J
29
A
35
S
42
O
10
N
31
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
205 Sightings
J
5
F
13
M
13
A
12
M
10
J
5
J
13
A
41
S
21
O
34
N
27
D
11
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
137 Sightings
J
2
F
6
M
13
A
6
M
4
J
4
J
10
A
30
S
17
O
14
N
23
D
8
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
100 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
2
A
5
M
5
J
2
J
27
A
20
S
16
O
11
N
7
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
41 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
4
M
1
J
1
J
2
A
9
S
4
O
12
N
3
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
487 Sightings
J
10
F
16
M
24
A
29
M
23
J
12
J
74
A
104
S
69
O
47
N
46
D
33

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
400 Sightings
J
13
F
12
M
15
A
18
M
19
J
14
J
74
A
81
S
50
O
42
N
38
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
338 Sightings
J
3
F
17
M
23
A
19
M
23
J
13
J
53
A
67
S
36
O
40
N
25
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
335 Sightings
J
7
F
13
M
9
A
17
M
20
J
12
J
54
A
78
S
47
O
33
N
33
D
12
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
283 Sightings
J
6
F
4
M
5
A
10
M
17
J
10
J
51
A
61
S
41
O
25
N
37
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
249 Sightings
J
10
F
4
M
9
A
13
M
15
J
1
J
46
A
48
S
42
O
21
N
21
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
208 Sightings
J
7
F
10
M
7
A
9
M
8
J
5
J
37
A
39
S
26
O
27
N
20
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
200 Sightings
J
8
F
4
M
3
A
8
M
14
J
4
J
26
A
58
S
23
O
22
N
16
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
185 Sightings
J
4
F
6
M
6
A
4
M
15
J
10
J
29
A
42
S
37
O
9
N
12
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
166 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
7
A
7
M
12
J
4
J
27
A
36
S
22
O
8
N
22
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
156 Sightings
J
1
F
7
M
8
A
11
M
6
J
7
J
12
A
36
S
24
O
7
N
26
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
136 Sightings
J
1
F
5
M
7
A
14
M
12
J
5
J
12
A
30
S
11
O
21
N
8
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
133 Sightings
J
2
F
10
M
10
A
16
M
14
J
0
J
27
A
27
S
6
O
3
N
10
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
125 Sightings
J
10
F
4
M
8
A
5
M
3
J
3
J
15
A
17
S
16
O
8
N
33
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
121 Sightings
J
3
F
7
M
4
A
11
M
5
J
3
J
21
A
36
S
12
O
1
N
8
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
121 Sightings
J
3
F
6
M
5
A
11
M
2
J
3
J
16
A
51
S
8
O
0
N
8
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
96 Sightings
J
4
F
8
M
7
A
6
M
1
J
3
J
14
A
17
S
0
O
12
N
19
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
95 Sightings
J
0
F
5
M
10
A
5
M
0
J
2
J
21
A
34
S
1
O
14
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
92 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
2
A
4
M
11
J
4
J
11
A
24
S
10
O
6
N
10
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
61 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
3
J
1
J
4
A
15
S
20
O
0
N
10
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
61 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
2
A
5
M
6
J
0
J
11
A
12
S
4
O
3
N
14
D
1
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
59 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
1
A
6
M
3
J
3
J
13
A
9
S
8
O
4
N
4
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
59 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
6
M
3
J
0
J
6
A
25
S
8
O
0
N
6
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
53 Sightings
J
5
F
4
M
1
A
8
M
5
J
1
J
9
A
2
S
2
O
4
N
10
D
2
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin

Blacktip Reef Shark
44 Sightings
J
3
F
3
M
0
A
2
M
1
J
6
J
8
A
9
S
11
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
43 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
15
A
6
M
1
J
1
J
2
A
8
S
0
O
3
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
39 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
3
M
2
J
0
J
7
A
11
S
3
O
1
N
2
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
34 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
4
A
15
S
1
O
3
N
5
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
34 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
5
A
0
M
3
J
1
J
4
A
3
S
3
O
5
N
3
D
5

The best Months to dive in Central Sulawesi

Central Sulawesi offers favorable diving conditions year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F. The visibility is typically excellent, often extending beyond 30 meters/98 feet, making it ideal for exploring its vibrant marine life and coral gardens.

While diving is possible throughout the year, the best conditions are generally found during the dry season from April to October, when winds and currents are mild. The wet season, from November to March, can bring heavier rains and stronger currents, slightly affecting visibility and dive planning. However, experienced divers can still enjoy underwater exploration during these months with appropriate precautions.

Dive Centers

SANCTUM UNA UNA

Desa Binaguna Kel. Binaguna, 94683 Tojo Una-Una, ST - IDN

Reconnect-Private Island Resort & Dive Centre

Buka Buka Island, 94685 Tojo Una Una, ST - IDN

Harmony Bay Resort

Pulau Kadidiri, Desa Tobil, Kec Togean, 94691 Kabupaten Tojo Una Una, ST - IDN

BLACK MARLIN DIVE RESORT

Kadidiri Island, 00000 Ampana, ST - IDN

Dive Sites

SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Apollo (★4.4)

Apollo is a very healthy reef close to the beach towards the South of Una Una, starting at 22 metres and continuing beyond 40 metres. It is the perfect dive spot to view a Barracuda tornado, which although not guarenteed, is seen all year round in Una Una.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Pinnacle 1 (★4.6)

A beautiful triangular Pinnacle with both a slope and a wall, located 3 minutes away from Sanctum Una Una dive resort. The reeg starts at 5 metres and is perfect for both day and night diving, and for enabling OW students to learn to dive without threatening the coral.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Artemis (★4.4)

A long winding wall descending beyond 60 metres, with the top of the reef sitting at around 3 metres very close to the beach. Artemis is covered in tube sponges and overhangs, and defined by its dramatic sillhoutes.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Hong Kong (★4.6)

A sloping reef towards the south of the Island, named for its abundance of fish - specifically the huge schools of yellow snapper. Maximum depth 24 metres.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Jungle (★4.4)

A deep sloping wall lying 3 minutes from Sanctum Una Una dive resort, sitting in a bay close to the rainforest jungle. Best enjoyed when it hasn’t rained, as a river runs off into this spot which can affect visibility.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Jam (★4.2)

A reef network sitting between Sanctumm Una Una and Pinnacle 1, about 2 minutes by boat from the resort. The dive starts at 30m, and winds through various reef systems before finishing at a small wreck around 10 metres. It is possible to cross to Pinnacle 1 and the Sanctum house reef during this dive.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Black Forest (Candi City) (★4.6)

A beatufil and incredilby unique hard coral site, with a variety of temple, cabbage and mushroom corals. Maximum depth is 24 metres but the majority of the dive remains around 15 metres. Named for the unique formations of temple corals which look like the Back Forest in Germany.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Mandiri (★4.5)

A clam-shaped deep wall to the North of the island where you can often hear the volcano exploding underwater. The site sits off the walking point to the Volcano’s summit.
RECONNECT, 94685 Una Una

Survival Bukabuka Island (★4.7)

Survival is an underwater seamount for advanced divers, with a top reef starting at 16 meters and a drop-off wall creating an aquarium-like experience.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Ihana (★4.3)

Ihana is a long shore-hugging reef just two minutes from close dive resorts. It is the perfect spot for beginners, with a shallow protected sandy area at the start of the reef and a wide variety of reef fish, including a yellow snapper nursery.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Greta’s Place (★4.5)

Greta’s Place is a beautiful sloping wall between Sanctum and Una Una’s main village, best dived in the morning light. The top of the reef starts at 5 meters, and is covered in Una Una’s usual super-sized sponges and a large variety of hard and soft coral. Usually dived on the right shoulder.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Pinnacle 2 (★4.5)

A large pinnacle starting at 5 metres and extending beyond 60, which sits 5 minues from Sanctum Una Una Dive Resort. A safe spot for beginner divers to practice to 12 metres as well as a good drop off point for more experienced divers to explore nearby deeper pinnacles, such as Satellite.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Menara II (★4.5)

Menara II is a winding wall off Una Una’s main village with hard and soft corals, a variety of reef fish and a cave that can be entered one by one.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Little India (★4.7)

A long sloping reef adjacent to Black Forest, which starts in a field of temple coral and gradually turns into a sponge-covered reef more typical of others seen Una Una.
SANCTUM UNA UNA, 94683 Tojo Una-Una

Jack Point (★4.4)

Jack point is a long winding wall to the north of Una Una, named for the schooling Jack fish that can be found off the wall’s finger at around 30m.