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    Diving in Sulawesi

    Diving in Sulawesi

    Indonesia
    308 dive sites
    17 dive centres

    Why dive here

    Sulawesi offers some of Indonesia's richest diving, with 238+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, giant moray eels, pygmy seahorses, seahorses and sperm whales. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest June, October, November.

    Best timeJan–May
    WetsuitNo wetsuit needed, or a rash guard
    Marine lifeBlacktip Reef Sharks, Giant Moray Eels, Pygmy Seahorses, Seahorses and Sperm Whales · 238+ species recorded
    Water29-31°C · warmest June, October, November
    Dive sites319 sites · reef, wall, wreck
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Sulawesi is a big place, so we’re talking several distinct dive personalities here. Bunaken Marine Park, for example, is all about those dizzying walls. You drop down, the blue stretching forever, and you just drift along, watching reef sharks patrol the edge and turtles munching on sponges. We love the sheer scale of it, and often the thermoclines bring in bigger pelagics. Then you’ve got Lembeh Strait. Forget wide-angle lenses; this is macro heaven. It’s not "pretty" in the usual sense; the volcanic sand slopes can look a bit desolate topside. But get under, and it’s an alien landscape. We’ve spent entire dives watching a flamboyant cuttlefish hunt or finding hairy frogfish tucked into a sponge. It’s slow diving, eyes to the sand, and truly rewarding. Wakatobi, further south, is a different beast entirely. Think vibrant, healthy reefs that just explode with colour. Our favourite spots there are usually the sheltered coves where the light filters through the soft corals, making everything glow. You’ll see schools of fusiliers so thick they block the sun, and the coral structures themselves are just immense. The currents can pick up, especially around the full moon, but that’s when the reef comes alive with feeding action. Overall, whether you’re into big walls, tiny critters, or pristine reefs, Sulawesi offers it. Just be prepared to travel a bit between the regions to experience the full spectrum.

    Sulawesi Dive Site Map

    Dive sites and dive centres in Sulawesi

    Sulawesi Dive Sites

    319 dive sites in Sulawesi

    45 Bananas

    45 Bananas offers a gentle slope in Sulawesi, a good spot for newer divers to get comfortable. You’ll typically drift past a decent spread of hard and soft corals, keeping an eye out for resident reef fish and the occasional turtle passing by. Visibility here is usually consistent, making for relaxed viewing. It’s a solid choice for a pleasant, undemanding dive.

    10-30m

    Aer Bajo 2

    Aer Bajo 2 in Sulawesi offers a good drift dive experience. We often see reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections and plenty of schooling fusiliers further up the reef wall. It’s a site best suited for divers comfortable with moderate currents who enjoy pelagic encounters.

    Aer Banua 1

    Aer Banua 1, off Sulawesi, offers a look at a fairly typical Indonesian reef. We’ve found a mix of hard and soft corals here, providing shelter for the usual reef fish and some smaller critters if you take the time to search. It’s a good spot for a relaxed dive, especially if you’re looking for something gentle between more energetic drift dives. Suits photographers who like to move slowly.

    5-20m

    Aer Banua 3

    Aer Banua 3, located in Sulawesi, offers a straightforward dive. Expect to see a good variety of the usual reef fish – fusiliers, snapper, and the occasional batfish school. It's a reliable spot for a second or third dive of the day, appealing to divers who appreciate consistent, comfortable conditions without too much drama.

    5-25m

    Air Prang

    Air Prang on Sulawesi presents a straightforward dive, often appreciated for its quieter atmosphere. You can expect to drift along a sloping reef, keeping an eye out for nudibranchs and the occasional passing reef shark. It’s a good choice for divers looking for a relaxed exploration rather than a high-octane pelagic encounter.

    Alung banua

    Alung banua, for us, is one of those places that feels like stepping into a fish tank, only it’s 20 metres down and you’re breathing compressed air. We’ve seen a lot of healthy staghorn coral in our time, but here it just stretches out, massive fields of it, giving cover to countless little residents. Look close, and you’ll find the bluespotted shrimpgobies meticulously tending their burrows, always with their shrimp bodyguard close by. It’s a perfect spot for the macro fanatics, but honestly, even if you just enjoy drifting and taking it all in, Alung banua delivers. Our favourite find here is always the pink anemonefish. They’re just everywhere, little flashes of colour tucked into their host anemones, sometimes so curious they’ll come right up to your mask. And while the big stuff isn’t the main draw, those black sea cucumbers are surprisingly large here, just slowly munching their way across the sand patches. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light really brings out the colours of the table corals. It’s a gentle dive, generally calm, so it’s great for those who like to take their time and really explore.

    15-35m

    Angels Window Bukabuka Isl.

    Angels Window on Bukabuka Island is a relaxed wall dive that offers a pleasant experience without being overly challenging. The main draw is a small opening in the reef, about 6 metres down, that lets sunlight stream through – it really does create a bright, ethereal window effect. We often see schooling purple anthias here, along with various butterflyfish picking their way across the corals. Keep an eye out for dogtooth tuna or jacks cruising past in the blue. It’s a good spot for a second dive, maxing out at 18 metres, and the visibility is usually excellent, around 29 metres.

    5-30m

    Angels Window Bukabuka Isl.

    Angels Window on Bukabuka Island is a relaxed wall dive that offers a pleasant experience without being overly challenging. The main draw is a small opening in the reef, about 6 metres down, that lets sunlight stream through – it really does create a bright, ethereal window effect. We often see schooling purple anthias here, along with various butterflyfish picking their way across the corals. Keep an eye out for dogtooth tuna or jacks cruising past in the blue. It’s a good spot for a second dive, maxing out at 18 metres, and the visibility is usually excellent, around 29 metres.

    15-40m

    Angel Window

    Angel Window in Sulawesi is a good choice for divers who enjoy exploring caves. Entry involves swimming through a narrow opening, which widens into a cavern illuminated by light shafts from above. You'll find yourself in a large chamber with a sandy bottom, keeping an eye out for the odd reef shark resting in the deeper sections. It’s not a long dive, but the light show is worth it, especially midday.

    Annie point

    Annie Point offers a straightforward wall dive in Sulawesi. You'll find a decent concentration of reef fish along the corals, which are generally healthy. It’s a good spot for a relaxed dive, without strong currents, suiting divers who prefer a more tranquil exploration of the reef rather than big pelagic action.

    Apollo

    Apollo, off Sulawesi, is one of those sites we always enjoy for its reliability. It’s not going to blow your mind with massive pelagics or walls of soft coral, but it’s a consistently rewarding macro dive. We’ve spent many a good hour here with our noses to the reef, finding pygmy gobies tucked into coral branches and often spotting dwarf morays peeking out from crevices. Look carefully for the blotchfin scorpionfish, they’re masters of disguise here. It’s a comfortable dive, usually with gentle currents, making it perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to take their time and really observe the smaller stuff.

    15-30m

    Apollo

    Apollo, off the coast of Sulawesi, often gets overlooked for some of its flashier neighbours, but it’s a solid dive. We’ve found pygmy seahorses here on multiple occasions, tucked away in the gorgonians, and it’s a reliable spot for frogfish if you take your time. Conditions can vary, so it suits divers who are comfortable with potential mild currents and who appreciate a slower pace to find the smaller stuff. It's a good alternative when other sites are crowded.

    Show all 319 dive sites in Sulawesi

    Sulawesi Dive Centres

    17 dive shops and operators in Sulawesi

    3WILL Bunaken

    Website
    Phone

    Black Marlin

    Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort

    Website
    Phone

    Celebes Divers

    Website
    Phone

    Cocotinos Manado A Boutique Dive & Spa

    Website
    Phone

    Fish In Air Bunaken

    Website
    Phone

    GORONTALO DIVE

    Website
    Phone

    Kadiriri Paradise

    Show all 17 dive centres in Sulawesi

    Ocean Wildlife in Sulawesi

    238 species recorded in Sulawesi

    Sulawesi Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset

    Sunrise and sunset times for Sulawesi, calculated from coordinates

    Today - Sunday 11 October

    Sunrise

    05:31

    Sunset

    17:37

    Daylight

    12h 6m

    Golden Hour

    17:09

    First light (dawn) at 05:10 · Last light (dusk) at 17:57

    Monthly Averages

    Month
    Jan05:5317:5812h 5m
    Feb05:5818:0412h 6m
    Mar05:5317:5912h 6m
    Apr05:4317:5112h 8m
    May05:3917:4812h 9m
    JunLongest05:4317:5212h 9m
    Jul05:4817:5712h 9m
    Aug05:4817:5612h 8m
    Sep05:3917:4612h 7m
    OctNow05:3017:3612h 6m
    Nov05:2917:3412h 5m
    DecShortest05:3917:4412h 5m

    Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Sulawesi.

    Where to Stay near Sulawesi

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    Marine Protected Areas near Sulawesi

    9 protected areas near Sulawesi - please respect local regulations when diving

    Kepulauan Togean

    Marine National Park
    IUCN II
    Part
    3,372 km²

    KK Teluk Gorontalo

    Marine Park
    IUCN VI
    765 km²

    Bunaken

    Marine National Park
    IUCN II
    Part
    697 km²

    KK Gorontalo Utara

    Marine Protected Area
    601 km²

    KAWASAN KONSERVASI PERAIRAN DAERAH BOALEMO

    Locally Managed Marine Area
    IUCN VI
    499 km²

    KK Kota Manado

    Marine Protected Area
    182 km²

    KK Boalemo

    Marine Protected Area
    74 km²

    KK Minahasa

    Marine Protected Area
    5 km²

    Desa Olele (Bone Bolango)

    Locally Managed Marine Area
    IUCN VI
    0 km²

    Getting to Sulawesi

    Manado

    MDC
    186 km~3.6 hrs

    Luwok

    LUW
    205 km~4 hrs

    Poso-Celebes Island

    PSJ
    392 km~7.4 hrs
    Check travel advisory for Indonesia

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