Apollo - Sulawesi

Chicken Reef is one of those places that, on paper, sounds like a lot of other Raja Ampat sites – shallow, coral reef. But it consistently delivers something genuinely different. What we really love here isn't the big stuff, it’s the sheer density of the small, weird, and wonderful. Dive in and you're immediately enveloped by the usual suspects: schools of fusiliers and surgeonfish thick enough to dim the light, darting between the healthy coral heads. But get close, really close, and the macro life reveals itself. We've spent entire dives here with our noses practically pressed against a bommie, finding Pygmy seahorses, tiny blennies peeking out of coral crevices, and more nudibranchs than you can shake a stick at. Look for the delicate Snakehead Cowrie or the almost invisible Seastar Shrimp. The currents can be quite frisky, so it’s a dive where you want to be comfortable with your buoyancy and happy to tuck in behind the reef when things pick up. It's a spot for patient divers, the ones who get a thrill from spotting a Minute Triplefin or a Flame Cardinalfish camouflaged perfectly against the reef. We'd suggest going slow, letting the current carry you gently past, and keeping your eyes peeled low on the corals.

Location
Sulawesi, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-0.218000, 121.608000
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Kepulauan Togean

Best Time to Dive in Sulawesi

The warmest water temperatures in Sulawesi occur in November, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 28.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.5°C
  • February: 29.4°C
  • March: 29.8°C
  • April: 30.3°C
  • May: 30.3°C
  • June: 29.7°C
  • July: 29.1°C
  • August: 28.8°C
  • September: 28.7°C
  • October: 29.5°C
  • November: 30.4°C
  • December: 30.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Sulawesi

Nearest Dive Centres to Apollo

Marine Life in Sulawesi

Home to 252 recorded species including 162 reef fish, 53 hard corals, 9 seagrass & algae, 9 sea snails & nudibranchs, 6 clams & mussels, 4 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Apollo

Based on average water temperature of 29.7°C, currents 4 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum depth of the Apollo Barge dive site in Sydney?
The provided data context is for the Apollo dive site in Sulawesi, Indonesia, not the Apollo Barge in Sydney. For the Apollo reef in Sulawesi, the maximum depth is 29 metres.
What marine life and wreck features can divers expect to see at the Apollo Barge?
The Apollo dive site in Sulawesi is a healthy reef, not a wreck, so there are no wreck features to observe. Divers can expect to see a Barracuda tornado, schooling Jack fish, fusiliers, bat fish, and yellow snapper, alongside a variety of sponges.
How challenging is the Apollo Barge dive, and what level of diver experience is recommended?
The Apollo dive site in Sulawesi is rated as an intermediate difficulty dive. This suggests it is suitable for divers with some prior experience, but specific certification requirements are not detailed in the provided information.
What is the best time of year to dive the Apollo Barge for optimal conditions?
The data context does not specify a general best time of year for optimal conditions at the Apollo dive site. However, the Barracuda tornado, a highlight of the site, is noted to be seen all year round in Una Una.
What specific diving certifications are required to dive the Apollo Barge, especially for wreck penetration?
The provided information for the Apollo dive site in Sulawesi, which is a reef, does not specify any required diving certifications. As it is a reef dive, there are no wreck penetration features or associated certification requirements mentioned.
What are the typical current and visibility conditions at the Apollo Barge dive site?
At the Apollo dive site in Sulawesi, divers can typically expect an average visibility of 17 metres. Information regarding typical current conditions at this site is not provided in the available data.