Buhias - Sulawesi

Buhias, off the coast of Sulawesi, is a site that delivers exactly what we look for in Indonesia: macro magic without the crowd. It's not a drop-off wall or a drift dive. Instead, think of it as a sprawling, gentle slope, mostly rubble and sand, dotted with the kind of soft coral bommies that attract the smaller stuff. We love it for its dependable pygmy seahorse sightings. Seriously, you'll be hard-pressed not to find one or two tucked into a gorgonian, often the Barred Pygmy, sometimes the rarer Pontoh's. Our favourite moments here are spent hovering over a single patch of staghorn coral, spotting Cheekscale Dwarfgobies darting between branches or a Wasp Pygmy Goby perched perfectly on a sponge. The current here is usually mild, making it ideal for photographers who want to spend time getting that perfect shot of a Bicolor nudibranch or a tiny Seastar Shrimp. It’s a site for those who appreciate the quiet hunt, the careful observation. Don't expect dramatic schooling fish or pelagics. Do expect to surface with sore eyes from staring so intently, and a camera roll full of glorious, tiny wonders.

Location
Sulawesi, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.708793, 124.783320

Marine Protected Area: KK Kota Manado

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 Buhias

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 Buhias

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