Celah Celah - Sulawesi

Celah Celah, on Bunaken's south side, often delivers a delightful drift. The island's curve makes for calm surface conditions, but expect a steady push below, perfect for beginners looking to try a relaxed current ride. The site’s name, "crack" in Indonesian, hints at the reef's topography, full of nooks and crannies to peer into. We've often spotted white tip reef sharks tucked away, along with the usual cast of reef fish like fusiliers and snapper schooling overhead. It’s a great spot to ease into Sulawesi's famous drift diving.

Location
Sulawesi, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.619300, 124.762200
Type
wall
Maximum Depth
21m
Difficulty
Beginner

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 Celah Celah

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 Celah Celah

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 for diving at Celah Celah?
The maximum depth for diving at Celah Celah is 21 meters. This wall dive site offers an accessible depth, making it suitable for a range of divers.
What marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at Celah Celah?
Divers at Celah Celah can expect to explore a captivating wall dive. The site's name, "Celah" meaning "crack" in Bahasa Indonesian, hints at interesting geological features. While specific marine life isn't detailed, the strong currents often associated with drift dives can attract a variety of pelagic species.
What is the difficulty level for diving at Celah Celah, and is it suitable for beginners?
The difficulty level for diving at Celah Celah is rated as Beginner. This makes it an excellent choice for new divers looking to experience the thrill of a drift dive in a relatively protected area. Despite the often strong currents, the site's beginner rating suggests it's manageable with proper guidance.
What is the best time of year or day to dive at Celah Celah for optimal conditions?
While the data indicates that the sea surface at Celah Celah is usually calm due to the island's protection, specific information regarding the best time of year or day for optimal diving conditions is not provided. Divers interested in current patterns for drift dives might consult local dive operators for real-time conditions. For general information on dive seasons, you can visit our When to Dive guide.
What scuba diving certifications are typically required to dive at Celah Celah?
Given that Celah Celah is rated as a Beginner difficulty dive site, an Open Water Diver certification would typically be sufficient. This certification allows divers to explore depths up to 18 meters, which is close to the site's maximum depth of 21 meters. For deeper sections or to enhance drift diving skills, advanced certifications might be beneficial but are not explicitly required by the provided data.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility at the Celah Celah dive site?
At Celah Celah, divers can expect to encounter often strong currents running parallel to the reef. These conditions are ideal for stunning drift dives, offering an exhilarating experience. While the surface conditions are typically calm, information regarding specific visibility levels is not provided in the available data.