Ihana - Sulawesi

Mala Wharf is one of our all-time Maui favourites, and it’s not for the big stuff, though we’ve seen turtles sleeping under the pilings more times than we can count. This is a shore dive, super easy entry right off Lahaina. You’re heading into a tangled mass of concrete pilings, the remains of an old wharf, and that structure has just become a massive apartment complex for smaller critters. We love finning slowly through the wreckage, poking into every shadowy crevice. You’ll spot nudibranchs, often several different species on a single dive, and juvenile fish hiding from predators. Look out for banded coral shrimp waving their antennae from the dark. The pilings are encrusted with coral, soft and hard, and you’ll see the light filtering down through the gaps, painting stripes on the sandy bottom. Visibility averages 18m, which is plenty for this kind of macro-focused exploration. It’s a site for divers who appreciate the small wonders, for photographers, and for anyone wanting a relaxed dive with consistent interest. Just keep an ear out for boat traffic overhead, especially if you’re diving early.

Location
Sulawesi, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
-0.176000, 121.665200
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 Ihana

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 Ihana

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