Likuan 1 - Sulawesi

Likuan 1 is one of those sites that just feels right, a proper dive from start to finish. We usually drop in near the wall, which is just plastered with staghorn coral. Seriously, it's everywhere, forming these sprawling fields that just glow in the sunlight. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff among the branches, like tiny seastar shrimp or high hat triplefins darting about. We’ve had some of our best pygmy seahorse sightings tucked into the gorgonians here, but you need to slow down and really look. The wall itself is a busy place. We’ve watched whitetip reef sharks patrol the deeper sections, and you’ll often spot green rough-backed puffers clumsily munching on coral. Fluted clams are dotted across the rock face, their iridescent mantles flashing as you pass. It’s a site that rewards multiple dives. Each time, we pick up on something new, whether it’s a marbled cone snail inching along or a boring clam subtly filtering water. We’d suggest going early in the morning, the light hitting those staghorn gardens is just something else. This site really suits divers who appreciate a healthy reef structure and don't mind spending time searching for macro wonders.

Location
Sulawesi, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.596089, 124.767960

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 Likuan 1

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 Likuan 1

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