Category Archives: Diving

I made a quick work visit to a copper exploration site (and then took the weekend to scuba dive). The site is in the middle of a dense tropical jungle.

Gorontalo is on the northern part of Sulawesi. The province has been influenced by several foreign cultures over the centuries including the Portuguese and Spanish (who introduced corn, tomatoes, chili peppers, horses, and the afternoon siesta!). Like most parts of Indonesia, the Dutch took control of the spice trade and ended the power of the local kings of the time. The area is currently in the midst of an economic boom driven by the export growth of their primary industries (e.g. fish to Japan, corn to the Middle East). Despite its potential, tourism has been very low key.

Gorontalo has over 24 dive spots that are based off a narrow, shallow coral shelf that rims the coastline. There is only one dive operator run by an American from Miami, Florida, called Ratnje Wilson. The dive center is called Miguel’s diving and Ratnje has been in Gorontalo for close to 10 years providing a very professional diving operation. Unfortunately, I was only able to get in 2 dives but they were exceptionally good. The diversity and quantity of marine life was incredible (e.g tuna, crabs, Salvador Dali sponges, baby blow fish, Nemo fish, a massive school of Trevali and a turtle. I will definitely be back to explore some of the other sites next season.

The other divers were a group of friendly American English teachers who were based in Gorontalo, Makassar and Manado. Each are part of US foreign diplomacy programs that teach English at local schools and universities across Indonesia. We enjoyed some great seafood, cold beer(s) and tales of living and working in Indonesia.

Tips:

• Recommended restaurants include; Golden Fish and Samudera Indah. Rantje can advise you on some other places which I didn’t have the chance to go to.

• If you’re happy with basic accommodation stay at Oasis Hotel which is where Miguel’s Diving’s administrative office is based, but bring mosquito spray or cream though as there are a lot of them buzzing around. If you want more luxury then the Quality Hotel is the recommended hotel in town.

• The primary mode of transport is the Bencol. They’re cheap, clean and fun. For short distances expect to pay around 2,000 Rph, for longer distances that may take 10-15 mins around 10,000 rph (anymore than that and you’re paying bulle tax).