Dive Paradise Taka Bonerate South Sulawesi

 

 

*photo courtesy of www.takabonerate.com 

Trip Advisor Indonesia - Taka Bonerate National Park is a small island located in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is consist of four island including Rajuni, Tinabo, Pasi Telu, and Taka Lumungan. The Taka Bonerate is also well known as small Raja Ampat in Papua. It provides beauty and exotic white sand beach, blue ocean, best dive and snorkeling spot. It is host of many variety coral and fish species including Dolphin and Pelagic fish. Taka Bonerate is the third widest atoll in the world.

Thus, the "Sumur Ikan" is one of the famous destination in this area. It is like a bowl-shaped cave underwater where become a home of hundreds fishes. In addition enjoy canoeing or swimming with baby shark of Black Tip at the evening can give wonderful experience in Tinabo. The blue clear water and its clean white sand is one of the best stunning view when the night falls down. Or enjoying camping and snorkeling at Lantiagang may give great activity within Taka Bonerate area.

The spot diving which provides unique fish and coral life may give better dive experience where like no other area can compare. Bellow short summary of the Taka Bonerate dive spot:

• Fujiyama/Taka Bajang Pogo: underwater coral mountain. Its shape like Fujiyama (Japan)/Taka Bajang Pogo mount in local culture. Within area you can find the Tiger Fish and other fish species including unidentified fish, Chaetodontidae, Pomacenthridae, Pomacantidae, Lutjanidae, Serranidae, Carangidae, Balistidae, Ostracidae, Scorpionidae, Apogonidae. 
• Jinato Wall Paradise: it is kind of wall dive spot with various fish species such as Butterfly fish, Cardinal fish, Angelfish, Grouper, Surgeon fish, Damselfish, Batfishtrevallies, Snapper, fusiliers, Sweetlips, Wrasse, Parrot fish, Trigger fish, Bumphead fish, Scorpion fish, Lobster, Eagle rays, Nudibrands, Crocodile fish, Moray and Kima. The temperature range of this area is about 27° – 29° C.
• Pasitallu Raja: this spot provides nude/natural hard and soft coral about 45 – 58% and dominated by Butterfly fish, Cardinal fish, Angelfish, grouper, Surgeon fish, Damselfish, Batfishtrevallies, Snapper, Fusiliers, Sweetlips, Wrasse, Parrot fish, Trigger fish, Bumphead fish, Scorpion fish, Lobster, Eagle rays, Nudibrands, Crocodile fish, Moray, Sea fan and Kima.
• Caldera: it is kind of reef flat spot with temperature range about 28° – 30° C (common spot).
• Heamulidae: the wall reef spot with various fish species like Heamuldae, Phyllidiella and Plectrohinchus.
• Hantu/Ghost (Wall reef): this spot temperature is about 29° C and the underwater view provides a wide-less object. This area is dominated with hanging or Acropora SP coral. 
• Kolam Gantarang (Reef flat): this spot located at the Taka Gantarang. It is bordered with reef so the coral as if living within the lake "Kolam". 90% of this spot is covered  by the coral and its visibility range is about 14 meters.
• Tebing Gantarang (Wall reef): the reef is dominated with the Acropora. It grows sideway at the underwater sea cliff and formerly like a branched desk. This location is a host of rare fish species including Sea cucumbers Thelenota rubranilata, Starfish / Linckia laevigata, mollusk and others.
• Bulu Ayam (Reef flat): the coral density within this area is about 90% (soft or hard). It is also dominated with chicken feathers "Bulu Ayam" (Agalaophenia cupressina) coral.
• Lembaran Daun (Reef flat): this spot is dominated with Acropora and Foliose coral which grows like a leaf. This location also a host of Kerapu fish, Sunu, Katamba, Simampara and other sea life species.  
• Tabulate (Reef flat): this spot recommended for any level of diving skills. the environment supported great views and diving experience. The depth of this location is 5 - 15 meters.
• Uka (Reef flat): this spot is dominated with horn coral (Acropora palifera) and also become a home of various reef coral fish species.
• Pinky Fish (Reef flat): it is located at Tarupa. This spot is a home of Pinky fish, other colorful fish, variety of echinoderms species such as Linckia laevigata starfish, Yellow and black sea lilies, Sea cucumbers, and several types of Sea urchins.
• Wall Reef #3 (Drop of wall): this spot is located at Latandu. Its temperature is about 27° - 30° C. This location is a home of Butterfly fish, Cardinal fish, Angelfish, Grouper, Surgeon fish, Damselfish, Batfishtrevallies, Snappers, Fusiliers, Sweetlips, Wrasse, Parrot fish, Trigger fish, Bumphead fish, Scorpion fish, Lobster, Eagle rays, Nudibrands and Crocodile fish.
• Corina Corner (Reef flat - Drop off): this diving spot is located at Big Tinabo. Its visibility is about 10 - 15 meters. It is dominated by Trevallies fish, Snappers, Fusiliers, Sweetlips, Butterfly fish, Cardinal fish, Angelfish, Grouper, Damselfish, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot fish, Surgeon fish, Trigger fish, Fish bumphead , Scorpion fish, Lobster, Eagle rays, Nudibranc, baby shark and turtle.
• Acropora point (Reef flat - Drop off): this location also in Big Tinabo. The depth is about 15 meters and has medium to strong flows.
• Wall Reef #1 (Drop off/Wall): this dive spot is located at Latondu. It depth is above 20 meters with domination of sea life including Sanpper, Sweetlips, Baracuda, Butterfly fish, Cardinal fish, Angel fish, Damsekfish, Grouper, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot fish, Surgeon fish, Trigger fish, Scorpionfish, Morray, Crocodile fish, Pelagic fish and Tuna.
• Ibel Orange 1 (Coral Mounds): It is located at the big Tinabo with depth about 15 - 20 meters. Its surface covered by 35 - 65% of hard and soft coral. 
• Taka Mallori: this diving spot is located at Jinato. It is a home variety of reef fish such as Chaetodontidae, Scaridae, Serranidae, Lethrinidae, Mulidae, Balistidae, Ostracidae, Tentraodon dan Scorpionidae. Since the location is not deep enough, this spot really fit for any level of diving skills.

Trip Advisor Indonesia - Taka Bonerate, South Sulawesi

Transportation (Trip/Tour Route) & Cost:  

Step 1 Flight to Makassar, South Sulawesi from any cities in Indonesia. There are many various flight coach company available to Makassar such as Lion, Wings, Citilink, Garuda, Sriwijaya or Batik Air.

Step 2 to Selayar

• By Air Flight from Sultan Hassanudin Airport Makassar to H. Aeropala airport Selayar: Wings Air - departure schedule every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 08.55 AM WITA.
• From Hassanudin Airport to Mallengkeri Terminal by Taxi, it cost about 125.000 IDR. Then continue with regular Bus to Benteng terminal, Selayar. Departure time at 08.00 AM WITA, it cost about 130.000 IDR. The bus route will pass Bira port by Ferry to Benteng.Step 3 Benteng 

Step 3 Selayar to the location

• Benteng - Tinabo Island: Benteng to Pattumbukan port by rental car - Tinabo by speed boad or traditional ship. It take about 1.5 - 5 hours depend on sea transport that you are selected. Dive spot is available at Tinabo or Latondu, other destinations can be found at Tarupa, Rajuni and Latondu island.
• Benteng - Jinato Island: Benteng to Pattumbukan port by rental car - Jinato by speed boad or traditional ship. It take about 2 - 6 hours depend on sea transport that you are selected. Dive spot is available at Jinato area and other destinations can be found at Jinato, East Pasitallu Island and Central Pasitallu.

Travel Adisor Guide:

• Individual or Group Backpacker (recommended)
• Advance trip difficulty
• Recommended for teenage and adult / couple traveler

Travel Advisor Equipments and Tools (Prepare your Wonderful Vacation):

• Diving and snorkeling gear
• Camping gear (optional)
• Medicine
• Personal stuff 

Other Trip Advisor / Holiday packages recommendation:

• Resorts are available in various location such as: 
• Tinabo (main area): Tinabo Besar, Pulau Tinabo Kecil, Pulau Tinanja, Bungin Tinanja, Taka Lasalimu, Taka Sirobe, Taka Takere, Taka Tobajo, Taka Subu dan Taka Mattongkoang. Pulau Tinabo Kecil, Pulau and Bungin Tinanja.
• Tarupa zone: Pulau Belang-Belang, Pulau Tarupa Kecil, Pulau Tarupa Besar, Taka Lamungan and Taka Gantarang.
• Rajuni Kecil Zone: Pulau Rajuni Kecil, Taka Silebu, Taka Rajuni and Taka Rajuni Timur. 
• Rajuni Besar Zone: Pulau Rajuni Besar, Bungin Tinabo, Taka Tumbor dan Taka Tumbor Kecil. 
• Pasitallu Zone: Pulau Pasitallu Timur, Pulau Tambuna Besar, Pulau Ampalasa, Taka Balanda, Taka Bongko, Taka Taburi, Bungin Belle, Bungin Laloh, and Bungin Siberaga.
• Central Pasitallu: Pulau Pasitallu Tengah, Taka Bubbe, Taka Miriam Barat, Taka Miriam Timur, Taka Gama, Taka Tetoke, Taka Bajang Pogo, Taka Mallori, Taka Balalong, Taka Kumai and Bungin Kamase. 
• Latondu Zone: Pulau Latondu Besar, Pulau Latondu Kecil and Taka Latondu.
• Jinato Zone: Pulau Jinato, Pulau dan Taka Lantigiang, Taka Kayu Bulan Barat dan Taka Kayu Bulan Timur, Taka Sepe, Taka Teros and Taka Salo.
• Other Hotel/Homestay in Makassar CLICK HERE
• Further information and guide, Contact to KOPERASI TN TAKA BONERATE Phone. +62 812 419 1113 | Email: rahmansaleh61(at)yahoo.com