Tri Corner
Category : Gorontalo Sub Category : Sulawesi
Gorontalo
In the early 2000s, some divers conducted underwater exsploratory survey to find dive sites beyond Bunaken and Lembeh, and, in the procces, discovered the beauty of the waters of Gorontalo. Gorontalo is a new province in North Sulawesi, and is considered to be the gateway to the Togian islands. Interestingly, Gorontalo is the only known place in Indonesia where a bizarre and beautiful sponge formation, the Salvador Dali sea sponge, Petrosia lignose, can be found.
It didn’t take long for Gorontalo to become a diving hot spot, mainly due to pictures of the Salvador dali sponge spreading through the dive media. These sponges dominate Gorontalo’s underwater environment, so much so that divers have begun calling Gorontalo the sponge capital of the world.
Gorontalo offers excellent and varied wall diving, both shallow and to 40 metres deep. Wide-angle underwater photographer are usually enthralled by the exquisiteness of this sponge-covered seascape. The area also boasts stunning bluish-white sea fans that are a rarity in other places. Great muck diving where you can encounter frogfish, leaffish, sea moths, various species of seahorse, and other exotic, marine life, is also, available in the area.
Diving in Gorontalo is seasonal. It is quite challenging during may to October because the winds blowing from the south result in high waves, but in November to April the sea is calmer and conditions can be very pleasant. To top it off from March to April, divers can also encounter whale sharks in these exceptional waters.
Getting There
Best Season : April – November
Fly to Gorontalo
Airport : Jalaluddin
Airport
Manado – Gorontalo
Jakarta – Gorontalo
Makassar – Gorontalo
Denpasar – Gorontalo
By Land : Ten hours by bus from Manado
Dive Site name : Tri Corner (1)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 20m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray
Coral reef : Bad
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Drift
Highlights : –
Caution : –
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Tanjung Barat (2)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 20m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 29c
Bottom contour : Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Drift
Highlights : Schooling fusilier, Rainbow runner, Tuna, Dogtooth tuna, Stingray, Underwater caveren with soft-coral-covered walls
Caution :-
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : White Point (4)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 25m
Visibility : 20m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Jack, Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Froghfish, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Drift
Highlights : Tuna, Solar-powered nudibranch, Whale shark (occasionally), Eagle ray, Huge sea fan, Big Salvador Dali sponges
Caution :-
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Mystic Point/Tanjung Keramat (5)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 15m
Maximum depth :30m
Visibility : 5m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Flounder, Gobies, Moray eels, Leaf fish, Scorpion, Blennies, Dragoet, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake
Coral reef : Bad
Type of reef : Patch
Type of diving : Boat, Muck
Highlights : Many Pipefish and Lionfish
Caution : A lot of boat traffic (fishing boats) and low visibility
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 0-2
Dive Site name : Tjendrawasih Barge Wreck (6)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 18m
Visibility : 10m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Mud
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Frogfish, Scorpion, Blennies, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell
Coral reef : Bad
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Wreck
Highlights : Wreck of the Tjendrawasih barge sunk in 90’s
Caution : Risk of entanglement in ropes and drums, Boat traffic (ferries)
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Japanese Cargo Wreck (7)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 25m
Maximum depth : 40m
Visibility : 15m
Min temperature : 27c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand, Muck
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle
Coral reef : Average
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Deep, Wreck
Highlights : Wreck of a Japanese cargo ship
Caution : Deep dive
Recommended for : Experienced divers
Dive Site Classification : 2-3
Dive Site name : Mirabela (8)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 25m
Visibility : 15m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Dragonet, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray
Coral reef : Average
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat
Highlights : Eagle ray, Slope with several pinnacles and huge table corals
Caution :-
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Swirling Step (9)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 20m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Flounder, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Dragonet, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat
Highlights : Tuna Blacktip reef shark, Garden eels, Whale shark (occasionally), Combination of slope gradients make the topography look like a staircase
Caution :-
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Sand Bowl (10)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 18m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, vRock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Flounder, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Dragonet, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray
Coral reef : Average
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat
Highlights : Eagle ray, Sandy bowl-shaped area
Caution :-
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Kurenai Beach (11)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 18m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Drift
Highlights : Orange-back fairy wrasse
Caution : –
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Sunken Island (12)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 25m
Visibility : 15m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Barracuda, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Submerged
Type of diving : Boat
Highlights : Dogtooth tuna, Ribbon eels, Topography – mound looks like a sunken island covered with hard coral
Caution : –
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Shadow Land (14)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 15m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Dragonet, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Snake, Turtle, Shark
Coral reef : Average
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat
Highlights : Tuna, Mackerel, Yellow chromis, Whitel colonial encrusting tunicates, Flabellina nudibranch, Orangutan crab, Boxer crab, Wall with many overhangs and caverns
Caution : –
Recommendd for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Honey Comb (15)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 20m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope
Bottom composition : Coral, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Jack, Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray, Shark
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Drift
Highlights : Schooling Jack, Tuna, Extremely healthy coral reefs, Blue and green sponges
Caution :-
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Sentinel (16)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 15m
Maximum depth : 20m
Visibility : 15m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Turtle
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Patch, Submerged
Type of diving : Boat
Highlights : Underwaters pillar-shaped pinnacles
Caution : –
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Traffic Circle (17)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 15m
Maximum depth : 25m
Visibility : 5m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Slope
Bottom composition : Rubble, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Jack, Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray, Shark
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Drift
Highlights : Cuttlefish, Eagle ray, Whale shark (occasionally), Salvador Dali sponges, Very healthy coral reef
Caution : –
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Traffic Jam (18)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 20m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray, Shark
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Drift
Highlights : Tuna, Lemon chromis, Gilded triggerfish, Eagle ray, Huge cabbage coral formation, Cigar sponges
Caution : Current
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Jinn Cave (19)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 30m
Maximum depth : 18m
Visibility : 30m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Scorpion, Dragonet, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Turtle, Ray
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat
Highlights : Tuna, Mackerel, Eagle ray, Winding wall with caverns and overhang
Caution :-
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Clasification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Tanjung Kerbau (20)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 20m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope
Bottom composition : Rubble, Rock, Sand
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Jack, Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray, Shark
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Drift
Highlights : Tuna, Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, Eagle ray, Green sponges, Dense coral
Caution : –
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
Dive Site name : Helicopter Bay (21)
Area : Gorontalo
Average depth : 18m
Maximum depth : 30m
Visibility : 20m
Min temperature : 28c
Max temperature : 30c
Bottom contour : Drop off
Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock
Current : Long shore
Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fussilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab Nudibranchn Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray, Shark
Coral reef : Good
Type of reef : Fringing
Type of diving : Boat, Drift
Highlights : Tuna, Eagle ray, Blacktip and whitetip reef shark
Caution : –
Recommended for : All divers
Dive Site Classification : 1-2
information by Indonesia Dive Directory
