Morotai Wreck

Category : Morotai Sub Category : Maluku

Morotai

Morotai is one of Indonesia’s most northern islands, sitting just above Sulawesi’s northern tip. The area is dotted with several stunning islands ringed with empty, white sand beaches, accompanied by only turquoise water which also happens to be a veritable repository of biodiversity and human history.

Morotai waters are considered to be an Historical Underwater Site. In July 1944, during World War II, General Douglas MacArthur, the commander of the South West Pacific Area, selected this undeveloped island as the location for air bases and naval facilities to support the liberation of Mindanao, Philippines. Being the base for the facipic War, Morotai is now left with coral-encusted evidence of the war around the island, such as caves, runways, as well as artifacts like aircraft, tanks, soldiers’ knick-knacks, and even Coca Cola bottles from the 40s.

These remnants of World War II nesled on the seabed are the main attraction for divers here. Lapangan Pante is a dive site located in front of an ex-World War II airportnear Wama Village, South Morotai. The sites is like an underwater WW II museum, where divers can exsplore the sunken aircraft, trucks, and tanks. Some of the wrecks are deep, howefer: trucks lie at 30 meters, while the plane sits at 40. Scattered around the wreck of the aircraft, assumed to be a Bristol Beaufort (an Australia-built fighter aircraft used by the Royal Australia Air Force during WWII), there are trucks and other dispersed scraps of artifact. In the shallow water, at around 15 meters, there are attractive fringing reefs where divers marine life can be found.

Morotai offers a unique combination of evidence of Nature’s bounty, as well as evidence of part of the turbulent history of mankind.

 

Getting There

Best Season : April – July

Fly to Ternate

Airport : Sultan Babullah Airport

Route :

Jakarta – Ternate

Manado – Ternate

Makassar – Ternate

Fly from Ternate to Morotai

Boat Transfer : 1. Speedboat or ferry from Tobelo in Halmahera to Daruba 2. Direct boat from Ternate.

Dive site name : Morotai Wreck (1)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 30m

Maximum depth : 45m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope

Bottom composition : Sandy, Rock

Current : Hardly any current

Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fusilier, Butterfly, Cardinal, Grouper, Damselfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Gobies, Blennies, , Shrimp, Nudibranch, Turtle, Ray, Shark

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat, Deep, Wreck

Highlights : The “Underwater Junk Yard”(WWII dumping ground for planes, jeeps, trucks etc.), Schooling snapper, Tuna

Caution : Deep dive

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-4

 

Dive site name : Rsau (2)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 18m

Maximum depth : 30m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Steep slope, Drop off

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Surge

Marine life : Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Gobies, Moray eels, Leaf fish, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Shell, Snake, Shark

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : Schooling fusilier, Spanish mackerel, Lionfish, Blacktip reef shark, Abundant soft coral at 4-15m

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Sagolo Point (3)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 15m

Maximum depth : 30m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Drop off

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead,  Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Turtle, Shell, Snake, Shark

Coral reef : Good

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : Schooling fusilier/drummer/snapper; Tuna, Blacktip reef shark, Wall and overhang covered with colourful soft coral

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Dodola Point (4)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 12m

Maximum depth : 12m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Flat

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead,  Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Turtle, Shell, Ray

Coral reef : Good

Type of reef : Submerged

Type of diving : Boat, Drift

Highlights : Schooling fusilier, Lionfish, Abudant hard coral

Caution : Strong current

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 1-3

 

Dive site name : Pintu Dua (Selat Sidangga) (5)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 15m

Maximum depth : 20m

Visibility : 10m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead,  Blennies, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Turtle, Shell, Ray

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : Schooling fusilier, Lionfish

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Kolorai Selatan (6)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 15m

Maximum depth : 20m

Visibility : 10m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Drop off

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Turtle, Shell, Ray, Snake

Coral reef : Good

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : Schooling fusilier, snapper, Lionfish, Eagle ray

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Leorao Point (7)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 25m

Maximum depth : 40m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fusilier, Barracuda, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Porcupine, Gobies, Moray eels, Frogfish, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Turtle, Shell, Ray, Snake, Shark

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat, Drift

Highlights : Tuna, Lionfish

Caution : –

Recommended for : Experienced divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Batu Layar Point (8)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 12m

Maximum depth : 17m

Visibility : 10m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Flat

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Surge

Marine life : Fusilier, Butterfly, Angel, Grouper, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Gobies, Nudibranch

Coral reef : Bad

Type of reef : Patchy, Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : –

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 1-3

 

Dive site name : Aru Point (Batu Miring) (9)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 20m

Maximum depth : 30m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Drop off

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : : Trevallies, Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Gobies, Moray eels, Frogfish, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Shark

Coral reef : Good

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : Schooling fusilier, Tuna, Redtooth triggerfish, Frogfish, Blacktip reef shark, Ghost pipe fish, Pygmy seahorse, Leopard shark, Wall covered in soft corals

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Matita Point (10)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 25m

Maximum depth : 30m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Slope

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Flounders, Gobies, Moray eels, Eels, Frogfish, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Shark, Ray

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat, Drift

Highlights : Tuna, Lionfish

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Rock Point (11)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 25m

Maximum depth : 35m

Visibility : 10m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Slope

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Flounders, Gobies, Moray eels, Frogfish, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Shark, Ray

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat, Drift

Highlights : Tuna, Redtooth triggerfish

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2

 

Dive site name : Gorango Point (12)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 15m

Maximum depth : 25m

Visibility : 10m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Drop off, Slope

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Fusilier, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Flounders, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Nudibranch, Shark

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : –

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Kokoya Point (13)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 18m

Maximum depth : 25m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 28c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Slope

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock, Rubble

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Snapper,  Fusilier,  Barracuda, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Trigger, Box, Flounders, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Shark, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat, Drift

Highlights : Schooling snapper/fusilier/Barracuda

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Totodoku Point (14)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 25m

Maximum depth : 40m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Slope, Drop off

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Snapper,  Fusilier,  Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Shark, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : Tuna, Wall with overhang

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Pinang Point (15)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 20m

Maximum depth : 30m

Visibility : 15m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Slope, Drop off

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Snapper,  Fusilier,  Barracuda, Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Flounders, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Shell, Snake, Turtle, Ray

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : Schooling fusilier/sardines, Barracuda, Tuna, Lionfish

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Dehegila Point (16)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 25m

Maximum depth : 40m

Visibility : 20m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Slope, Drop off

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Snapper,  Fusilier,  Sweetlips, Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Flounders, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Shell, Shark, Turtle, Ray

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat, Drift

Highlights : Schooling fusilier, Tuna

Caution : –

Recommended for : Experienced divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Raf Point (17)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 20m

Maximum depth : 28m

Visibility : 20m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Drop off

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Surge

Marine life : Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Shell, Shark, Turtle, Ray, Snake

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat

Highlights : –

Caution : –

Recommended for : All divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3

 

Dive site name : Lopong Utara Wreck (18)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 25m

Maximum depth : 40m

Visibility : 20m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Slope

Bottom composition : Rubble, Sandy

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips,  Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Blennies, Octopus, Shrimp, Nudibranch, Flatworm, Shark, Turtle, Ray, Snake

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Submerged

Type of diving : Boat, Deep, Wreck

Highlights : Shipwreck, Yellowfin tuna, Reef shark

Caution : –

Recommended for : Experienced divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-4

 

Dive site name : Cendana Point (19)

Area : Morotai

Average depth : 20m

Maximum depth : 40m

Visibility : 10m

Min temperature : 29c

Max temperature : 30c

Bottom contour : Steep slope

Bottom composition : Coral reef, Rock

Current : Long shore

Marine life : Trevallies, Snapper, Fusilier, Sweetlips,  Butterfly, Cardinal, Angel, Grouper, Damselfish, Anthias, Batfish, Wrasse, Parrot, Surgeon, Trigger, Box, Puffer, Gobies, Moray eels, Scorpion, Flathead,  Blennies, Shrimp, Nudibranch, Shell, Ray, Shark

Coral reef : Average

Type of reef : Fringing

Type of diving : Boat, Drift

Highlights : Tuna, Blacktip reef shark,

Caution : Strong current

Recommended for : Experienced divers

Dive Site Classification : 2-3