Gorontalo - Bolsel - Lembeh (Gorontalo - Bitung)

Sunshine Liveaboard · Indonesia · 10 nights

Duration
10 nights
Embarkation
Gorontalo, Indonesia
Disembarkation
Bitung, Indonesia
Dives
Approximately 27 dives in total

About this route

This incredible journey explores North Sulawesi's most diverse and breathtaking dive sites, specifically focusing on the Gorontalo, Bolsel, and Lembeh regions. Guests will experience a thrilling array of wall dives, rich coral reefs, and fascinating macro life. The expedition ventures into the heart of Gorontalo's deep blue, offering a chance to encounter magnificent whale sharks and large schools of fish. This route promises a blend of dramatic topography and unique marine creatures, ensuring a memorable underwater adventure.

Regions on this route

Togian IslandsGorontaloLembeh Strait

Highlights

Gorontalo

Gorontalo is a region in North Sulawesi renowned for its deep blue waters and diverse marine life. It is particularly famous for frequent whale shark encounters and the unique Salvador Dali Sponges, which form intricate, surreal structures. The area features thrilling wall dives, rich coral reefs, and large schools of fish, supported by nutrient-rich currents.

  • Whale shark encounters
  • Salvador Dali Sponges
  • Deep blue waters
  • Vibrant wall dives

Lembeh Strait

The Lembeh Strait, located off North Sulawesi, is globally celebrated as the 'Critter Capital of the World'. It is a premier destination for muck diving, where divers can discover an extraordinary array of rare and unusual macro species, including frogfish, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, and various nudibranchs on its volcanic black sand slopes and rubble sites.

  • World-class muck diving
  • Rare macro species
  • Unique critter sightings
  • Underwater photography haven

Togian Islands

The Togian Islands are an archipelago in Tomini Bay, Central Sulawesi, known for their pristine coral reefs, diverse marine ecosystems, and tranquil atmosphere. This region offers a mix of reef diving, walls, and unique habitats, often supporting a wide array of reef fish and invertebrates.

  • Pristine coral reefs
  • Diverse marine ecosystems
  • Tranquil diving
  • Varied reef topography

Requirements

  • CertificationAdvanced Open Water
  • Minimum logged dives30
  • ExperienceDivers require 30 minimum logged dives for this trip.

Good to know

  • An optional fourth dive may be available on certain days upon request to the Cruise Director, potentially for an additional fee.
  • Dive times are subject to change based on specific tour and location, and the Cruise Director will inform guests of any schedule adjustments.
  • The first dive of the day typically starts early at 7:00 AM, followed by breakfast.
  • Divers are recommended to wait for 24 hours before flying after the last dive of the trip.

Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1: Embarkation – Gorontalo

    Upon arrival in Gorontalo, guests will check in to the Sunshine Liveaboard. After a welcome briefing, divers can set up their gear and settle into their cabins. The boat departs in the evening or begins cruising, depending on sea conditions, with the first light diving possibly taking place in the afternoon.

  2. Day 2: Gorontalo – Deep Blue Encounters

    Today focuses on the Gorontalo region, known for its deep blue waters and the chance to encounter magnificent whale sharks. Divers can expect to find dramatic wall dives, rich coral reefs, and abundant schools of fish. The area is famous for its nutrient-rich waters, attracting large pelagics and vibrant reef ecosystems.

  3. Day 3: Gorontalo – Salvador Dali Sponges

    Continuing exploration of Gorontalo, divers will discover the region's unique underwater landscape, including the renowned Salvador Dali Sponges. These magnificent structures are often found in deep, intricate formations. The area also features fascinating wall dives and rich coral environments, supporting a diverse array of marine life.

  4. Day 4: Bolsel – Thriving Reefs

    The journey proceeds to the Bolsel region, offering a change of scenery with its vibrant reef life. This area is known for its thriving coral ecosystems and abundant schools of fish. Divers can expect a mix of thrilling wall dives and healthy reef systems, with good visibility often enhancing the underwater experience.

  5. Day 5: Bolsel – Coral Diversity

    Exploring more of Bolsel, today's dives will highlight the extensive coral diversity and fascinating macro life found in this region. The reefs are typically vibrant and healthy, supporting a wide array of smaller marine creatures alongside larger fish. The topography often includes walls and slopes, providing varied diving experiences.

  6. Day 6: Transition & Diving

    Today involves a transition between regions while still offering opportunities for diving. The exact dive sites will depend on the boat's positioning and the prevailing conditions. Divers can anticipate encountering varied marine habitats and potentially different species as the liveaboard moves towards the next destination. Continuing the journey, the liveaboard navigates towards the Lembeh Strait, with diving opportunities along the way. The specific dive sites will be chosen based on current conditions and marine life activity. This day offers a chance to experience the shifting underwater scenery as the boat moves through different areas.

  7. Day 7: Transition & Diving

    Today involves a transition between regions while still offering opportunities for diving. The exact dive sites will depend on the boat's positioning and the prevailing conditions. Divers can anticipate encountering varied marine habitats and potentially different species as the liveaboard moves towards the next destination. Continuing the journey, the liveaboard navigates towards the Lembeh Strait, with diving opportunities along the way. The specific dive sites will be chosen based on current conditions and marine life activity. This day offers a chance to experience the shifting underwater scenery as the boat moves through different areas.

  8. Day 8: Lembeh Strait – Critter Capital

    Arriving at the world-famous Lembeh Strait, today is dedicated to unparalleled muck diving and discovering unique macro species. This area is globally renowned as the 'Critter Capital of the World', offering incredible opportunities to spot frogfish, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, and various rare invertebrates on sandy slopes and volcanic rubble. Divers can expect slow-paced, detailed searches for extraordinary marine life.

  9. Day 9: Lembeh Strait – Macro Wonderland

    Further exploration of the Lembeh Strait focuses on its reputation as a macro wonderland. Divers will continue to seek out the incredible diversity of small, unusual creatures that inhabit its volcanic black sand slopes and rubble sites. The calm, protected waters often allow for excellent visibility, ideal for observing the intricate details of these fascinating animals.

  10. Day 10: Lembeh Strait – Final Dives

    The penultimate day offers final diving opportunities in the rich waters of the Lembeh Strait. Divers can enjoy more muck diving, seeking out any remaining target species or simply appreciating the unique ecosystem. This is a chance to consolidate critter sightings and capture last memories of this extraordinary macro environment before preparing for departure.

  11. Day 11: Check-Out & Disembarkation – Bitung

    After enjoying breakfast on board, guests will disembark the Sunshine Liveaboard in Bitung. Transfers to the airport will be arranged for onward travel, concluding this incredible dive expedition.

Upcoming departures

  • 2028-06-20 – 2028-06-30from 2,061 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

About the vessel

Sunshine LiveaboardSunshine LiveaboardIndonesia
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