The island took its unusual shape about 3 million years ago, when a chunk of land that had split from western New Guinea and drifted eastward (Sulawesi eastern and southeastern peninsulas) collided with a volcanic island that had formed along a fault line east of Borneo (the south and the northern peninsula). The force of collision spun the two islands and left them joined in middle. Because of its unique shape, no part of the island is more than 100 kilometers from the sea, and Sulawesi has a whopping 6,000 kilometers of coastline. More than 110 small offshore islands are also part of the Sulawesi group. Most of this coastline ringed with reef.

Although too disturbed to be of interest to divers, the 16,000 square kilometers of reef off Ujung Pandang supports one the most productive fisheries the world. In the north, the near pristine reefs off Manado are famous for their sheer walls and abundance of fish life. Perhaps the best diving in the island remains inaccessible, the Togian Islands in Tomini Bay, famous for displaying in a very small area every known type coral reef, Taka Bone Rate, southeast of Selayar Island in south and the third largest atoll in the world and the Tukang Besi Islands southeast Sulawesi, rumored have moved Jacques Cousteau who recently passed through Indonesia to declare them the finest diving site in the world.

World Class Walls and Outstanding Fish Life

Divers, from neophytes to those who have dived all the world famous spots, have nothing but praise for the reefs surrounding the small islands in Manado Bay. These are very steep, pristine coral walls. In good weather, visibility on Bunaken Island drop offs is typically around 25 meters, very good for Indonesian waters. At some sites, and when the current is up, this can drop to 12 meters because of plankton. The reefs here are basically untouched. Little damage from fish bombing is visible, in part because the reefs are so steep, and drop off so near the shore.

Nor have there been enough divers here to tear up the sites, although some Bunaken sites are looking a bit worn. In 1989, thanks to the efforts of Loky Herlambang, founder of Nusantara Diving Centre (NDC), the pioneering dive operator here, 75,265 hectares of underwater area around Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Montehage and Nain islands became a national marine reserve Taman Nasional Laut Bunaken Manado Tua.

North Sulawesi and the islands in the Bunaken group face the Sulawesi Sea, which reaches more than 6 kilometers. Even on the short boat rides to the dive sites, one passes over more than a kilometer of watercovering a trench that separates the islands from the mainland. Nutrient rich water from these depths sweeps across the islands reefs.

The variety of marine life here is excellent, the surfaces of the walls are crowded with hard and soft corals, whip corals, sponges, and clinging filter feeders like crinoids and basket stars. Huge schools of pyramid butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepsis) and black triggerfish (Odonus niger), and clouds of anthias swarm around the reef edge and the upper part of the wall. Sharks, schools of barracuda, rays, moray eels and sea snakes particularly the black and grey banded colubrine sea snake (Laticauda colubrina) are relatively common here.

Beginners like the ease of the conditions. There is usually very little current, and the boats anchor right on the edge of the walls. Experts appreciate the fact that most operators keep groups small four to seven people. The Bunaken Manado Tua reserve features some dozen and a half dive sites. Most are concentrated off the south and west coasts of Bunaken, a low, crescent shaped coral island completely surrounded by a steep fringing reef.

Bunaken Island

The reef is good all the way around Bunaken, and the 6 kilometer long island features no fewer than 13 dive sites. Bunaken is the centerpiece of the reserve, and with careful observation, on this one island you could probably see the majority of coral reef fishes found in Indonesia.

All the sites are similar in that they feature steep walls of coral, pocked with small caves, and buzzing with small and medium sized reef fish. Good coral growth usually extends down to 40-50 meters, and in the deeper parts of the wall one can see sharks, large rays and Napoleon wrasse. The current is usually gentle, perfect for a slow drift along the face of the wall, although it can occasional come up in the afternoon.

Lekuan I, II and III. The most frequented site on Bunaken is a three-pronged coral wall in front of Lekuan Beach. Here your chances are very good of seeing Napoleon wrasse, turtle, bumphead parrotfish, scorpionfish and lionfish, and on the reef edge, swarms of anthias. The Lekuan sites offer little current and clear water, and are perfect for beginners. They a popular for night dives as well. Here and everywhere else in the Manado Bay area watch out for the stinging hydroid Aglaophenia. This sea nettle looks like a pinkish or brownish fern, and when brushed unprotected skin causes a burning sensation.

Kampung Bunaken. This site, in front of Kampung “Village” Bunaken on the island southeastern tip, offers much the same underwater scenery as the Lekuan sites. However, the shallow reef flat here has suffered the most damage of any around the island, thanks to its proximity to the village.

Bunaken Timur. The two sites called “East Bunaken” barely separated from each other, feature a more sloping profile than the sites on the south and west of the island. Here we discovered turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and some sleeping reef whitetip sharks.

Sachiko Point. Named after a Japanese tour leader, this steep wall is prowled by big fish, including large tuna, and turtles. The soft coral growth here is particularly good, and there are nice caves around 30 meters. The current is often quite strong at Sachiko Point.

Mike Point. Named for photographer Mike Severns, the profile here features wall and a pinnacle. The coral growth including large, showy gorgonians is very good. This site is particularly rewarding at depths of 30 meters or more. The point is sometimes swept by strong currents, and one can occasionally see sharks, and large schools of jacks. Pelagic visitors such as yellowtail tuna also call on Mike Point.

Raymond. This is a wall, with good hard and soft coral growth and some nice whip corals. Fish life is good, including Napoleon wrasse. Colubrine sea snakes are particularly common here, both on the reef flats and in the reef itself. Laticauda colubrina is sometimes called the amphibious sea snake, and it spends more time ashore than most of its brethren. Although not aggressive, the snakes are poisonous and should not be harassed, although the guides and crew members often round one or two up for photographs. Strong gusts of current can sometimes be felt here, both horizontal and vertical. Do not panic, just hang onto the coral rock necessary until it passes.

Tengah. This site, which means “middle” or “midway” about in the middle of Bunaken western reef face. This spot and nearby Mandolin are known for large schools of yellowtail fusiliers. One can also see an occasional turtle or shark here. Mandolin, just south of Tengah, this site also offers schooling fusiliers, and good coral growth. The wall here is best at depths of 30-35 meters.

Fukui Point. This site, also called Stingray Point, has a stepped profile the reef top is at 2-4 meters, and then slopes down with several short, but steep, drops. It is known for its rays, of course, as well as turtles, barracuda and a couple of good sized Tridacna clams.

Cela-Cela. This site, in the crook of the reef along the south face, offers many of the same charms as the popular Lekuan sites. Good coral growth and fish, and mild currents.

Siladen. There is one regular site off the small island Siladen, just 2 kilometers north east of Bunaken. The wall is steep down to about 35 meters, and coral growth particularly soft corals is good. Siladen is good place to see big pelagic fish, and the largest stingrays in the reserve.

Manado Tua. “Old Manado” is a dormant volcano jutting up just west of Bunaken. The two best sites are wall dives, on the west coast.

Muka Gereja. This site, in front of the church, is a steep wall with vertical canyons cut into it. Coral growth is good, an there is a nice cave at 20 meter. Sharks, barracuda and Napoleon wrasse are common.

Tanjung Kopi. “Coffee Cape” is also a wall, and offers shark usually reef whitetips, but with an occasional hammerhead and barracuda. The cape is often swept by strong currents.

Negeri. A decent Wall, with caves and good soft corals.

Pangulingan. This site, on the northeast of the island, has a sloping profile. There are nice shelf corals here, but the current can be very strong and there are few fish. It is best at 35 meters.

Montehage and Nain. Montehage is a large, flat island north of Bunaken. A community of Bajo fishermen has built a village on stilts in the shallow estuarial back reef area north of the island. The dive sites are off the west and south, which is fringed with a wide, shallow reef flat, much of it exposed at low tide.

Bango. The profile here is slope, then wall. Soft coral growth is good, and there are some caves. Scorpionfish are easy to find here, and Napoleon wrasse and sharks are common.

Gorango. The name of this site means “shark” in the local dialect, and these can usually seen here. The reef profile is a steep wall to about 40 meters.

Barracuda Point. This is a steep slope from 5 meters to about 20 meters, then a sheer wall to more than 30 meters. Schools of barracuda can be seen here, as well as sharks at shallower depth than at most sites-Napoleon wrasse, and bumphead parrotfish. Occasionally, huge tuna appear here.

Nain. Tiny island, but surrounded by a wide lagoon filled with patches of reef, and a barrier reef. The people living on the island have cut a path through the reef just wide enough for their canoes. The island features two dive sites, both on the outer edge of the barrier reef.

Batu Kapal. “Stone Boat” is a slope down to 42 meters to a coral outcrop shaped like a boat (hence the name). A narrow canyon begins here that plunges way, way down. A couple of European dive instructors in our group went down to 90 meters (on a single tank) into the canyon to look at some big jacks under an overhang. A light and a depth gauge exploded. This is not recomended for beginners. These two were used to diving in the Mediterranean, where dives to 60 meters are common. There is some bomb damage on the reef flat, but the rest of coral is pristine. We saw sharks, big tuna and Napoleon wrasse. We also saw large groups of parrotfish, and at the reef top one the guides found a couple of the strange crocodile fish (Cymbacephalus beauforti).

Tanjung Pisok. The dive at “Cape Pisok” is just off the mainland, some 15 minutes motoring from Molas Beach. The profile begins with a gentle slope, and then becomes a wall. Tanjung Pisok is one of the best places to see blue ribbon eels (Rhinomuraena quaesita), slender and gaudy relatives of the morays. The animals are quite shy, and guides and a great deal of tact are required to see them. One can also see blue ribbon eels in relatively shallow depths at some of the Bunaken sites. There are barracuda at Pisok, including an occasional big one, and particularly in the afternoon squid and sharks.

The Manado Wreck.

A steel hulled German merchant ship, which sank on February 22, 1942, lies in the mud just 5 minutes from Molas beach. The wreck makes a fine break from wall diving. It might take the crew a few minutes to find it, as there is no buoy if the local fishermen knew its location, they would soon catch all its fish. Once the wreck is found, the crew drops anchor and you follow the line down, as visibility is usually lousy here. The wreck lies on a sandy slope, at 25-40 meters. The twin screws of the 60 meter ship are still intact.

The hull is largely undamaged, but you can enter the wreck through several opening on the deck. Bring good under water lights. Most of the cargo space is easily accessible, but the engine room is tricky. Following the ladder (towards the stern) down the first couple of meters is easy, but to get through the narrow passage, you must remove your BC and tank. The engines and pistons are in good shape, as is one of the two electrical gauges. Move very slowly: perhaps a half meter of fine sand and mud fill the compartment, few careless strokes of your fins and you would not be able to see your hand in front of your face.

Because of the depth and the generally murky water (8-10 meters at best), there is little hard coral growth here. But there are plenty of giant black coral bushes, and some gorgonians and feather stars. Fish a not normally abundant. We saw a reef whitetip shark, a bright yellow trumpetfish, a large puffer, angelfish, some butterflyfish, Moorish idols, and small schools of sweetlips and snappers.

Our favorites were a beautiful and shy juvenile pinnate batfish (Platax pinnatus), and an adult roundface batfish (P. tiera) that seemed to be living in the wheel house. If you ask your guide ahead of time, they might find and point out to you two unusual species in the wreck banded pipefish (doryrhamphus dactyliophorus) and the longsnout flathead (Platycephalus chiltonae).

As this is a fairly deep dive, be aware of your depth times or check your computer, and keep a close watch on your air supply to allow for a decompression stop. Usually the crew will hang a spare tank and regulator at 5 meters, but this really a precaution, and you should not count on it. If you want to have a look inside the ship, we suggest you make two dlives one to get acquainted with the wreck, and one to explore inside.

Even if you are an expert diver, contract with one of Bali well-organized diving service to dive Nusa Penida, and make sure that you get a reliable boat and a guide with plenty of experience. The currents in this area can usually be predicted from the tide tables, but they can increase, decrease or shift direction with no advance notice, and vary dramatically with depth. We recommended that your guide bring a buoy, and you don’t wander off by yourself. The dive locations are all close together, and en experienced guide can easily shift you to an alternate site if the conditions at your planned location are unsatisfactory. Dive boats to Nusa Penida leave from Nusa Dua or Sanur, or from Padang Bai to shave trip time to the minimum.

Coral Walls and Pelagics

Most of the dive spots are around the channel between Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan. The standard reef frofile here has a terrace at 8-12 meters, then a wall or steep slope to 25-30 meters, then a fairly gentle slope to the seabed at 600 meters. Pinnacles and small caves are often encountered. At 35-40 meters, long antipatharian wire corals are common, spiraling outward more than 8 meters. Pelagics are the main attraction here, and you have a good chance to see jackss, mackerel and tuna. Reef sharks are so common that after a while you stop noticing them. Mantas a frequently sighted. Perhaps the most unusual pelagic visitor to Nusa Penida is the weird mola mola or oceanic sunfish (Mola mola), a mysterious large, flatened fish with elongate dorsal and ventral fins, and a lumpy growth instead of a tail fin. Dive guide Wally Siagian says he has seen a mola-mola here about once every 15 dives. On two occasions he has been able to swim up and touch the bizarre, up to 2-meter-long animals.

The most common dive spot are just south of the dock at Toyapakeh, or a bit further east at Ped, the site of an important temple of the same name Sampalan Point, and SD name for the sekolah dasar or primary school there. There are other dive spots down the northeast and southwest coasts of Penida, but these areas swept by tricky currents, require an experienced guide and more time than available in a daytrip to reach.

A Dive off Penida

Start with a practically currentless sea. From an initial 7 meter depth, than followed the slope of 45 degrees down to 37 meters. There was good hard coral cover, and an occasional pinnacle reared up 5-6 meters from the slope. Crossed a big school of black triggerfish mixed with a few sleek unicornfish. A small cave in one of the coral knolls held a densely packed school of pygmy sweeps (Parapriacanthus ransonett). These greenish, semi-transparent fish feed at night on small plankton attracted by the bioluminous organs located just in back of their pectoral fins.

Early in the dive we could crossed paths with a large black-spotted stingray. He allowed us to approach to within just over a meter, but after just one photo flew off to his next appointment. Shortly after we met the ray, we saw a hawksbill turtle, one of the largest we have ever seen. 1.3-1.5 meter animal flippered off before I could approach within decent camera range.

The rest of our dive pass through busy schools of yellow-tailed and lunar fusiliers, and occasional schools of longfin bannerfish. We saw several groupers and even more sweetlips, and occasional clown or Titan triggerfish. A good-sized barracuda observed us from above. Visibility was good, in the 15-meter range. When we ascended we noticed the surface current had increased markedly since began our dive. Wally the guide complained that we had not spotted any big sharks, which are common in this area.

Toyapakeh

We motored a bit further west along the coast of Nusa Penida, and dropped anchor a few hundred meters from the dock at Toyapakek. We descended through a slight current (less than 1 knot) into veritable clouds of peach fairy basslets (Pseuda thias dispar), each the exact color of a blue eyed Nordic tourist who had done too much time in the sun. The anthias were mixed with large aggregations of firefish, which are more often seen in pairs or small groups.

A long stretch of our dive route this at 25-30 meters consisted of an almost unbroken thicket of pastel-tinted Dendronephthya soft corals. A school of two dozen or more greater amberjacks swam several lazy circles around our group, mixing sometimes with a larger school of bigeye jack. As we started upwards, we saw a huge black spotted moray, with about 1 meter of its snaky body sticking out of its lair. We surfaced just at funnel mouth of the channel between Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan. The local fishermen were unfurling the sails of their jukungs, and we climbed back on board just as the current began to pick up speed.

Another Dive at SD

The next morning, after the sun had warmed us thoroughly, we headed back east along Nusa Penida coast to begin our next and last dive. This was a drift dive, in a 1.5 to 2 knot current that occasionally gusted to 3 knots. The fish hovered effortlessly in the current as we sped by. Swimming diagonally, we approached two large map puffers, and several smaller, but exquisitely patterned cube trunkfish. We also took a closer look at a hallucinogenic scribbled filefish.

Between two coral knolls we came on an aggregation of some 40 sweetlips. The fish were split into four groups, all facing the current. The sight of these attractively patterned fish was too much to just pass by, so we carefullt grabbed onto some hard corals and crawled along the bottom for a closer look at the sweetlips show. Perhaps feeling there was safety in numbers, these magnification animals allowed us to approach to within 2 meter before they drifted off to find new spot just a bit further away. While we watched our sweetlip, a turtle rose up just ahead an with no effort at all, swam of straight into the current. Then, a huge grouper, well over a meter long, appeared out of nowhere, buzzing one of our group before disappearing just at suddenly. Consulting the fish books later, we came to a consensus that our visitor was likely to have been a blotchy group (Epinephelus fuscogattus). We later saw triggerfish, a barracuda and a reef white-tip shark.

The dive possibilities are almost countless here. The reefs around many of the 110 islands are excellent in terms of coral growth and fish life. What makes the diving here just fair by Indonesian standards is the visibility, which usually hovers around 10-15 meters. It sometimes improves, but even then only reaches 20 meters. Daily rainfall here determines how good the visibility will be, but it is generally best in the middle of the dry season, typically May through September.

With few exceptions, the marine life at most Pulau Seribu locations will include an abundant variety of hard and soft corals, a good variety of reef fish and some pelagics, turtles and an occasional shark. Unfortunately, at some sites the deterioration of marine life is increasingly noticeable. Like the dwindling reef in the Florida Keys, Pulau-Pulau Seribu has suffered for its proximity to large population center. Pollution, and in some cases, mismanagement, is killing off the coral.

Popular Resorts

Some of the islands have resort type accommodations, and they may provide some music or a bar at night. On the less civilized islands, nighttime entertainment might be limited to the buzzing of mosquitoes. Upmarket resorts, built in cooperation with Japan Airlines, have gone up on Pantara Timur and Pantara Barat islands. These are very posh, with all the comforts one might expect from a fine hotel.

Pelangi and Putri islands offer somewhat less toney accommodations. Putri has small bungalows, a restaurant and bar, and sailboats and sailboards can be rented. Pelangi is a larger resort, and boasts fancy cottages, tennis courts, and a popular restaurant out over the water. Shops here and at the other resorts offer basic items like toothpaste and suntan lotion.

Pulau Piniki

This is an oblong island, oriented along a north-south axis. A few people live here, and the island is marked by a transmission antenna. There is an interesting reef off the western side of Piniki. The reef starts at 5 meters, but has its best coral growth and fish life at around 20 meters. At the southwest point is the wreck of a 20-meter wooden cargo ship. The ship’s cargo of cement has solidified, but the weakened wooden structure is not safe to enter. Schools of barracuda, batfish, large parrotfish and moray eels have made the wreck their home. There is also a particularly large number of anemones and anemonefish here.

Pulau Papa Theo

This island, formerly call Pulau Tondan Timur, was renamed when the Papa Theo, a cargo vessel, sank on the reef here in 1982. The vessel, about 20 meters long, rests now with its port side facing the reef. The bow is at 20 meters, and the stern at 30 meters. Until April 1991, the ship stood almost upright, but then its Stern collapsed, spilling its until then intact cargo of paper products and pharmaceuticals, including condoms. Until the cargo spilled, the beautiful reef was a favorite dive spot with Jakarta residents. Once the debris has been washed away, the reef may again become a popular spot. All the fittings and other items of value have been removed from the Papa Theo. It is a simple wreck dive, with lots of marine life and an occasional shark in the deeper waters at the stern end. There are parrotfish, some resident groupers, many morays and a particular abundance of stingrays. The north reef is often chosen for night dives. Papa Theo island is a very pleasant island hideaway, even for non-divers. The simple huts are clean and comfortable, and a basic Indonesian mandi or splash bath is provided. The generators shuts down at dark, and then one hears only the sound of the waves through the thatch walls. A candle-lit restaurant serves very fresh fish and standard Indonesian dishes.

Kuburan Cina

This very small island is among the best diving sites in Pulau-Pulau Seribu. The good reef begins due west of the island, continues around the south, then east. There is a small bit of reef at the north tip. Excellent coral growth provides the backdrop for a good drift dive in 8-20 meter depths. In areas, the coral is good to almost 30 meters. Low tide exposes a wide expanse of reef flat. At high tide, the island shrinks dramatically, with only a sand bank showing.

Pulau Malinjo

A very good reef extends from the west around to the north, and along the south-southwest edge of the island. The best diving is at 8-12 meters. You can find lobsters here up to 30 centimeters long. The reef is also home to a great number of moray eels.

Pulau Kotok

This island sits on the western edge of the Pulau-Pulau Seribu group, and thus offers some of the best coral growth. The undamaged reef here is good for snorkeling as well as diving. Pulau Kotok is the best in the islands for snorkeling and off-the beach diving. The west, north and east reefs are good to 20 meters. Because it faces the open sea, Kotok is the place to see schools of sweetlips, turtles and sharks. Small manta rays have been seen here. The area is abundant in gorgonians and soft corals.

Pulau Gosonglaga

This island is basically a small sandbank surrounded by an immense reef. The entire circumference of the reef is good, and in areas good coral growth extends down to more than 20 meters. Since the island is on the fringe of the Pulau-Pulau Seribu group, it is one of the best places to see larger reef fish and occasional pelagics.

Reaching either of these sites requires some patience and initiative. There is little chance of making a day of it from Jakarta. One must overland to Anyer or Labuhan, and then take a boat to the dive sites. Recent road repairs make the trip from Jakarta to Anyer quite pleasant. From there, a boat will take you the 50 kilometers to the Krakatau group, a 4-hours crossing. To reach Ujung Kulon, one can go either by train or car to Labuhan, and then by boat to Ujung Kulon.

Krakatau

Krakatau Volcano lies in Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java Islands. It belongs to Lampung Province. Krakatau Volcanic Complex consists of Rakata, Sertung, Panjang and Anak Krakatau Islands. Anak Krakatau is the currently active centre at the volcano and emerged from the sea in 1930. It takes just 20 minutes to climb the 150 or so meters to the rim of the new crater. Inside, the steaming cone is surrounded by a lunar landscape of fumaroles. Looking outward, one can see the surrounding island remains of the once massive original Krakatau. The descent is easy, and is best finished with a refreshing swim along the black sand beach.

Karang Serang Rocks

These rocks, painted white by the sea birds, mark the site of a dive off Anak Krakatau. The underwater scenery consists of large blocks of volcanic rock, seemingly sheered off by the blast. The cracked and sharp edged rocks make a west-facing submarine cliff look like the ruin of an ancient Greek temple. In the crevices of the rock, coral growth is beginning. The visibility is fair to good, 10 to 20 meters. Schools of Moorish idols and other reef fish inhabit the area, and one occasionally sees reef whitetip sharks. The bright colors emperor angelfish stand out starkly against the background of dark rock.

On the south end of the site, the slab scenery is interrupted growths of staghorn and table Acropora, some with blue-tinted fips. Around the rocks to the east grow an astonishing number of orange fan coral gorgonians. The smallest covered three square meters, and the largest, five square meters. The visibility drops here, because of the sandy bottom. Reef blacktip sharks patrol this area.

Rakata

This site, off the southeast end of Rakata, offers a nice drift dive. The steep sides of the island prevent access.The depths here are modest, to just 25 meters, and the gentle current carries you east. The underwater scenery is, again, slabs of volcanic rock. A decent variety of small reef fish populates the shallower depths, and some of the crevices have been claimed by moray eels. Green turtles are numerous at this site. In the 19th century, before it exploded, Krakatau island was a common stop for sailors, who loaded up on turtles. An unusual feature of this dive are the many underwater trees, which have been cast from the island cliffs by landslides. These attract large schools of fusiliers and jacks.

Ujung Kulon

In the remote south west of Java, the national park of Ujung Kulon is the site of one of Indonesia most pristine and untouched natural attractions. It is no coincidence that Ujung Kulon is classified as one of Indonesia World Heritage Sites and has been a natural reserve since 1937. Most well known for being the home of the last one horned white Javan rhinoceros of which a population of about 60 remains. Ujung Kulon comprises the extreme southwestern tip of the island of Java, the two islands of Pulau Handeuleum and Pulau Peucang just offshore, and the island of Pulau Panaitan separated from the mainland by the Panaitan Straits.

The explosion of nearby Krakatau in 1883 produced a tsunami that eliminated the villages and crops of the coastal areas on the western peninsula, and covered the entire area in a layer of ash averaging 30 cm thick. This caused the total evacuation of the peninsula by humans, thereby allowing it to become a repository for much of Java flora and fauna, and most of the remaining lowland forest on the island.

The Lighthouse

Tanjung Layar lighthouse on tip of Ujung Kulon is the landmark for triangulating a rocky dive location off the west point of the peninsula. Expect swells to rock your dive boat, heavy surface current, and unusually cool water temperatures. Beneath the surface, however, the sea is surprisingly calm. The visibility is quite good, around 20 meters. The rocks that jut just above the water plunge underneath the surface to 30 meters, looking just like submerged mountains. Coral is scarce, but in the underwater valleys there were large barracuda, schools of fusiliers and other medium-sized fish, and platoons of bumphead parrotfish. We also saw turtles circling the submerged rocks and a fat, nosey reef whitetip shark.

Karang Copong

This is a small island within sight of the northwest tip of Peucang island. The highlight of this shallow (to 12 meters) dive are tunnels in the rock that lead to caves in the island. Seeing schools of fish swimming in and out these tunnels is a surprisingly breathtaking experience. Visibility is 20 meters. The surge here is quit strong, and you are rocked back and forth as the prevailing current carries you from the tunnels across some sandy mounds, where the sea life is abundant including some nice soft corals but visibility is quite reduced, to less than 10 meters. This site makes a fine night dive.

Karang Jajar

This site is on the rocks off large Penietan Island’s Karang Jajar cape. It is an hour by boat from the ranger station at Peucang. If conditions are right, a drift dive off the south stretch offers a good, and very colorful growth of coral. You drop to 15 meters, an then drift east with a gentle current to a maximum of 20 meter. Below you, the wall plunges to past 40 meters. Turtles frequent the area, and we saw too many stingrays to count.

Badul Island

Tunggal Jaya is a sleepy community on the northern side of the isthmus of the Ujung Kulon peninsula. Just offshore here is a tiny, sandy island, Badul, which is surrounded by a good reef. You enter the water from about 15 meters off Badul’s west shore, and an easy drift dive takes you about 3/4 of a kilometer before your air runs out. Coral growth around the island is not spectacular, but th variety of both hard and soft corals was good. Visibility during our dive was less than 8 meters. Schools of bannerfish and fusiliers inhabit the reef, and we saw some bright nudibranchs.

East Java has a number of interesting sights. One of the East Java tourist icon is Mount Bromo, the Tengger tribe inhabited by, where the ceremony is held each year KASADA Festival. The mountains of Malang and Batu, known as a natural tourism area there is lots of health, such as the “Puncak” in West Java. Similarly, the mountains of the border Pasuruan and Mojokerto, as Prigen, Tretes, and Trawas. Other nature tourism in East Java is a National Park (4 of 12 in the National Park), Purwodadi Botanical Garden in Purwodadi Pasuruan, and Safari Park Indonesia II in Prigen.

East Java, there are historical in the classical era. Site Trowulan in Mojokerto regency, was the center of Majapahit kingdom, there are dozens of temples and tombs of kings of Majapahit. Other temple-temple spread in almost all areas in East Java, including upgrading temple in Blitar. In Madura, Sumenep is the capital of Madura kingdom, where there is a palace, museum, and the tombs of kings of Madura (Asta Tinggi).

East Java is known to have a panoramic beach which is very beautiful. On the south coast there are Prigi, Pelang, and White Sand beach in Trenggalek, Popoh in Tulungagung, Ngliyep in Malang, and Watu Ulo Papuma beach in Jember. On the north coast there are Tanjung Kodok beach in Lamongan district, has been developed and is managed by a regional government in Lamongan as Wisata Bahari Lamongan (WBL) is also called Jatim Park II, Kenjeran Beach in Surabaya, and White Sand Beach in Situbondo. Lake in East Java, among others, in the Sarangan Lake Magetan, Sutami Dam in Blitar and Selorejo Dam in Malang.

Cultural tourism, among others Karapan Sapi (Cow race) in Madura, Labuhan Larung Sesaji Ceremony along the South Sea coast, traditional art Reog Ponorogo, and Ludruk in Surabaya.

North coastal areas there are a number of tombs of Wali, which is the religion of the pilgrims travel to the Muslims. Five of nine Wali Songo buried in East Java: Sunan Ampel in Surabaya, Sunan Giri and Maulana Malik Ibrahim in Gresik, Sunan Drajat in Paciran (Lamongan), and Sunan Bonang in Tuban. In the coastal area north of this there are also interesting caves: Maharani Cave in Lamongan and Akbar Cave in Tuban. Soekarno’s tomb, frist president of Indonesia are in the city of Blitar.

Surabaya is the government and business center of East Java, where the Tugu Pahlawan, Mpu Tantular Museum, Convention & Exhibition Center, Marine Monument, Ampel Mosque, Tunjungan Shopping Center and Kya-Kya. Jatim Park in Batu and WBL is a miniature of East Java, who is also an educational tour.

Food typical East Java are Pecel, Rawon and Rujak Petis. Surabaya is famous Rujak Cingur, Semanggi, Lontong Balap, Sate Kerang, and Lontong Kupang. Kediri popular with Tahu Takwa, Tahu Pong, and Getuk Pisang (banana). Madiun known as Brem and Pecel. Lamongan famous for its Wingko Babat. Malang and Trenggalek is known as Tempe chips. Sidoarjo famous for Prawn crackers and Petis.

Central Java there are lots of tourism which is very interesting. Semarang city has a number of ancient buildings. Tourism in the city including Puri Maerokoco (Taman Mini Central Java) and the Indonesian Record Museum (MURI).

One of the pride of the province is the Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world built on the 9th century, located in Magelang District. Mendut and Pawon temples also in one complex with the Borobudur. Prambanan on the Klaten border in Yogyakarta is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia. In the Dieng temple there is a group of Hindu’s temple, which was suspected to be built before the era of old Mataram Kingdom. Gedong Songo temple complex located on the slopes of Mount Ungaran, Semarang region.

Central Java environment consists of three cultures, namely Coastal cultural environment, cultural Bagelan – Banyumas, and Palace culture, with the preservation of culture, among other ceremonies Tingkeban, Brokohan, Puputan, Selapanan, Tedhak Siten, Ruwatan, Clean Village, splash of water Pusaka, Nyadran, and Sea charity.

Surakarta is seen as one of the Javanese cultural center, where in this town there is Keraton Kasunanan (palace) dan Pura Mangkunegaran. Interesting tourism outside of the city is Grojogan Sewu Waterfall and Majapahit temple monument in Karanganyar district, and the Fossil Sangiran museum, located in the road between Solo Purwodadi.

The southern part of Central Java also save a number of interesting natural tourism, such as Jatijajar cave and Karang Bolong beach in Kebumen, and also Batu Raden in Banyumas. In the north there is a Guci tourism object on the slopes of Mount Slamet, Kabupaten Tegal, and Pekalongan city known as the nickname ‘Batik City’.

West Pantura region save many religious tourism. Demak Great Mosque, established in 16th century building is an artistic blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Demak is the first Islamic kingdom in Java. On the Pantura highway there are 3 tomb of Wali Songo, Sunan Kalijaga in Demak, Sunan Kudus in the city of Kudus, and Sunan Muria in Kudus District. Kudus is also known as the ‘City Kretek’, and the city also has Kretek museum.

Yogyakarta is a province of the region based on Kasultanan Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat and Kadipaten Pakualaman. Besides, added the former Kasunanan of Surakarta Hadiningrat and Praja Mangkunagaran previously was enklave in Yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta is still very thick with the Javanese cultural. Arts and culture are important part of community life in Yogyakarta. Since the child until adulthood, the people of Yogyakarta will witness the various arts and cultural events in the city. For the people of Yogyakarta, in which every stage of life, the meaning of tradition is a very important and still held up at this time.

Tradition also not separated from the art presented in the traditional ceremonies. So for the people of Yogyakarta, art and culture actually become a part of life and not separated from them. Art in Yogyakarta typical example is Kethoprak, Jathilan, and Wayang Kulit.

Environment that is beautiful, traditional architecture, social life, rites and rituals make Yogyakarta became the most interesting places to visit. Arts and culture such as traditional Gamelan music and traditional dances will always remind the audience of Yogyakarta a few centuries ago. Development of modern technology developed in Yogyakarta, is developing a rhythm with the customary and traditional ceremonies.

Tour of interesting objects in Yogyakarta: Malioboro Street, Gembiraloka Zoo, Taman Sari Water Palace, Jogja Kembali Monument, Yogyakarta Palace Museum, Sonobudoyo Museum, Mount Merapi, Kaliurang, Parangtritis Beach, Baron Beach, Samas Beach, Selarong Cave, Prambanan Temple, Kalasan Temple and Ratu Boko Temple.

Yogyakarta is famous for delicious and cheap food. Angkringan with the typical student food, Bakmi Godhog in Pojok Beteng, Sate Kelinci in Kaliurang and Jadah Mbah Carik, Sate Karang in Kota Gede, Sego Abang in Njirak Gunung Kidul, Sate Klathak in Wonokromo and many other place for culinary tour.

In the field of art is a prominent custom home architecture which is a combination of the sculpture and art crafts. In general, building custom homes in tradition symbolizes “water buffalo stand upright”, this is more obvious with decorate the roof with a buffalo head.

Batak Karo traditional houses look great, and higher than with other traditional houses. Its roof made of ijuk and is usually added to the roof a small triangle shape called a “ayo-ayo rumah” and “tersek”. Pitched roof with a flake of Batak Karo house has a characteristic shape, compared with a traditional Batak house that has only one layer roof.

Form of traditional houses in the area Simalungun quite enthralling. Complex custom house in the village of Ancient Pematang consists of several buildings likes Rumah Bolon, Balai Bolon, Jemur, Pantangan Balai Butuh and Lesung. Mandailing building have a prominent characteristic is called “Bagas Gadang” (home of Namora Natoras) and “Sopo Godang” (tribe conference hall).

In addition to architecture, art is a homespun craft of a vagabond tribe. An example is the weaving of cloth and cloth songkets Ulos. Ulos cloth is a traditional Batak’s cloth used in marriage ceremonies, funerals, establish homes, etc. Ulos cloth material made from cotton or hemp. Usually it have basic color black or white and brown (Batak Dairi and Simalungun), dark blue and reddish (Batak Karo).

Specific food vagabond in the land vary widely, depending on the area. Suppose as in Dairi district, Pelleng is a traditional food that was very spicy. Batak land is a paradise for lovers of spicy food and coconut milk and heat. TOKOR POLA or money to buy palm wine is a term that is very familiar there, describe the pattern of how close palm wine with their lives.

Tourism in the area of South Sumatra enough potential to be developed and interesting to visit such as the Musi river, Ampera bridge, Kemaro island, Lake Ranau, Pagaralam city. This province has a tourism is diverse, both natural attractions, history and culture. South Sumatra has a form of tourism with mountain flora and fauna and diverse, such as Kerinci Seblat National Park, rivers, lakes, coastlines are very long, and the diversity of traditions and culture that is unique and interesting.

Natural tourism are Lake Ranau in Ogan Komering Ulu district, Musi Rawas and Musi Banyuasin. The beach among others Parai Tenggini beach, Matras beach on the island of Bangka, and Pasir Padi beach on the island of Belitung. Waterfalls are located in Muara Enim district and Lahat. Cultural tour includes Serelo hill, mount Dempo, Rumah Limas, settlement tribes Anak Dalam and Kubu. Tour history among other Sriwijaya sites ancient form of stone, ancient statues, and museums in Palembang, funeral complex in Siguntang hill and fort Kuto Besak.

Because the former has since become a center of trade, are participate in community cultural influence. In the province of the extremely popular with the woven fabric Songket and Pelangi there are 12 local languages and eight tribes, among them is the dominant tribe of Palembang, Komering, Ranau, and Semendo tribe. Food typical of this province is very diverse as Pempek, Model, Tekwan, Pindang Patin, Pindang Tulang, Sambal Jokjok, Berengkes and Tempoyak.

In this province we can find almost all kinds of natural objects such as marine tourism, beach, lake, mountain and canyon, in addition to cultural tourism object. Accommodation hotels have started a lot of class from economic to four stars. To complete supporting facilities of tourism, the government also offers train tours that operate on certain hours.

Tourism and the many tourists visited include Lake Maninjau, Singkarak Lake, Lake Diatas and Dibawah, Lembah Anai in Padang Panjang, Ngarai Sianok in Bukit Tinggi, Fort de Kock and Jam Gadang in Bukit Tinggi, Air Manis Beach in Padang, Muaro Beach in Padang, Caroline Beach in Padang, Istana Pagar Ruyung in Batusangkar, Harau in Payakumbuh, Gunung Merah Putih in Sulit Air.

Nuance of the Minangkabau in West Sumatra any music that is mixed with any type of music at this time will be seen from each of the songs are outstanding in masyarat. This is because the Minang music could be mixed with the flow of any type of music so well that can be heard and accepted by the community. Elements of the music consists of a traditional music instrument Saluang, Bansi, Talempong, Rabab, and Gendang Tabuik.

Tradition of classical dance originating from West Sumatra perform by men and women generally have active dynamic movement but remain in the special flow and order. This uniqueness lies in the principle that learning Minangkabau dance to nature, the dynamism of movement in Minang dance always typify elements of nature. The influence of Islam, a unique matrilineal tradition also give the influence of the soul in a dance tradition of Minangkabau.

A traditional dance Pencak Silat from Minangkabau is the merging of dance movement and martial arts typical Minang. Pencak Silat in Minangkabau have some flow, its flow among Harimau Kumango. This is usually taught to the men in Minangkabau since the age of akil baligh (the age of 6 to 12 years).

West Sumatra custom house called Rumah Gadang. In original custom house each tower was not vertical or horizontal but have a slope. Ship design is imitated in this building. Its do not use nails but using wood pegs for earhquake disaster anticipation.

Traditional weapon in West Sumatra is Keris. Keris is usually used by men and placed on the front, while now only used for men’s bridegroom. Different types of spear, long sword, chopsticks are also used by kings in Minangkabau to maintain themselves.

In the culinary world, West Sumatra is familiar with Padang cuisine and restaurant. Padang is famous with the spicy cuisine can be found in almost all corners of the archipelago, and also can be found overseas. Some examples of food from West Sumatra is a very popular Rendang, Sate Padang, Dendeng Balado, Ayam Pop, Soto Padang, and Bubur Kampiun. In addition, West Sumatra also has hundreds of recipes, such as Galamai, Wajik, Kipang Kacang, Bareh Randang, Dakak-dakak, Rakik Maco, Krupuk Balado and Krupuk Sanjai.