Dive sites

Gorontalo dive sites: sponges, wrecks and sea legends

From an easy house reef to a deep WWII wreck, every site in Tomini Bay comes with its own story. Here are the ones we dive most. Dive season runs October to July.

Olele Jin Cave Biluhu Kaisumaru Wreck Dutch Colonial Wreck House Reef Tambo Muck Bosel

Anthias over a coral slope in Tomini Bay, Gorontalo

Green turtle resting on hard coral in Gorontalo

Diver beside a giant Salvador Dalí sponge at Olele, Gorontalo

Below 20 m · Intermediate

Olele Jin Cave

Home of the Salvador Dalí sponge, a hard, rock-like sponge first described in 1925 from the Togian Islands. Its folds resemble Dalí’s painting The Enigma of Desire, which gave it its name. You’ll also find giant gorgonian sea fans, which take 10 to 15 years to reach full size.

Please don’t touch: handling has already damaged some of these sponges.

Reef · All levels

Biluhu

More Salvador Dalí sponges and schools of dottybacks. Local fishermen call the sponges Tulang Hantu, “ghost bones”: the legend says they grow where cursed pearl thieves sank.

Anthias over a healthy coral reef in Gorontalo

Coral-covered propeller of the Kaisumaru Japanese WWII wreck

15–51 m · Advanced / technical

Kaisumaru Japanese Wreck

A 50 m Japanese cargo ship from the 1942–45 occupation, reportedly carrying copra, wood and rattan. It caught fire leaving Tomini Bay and now lies upside down off Leato Beach, about 60% intact.

Highlights: an intact propeller at 26 m, a collapsed engine room at 43 m and the bow at 47–51 m. Locals still say the wreck hides Japanese gold.

10–25 m · Great for beginners

Dutch Colonial Wreck

A fragmented pre-WWII vessel in Kubu Marine Park near Botubarani, known locally as Kapal Belanda. Wooden beams, iron rivets and a possible cannon lie under 40–50% coral cover, with batfish, barracuda and pygmy seahorses. Best April to October.

Shore dive · All levels · Night dives

House Reef

Right in front of the resort. Spanish dancers, moray eels and leather corals. Local legend says the leather coral is the hair of a heartbroken bride, and it “strangles” unfaithful men who touch it.

Muck dive · Macro

Tambo Muck

For macro lovers: mimic and coconut octopus, frogfish, ribbon eels, cuttlefish, Shaun the Sheep nudibranchs, sexy shrimp, teddy bear crabs and green top snails.

School of fusiliers over a colourful reef in Gorontalo

Day trip · 3 dives

Bosel: Mahena, Soputa & Sakai Point

An early start for three dives at Bosel, with a chance of spotting orcas on the way. Included in every dive package.

See dive packages →