Full of natural wonders, and offering an almost unprecedented level of marine biodiversity, North Sulawesi has become one of the worlds premier destinations for ecotourism and adventure travel in recent years. Nowadays, many divers travel to this remote part of Indonesia, which displays some of the best dive sites that can be found throughout Southeast Asia.

The diving in North Sulwesi focuses on two main areas, the Bunaken National Marine Park and the famous mud diving capital of Lembeh Strait. There are other good diving destinations offered in Sulwesi North, including the dive sites on the island of Pulau Bangka and Sangihe, however, is the dive sites in Bunaken and Lembeh that attract large numbers of divers here year after year.

The Bunaken National Marine Park was established in 1991, and the deep waters of the park to provide the highest levels of marine biodiversity is anywhere in the world. A home to over 70% of all species of fish found throughout the Indo-West Pacific, the waters of Bunaken are home an incredible array of coral and marine life.

The diving in Bunaken is predominantly characterized by the imposing walls almost vertical around the island. Along these walls, a series of cracks, caves and crevices are home to a wide range of fish life during the day and night. The dive sites as a Black Rock Fukui and facilitate access to divers with spectacular corals and amazing variety of the smaller marine life.

Lembeh Strait is widely recognized as the capital of the 'dirt diving' in the world, offering the only can be described as a unique experience in diving. The diving itself is shaped by the black sand at the bottom of the ocean in the region that is home to a variety of smaller creatures and marine life. It is for this reason that underwater photographers often choose to make the long trip to Lembeh Straits, which shows some of the best opportunities for underwater macro photography to be found in Southeast Asia. Octopus, gunnards flight, anglerfish and dwarf lionfish can be found at the dive sites numerous in the Strait of Lembeh.

Diving is possible in northern Sulwesi throughout the year, although the best conditions to be found in late March to November. From January to March, heavy rains and strong winds can be found throughout the region, leaving unfavorable conditions for diving.

Without doubt, the diving North Sulawesi is the highest level, and the region fully justifies its claim to be one of the leading scuba South East Asian destinations diving. The superb dive sites of Bunaken and Lembeh undoubtedly ensure the travel time to get here worthwhile, and just have to think about when you can return!

About the Author:

Mark Burns is Director of Scubaworld.tv, a large scuba diving holidays web site, and a comprehensive source of information on scuba diving in Sulwesi.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Scuba Diving in North Sulawesi – the Natural Wonders of Bunaken and Lembeh Strait

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