Not many people knew about Gorontalo, a new province in North of Sulawesi. In the beginning of 2000’s some divers conducted dive surveys to find alternative dive sites outside Bunaken and Lembeh, and the result is Gorontalo’s underwater. Besides the fact that Gorontalo is the entry gate to Togian Island, another strong fact lies in Gorontalo is that this area is the only area in Indonesia where the bizarre pattern sponge (Petrosia lignosa), later named as Salvador Dali sponge, is exist.
It doesn’t take too long for Gorontalo to become a hot dive spot after the appearance of Salvador Dali sponge photograph in several diving magazines. It is not only becoming the alternative dive site but the main diving destination for its breathtaking underwater beauty. Sponges dominate Gorontalo’s underwater sphere, thus divers start calling Gorontalo as the sponge capital of the world.
Gorontalo offers wall diving, both short to 40m deep. Underwater photographers who love wide-angle photography would be absorbed by the exquisiteness of seascape covered with sponges. In this area, divers can also admire the beauty of white bluish sea fan that rarely seen in other places. Muck diving site, where you can encounter frogfish, leaffish, sea moth, various species of seahorse, and other exotic living things, is also available in the area.
Diving in Gorontalo is seasonal, it is quite challenging during May to October because the wind blows from the south establishes high waves, but in November to April the sea tends to relax and very pleasant. Usually during March till April, divers often encounter Whale Sharks.
