scuba diving in north sulawesi

North Sulawesi is known as The Land of Smiling People and lies in the very epicentre of the world’s marine biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. It offers more than 100 different dive sites, all rich with tropical marine life, with diving all year round. It is also very easy to get to, with direct flights from Singapore 3-4 times a week, depending on the season.

There are three dive areas to choose from. The first area is the clear waters of the Bunaken National Marine Park which was voted the global winner of British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award in 2003. The amazing walls of the park teams with thousands of different fish species, with huge sponges and beautiful hard corals, and countless number of fascinating critters.

The second area on the other side of the mainland is Lembeh Strait, and it is known as the world’s best ‘muck-diving’. These waters are full of extraordinary marine critters, many of which are the masters of camouflage.

In the northern tip of the mainland between Bunaken and Lembeh you can find a group of tropical islands with white sandy beaches and beautiful coral reefs. This is the third diving area of Bangka Island with amazing soft corals and even more critters.

There is something for every diver in North Sulawesi. Whether you prefer to admire the steep coral walls of Bunaken National Marine Park, explore the reefs in Bangka area or dive in the enchanting world of nature’s little wonders in Lembeh Strait, we can guarantee that you will leave North Sulawesi rich with memorable experiences.

Between the diving you can visit the area’s other attractions. These include the bustling city of Manado, the lush vegetable gardens of the Minahasa highlands and the tropical jungles in Tangkoko Nature Reserve.

from : www.divenorthsulawesi.com

toba lake

Lake Toba is said to have been created by the massive Toba eruption that happened about 71500 years ago. It is said to be the largest volcanic eruption to have occured in the last two million years. It threw up 2800 cubic km of volcanic material (a volume equal to over ten times all the water within Lake Toba today). In comparison, the 1980 eruption of Mount St Helen emitted just 1 cubic km of material. More recent movement of the magma chamber pushed Samosir Island and Uluan Peninsula above the surface of the lake. This is due to the upward pressure exerted by the unerupted magma.

Just like at Tonle Sap, a whole civilisation developed on the shores of Lake Toba in the form of the Toba Batak people who inhabits the lake and Samosir Island.

Prapat is a major town on the east shore of Lake Toba. It is located on a peninsula that juts into the lake. On Samosir Island, major villages include Tuk Tuk, Tomok, Simanindo and Ambarita. A scenic mountain road skirts Lake Toba on its eastern shore affording scenic views of the lake. One of the best viewpoints of the lake is located just out of the village of Tongging, close to the Sipisopiso Waterfall.

Getting to Lake Toba
There are ferry boats from Prapat that will take you to Tomok on Samosir Island. In addition, many of the guesthouses on Samosir Island has direct ferry connection. You may also hire a boat from Prapat to take you to anywhere on Samosir Island, or simply for a joy ride on Lake Toba.

from : Lake Toba is approximately 90 km long and 900 m above sea level. The catchment area for Lake Toba includes peaks over 2000 m high. Being in the highlands, Lake Toba enjoys a cool temperature that averages 20ºC. 

Lake Toba is said to have been created by the massive Toba eruption that happened about 71500 years ago. It is said to be the largest volcanic eruption to have occured in the last two million years. It threw up 2800 cubic km of volcanic material (a volume equal to over ten times all the water within Lake Toba today). In comparison, the 1980 eruption of Mount St Helen emitted just 1 cubic km of material. More recent movement of the magma chamber pushed Samosir Island and Uluan Peninsula above the surface of the lake. This is due to the upward pressure exerted by the unerupted magma. 

Just like at Tonle Sap, a whole civilisation developed on the shores of Lake Toba in the form of the Toba Batak people who inhabits the lake and Samosir Island.

Prapat is a major town on the east shore of Lake Toba. It is located on a peninsula that juts into the lake. On Samosir Island, major villages include Tuk Tuk, Tomok, Simanindo and Ambarita. A scenic mountain road skirts Lake Toba on its eastern shore affording scenic views of the lake. One of the best viewpoints of the lake is located just out of the village of Tongging, close to the Sipisopiso Waterfall. 

Getting to Lake Toba
There are ferry boats from Prapat that will take you to Tomok on Samosir Island. In addition, many of the guesthouses on Samosir Island has direct ferry connection. You may also hire a boat from Prapat to take you to anywhere on Samosir Island, or simply for a joy ride on Lake Toba. 

from : Lake Toba is approximately 90 km long and 900 m above sea level. The catchment area for Lake Toba includes peaks over 2000 m high. Being in the highlands, Lake Toba enjoys a cool temperature that averages 20ºC. 

Lake Toba is said to have been created by the massive Toba eruption that happened about 71500 years ago. It is said to be the largest volcanic eruption to have occured in the last two million years. It threw up 2800 cubic km of volcanic material (a volume equal to over ten times all the water within Lake Toba today). In comparison, the 1980 eruption of Mount St Helen emitted just 1 cubic km of material. More recent movement of the magma chamber pushed Samosir Island and Uluan Peninsula above the surface of the lake. This is due to the upward pressure exerted by the unerupted magma. 

Just like at Tonle Sap, a whole civilisation developed on the shores of Lake Toba in the form of the Toba Batak people who inhabits the lake and Samosir Island.

Prapat is a major town on the east shore of Lake Toba. It is located on a peninsula that juts into the lake. On Samosir Island, major villages include Tuk Tuk, Tomok, Simanindo and Ambarita. A scenic mountain road skirts Lake Toba on its eastern shore affording scenic views of the lake. One of the best viewpoints of the lake is located just out of the village of Tongging, close to the Sipisopiso Waterfall. 

Getting to Lake Toba
There are ferry boats from Prapat that will take you to Tomok on Samosir Island. In addition, many of the guesthouses on Samosir Island has direct ferry connection. You may also hire a boat from Prapat to take you to anywhere on Samosir Island, or simply for a joy ride on Lake Toba. 

from : www.asiaexplorers.com