Chimneys

Rarely dived because of its distance from Gorontalo City, this wall is gouged by about 20 deep, narrow, and straight cuts plunging down the wall face from its shallow reef crest. Only a few of these channels are wide enough for a diver to enter. Most are too narrow. Many of these "chimneys" are clogged with unidentified specie of gorgonian white fan. They obviously thrive in the protected environment inside the chimneys. This section of wall is also home to a noticeably higher number of large gorgonian sea fans than other sites in Gorontalo, including pale colored ones not found elsewhere. Another unique feature of this site is the lack of much intervening flat or slope between the upper wall and the next lower one. Humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) as well as Pinnate batfish (Platax pinnatus) like this site and pass in large schools.

This site is about 550 meters long.
Depth: 0 - 40 meters

Highlights: a few caves, narrow chimneys clogged with white fans, deep lower wall, numerous gorgonians.

Conditions: Unfortunately because of past blast fishing on the reef crest, visibility at this site rarely exceeds 18 meters and sometimes is irritatingly cloudy after high winds or heavy surf. Owing to its proximity to the point jutting farthest into the sea, currents here can be unpredictable. Cold upwellings and down currents are most noticeable at new moon and full moon. Any wind will usually make this site unreachable.

Virtual Dive

Divers electing to dive at an 18-meter depth will begin noticing the wall's many narrow chimneys as they pass five bends. The wall straightens after the sixth bend. Divers notice a very narrow shelf below, edged in deep black water. Experienced divers may wish to start their dive here at the limit of no-decompression diving to peer down the dark face of the lower wall, to investigate the cavern tucked above the shelf, and to search for creatures of the deep.

On the wall's mid to upper levels, divers notice the high number of gorgonian sea fans before reaching one of the few chimneys large enough for a single diver to enter. The interior of this chimney is covered with tiny white fans. After another 100 meters, the wall is scarred by numerous fissures and a quick succession of ten chimneys, most crowded with tiny white fans. Only the first one is large enough to enter. Sunlight floods these fan-filled chimneys. This section of the wall also has some fine Dendronephthya soft coral. After your dive, ask the dive master to find the smurf blue coral. A single example of iridescent blue branching Acropora grows on the reef crest. This unusual coral is more typically found in coral gardens in west Gorontalo in Tomini Bay. Northern Sulawesi, including Gorontalo, is home to over 500 species of hard coral.

Dive in Gorontalo