Aerial Views of the Togian (Togean) Islands

Travelers flying into Gorontalo?s new Jalaluddin Airport from Makassar (Ujung Pandang) to the south have a chance to see the Togian (Togean) Islands from the air. Those sitting on the aircraft?s port (left) side (seat A) can see these jungle-covered gems on the plane?s approach to Gorontalo.

Within a few minutes of take off from Gorontalo bound for Makassar, travelers quickly pass over the steep coastal mountains and cross the equator. Those sitting on the starboard (right) side of the aircraft (seat F) should be able to see the Togian (Togean) Islands, depending on cloud cover. If the weather is clear, even more distant Una-Una is visible. Togian Island?s notorious Colo volcano blew Una-Una apart in July 1983.

During dive season in Gorontalo (November to April), Miguel?s Diving can arrange for double location diving for those who want to dive both sides of the equator, Gorontalo and the Togian (Togean) Islands.

Neon Pygmy-goby

With the help of a fish expert, Miguel’s Diving can now confirm the presence of the striking Neon pygmy-goby (Eviota pellucida) in Gorontalo waters. Only this year has a picture of this fish appeared in a fish book. A resident of the Asian Pacific, especially Micronesia, it is also found in Indonesia, including in rich coral areas here in Gorontalo. Guests this year able to photograph this shy pygmy-goby, which measures at most two centimeters in length.

Its mid body is reddish, but its back and belly are translucent. Most striking are the pair of neon yellow stripes over each eye. The lower stripe on the eye descends along the body, ending at the belly. The stripes on the tops of the eyes run parallel to the back of the fish’s head where a single neon line runs down the fish’s back below its transparent dorsal fins. Most striking is the neon blue streak on its belly bordered on the bottom with black. We are told that this goby has sensory canals and pores on its head. Look for it in shaded areas near coral either solitary or in small groups.

Guest Comments

16 Nov 2004

Dear Miguel's Diving,

I just wanted to write and tell you what a wonderful time I had diving with you in Gorontalo. I have been diving off 3 continents/7 different countries and I have never had as much fun as I did diving in Gorontalo with your crew. The 6 sites I had a chance to dive were spectacular. You guys have it all - beautiful corals, anemones, sponges, rays, eels, shrimps, nudibranchs, and to top it off, "tons" of fish. Even the boat rides out to the sites were fun, since you have calm water and dolphins and flying fish to entertain you on the way.

Your crew was great! The local staff was helpful and polite and your American dive master, Rantje, was the best dive master I've been diving with in my 10 years of diving. Diving with Rantje is like having your own private marine biologist along on the trip.

Earlier this year I had contemplated giving up diving after being terribly seasick on yet another dive trip that required long boat rides on choppy seas. I'm glad I didn't quit. You should advertise your calm seas and target divers who are sick of being seasick!

I enjoyed Gorontalo itself. It was easy to get around and I loved the little horse carriages.

Sincerely,
Anna from the USA

Attached are some photos I took on the trip.

70 New Fish Discoveries in Indonesian Waters

Indonesia’s position as the nation with the most biologically diverse waters on earth increased with the announcement of 70 recently discovered fish unknown to science. A month long expedition jointly conducted by Indonesian and Japanese researchers of deep water fishes off the coasts of Sumatra and Java turned up an astonishing number of undescribed fish species. These fish were captured at depths of 400 to 1,100 meters. The Department of Fisheries will be evaluating the commercial viability of fish catches in the areas studied. Two fish species among those caught are believed to have aphrodisiac properties.

The waters of Tomini Bay off Gorontalo are much deeper, dropping to under 4,000 meters. Occasionally, local fishermen will catch some strange deep-water creature like the Armored Gurnard in the photo and contact Miguel’s Diving staff for information. We suspect this particular fish only has aphrodisiac qualities to its own kind.

Season Opener

Dive season in Gorontalo has officially opened with tons of fish and 30-meter visibility. Our first guest was quite impressed with the brilliant diving available here. Having been diving in five neighboring Asian countries, her first time diving in Sulawesi was memorable. She especially liked how easy the access is: dive sites within a few minutes over amazingly calm waters of deep cobalt blue. She was glad that guests of Miguel?s Diving never have to lift a tank or worry with dive gear. Dolphins, flying fish, and a couple of huge Napol.eon wrasse appeared on cue. On the boat ladder after her last dive, she said, ?I don?t want to get out of the water!?