February 25, 2006
Optimal
Diving in Sulawesi indeed has its seasons. Now is right in the middle of optimal diving season in Gorontalo. Whereas Manado, which faces North Sulawesi's Bunaken Marine Park, is suffering flooding and landslides, weather on the leeside of the Sulawesi's northern peninsula is wonderful. Diving today in Gorontalo we floated on blue, silky smooth seas and enjoyed bright sunshine that reach far underwater. At two of Gorontalo's truly unique dive site, Jinn Caves and Sentinels, we had at least 25-meter visibility. Divers could see from one pinnacle to the next and the large Nap.ol.ean wrasse in between two of them.
February 20, 2006
No Flooding in Gorontalo
We are not sure what the international media is reporting about the flooding and landslides in Manado and North Sulawesi. However, Gorontalo has no flooding or weather-related hazards. Diving has not been interrupted here. Visibility the last two days has been about 20 to 25 meters. Typically, Gorontalo City receives half the rain that Manado does because we are on the leeside of the peninsula.
February 12, 2006
Another Endemic Specie
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The list of undescribed and/or endemic species found in Gorontalo continues to grow. Miguel's Diving can now show guests a recently discovered undescribed specie found only in northern Sulawesi and Tomini Bay. The Yellow crown demoiselle (Chrysiptera sp.) is commonly found in Gorontalo's coral rich reefs. It is also quite easy to photograph. Distinguishing features include the broad yellow crown, yellow pectoral spot, and tiny black ear spot. One photographer this season photographed what we thought was another Yellow crown demoiselle. However, the picture shows an amazingly beautiful blue wash around the yellow crown. According to our international fish expert, this color pattern has never before been documented. Maybe it's a Gorontalo crown demoiselle!
February 06, 2006
Hear Them Breathing
Guests from Taiwan, Japan, and Jakarta have seen multiple pods of both Bottlenose and Risso's dolphins each day. Rarely seen elsewhere, Risso's dolphins are resident in Gorontalo. They have distinctive white bodies with scaring, black dorsal fin, no nose, and are noticeably larger than Bottlenose. Today on the way to a dive site, a pod of nine Risso's was sleeping on the surface. We could hear them breathing. At sunset right before the night dive, a pod of Bottlenose were jumping and tail-slapping. The sound of their exhales carried across the still water, colored red by the sunset.