Selayar

Selayar is an very remote island  far away from the touristic mainstream. It is located on the south side of indonesian island of  Sulawesi.  The Selayar Straits separate the island from the mainland of Sulawesi. Its main city is Benteng, and is over 50 miles long and very narrow. Their inhabitants are living in small villages and their income is that  what the nature offers them which is following their traditions. Wide area are still covered by the original rainforest. Selayar with its unspoiled beaches is surrounded by the Flores Sea and is protected by the National Marine Park Takabonerate.

Takabonerate Islands are after Marshall Islands and the Maledives, the 3rd largest atoll system in the world and offers with the coral reef and seagrass ecosystems and with very good wall diving sites one of the best destinations. Current can be strong, caused by the mixing of waters from the east and west coasts the island.

Within the amazing  turquoise water of the atoll, surrounded by a deepest blue,  about 158 species of corals can be found. Fishes like barracuda, giant trivially, marlin, sailfish, yellowfins, dogtooth tuna, school of jackfish and barracudas, giant groupers, Napoleon wrasses, population of lion fish. and sea turtles are at home at this hot spot.

Location

Selayar is located on the south side of indonesian island of  Sulawesi.  The Selayar Straits separate the island from the mainland of Sulawesi.

GPS

-6.494077,120.482941

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Best time to dive

What can I see

As part of the so called coral triangle, about 158 species of corals can be found here . Fishes like barracuda, giant trivially, marlin, sailfish, yellowfins, dogtooth tuna, school of jackfish and barracudas, giant groupers, Napoleon wrasses, population of lion fish and sea turtles.

Photography
wide angle and macro as well

Challenges for diving

strong current on wall dives caused by mixing water from east and west of Selayar

Special

great dive destination apart from the touristic mainstream, protected by the National Marine Park Takabonerate  and part of the coral triangle. Facinating place due to the remoteness.

How to go there

Reaching this place is via flight to Makassar the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city on Sulawesi Island.
With an additional flight or/and by boat you reach the southern point of the island with its amazing natural dive destinations.

Currency
Local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah IDR.
1 € is about 15.000 IDR (Nov 2013)

Important to know
For entering Indonesia, people form Europe need a visa (getting as visa on arrival).
Paying in USD is cheaper than local currency ID