The Takabonerate Islands has the biggest atoll in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and the third biggest in the world after Kwajalein Atoll and Suvadiva. The atoll consists of separate table reefs enclosing a lagoon filled with massive reefs. The atoll has around 20 islands, six of which are inhabited. There are 15 islands for diving and snorkelling.
Takabonerate Diving is suitable either for beginner and advance diver, this place offers abundance of possibilities; as the contour has wall, slope, and flat seabed. Each dive will give different level of experiences.
For underwater photographer, Takabonerate diving spots around Tinabo Island offers many challenges, as the variety of objects are a lot and visibility most of the time is 30-50 meters, even more. Easily you can find one of rare critters like flatworms, nudibranches, shrimps, crocodile fish, turtles, cuttlefish, in almost every dive. Some times you can see also shark, eagle ray, manta ray, bump head passing by. We even have resident lobster, pipe fishes, and batfishes near the jetty.
Takabonerate is part of Selayar Regency, South Sulawesi province. The atoll is located in Flores Sea, southeast off the coast from the southern “arms” of Sulawesi Island and to the east of Selayar island. It is located west of Wakatobi islands and far north of Komodo island across the Flores Sea.
The the nearest large city is Makassar, from where it can be reached in about 16 hours with a combination of driving and ferry and 5 hours with flight to Selayar and continue with boat from Selayar to Takabonerate.
The natives of the atoll are the Bonerate people. They traditionally trade for fishery sea products from the Bajau in exchange for freshwater and other land suply. The Bonerate are predominantly Muslim, although with strong elements of traditional beliefs.
They speak the Bonerate language, a Celebic language, and like most languages of Indonesia part of the greater Austronesian languages. Their closest linguistic relations is with people in the neighbouring Buton, Wakatobi and Muna Island in Southeast Sulawesi. Most also speak Indonesian.
SAMPLE OF PACKAGE TOUR
TAKABONERATE DIVING PACKAGE TOUR
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
DAY 1 : ARRIVAL MAKASSAR – CITY TOUR (L,D)
Upon arrival at Hasanuddin International Airport Makassar ( by morning flight), tour participants will be picked up by the tour guide and then go directly to the National Park Bantingmurung to enjoy the beauty of nature in Maros, South Sulawesi. Bantingmurung also is one of the sanctuary for various types of Butterflies and some of them are Kupu Kupu Endemic of Sulawesi. Lunch will be at aturkan in Eating Local in Makassar. After lunch, continue the city tour, visiting Fort Rotterdam ( Fort which was built in 1545 or King of Gowa X, Port Paotere as one of the traditional port in Makassar with traditional boats boats lined Phinisi legendary boat in the world. Afternoon, transfer to hotel for check -in. evenings, at 7 pm, will be picked up dinner at RM Seafood Lae Lae special Makassar. And transfer back to the hotel.
DAY 2 : MAKASSAR – Takabonerate (B,L,D)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a trip to the island Selayar use. Arriving at Selayar, picked up by our team and in the conductance for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, drive to the Port Patumbukan with mileage less than 1.5 hours from Fortress. Arrived at the Port Patumbukang, set off by using Tinabo Island Charter Boat Takabonerate Islands which will take approximately 3 hours.
DAY 3-4 : Takabonerate (B,L,D)
Free Programme. Diving / Snorkeling tour in Takabonerate Island.
DAY 5 : Takabonerate – MAKASSAR (B,L)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Selayar island by boat to continue your journey back to Makassar using Merpati plane. Arriving in Makassar, transit to travel to the next town.
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