**NEW** We are always excited to explore new areas, and in February 2022 we will running the first cetacean-watching cruise to Sulawesi and the Togian Islands.
Sulawesi, although far from the largest island in Indonesia, is still massive at roughly 600 miles across. Nestling under its northern arm is the Gulf of Tomini. Protected on three sides, and with the Equator running straight through, this enormous embayment is reputed to be the calmest area in the entire world ocean. In the midst of this sheltered oceanic pool lie the Togian Islands, rarely visited and bursting with life.
Deep within the Coral Triangle, are some of the richest coral reefs on Earth, where we can expect to enjoy hours of glorious snorkelling. Whale Sharks regularly occur at one snorkel site, and if our local contacts tell us they are present we will certainly visit. Meanwhile, the islands themselves house a unique suite of birds and mammals. And offshore, the little-visited waters of the Gulf of Tomini offer the rare opportunity for some genuinely exploratory cetacean-watching.
The waters of the Togian Islands and northern Sulawesi promise exploratory cetacean-watching and world-class snorkelling, 4 to 14 Feb 2022
Start of cruise from Bitung. Board MV Mermaid at Bitung port, late morning. Depart around lunchtime. Cruise south along the northeast coast of Sulawesi, looking out for dolphins en-route. After sunset tonight there will be an orientation talk, and on most other nights there will be a slide show.
Day 2. Gulf of Tomini. We should awake this morning near the headland of Tanjung Flesko, where there should be the chance of both a snorkel on the coral reefs and a visit to a nearby village. We will then continue westwards, into the great Gulf of Tomini. There should be the opportunity for a second snorkel this afternoon before we anchor for the night near Gorontalo.
Day 3. Gorontalo. Morning snorkel at site where Whale Sharks often occur. Afternoon cruising towards the Togian Islands, looking out along the way for whales and dolphins, flying fish and seabirds.
Days 4 to 9. Togian Islands. We expect to spend the best part of five days in and around the Togian Islands, and to visit several, potentially including Una-Una (with its volcanic crater and black sand beaches) and Katupat (with its jellyfish lake), as well as Malenge, Kadidiri or Lebiti. There will be extended opportunities for languid snorkelling on the coral reefs. And every day we will have plenty of time for whale and dolphin watching in the deeper waters around the islands.
Day 10. Towards Bitung. Another full day, during which we can expect a morning snorkel and plenty more time for whale and dolphin watching. We should arrive back at Bitung port by evening today.
Day 11. Disembark. After breakfast we will sadly have to disembark and transfer to accommodation ashore or to the airport for the flight home.
We are always excited to explore new areas, and in February 2022 we will running the first cetacean-watching cruise to Sulawesi and the Togian Islands.
Sulawesi, although far from the largest island in Indonesia, is still massive at roughly 600 miles across. Nestling under its northern arm is the Gulf of Tomini. Protected on three sides, and with the Equator running straight through, this enormous embayment is reputed to be the calmest area in the entire world ocean. In the midst of this sheltered oceanic pool lie the Togian Islands, rarely visited and bursting with life.
Deep within the Coral Triangle, are some of the richest coral reefs on Earth, where we can expect to enjoy hours of glorious snorkelling. Whale Sharks regularly occur at one snorkel site, and if our local contacts tell us they are present we will certainly visit. Meanwhile, the islands themselves house a unique suite of birds and mammals. And offshore, the little-visited waters of the Gulf of Tomini offer the rare opportunity for some genuinely exploratory cetacean-watching.
The waters of the Togian Islands and northern Sulawesi promise exploratory cetacean-watching and world-class snorkelling, 4 to 14 Feb 2022
Start of cruise from Bitung. Board MV Mermaid at Bitung port, late morning. Depart around lunchtime. Cruise south along the northeast coast of Sulawesi, looking out for dolphins en-route. After sunset tonight there will be an orientation talk, and on most other nights there will be a slide show.
Day 2. Gulf of Tomini. We should awake this morning near the headland of Tanjung Flesko, where there should be the chance of both a snorkel on the coral reefs and a visit to a nearby village. We will then continue westwards, into the great Gulf of Tomini. There should be the opportunity for a second snorkel this afternoon before we anchor for the night near Gorontalo.
Day 3. Gorontalo. Morning snorkel at site where Whale Sharks often occur. Afternoon cruising towards the Togian Islands, looking out along the way for whales and dolphins, flying fish and seabirds.
Days 4 to 9. Togian Islands. We expect to spend the best part of five days in and around the Togian Islands, and to visit several, potentially including Una-Una (with its volcanic crater and black sand beaches) and Katupat (with its jellyfish lake), as well as Malenge, Kadidiri or Lebiti. There will be extended opportunities for languid snorkelling on the coral reefs. And every day we will have plenty of time for whale and dolphin watching in the deeper waters around the islands.
Day 10. Towards Bitung. Another full day, during which we can expect a morning snorkel and plenty more time for whale and dolphin watching. We should arrive back at Bitung port by evening today.
Day 11. Disembark. After breakfast we will sadly have to disembark and transfer to accommodation ashore or to the airport for the flight home.
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