Immeriswas
Contributor
Our second destination this autum after Kalimaya/Sumbawa was Salibay Resort on Sali Kecil, a small island between Bacan and South Halmahera.
Salibay Resort | Salibay Resort - South Halmahera - North Maluku - Indonesia
Being the first resort in a sparesly populated area , where only a few liveaboards went so far, the reefs were in a very healthy condition and the marine life is stunning.
To get there, you fly into Ternate and then with a small plane to Labuha on Bacan , where a car picks you up for a 30 min drive to the harbour. Another 45min on the resort speedboat and you reach the nicely situated resort with 10 bungalows (4 additional rooms and the pool were under construction).
As one of the first guests and only three of us, we enjoyed very individual tailored dives.
Of the 7 explorationdives ( a new and fascinating exsperience for me ) 6 spots ended up as new places on their map. That says a lot about the quality of this dive region.
From blacksand muck a la Lembeh , over slopes with Bommies to steep walls, there was a lot of variety, as well within the current situation - from zero to very strong.
The reefs were teeming with marine life , many differrent soft and hard corall , fish and a lot to see for macro enthusiasts.
The housereef is a steep, sandy slope dotted wit bommies and a healty reef top, perfect for snorkeling and the daily nightdive, which also was offered as a boatdive at places 5 to 10 min. away.
The two tank morning dive contains a 20 to 50 min boatride either direction Bacan or South-West Halmahera.
The one hour surface intervall was mostly on the boat- shade or sundeck as you prefer- , sometimes at a beach with snorkeling oppurtunities. Once we were lucky and detected three Saragossa Frogfish in a drifting seaweed-island !
The afternoon divesites are closer by - 5 to 15 min.
There is no time limitation - depending on the dept divetimes were around 65 to 80 min. Especially the night dives went quite long.
What to see ? Here a short list : reefshark, bumphead, tuna , macarel, jack, turtle, seasnakes,stingrays,flathead,batfish,napoleon,leaf- and frogfish,devil-scorpion and moore.
Some of the macrostuff- one of the main highlights here :
many nudis - some of the tiny species (less than 1cm) , a big variety of crab and shrimp ( decorator, featherstar, spong, seacucumber , hairy, skeleton,fire sea urgin, coleman, zebra etc.) different squids and octopuss, gobies and pipefishes as well as Pontohi and Bagabanti seahorse.
Here is the link to some picture
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129925047@N03/albums/72157663773225498
Rental equipment was new and nitrox will be available next year.
The bungalows are very spacious and comftable with a big veranda to enjoy the view over the sea towards South Halmahera and watching beautiful sunrises .
The tasty food with mediteranian ( italian managment !)influence is served in an open air restaurant. Breakfast was buffet and lunch/dinner as a three course menu.
I am always reluctant to compare ,because it a very subjective business. But running for my favorated place in Indonesia Salibay would come close in second place to RA, which has a still a bit more variety and big stuff, but on the other hand a lot more divers as well.
If I would go again. Yes, if there is not these long list of other places to see!!
Salibay Resort | Salibay Resort - South Halmahera - North Maluku - Indonesia
Being the first resort in a sparesly populated area , where only a few liveaboards went so far, the reefs were in a very healthy condition and the marine life is stunning.
To get there, you fly into Ternate and then with a small plane to Labuha on Bacan , where a car picks you up for a 30 min drive to the harbour. Another 45min on the resort speedboat and you reach the nicely situated resort with 10 bungalows (4 additional rooms and the pool were under construction).
As one of the first guests and only three of us, we enjoyed very individual tailored dives.
Of the 7 explorationdives ( a new and fascinating exsperience for me ) 6 spots ended up as new places on their map. That says a lot about the quality of this dive region.
From blacksand muck a la Lembeh , over slopes with Bommies to steep walls, there was a lot of variety, as well within the current situation - from zero to very strong.
The reefs were teeming with marine life , many differrent soft and hard corall , fish and a lot to see for macro enthusiasts.
The housereef is a steep, sandy slope dotted wit bommies and a healty reef top, perfect for snorkeling and the daily nightdive, which also was offered as a boatdive at places 5 to 10 min. away.
The two tank morning dive contains a 20 to 50 min boatride either direction Bacan or South-West Halmahera.
The one hour surface intervall was mostly on the boat- shade or sundeck as you prefer- , sometimes at a beach with snorkeling oppurtunities. Once we were lucky and detected three Saragossa Frogfish in a drifting seaweed-island !
The afternoon divesites are closer by - 5 to 15 min.
There is no time limitation - depending on the dept divetimes were around 65 to 80 min. Especially the night dives went quite long.
What to see ? Here a short list : reefshark, bumphead, tuna , macarel, jack, turtle, seasnakes,stingrays,flathead,batfish,napoleon,leaf- and frogfish,devil-scorpion and moore.
Some of the macrostuff- one of the main highlights here :
many nudis - some of the tiny species (less than 1cm) , a big variety of crab and shrimp ( decorator, featherstar, spong, seacucumber , hairy, skeleton,fire sea urgin, coleman, zebra etc.) different squids and octopuss, gobies and pipefishes as well as Pontohi and Bagabanti seahorse.
Here is the link to some picture
https://www.flickr.com/photos/129925047@N03/albums/72157663773225498
Rental equipment was new and nitrox will be available next year.
The bungalows are very spacious and comftable with a big veranda to enjoy the view over the sea towards South Halmahera and watching beautiful sunrises .
The tasty food with mediteranian ( italian managment !)influence is served in an open air restaurant. Breakfast was buffet and lunch/dinner as a three course menu.
I am always reluctant to compare ,because it a very subjective business. But running for my favorated place in Indonesia Salibay would come close in second place to RA, which has a still a bit more variety and big stuff, but on the other hand a lot more divers as well.
If I would go again. Yes, if there is not these long list of other places to see!!