North Sulawesi - Indonesia

Highlights: * Snorkeling and Scuba diving * Dolphins * Accommodation

Places of Interest in North Sulawesi

• Manado
• Gorontalo
• Tomini Bay

Regions of Sulawesi

• North Sulawesi
• Central Sulawesi
• South Sulawesi
• Southeast Sulawesi

Other Indonesian locations

• Bali
• Flores
• Gili Islands
• Java
• Kalimantan
• Komodo
• Lombok
• Maluku
• Sulawesi
• Sumatra
• Riau Islands
• West Papua
• West Timor

There are also a number of Nature Reserves here for excellent jungle trekking including Tangkoko-Batuangus Dua Saudara Reserve, Tanjung Panjang Reserve, Ramtangan Panna Reserve, Gunung Ambang Reserve and Dumoga Bone National Park. Sulawesi has a range of unique wildlife, 63% of which can not be found anywhere else in the world.

The 2 largest towns in North Sulawesi are Manado and Gorontalo.

The highest peak is Mount Klabat, a dormant volcano, at 1995m high. From the summit there are spectacular views of the northern peninsula of Sulawesi.

Just south of Manado, around Lake Tondano (Danau Tondano) are a number of caves built by the Japanese during WWII to store ammunition and house troupes. One of these is just north of the lake close to the town of Tondano. The other one west of Lake Tondano is close to the village of Kawangkoah.

Entry point to the Lembeh Straights where there is excellent snorkeling and scuba diving is the town of Bitung. Bitung is the main sea port to North Sulawesi. In the town are two unusual replicas of the Eiffel tower and a beautiful church.

You can view wild dolphins in Tomini Bay, south of Gorontalo.

Last updated 26th April 2009

Accommodation / Hotels in Gorontalo

Gorontal Oasis Hotel is located in the heart of Gorontalo and specialises in dive trips in Tomini Bay. Room prices are 150,000Rp per night (US$14) for standard single room, 175,000Rp per night (US$16) for standard double. Standard rooms do not have hot water. 275,000Rp per night for Superior Twin/double. All rooms have aircon and WiFi internet access.  www.miguelsdiving.com

Hotel Indra Toraja

Toraja Heritage Hotel

Marante Hotel

Getting there and away

Both Manado and Gorontalo have airports accesible from various locations in Indonesia.

Gorontalo Airport

Gorontalo Airport is called

There are several airlines that have direct flights into Gorontalo from various locations within Indonesia.

Batavia Air has direct flights from Gorontalo to Jakarta, Manado, Surabaya and Makassar. www.batavia-air.co.id

Pelita Air have direct flights to Gorontalo from Makassar. www.pelita-air.com