Diving in the Sangihe Archipelago

The Ring of Fire

The Sangihe Archipelago is a chain of volcanic islands off the north east peninsula of North Sulawesi. Consisting of about 40 volcanoes, some of which are over 1,500 metres high, the archipelago's waters are some of deepest in the world and deep-water currents bring plankton and nutrients from the deep. As a result the marine life at this Manado diving destination is incredibly rich and varied. Some Manado liveaboards visit and dive the Sangihe area.

Highlights

Drowned Village - Be the man (or woman) from Atlantis by diving what was once a thriving village. Word is this village slid beneath the waves during the horrendous 1963 earthquakes that occurred here. Sangihe Rocks? Well, it did and now you can drop down onto what were once fields and buildings where local folk went happily about their business before the disaster.

Feeling like an archeologist you cruise around through the numerous black corals and investigate the tunnels and doorways. Diving here amongst topography carved out by man's own hand stands in stark contrast to the norm of diving among nature's splendour and is definitely one you won't forget.

Diving just off the dormant volcano of Ruang Island always gets the thumbs up from those who have been here. There is something so impressive about the scale of things here that one cannot help but be in awe of this most unusual landscape, both above and below the waterline.

It is as if some creator has put every shape, size and colour of sponge and crinoid here in this one spot. This provides a magnificent backdrop against which you can spot some of the many sharks, dogtooth tuna and extraordinarily large schools of barracudas that call this place home.

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How to Dive Sangihe

If you want to dive in Sangihe then you've really no other option but to board one of the few Manado liveaboard charters that visit there.

Diving Season

You can dive at the Sangihe Archipelago all the year round but the conditions do vary from season to season. March to June is the best time as it's the dry season and the visibility is at its best. July to October can be windy, and November to December is generally wet; both seasons having less visibility.

Reef Summary

Great for: Small animals, large animals, reef life and health and dive value-for-money
Not so great for: Wall diving and non-diving activities
Depth: 15 - 40m
Visibility: 8 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface conditions: Can be rough
Water temperature: 26 - 30°C
Experience level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: >50
Distance: ~220 km north of Manado (11 hours)
Access: Manado liveaboards
Recommended length of stay: 5 - 7 days

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