Trip report: Gangga Island Resort and Kasawari Resort

[edpdiver]

My wife and I wanted to try some new sites in Indonesia (we have been to Wakatobi, Raja Ampat, and Ambon). So we went to north Sulawesi, where we dove for 9 days with Gangga Island Resort, followed by 4 days at Kasawari in Lembeh. Both resorts were excellent. The food, service, and dive operations at both places were excellent. The diving at Gangga was very good, but did not have the "wow" factor that Raja Ampat dive sites did. It was mostly slopes with nice corals (more hard than soft corals). Very healthy and very fishy. I did one day of diving at Bunaken, which was about an hour boat ride, and has a $50 surcharge. All three dives were wall dives, and very nice. I think that our favorite dives closer to Gangga were the pinnacle sites off of Bangka Island, which was a short boat ride from Gangga. I did not do any night dives at Gangga, although I did a wonderful mandarinfish dive, which is at a rubbly coral site a very short boat ride from the resort. The muck diving in Lembeh was great. It was comparable to Ambon, and there were an amazing assortment of critters (seahorses, cuttlefish, shrimp, crabs, really amazing).

Here are a few photos from the trip.














Here is the set of underwater photos.

and here are the topside photos.

 

[ocdiver1]

I've stayed at Kasawari twice and would always be my top choice in their price range. Ali, Neri and the rest of the dive staff (and the entire staff!) are incredible

 

[Sorrows]

I'm glad you had such a wonderful time--the weather looks fabulous.

Superb photos--I'm always amazed when photographers get those something-eating-something else photos. (frogfish) How do you manage it? these

 

[Luko]

Nice to hear back about Gangga Island resort. For me, independantly of the dive quality, it's the best dive centre I have ever experienced in 15 years customership of numerous dive centres in Asia (comfort, organization & knowledge combined). It's also like they invented the perfect medium sized boat made for diving.

Apart from that, I am sure you will agree that Gaspare is a wonderful host, oozing italian flair. And the cherry on the cake is that Sahaung (the pinnacles off Bangka island you mention above) is my number 1 favorite dive spot ever.

 

[edpdiver]

I've stayed at Kasawari twice and would always be my top choice in their price range. Ali, Neri and the rest of the dive staff (and the entire staff!) are incredible

I could not agree more. The staff at Kasawari were incredible. I was really impressed.

I'm glad you had such a wonderful time--the weather looks fabulous.

Superb photos--I'm always amazed when photographers get those something-eating-something else photos. (frogfish) How do you manage it? these

Actually, I rarely manage such photos. The dive guide pointed me towards everything I took pictures of, so all of the subjects are certainly due to his spotting.

Nice to hear back about Gangga Island resort. For me, independantly of the dive quality, it's the best dive centre I have ever experienced in 15 years customership of numerous dive centres in Asia (comfort, organization & knowledge combined). It's also like they invented the perfect medium sized boat made for diving.

Apart from that, I am sure you will agree that Gaspare is a wonderful host, oozing italian flair. And the cherry on the cake is that Sahaung (the pinnacles off Bangka island you mention above) is my number 1 favorite dive spot ever.

Luko, I agree with you completely on the dive boats. Beautifully designed, and very comfortable and functional. Unfortunately, we did not meet Gaspare, although everyone I have talked with who knows him has the same opinion of him as you. I think he was in Raja Ampat, where he is opening up a new resort.

Cheers,
Erwin

 

[jake11]

Another great report ! Loved the mandarin fish photo! Superb!!! Can't wait to get back to Indonesia!

 

[edpdiver]

Thanks Jake. I can't wait to get back either. In fact, I am planning a Raja Ampat liveaboard for 2013!

 

[jake11]

Which boat are you going on?

 

[edpdiver]

Which boat are you going on?

Seven Seas (first time for me on that boat, but I have friends who like it).

 

[mrrworld]

Your pictures certainly had a wow factor to them. i am not sure if you are a professional but if not you may want to change professions. Thanks for sharing.