Sulawesi late April - advice needed

[scuba_max]

Hey folks,

I got kind of an odd problem which just came up... Here's the short summary: I co-run a German based orphan relief project which supports several orphanages in south Sulawesi. Being there this April I wanted to extend my trip with one week of diving in RA and stay at Waiwo Dive Resort on Waigeo. However, my dive & travel buddy just broke a tiny bone behind his eye which sent us back to zero regarding this diving plan.
Therefore I'm looking for an alternative - advice much appreciated!

What we'd need is a place to go to in Sulawesi which offers great diving (for me) and surroundings (for him) to explore during the day so he doesn't get totally bored. We already decided to postpone the RA trip to next year or so since traveling there when not being able to dive would be a real pain in the, well, about everywhere.

Regarding this setup, would you rather recommend Togean Islands or Lembeh? Or Donggala? He's been to Bira and Bunaken already, I don't know any of these. We're free to travel anywhere in Sulawesi between Apr 22 and 29, I'm DM and were both pretty easy to handle when it comes to comfort: basic hut, mossie net and fan are all we need, maybe a non-bucket shower every now and then Recommended dive operators / places to stay also highly appreciated!
Thanks! max

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[pughio83]

Can suggest lembeh. Easy diving, varied with amazing creatures. Lots cheap accomm with hit showers, diving relatively cheap. Plus easy to get to. Can personally recommend twofish divers but check out NAD, black sand divers, lembeh lodge, Bastianos. All relatively cheap. Bunaken for me was good but not great.

 

[Quero]

April isn't a great time for the Togians, but it's good for Lembeh (I'll be at NAD myself from April 13-20). If your dive buddy can't dive, there are some nature treks he can do instead in which he can see the tarsier monkeys and visit the Tangkoko Nature Reserve, for example. There's not much in the way of beach/beach activities, however. Donggala would also work for you--AFAIK, there's only one dive resort there, but it's got a beach, and there are nature treks with waterfalls within a reasonable distance for visiting.

 

[highdesert]

From Lembeh or Manado, your non-diver can do a Minahasa highland tour, which is pretty interesting with a good guide. That will eat up a full day. There are also volcano treks available, another full day.

 

[Wingy]

Togeans are a bit of a problem to get to and not sure that April would be an optimum time. I thoroughly enjoyed my day trekking thru Tangkoko and sitting amongst the Yaki and finding Tarsiers - I hired a private driver and the national park at Tangkoko has guides who are happy to walk with you and know exactly where to find the Yaki..We first found them swimming in the ocean, im sure some of them were surfers! The Minahasa tour is also a good way to spend a day..and a nice cool change when you get into the highlands. Manado itself doesnt have a lot of pretty sights.

 

[alcina]

I adore Lembeh and can't recommend Simon & Zee at NAD highly enough, however, I'm not sure it's fab for a non-diver. But contact them directly and see what they say.

I just got back from my second trip to NAD and am trying to figure out what dates I want to go back for trip #3

 

[Luko]

If you've got some time , Maluku is just a short flight hop from Makassar and April is the optimal season.
Ambon is great for diving but the Lease islands + Seram around are fantastic for beaches, diving (Saparua) or jungle trekking (Seram).
if you've got more time on your hands, Get a PELNI ship to Bandaneira from Ambon and you're in the center of historical spice islands... plus splendid diving too.

 

[scuba_max]

Thanks to all of you for your help -- much appreciated! I like the idea of trekking trips from Manado, but neither Lembeh nor Bunaken themselves sound too great for the non-diver. Ambon seriously seems worth a close consideration, but I guess that'll be another trip with more time on my hands ... Anyhow, since I'll hopefully find my way to Sulawesi once a year from now on, I am positive to check out all those destinations one by one.
For now, we'll probably head for the Togeans -- flights in and out Luwuk are almost booked, which leaves us seven days in between to make our way to the islands, to some diving (for me) and serious beach bumin' for both of us. I haven't decided yet whether only to do Wakai, Milok, or both -- Black Marlin seems ok, as does Waleakodi Sifa cottage. Any experience on those or other recommendations for the Togeans? Many thanks again!

 

[DiveExploreIndonesia]

For diving you should definitely stay on Kadidiri, this is where you will found the most pretty dive sites within 30min range and also it is from Kadidiri that you can get the best chance to dive Una Una ( the best diving in Togian ). As staff ( dive master and instructor) change very fast on this remote location, you should decide where to stay ( Black Marlin or Kadidiri Paradise) after arrival ( and after speaking to the staff ) . Both have nice setting . You shouldn't need reservation for April, and it is already a nice time to visit Togian.