Selayar Islands

The Selayar Islands stretch south of Sulawesi's mainland, a long chain fringed by reefs on the edge of the Flores Sea. Off the beaten track and lightly dived, they offer walls, coral gardens and seasonal whale-shark encounters in warm, clear water.

The diving centres on reef walls and slopes. The islands' eastern side drops into deep water, with walls and slopes running from the shallows past 30 metres, covered in hard and soft coral, sea fans and sponges. Divers encounter reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, eagle rays, barracuda and dense reef-fish schools, while whale sharks visit the area seasonally to feed. Visibility is often good, commonly 20–30 metres in the clear oceanic water.

Conditions suit a range of divers. Sheltered coral gardens fall within Open Water limits, while the deeper walls and occasional current favour an Advanced certification. The warm 28–30°C water keeps exposure protection light, and dives are run from resort boats along the reef.

Selayar is a quiet, resort-based destination. A small number of dive resorts serve the main island, reached by road and ferry, or by air to Selayar's small airport, from Makassar in South Sulawesi. The remoteness keeps the reefs healthy and dive sites uncrowded, and the islands can be combined with Sulawesi's other dive regions on a longer trip. The drier months from April to November generally bring the calmest, clearest conditions. Selayar suits divers seeking untouched reef away from the crowds. The chain lies near Takabonerate, one of the world's largest atolls, so longer trips can combine Selayar's walls with that vast reef system.