Your gateway to diving in Sulawesi and into the Coral Triangle of North Gorontalo, celebrated as the ultimate diving destination for its unparalleled biodiversity.
North Sulawesi, especially in the region of North Gorontalo within the Saronde Archipelago, offers a haven for macro enthusiasts seeking breathtaking beauty beneath the waves.
We Have Available
Discover a Variety of Dive Sites in North Gorontalo
In our corner of North Gorontalo, surrounded by pristine islands like Mohinggito and Bogisa, we’ve uncovered a wealth of dive sites in close proximity. Dive among stunning coral reefs adorned with vibrant hard and soft corals.
Explore dramatic steep walls adorned with impressive gorgonians and oversized sponges. Navigate sandy slopes teeming with sea grass and algae, home to exotic snails and shrimps. Don’t miss our special jetty, perfect for wide-angle photography enthusiasts seeking the perfect shot.
Diving Gorontalo: Critter Hunt
Saronde Island Resort promises an unparalleled diving experience, teeming with unique critters that will captivate divers and underwater photographers alike.
The Waters around Saronde Island offers untouched diver’s paradise newly discovered and explored exclusively by Saronde Island Resort. The Trip to Doku Kayu – two nice white sandy islands nearby Saronde Island – are a hidden gem for Critter Lovers.
Join us for our signature Critter Hunt day trip, where you’ll encounter an extraordinary array of rare and fascinating marine life. From the elusive hairy frogfish to the striking Ambon scorpionfish, our dives are a treasure trove of critters waiting to be discovered. The diverse and vibrant nudibranchs are a highlight, offering endless opportunities for underwater photography.
Our pristine dive sites are unspoiled, offering an exclusive underwater adventure that you won’t find anywhere else. These waters are only explored by Saronde divers, ensuring a serene and crowd-free diving experience. You’ll feel like you’ve discovered a secret world, reminiscent of Lembeh Strait but with the added beauty of white sandy bottoms.
Diving Gorontalo: Whaleshark and OLELE Trip
For those enthralled by big marine life, we offer exclusive excursions far from the crowds. Immerse yourself in the thrill of diving Gorontalo with majestic whale sharks in their natural habitat, an experience that promises to be unforgettable.
With the Whaleshark Trip we combine one or two dives in the OLELE National Park
Olele National Park is the signature diving area of Gorontalo – a quiet coastal village with an underwater world that is surprisingly dramatic.
🌟 What makes Olele special?
- Steep walls & canyons starting just a few fin kicks from the shore
- Volcanic rock formations shaped into surreal patterns and honeycomb structures
- The famous Salvador Dali sponge – found only in Gorontalo
- An incredible mix of hard & soft corals, sea fans, and vibrant reef life
- Great visibility and calm conditions for relaxed but spectacular dives
Diving in Olele feels untouched and authentic. No crowds, no busy dive sites – just clear blue water, dramatic walls, and Gorontalo’s signature mix of volcanic topography and colourful reef life. It’s one of those places where every dive feels a little bit different, and where photographers can easily spend a whole day.
Bonfire Diving
Bonfire diving is one of the most unforgettable underwater experiences for divers visiting Saronde Island Resort. It is a shallow and accessible form of blackwater diving, perfect for anyone who wants to discover the hidden, drifting life of the open ocean — without entering deep water or strong currents.
What is Bonfire Diving?
Bonfire diving is a type of night dive where a powerful underwater light — the “bonfire” — is placed at a depth of only 5–10 meters. This bright light attracts plankton and pelagic larvae during their nightly vertical migration from the deep.
As the water fills with tiny glowing organisms, divers can observe the miniature world of the open ocean ecosystem up close.
This makes bonfire diving one of the most unique diving experiences.
What You Can See?
Typical sightings during a bonfire dive include:
- Pelagic larvae of octopus, squid, fish and crustaceans
- Transparent and bioluminescent plankton
- Juvenile reef fish drifting in from the blue
- Rare and unusual macro species not found on normal reef dives
No two bonfire dives are ever the same — the ocean decides the show.
Why Bonfire Diving in Saronde is Special
The waters around Saronde Island sit close to deep ocean basins, creating ideal conditions for night diving. Calm sea, clear visibility and nutrient-rich currents make Saronde one of the best places in Indonesia for bonfire diving.
For underwater photographers, it is a true highlight:
- Perfect black backgrounds
- Slow-moving plankton
- Excellent opportunities for macro and super-macro shots
Many photographers say their most creative images come from these dives.
Safe, Calm and Suitable for All Certified Divers – Because bonfire dives are shallow and stationary, they are beginner-friendly, relaxing and safe. Divers stay close to the resort, normally in very calm water — making it ideal for guests who want to try something different during their diving holiday in Saronde.
Perfect Addition to Your Saronde Diving Holiday – It’s a peaceful yet exciting evening experience and a great way to end the day on your private island retreat.
Our Dive Boats
For your comfort and safety during the dive trips, bluebay saronde is equipped with four boats.
ENJOY – large and fast, panoramic windows and sunbathing area on the roof, a small drinks bar and of course toilet on board
NEMO – medium size and flexible to use as a dive or check in out boat.
KIKIO – our small speedboat is up and ready for short island hoppings or snorkel trips or a just-one-dive around our island Saronde or Bogisa.
HAPPY – Medium size boat for diving and for Check-in and Out.
With these three boats we are able to cater to the wishes of our guests as much as possible. The dive boats are of course equipped with all necessary safety equipment such as life jackets and buoys as well as oxygen and a medical box.
We are looking forward to bring you to our disconnected island and dive sites.
PADI Dive Courses
Learn to dive
“The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish”
Jacques Yves Cousteau.
Have you ever dreamed of exploring the underwater world like a fish?
At Saronde Island Dive Resort, we turn dreams into reality. Our PADI-certified instructors and sheltered lagoon provide the ideal setting to learn and master diving skills. Imagine learning in our classroom with panoramic views of the sea, where excitement meets education.
Located within the Coral Triangle, you’ll encounter a mesmerizing array of marine life, from tiny critters to magnificent whale sharks. Whether you’re starting with the Open Water Diver course, advancing to Advanced Open Water Diver, or mastering Rescue Diver skills, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Not quite ready for a full course? Experience the thrill of diving with our Discover Scuba Diving program, designed for curious adventurers eager to dip their toes into the world of scuba.
Liveaboard Trip with KLM SUNSHINE from Bangka island to Saronde Island
Thank you to Nannette & Bill Van Antwerp’s
https://www.blueviews.net/
Diving in and around Saronde Island
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”
Jacques Yves Cousteau.