It is difficult to divide the sea around Selayar into single dive sites as the whole east coast can be considered as one huge dive site. The reefs that surround the east side of Selayar are mostly steep walls that are full of overhangs and small caves. Slopes and an underwater mountain are not far from the resort. Even before the naval marine park was founded, the unique richness of the fish in Selayar was extraordinary. Since the reefs were put under protection in 2000, there has been breathtaking growth of corals. Soft corals growing on the steep walls and hard corals at the reef top impress every diver. The Indo-Pacific is known as the world’s ocean which is richest in species. And at Selayar there is the chance to see everything that the tropical underwater world has to offer – from pygmy seahorses to hammerheads. Here are a few highlights to give a first impression of what is waiting to be seen under water:
The house reef is certainly a highlight in Selayar! Those who have not had enough after two boat dives can ‘send themselves to the bottom’ at any time directly at the house reef drop-off. For those who prefer more comfort, we have built a new 80 metre long jetty, completed in October 2005. By Christmas 2006, this should be extended to 100 metres and will reach the edge of the reef. However, the way to the house reef drop-off is rewarding in itself: a field of sea weed and a coral garden make it into a special experience. It is impossible to explore the full length of the house reef in just one holiday. There is so much to see in the first 20 metres that normally nobody – or at least no photographer – will manage to get much further. No-limit-diving at the house reef is included and we guarantee that no one will get bored.
Length of trip – 5 minutes: a wall that slopes on a length of 45 metres, with caves and overhangs. This is an ideal place to discover snails, crabs and a great variety of gorgonian fans and other soft corals. There are ideal subjects for both wide-angle photography and macro photography. ‘Caves and Overhangs’ is the home of pygmy seahorses ( also pygmy seahorse ‘Denise’, the smallest and last to be discovered in the family). The current flows slightly northwards most of the time, and we surface on the dive on an extraordinary reef top.
Length of trip – 10 minutes: the dive begins at a deep drop-off, which becomes a slope after about 200 metres. We dive along a wall that is beautifully overgrown with gorgonian fans, sponges and whip corals. When the current sets in, we meet big schools of jacks and snappers. After we arrive at the slope, we go down to about 40m depth. With a bit of luck, you can meet every kind of predatory fish there - grey and white-tip reef sharks, as well as eagle rays and at some times of the year, hammerheads. The site always offers a lot of diversity, and even if there are no predatory fish, you are bound to come across turtles and napoleons. Back on the reef top, we pass a coral block with leaf fish and snails. Before we surface, we have a look under a table coral where some small sharks offer them accommodation.
