South of Sulawesi, in the middle of the Flores Sea, a ring of reefs and sandy islands stretches for dozens of kilometres. This is Taka Bonerate, one of the largest atolls in the world, and one of Indonesia's least visited national parks.
What makes it special
An atoll is a ring of coral reefs around a shallow lagoon, built over thousands of years. Taka Bonerate is a whole field of them: reef flats, lagoons, sandbanks and small inhabited islands. Very few divers make it this far, so the reefs feel untouched.
The dive areas
- TinaboThe island most visitors start from, with shallow sandy flats and reef edges close by.
- TarupaIn the north of the atoll, with reef slopes dropping into deeper water.
- LatonduA northwestern island with reefs on the atoll's outer edge.
- RajuniInhabited islands in the north, near Latondu and Tinabo.
- JinatoOn the western side of the atoll, between the northern and southern islands.
- PasitalluIn the south of the atoll, the closest dive area to Bonerate Island.
Practical information
- Getting there: the atoll belongs to the Selayar Islands, south of Makassar. Most divers reach it by liveaboard. Independent travel via Selayar is possible but takes time and planning.
- Facilities are basic. There are no big resorts. Bring what you need and plan carefully.
- Park fee: as a national park, Taka Bonerate charges an entry fee.
Sources
- Reef data: Allen Coral Atlas, CC BY 4.0
- Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
