The Ultimate Diving Frontier..... Sangalaki !!!
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The Turtle Population |
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Sangalaki is a prolific breeding ground for Green Turtles. In the water they can be seen in almost every conceivable activity. At night, over 30 females regularly come ashore to lay their eggs, a process that is long and arduous. One of the best vantage points can actually be from the veranda of the chalets. It is also a regular occurrence to the see the baby turtles hatch in the sand and make their desperate attempt to reach the sea. Along the way they must avoid being picked off by Sangalaki's bird life. Once in the water, they continue in a determined effort to swim out to the sea and trying to avoid marine predators. |
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The Underwater Landscape |
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Sangalaki's shallow reef system extends over 600ft from the island, apart from some steep coral ridges in places, generally falls away gradually. Most diving is undertaken in water up to a depth of 70ft. To the east of the island are Manta Avenue, Manta Parade and Manta Run - where the Manta Rays can be found feeding, gills wide open, on a rich supply of plankton minutes from the beach. On occasions they can be seen line-up 50 in a row, just breaking surface. The Mantas can sometimes be seen cruising down these manta highways, whilst other rays forage around for food under the sand together with the Goatfish. Manta Avenue starts just east of the The Lighthouse where the coral steps its way down to the first sandy tracks which is an ideal environment for the beautifully coloured Fire Goby, Elegant Fire Goby and Dancing Goby together with the Jaw Fish and Ribbon Eels. Across the marine highways at Manta Avenue and Manta Parade, the coral reef forms into an intriguing set of ridges, appearing to rise and fall like hilltops. These isolated reefs form mini ecosystems abounding with life in all its complexity. As Manta Parade melds into Manta Run, the underwater terrain flattens out to reveal numerous coral outcrops and bommies of various shapes and sizes. Each is adorned with colourful soft corals and sponges, usually topped with an elaborate display of Feather Stars and Gorgonians. With their overhangs and crevices, these underwater tenement blocks provide the ideal environment for Leaf Fish and Frogfish, which prey on unsuspecting Cardinal Fish. Sandy Ridge lies at the end of Manta Run and is home to the Garden Eels, Cuttlefish and some gloriously coloured Gobies and Nudibranch. To the west of the island are the dive sites at Coral Gardens and Turtle Town. Here turtles can be seen frolicking around and cavorting with one another. The turtle mating season is generally all year round. |
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Dive Sites |
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Itinerary |
| Day 1 |
0555hr Assemble & check-in at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2. 0755hr Depart for Balikpapan. 1015hr Arrive at Balikpapan. Custom & immigration before connecting flight to Berau. 1155hr Departing for Berau via domestic airline. 1245hr Arrive at Berau Domestic Airport & meet by resort's representative. Transfer by land to Tanjung Redeb (approx. 10min) for a river cruise to river mouth (approx. 1hr) & transfer to speedboat to Sangalaki Island (approx. 1¸hr) 1530hr Check-in at Sangalaki Dive Lodge & briefing. 01 Orientation dive. Dinner. |
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Intermediate Days |
03 Boat dives per day. Unlimited beach dives with own dive buddy, all dives to be completed / ended at 2100hr. Fullboard on the island with unlimited beverages except alcoholic & carbonated drinks, which you could be purchased from the bar. |
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Last Day (no meals) |
0330hr Check-out of resort. Board speedboat to river mouth & followed by river cruise to Tanjung Redeb (approx. 2¸hr) 0630hr Arrive at Berau Domestic Airport. Check-in. 0830hr Depart Berau for Balikpapan. 0920hr Arrive at Balikpapan International Airport for connecting flight to Singapore. 1100hr Depart Balikpapan for Singapore. 1325hr Arrive at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2. |
For more information, contact bbcdiver@starhub.net.sg or call us at 222 6862
for more details now!
