Diving at Taka Bonerate National Park, the Biggest Atoll in Indonesia

Taka Bonerate National Park is located in the Taka Bonerate District, Selayar regency, South Sulawesi Province in Indonesia. There are 15 islands in Taka Bonerate National Park where visitors can enjoy diving, snorkeling and marine tours. To commemorate the anniversary of Islands Selayar every year the festival was held, entitled Sail Taka Bonerate or previously called Takabonerate Island Expedition (TIE).

Taka Bonerate meaning "coral islands over sand" is the biggest atoll in Indonesia. It is third biggest atoll in the world after Kwajifein in the Marshall islands and Suvadiva in the Moldiva islands. The total area of the atoll is about 220,000 hectares with coral reefs spreading over 500 km².

Topography of the area is very unique and interesting. The atoll is composed of a chain of islands of dry coral and a large flat sunken reef, forming a large number of islands. The coral islands are interspersed by narrow, deep, sheer-walled straits. While on the surface of the reef there are many small pools are surrounded by coral reefs, where at low tide would seem like a dry land punctuated by puddles that formed small pools. On the outside of the atoll, surrounded by dark blue water which is deep enough waters (over 1,500 meters).

The atoll is of major ecological importance, with rich marine and bird life. The national park is considered to contain some of the world's highest marine biodiversity. There are about 295 species of coral fish like grouper (Epinephelus spp.), skipjack (Katsuwonus spp.), napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and surgeonfish (Acanthurus sp.). There are also 244 species of mollusc are the top shell (Trochus niloticus), horned helmet (Cassis cornuta), trumpet triton (Charonia tritonis), green shell (Turbo marmoratus), fluted giant clam (Tridacna squamosa), and pearly-chambered nautili (Nautilus pompillius). The types of turtles are listed including the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Pacific ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Among the more than 261 identified species of coral are Pocillopora eydouxi, Montipora danae, Acropora palifera, Porites cylindrica, Pavona clavus, Fungia concinna, etc. Most of the corals have formed either atolls (barrier reefs) or fringing reefs. Everything is beautiful coral reefs and relatively intact.

The best season to visit the Park is on April to June and October to December each year. Visitors can enjoy various adventure and underwater activity like snorkeling, diving, boating, canoeing, sailing, water skiing, cruising, jet skiing, fishing, and swimming.

How to get to the Park?

The Park can be reached by bus from Makassar to Bulukumba (153 Km) and takes about 5 hours, then to the Pamatata Port of Selayar Islands District crossing by ferry about 2 hours, which continued into the Benteng city of about 1,5 hours. By using air services transportation can be directly from Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport at Makassar to H. Aroeppala Airport at Selayar Islands. From Benteng city to the nearest town that is Rajuni using wooden ship about 5 hours.

For detail information, please read this article How to get to Taka Bonerate National Park?

Mountain Climbing at Mount Rinjani National Park

Mount Rinjani National Park is located on the island of Lombok, Indonesia in the North Lombok Regency. The park represents a range of Nusa Tenggara's ecosystem types, from sub-montane rain forest to montane forest and savanna. In 2008, the Indonesian government proposed to UNESCO that Mount Rinjani be one of the world's official geoparks. If this was approved by UNESCO, Mount Rinjani would become the first such geological park in Indonesia.

View from the northwest Calder Arand on the summit of Gunung Rinjani (3726m),
Gunung Baru smaller (2351m) and Segara Anak lake. Source: wikipedia.org

This national park covers about 41.330 hectares and it has a variety of flora, such as: Nettles (Laportea stimulant), Dedurenan (Aglaea argentea), Bayur (Pterospermum Javanicum), Banyan (Ficus Benjamina), Jambu-jambuan (Syzygium sp), keruing (Dipterocarpus Hasseltii), Rerau (D. imbricatus), Mountain Pine (Casuarina junghuniana), Eidelweis (Anaphalis Javanica) and several kinds of orchids that is endemic forest such as P.Lombokensis and Perisstylus Rinjaniensis. While the variety of fauna in Mount Rinjani National Park, such as: Weasel Rinjani (Paradoxurus Hemaprhoditus Rinjanicus), Deer (Muntiacus muntjak Nainggolani), ebony leaf monkey (Trachypithecus auratus Kohlbruggei), Pangolin (Manis javanicus), Horn Cikukua bird (Philemon Buceroides Neglectus), Dawah Forest (Ducula Lacernulata Sasakensis), black nape orioles (Oriolus Chinensis Broderipii) and some types of reptiles, plus a number of freshwater fish species that live in the Segara Anak lake. The lower and mid levels of the mountain are quite heavily forested. Above the tree line though the slopes are barren and rugged scree slopes and volcanic rock. The views of the crater lake are quite breath-taking from the caldera rim, as is the sunrise. From the absolute peak you can see Bali to the west and Sumbawa to the east.

Mount Rinjani view from Sembalun side.

Mount Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia with an altitude of 3726 m above sea level and is located at latitude 8º25' S and 116º28' E is a favorite for mountain climbers because of the beauty of the landscape. The park is popular for mountain climbing and trekking. It’s represents an important nature reserve and water catchement area. Mount Rinjani is best climbed during the April-November dry season. It is possible to climb during the rainy season as well but treks are often cancelled at short notice if the rain is heavy. It gets very cold on the mountain above 2,000 m and nears freezing at the summit. Warm clothing is an absolute must.

On the mountain crater (2.800mdpl) there is a inactive crater caused by the eruption of Mount Rinjani formed a vast lake (1.100hA) with beautiful scenery. The lake is called Segara Anak Lake, of the Sasak language means roughly Small Sea. Adequately describe the area of the lake. Lake water depth is estimated around 160m – 230m. Lake water temperature varied from the other side to the other side. The water of the lake there is a very strong sulfur smell so much like a very dangerous Moffet but those that smell like mountain water. In the middle of the Segara Anak lake there is a new mountain called Barujari Mount. Mount Barujari is believed to grow taller every year. The average rainfall in this region is the location of the height of 2.000ml/tahun 550mdpl – 3.726mdpl.

There are some tourist attractions in the park, for example: At mount Rinjani tourist can do mountain climbing, trekking and camping. At Segara Anak Lake, Sebau and Gunung Baru, tourist can do research, observing animals, enjoying natural phenomena and thermal springs, exploring the forest, cultural attraction. At Otakokkoq and Kembang Kuning tourist can enjoying thermal springs and waterfalls.

How to go to Mount Rinjani?

There are a number of options to get to Mount Rinjani:

• Mataram-Selong-Sambelia-Sembalun Lawang by car, it takes about 4.5 hours (140 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, about 9 hours (25 km). 
• Mataram-Bayan-Senaru by car, about 2.5 hours (82 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, about 9 hours (25 km). 
• Mataram-Bayan-Torean, about 2.5 hours (85 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, about 7.5 hours. 
• Mataram-Masbagik-Kutaraja-Tetebatu, about 1.5 hours (60 km), then on foot to Otakokkoq, about 30 minutes.