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Dive Review of Prince John Dive Resort in
Indonesia/Sulawesi

Prince John Dive Resort : "BUDGET DIVING AT PALU, CENTRAL SULAWESI", Nov, 2017,

by Andrew Falconer , WA, AU (Top Contributor Top Contributor 51 reports with 26 Helpful votes). Report 10140.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity 3 stars
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments [None]Palu is a city located in Central Sulawesi, located on the western side of a narrow land mass. There are regular daily flights from Makassar. The dive resort is located at the tip of the bay about one hour by taxi from the airport.


The location of Palu in relation to Sulawesi


The dive resort with the unusual name (“Prince John” was the favorite son of the original owners), is well set up and is run very professionally by a German couple. Located beside a beach all diving is by boat with either single or double dives. There is also the opportunity to do overnight dive expeditions by boat or car further away



Many reef sharks were seen at south atoll

A group of large hump heads at coral garden


On my first dive we encountered at least six black / white tip reef sharks, which kept circling back around attracted by our dive guide hitting a plastic water bottle with his hand. On another dive we saw a group of six large hump head parrotfish.



Nudibranch and Denise pygmy seahorse


On the macro side there was plenty of interest including a Denise pygmy seahorse, and nudibranches.



Strong current at coral garden

The dive resort had lots of amenities


There was a strong current at one of the sites. Visibility in general was 10-15 metres, and sea temperature 29-30 degrees. The dive resort had several types of bungalows, a restaurant with great food, library and camera room. After two days diving (total four dives), I went in a small group by car to the other side of the narrow Sulawesi land mass (three hour trip over mountains) to dive in the Tomini Gulf near Toboli, in an area know for its good visibility and corals.



Unique Salvador Dali coral

A large cabbage coral


Unfortunately the visibility did not live up to its name, being similar to that of the west coast, although the corals were quite spectacular. Included in these were the Salvador Dali coral, which is unique to the area.



Some large trumpet corals

Three inquisitive squids


Fish life was restricted mostly to small reef fish due again to overfishing. The trip consisted of four dives and overnight accommodation and meals in a hotel. The trip and diving Palu was combined with a trip and diving at Bira (separate article) with the overall cost of this two week trip from Perth including 17 dives, accommodation and transportation being $AUD2,500.
{Some photos from this trip can be found at [ttms999.com link] }
Websites Prince John Dive Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Australia, Malaysia, Vanuatu, South Africa, Iceland, Scotland, Norway, Cuba, Maldives, Chuuk, Galapagos, Phillipines
Closest Airport Palu Getting There 1 hour taxi from airport

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy
Water Temp 27-29°C / 81-84°F Wetsuit Thickness 2
Water Visibility 10-15 M / 33-49 Ft

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions [Unspecified]
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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