DIVING IN TAKABONERATE ISLAND

go nusantara. Taka Bonerate National Park has the third largest coral atoll in the world, after Kwajifein in the Marshal Islands and Suvadiva in Moldiva. Size atoll is approximately 220,000 hectares, with a coral reef flat area of 500 km².

The topography of the area is very unique and interesting, where the atoll consisting of a cluster of islands reefs and reef flats are spacious and sinks, forming islands with considerable amounts. Among the islands reefs, there are narrow straits deep and steep. While on the surface of the reef, there are many small pools deep and surrounded by coral reefs. At low tide, it was clear dry land interspersed puddles that form small pools.

Plants located in coastal areas are dominated by coconut (Cocos nucifera), pandan sea (Pandanus sp.), Casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia), and ketapan (Terminalia catappa).

Coral reefs are already identified as many as 261 species of 17 families including Pocillopora eydouxi, Montipora danae, palifera Acropora, Porites cylindrica, Pavona Clavus, Fungia concinna, and others. Most coral species have been formed atoll reefs (barrier reef) and fringing (fringing reef). Everything is beautiful coral reefs and relatively intact.

There are about 295 species of reef fish and various types of fish consumption of high economic value in Takabonerate island such as groupers (Epinephelus spp.), Skipjack (Katsuwonus spp.), Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and rabbitfish (Siganus sp.).

A total of 244 species of mollusks including lola (Trochus niloticus), mussels goat head (Cassis cornuta), triton (Charonia Tritonis), batulaga (Turbo spp.), Shell clams (Tridacna squamosa), pearl oyster (Pinctada spp.), And the hollow nautilus (Nautilus pompillius).

The types of turtles are listed including the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).

Taka bonerate very suitable for marine tourism is also a tourist spot so the pride of Indonesia. Because a total of 15 islands in the National Park Taka Bonerate can do diving, snorkeling, and other marine tourism.

The best visiting season: April / d June and October / December each year.

How to reach: use traditional bus from Makassar to Bulukumba (153 miles) and takes about five hours, and then to the ferry port Selayar Pamatata about two hours, which continued to Fortress about 1.5 hours. From the Fortress to a nearby Taka bonerate island that Small Rajuni wooden boat about five hours.