Togian Islands Diving Sites

Batu Gila

This dive site is a rocky ridge jutting out from a deep north facing wall drop-off, like the nose of a sunken Roman statue. The ridge is some 25 m wide and 50 m long, and lies at a depth of 28 - 42 metres. It is the most extreme northern point of this long reef, and therefore is more exposed to currents, has great visibility and is generally the best place to hang out in deeper water for spectacular big fish action.

Drop down onto this undamaged ridge of sponges and gorgonians and you'll soon be engulfed by legions of long-fin bannerfish and redtooth triggerfish, often seen together in massive schools.

Once you've gained your buoyancy control and taken a deep breath, take a good look deep down below, off the edge of the ridge. This is the best place to be when diving in the Togian Islands to see schooling scalloped hammerhead sharks - at the top of many a deep diver's wish-to-see list. Also here are grey reef sharks, silvertips, manta rays, tuna and barracuda. Barracuda tend to move in large, spiralling schools. If you ever see a large school scatter in the blink of an eye, then you must know that something sinister and special may be approaching. Sure enough, out of the deep may come the endangered blue marlin - these majestic creatures are one of the fastest creatures on five fins, and can comfortably grow to a startling 3½m.

Batu Gila is just to the north east of Dominic Rock and north west of Lost Reef, two more Togian dive sites.

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Batu Gila Reef Basics: deep ridge with big fish
Depth: 28 - >40m
Visibility: 25 - 40m
Currents: Medium
Surface Conditions: Calm
Water Temperature: 27 - 29°C
Experience Level: Advanced
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: All year round
Distance: ~5 km north of Kadidiri (25 mins)
Access: Togians dive liveaboard

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