Banua
Wuhu is one of place in North Sulawesi that nominated to be a weird diving
spot. The panorama around this spot is so extreme because it is surrounded by
volcano undersea. However, the real divers will be challenged to explore many
diving spots. The uniqueness of its spot makes divers curious and wants to
conquer it. The crater spot of Banua Wuhu is marked by bubbles among the rocks
with depth 8 meters.
The
average temperature is ranging from 370C – 380C. That is
why divers have to be careful to its bubbles. If you are careless, the hot
bubbles can burn your skin and cause wounds. In this place, divers also will be
able to hear the rumbling of volcano. Actually Mahengetang is one of undersea
volcano with the peak named as Banua Wuhu. Its peak has elevates around 400
meters from the base of sea and 6 meters from the surface of water.
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| PicturesGiantstridedives.com |
According
to the story, the volcano is group of many islands during 19 – 20 century, one has
90 meters height at 1835 but gone many years later. At 1904, it has 5 craters
and the other new island that formed at 1919 gone at 1935. Besides having
volcano undersea, Mahengetang also has beautiful underwater life. When you dive
at 10 – 20 meters depth, you can find marine life closer. Plus, you can see
carpet of tight coral reefs. With those panoramas, it is not surprise if
Mahengetang underwater become tourist destination in North Sulawesi, especially
foreign tourists.
Location
Banua
Wuhu is located at Mahengetang Island and around Sangihe Archipelago, North
Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is easy to reach it from the shore because the distance
is only 300 meters from southwest of Mahengetang Island. Its volcano has its
underwater beauty and divers love to explore it. From Tahuna (the capital of
Sangihe Regency), you can take common boat and it will take around 4 hours. However,
if you want faster trip, you can take speedboat to Mahengetang which is only
take 1 hour. If you come from Manado, you can take speedboat and it takes 5
hours.
Activities
The
main activity you can do when you visit Banua Wuhu is diving. At evening, the
tide of water is higher and the current is stronger. Morning is the perfect
time to dive because the current is calmer. When you explore the topography of
Banua Wuhu, you will see if there are hills, valleys, and stack of big rocks. The
marine life also attractive because you can enjoy the group of tight coral
reefs. Some people said that there is alley undersea which is can emerge two
directions.
When
you come to Banua Wuhu at the end of January, you can find local people
organize Tulude Ceremony. Two weeks before the ritual, the leader of tribe will
dive while bringing a white plate of gold into its alley as offering so that
the spirit of Banua Wuhu won’t angry. Around the volcano, you will find some
holes releasing hot water. It is a sign that the shallow volcano still active. You
must avoid its spot for your safety. The rock around this place has brown color
caused by sulfur with white spots. Hence, Banua Wuhu becomes an extreme spot
diving in North Sulawesi.
