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Donut Reef

New spot

Donut Reef near Takulak Island offers year-round diving in Central Sulawesi with healthy coral communities and strong community documentation.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
BleachingRiskPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Donut Reef location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
1.3 kn
Wave
0.24 m
Water
29.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: S (27%)
Now: SE (138°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.05m

Today: High 05:00 (+0.64m), Low 01:00 (+0.46m)

+1.1 m0 m+0.0 m
▼ 01:00 · +0.46m ▲ 05:00 · +0.64m ▼ 12:00 · +0m ▲ 20:00 · +0.77m Now +0.5m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV8.7 · very high Air PM2.59 · good 05:43 17:49
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 7.6 0.34 9 0mm
09-20 7 0.26 9 1mm
09-21 5.8 0.22 9 0mm
09-22 6.1 0.26 9 3mm
09-23 4.6 0.26 9 3mm
09-24 4.8 0.24 9 3mm
09-25 5.4 0.18 9 1mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Warning — heat stress
DHW: 0.8°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch

About this spot

Donut Reef sits near Takulak Island in Tojo Una Una Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The site draws divers seeking coral ecosystems and reef structure in one of Indonesia's rich dive regions. The reef earns its name from its distinctive ring formation, which creates varied diving opportunities across the site. The area supports diverse reef life and coral communities, though like many Indo-Pacific reefs, the site carries a coral bleaching warning. Divers should expect conditions that reflect current reef health status. Access is possible year-round, making Donut Reef flexible for trip planning. The spot remains unprotected by a marine protected area, so responsible diving practices matter here. Community engagement at Donut Reef is active. Multiple diver-submitted videos document conditions and marine encounters, offering real-world insight into what to expect. At least one species observation has been recorded, adding to the site's biological profile. These crowdsourced reports help new visitors prepare for the reef's character. Takulak Island provides a natural anchor for exploring this part of Central Sulawesi. The location fits well into broader regional diving itineraries focusing on Sulawesi's reef systems.

📖 Guide: Diving in Indonesia: 323 Sites, Mantas to Micro-critters

Marine life

Bottlenose dolphin

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 12218km · ~2810kg · €51

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 12h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 12h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Donut Reef?

Donut Reef is accessible year-round, so timing depends more on your schedule and weather preferences than seasonal reef conditions. Check local weather and sea conditions before booking to ensure comfort.

What depth and difficulty level is Donut Reef?

Specific depth and difficulty data for Donut Reef are not documented. Contact local dive operators near Takulak Island for detailed site briefings before your dive.

What marine life will I see?

The reef supports coral communities and diverse reef fish. At least one species observation exists on record. Video documentation from other divers provides good insight—check community submissions to see recent sightings and reef conditions.

Do I need permits to dive here?

Donut Reef is not within a marine protected area, so standard Indonesian dive site rules apply. Confirm local regulations and any required permits with dive operators in the region before your trip.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The Donut Reef

EGKID

Discovering MASSIVE Coral Colonies Diving In Indonesia

World Wide Corals
💬 3 top comments
  • So awesome to see a never-ending field of hammer coral 😀

    @HBReefBros · 👍 15
  • I was drooling on my keyboard lol.

    @a.c713 · 👍 1
  • Wow. It’s amazing to see the corals in their natural habitat. Thank you for sharing 🙂

    @comment.highlighted · 👍 25

Experiences Diving in Pemuteran Biorock

AquaMarine Diving - Bali
wind peaks Dec-Sep-Feb, calmest Apr-Jun-May.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: May (100/100) Worst: Jul (0/100) Now: Sep (43/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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