The only dive lodge in east Central Sulawesi, tiny Tompotika Dive Lodge is a great option for those looking for simple, yet quality diving away from the crowds.
The lodge lies around three hours drive from Luwuk, in the shadow of the Tompotika mountain. One of Indonesia’s driest and sunniest regions, the area typically experiences a tropical savanna climate, with vegetation including mangroves, rainforests and grasslands.
Tompotika Dive Lodge is the creation of Jerome Doucet, one of the pioneers of diving in Indonesia. Featuring just five bungalows, a restaurant with communal relaxation area and a small dive centre, the lodge is intentionally low-key and simple. Looking across the bay to the beautiful Pulau Dua islands, it suits those seeking quality diving and simple pleasures who have likely dived some of Indonesia’s more famous diving areas before.
Three standalone standard bungalows provide comfortable accommodation, featuring either a double or twin bed, air-conditioning, and en suite bathroom with hot water, towels and amenities. Each room features 220 volt sockets and an area for charging cameras.
Two larger, adjacent, deluxe rooms sit across a sandy courtyard at the other end of the property, each featuring a king-size bed, an additional sofa/relaxation area, and a shared verandah.
The lodge is located on the beach in the local village, surrounded by the sounds of daily life. Meals are served at set times in the small restaurant, with a range of local and European dishes provided for each meal. Dietary requests can be accommodated if requested in advance. Local beer, wine and soft drinks are available as required on an honesty basis. Free WiFi is also available throughout the property.
Tompotika Dive Centre
The small on-site dive centre offers daily diving to local dive sites, which are a few minutes boat ride from the lodge. Typically, two boat dives are offered as standard in dive packages, with a third afternoon dive and night dive possible on request. It's also possible to muck dive on the house reef.
Local dive sites are typically characterised by beautiful reefs of both hard and soft corals. Elephant ear sponges reach impressive sizes, while common inhabitants include red tooth triggerfish, moray eels, crocodile fish, batfish, tiger cowries, pufferfish, unicorn fish and turtles. Lovers of smaller marine life can delight in pygmy seahorses, ribbon eels, octopus and hairy squat lobster, while more exposed sites feature more pelagic species such as trevally, rainbow runner, barracuda and the occasional shark or eagle ray.
In total there are around 30 dives sites to explore, with highlights including Batu Gong, Soler Reef, Mayumi Reef and Alibaba. The dive centre has set up its own charitable foundation in concert with the local government, focusing on marine conservation and education. A small daily donation is made by divers on-site.
Dives are conducted from one of two small yet comfortable dive boats, launched directly from the beach in front of the resort. Nitrox is available for a small additional charge.
