For numbers of people a good holiday means sea, sun, and sand; rather than Dago Atas, Factory Outlet, Braga or a fine dining like many Jakartans usually do in weekend. Different places but same excitement. A holiday trip always brings joy, wherever you go. Last week we’ve made it (again) : escaping for a moment from the hectic of construction work in DSLNG Project. Twenty people joyfully went south-east toward Banggai Islands by rented fisherman’s boats. We wanted to rendezvous with amazing marine creatures, guardian of Makailu Island. We cruised for two hours on the rumbling motorized boat before reached the first spot:
The West Trench.
This spot is located quite distance away from the island. Nearly 300 meters. Indicated by shallow corals clearly seen from above. Ask the boat crew where the best point to stop is, they know well.
Hundreds of sparkling blue fishes welcomed us.
then the fishes murmured : Hellow
I met clownfishes.
and the green chromis. They were all pretty, “buzzing” everywhere between stony corals up and down like honeybees above flowers.
The beautiful coral garden here not only offer perfect hideout to fishes and other thousand creatures from an exoskeleton little crab until a poisonous banded sea snake. Above all, reefs and corals sustain lifes at Makailu. A vast healthy coral network will imminently invite plenty fishes to come. It is one of the reason why Sulawesi’s reefs have a diverse marine habitat. Its coral reef.
did plenty of freedives.
After one and half hours snorkeling we must get back on the boat. We were going to move to the next stop, the island. Bit far to swim from here to the shore.
The peaceful beach.
Although the sand here is not as powdery-smooth as Bali’s nor Sumbawa’s beaches but this cappuccino-like color sand is truly unique. Originated from debris of karst, limestone, rocky coral, giant clamshells (million million years ago perhaps) this Island was born. The powerful waves continuously erode rocks; turning into smaller granulated sand. Walking barefoot on Makailu’s sandy beach somehow gave a peaceful sensation. I walked around then. I captured the horizon, the sand, shores, bushes dead trees, anything. And it took about 15 minutes to encircling this tiny island.
We set the fire and grilled red snappers and baronang. The smell of the wood and burnt flesh were so mouth juicy.
Everybody were enjoying being here. Eating a lot. Laughing with pals. Lying back on sand with full tummy. Take deep breathe. Ahhh so relaxing.
Seemingly that nothings lives in the bushes and trees but insects. I did not feel presence of sea gulls nor any other birds. Since nobody lives here, we really felt that we owned this beach. Surrounded by blue ocean Makailu is such a perfect isolated hideout. If you’re in need to be away from “civilization”. Being solitude.
.
Angga-angga reef.
Coincidentally found by both Angga. Located in the south part of this island just in front of the two big mangroves trees (since there are only two) this new spot has exquisite underwater view. The shallow luminescent corals and all kinds of fish zipping about, are so similar with Tinalapu island.
I found many four stripe damselfishes both in the shallow and deeper coral. They seem aggressive yet shameful. Hiding behind coral when I dove closer but came out when turn back away.
and the big eye squirrelfish:
.
So, what are you waiting for. If you have no more than a day or two days off, a day trip or one night beach camping in this island would be enough to witness awesome wild marine life and experience the magnificence of Makailu Island. You won’t regret it!
kriznoy 
where is the place exactly?,,,
This island is located at Batui district (1 hour from nearest city Luwuk, central sulawesi)