Ahe is an exploratory diver’s dream destination. There is an abundance of reefs in the direct proximity of Ahe, both shallow reefs and drop offs. The number of large sponges and gorgonians, soft corals and hard corals is most impressive. Most sites are in pristine condition and have not been affected by dynamite fishing or other human interference. Next to the reefs there are large mangrove and sand areas as well as seagrass.
25 sites in the vicinity have already been mapped and researched. Exploration dives can also be conducted and guests are encouraged to map and name at least one new dive site.
Macro photographers will be delighted with what Ahe has to offer and much time can be spent on the house reef alone photographing the high population of Pygmy seahorses, Ghost pipefish, mantis shrimp, devil scorpionfish and special crab species. Dolphins can be seen daily and some sites have been found featuring reef sharks and Wobbegong.
Sites further afield from Ahe have shown potential for encounters with dugongs and larger sharks, in the north sperm and blue whales have been seen and there are leads and information on salt water crocodiles, leatherback turtles, hammerheads, coconut crab, interacting dolphins and Sawtooth sharks.
Water temperature rarely drops below 30°C and visibility can vary between 15 to 40+ metres. Most dive sites have little or no current. The seas are calm in general with higher waves during the rainy season between the end of November to March.
Diving is conducted from traditional perahus (large dugout canoes with side riggers). At present Ahe Dive Resort can support a maximum of 8 divers at one time given the number of dive tanks and compressor capacity. Maximum diver capacity is soon due to increase to 10 divers with an aim of capacity for 20 divers by around mid-2011.
Due to the remoteness of Ahe (the nearest hyperbaric chamber is far away in Manado) and limited resources, minimum diver requirements are Advanced certification with at least 50 logged dives.
|