Prince John Dive Resort

Unfortunately, it has to be said that after the devastating tsunami in 2018, the underwater world at a large number of dive sites has been completely destroyed and many places no longer exist. The change in management has also changed a lot to the negative in the resort itself.

So I would like to distance myself from my original report at the moment and cannot recommend the resort.

True to the motto “The only trip you regret is the one you didn’t make”, a travel report to Central Sulawesi. To be more specific, this is about the Prince John Dive Resort in Donggala. A diving area for those who like it varied. From Little to beautiful coral gardens. With very good luck and at the right time of year (November-January) we could see whale sharks as well.

Arrival

Admittedly, getting to Donggala in Central Sulawesi is a bit cumbersome. But if you want the special and want to dive in one of the most beautiful diving areas in the world, in the middle of the Coral Triangle, you have to bite into this sour apple.

As an example we describe the itinerary from Frankfurt am Main via Singapore and Makassar to Palu with Singapore Airlines. The first flight lasts just under 13 hours until Singapore, but it passes as in flight thanks to the equipment and comfort of the A380. From here you can continue in just 3 hours to Makassar or alternatively via Jakarta. We personally always recommend Makassar, as the change from international to national terminal at this airport is easier and above all faster, and you can plan shorter stay times on a flight over Makassar. From there it goes to Palu, flight time about 1 hour. There you will be picked up by the resort’s own shuttle service and can marvel at the town and street life during the 40-minute drive. On the whole one comes to a total time of 24-27 hours.

The equipment

But let’s start from the beginning: the resort itself has 15Bungalows in three different categories. For us, the most important difference has been the warm shower. The wooden bungalows do not have a hot shower. What is not absolutely necessary in such a country with an average daily temperature of over 30 degrees, whether it is a “must have”, everyone has to decide for themselves. In addition, there are two showers with warm water right at the dive centre, for all the frost bumps among us. Erwähnsenswert at this point is also that the sea has on average also 29 degrees. But back to the bungalows. Each bungalow has a nice terrace with sea views. Equipped with bench, chairs and table, as well as a hammock. Even a small fridge depending on the category. Generally speaking, all bungalows are elevated. Directly in front of the bungalows there is a more or less small thicket (trees, shrubs). So it gives a wonderful overall picture. The rooms are clean and nicely decorated. Loving details can be found in every room according to our experience. We ourselves were in one of the simpler bungalows as well as in the (luxury) bungalow. Those who require air conditioning will be disappointed and must make use of a stand fan or an additional ceiling fan (only in stone bungalows). The nights can be sultry but in general a small breeze blows into the room when doors are open.

Towels for the rooms and sheets are changed every three days. Towels every 2 days. The towels for the beach are available every evening fresh for the next day in the rooms. However, it is also possible to ask for fresh beach towels at the bar (directly on the beach).

As mentioned in front of the bar is the beach with sufficient chairs including. Requirements. On top there are cozy bean bags that make the couches more comfortable. The fixed parasols with storage area provide sufficient shade.

On weekends the locals Städler from Donggala or Palu like to be on the beach and enjoy their weekend. Rest is so on such days rather less to expect a highlight it is both for young and old photos to shoot with us tourists. However, it is always possible to go on such days on a day tour or 2-days tour to escape the whole. I will discuss this further in detail later on.

Speaking of tranquillity, it must be aware that we are in a predominantly Muslim country, which means the Muizin sings five times a day/night to prayer. Before the sun rises the first time, what here means about half-past five at night. We personally got used to it relatively quickly and have not become awake anymore. Otherwise, the fact that there is a Muslim country does not have any restrictions. Quite the opposite. The people are totally open, hospitable and very sincerely cordial. I have seldom experienced people who are so much laughing and happy.

Bar and beach I had now briefly mentioned. Right next to the bar is now the heart of the facility, the diving base. Equipped with: Enough space to hang his suit, separate Booti stand, 2 sinks for BCD, ABC etc., as well as 2 sinks for camera equipment. A highlight for us photographers is the air-conditioned camera room. There are three sockets in each place. So there are really enough possibilities to load everything overnight or in between, also compressed air is available for drying and an air-conditioned wardrobe for lenses. The camera room is of course closed over the night and well secured so that you can leave carelessly its equipment there. Security is generally located in the facility overnight.

Directly on the hillside, above the sea is the restaurant, with ample seating on long tables.

Food/Service

Breakfast: You can order typical Indonesian dishes such as Nasi-Goreng or Mi-Goreng, but also pancakes, fresh eggs in all variations. Everything is freshly prepared. In addition, toast, bread, sausage, jam, Nutella are available at the small buffet. And of course fresh fruit, like mangoes or watermelon. Coffee (soluble or Indonesian type) as well as tea are of course also included, as well as the freshly squeezed O-juice.

Noon: You have the possibility to order lunch time various snacks or a real lunch, although the sandwich is really more than just a small snack. The pleasant thing is, either you sit comfortably at the bar or enjoy the whole thing comfortably on the couch. What I personally found very pleasant, eating and directly a short nap before going to the next dive without having to move great.

Dinner: This goes back to the restaurant. And no, no dress code! Comfortable in short trousers, T-shirt and flip flops for a really rich buffet. At this point I would like to point out once again that we are in the middle of….. With only 15 bungalows. In this case, it does not mean that Egypt 250Betten bunker with buffet rooms with which half India could be fed….

But, every night there’s another soup as a starter. Rice, two different main courses (tuna, chicken or beef), garnishes (vegetables or tofu). and spiced up every time in a new way, so you never get bored and really have something for every taste. As a dessert fresh fruit.

The bar. The most important meeting point after the end of the dive! Cosy silent sitting to chat about the experiences of the day, get tips and suggestions for the next holiday or simply because it is cozy. And the bar is probably always the best place to exchange. In addition to the classic water, by the way always free (!) You have of course also a beer (Bintang typical Indonesian beer) and various cocktails to order.

The service itself was excellent in our opinion. Extremely attentive and within a very short time we knew our preferences. As an example, we loved to drink a banana mango smoothie after each dive. Most of the times it was already ready when we came to the bar from the dive center.

Diving

The dive centre features diving bottles of size: 8, 12 and 15l, which are exclusively filled with compressed air. Rental equipment is sufficient and well serviced available. 3 boats, 2 smaller ones for the inner circle and a large comfortable one for the outer circle. The training is based on PADI standard up to AOWD.

A typical dive day starts with the first dive at 9:00am. Meeting point is 10-15min before to get dressed and to set up its camera equipment, as well as to test equipment. Because the service even includes the equipment assembled by the dive guides on one waiting if desired. The dive spots for the next day are usually set in the evening before.

We chose the House reef as an example for the first dive. So the CA. 10 m from the dive center to the water and into the wet pleasure. After a relaxed 60-70 min, briefly washed out the equipment, cleaned the camera body and replaced the batteries. Still quickly washed the salt of ears and hair and ordered from over to the bar a delicious banana-mango smoothie. I believe in Week 2 stand of the already automatically ready…

Meanwhile it was 12Uhr and time for a delicious snack. After that a tiny soul nap on the beach and Zack it was already 13:45Uhr. Ready for the next dive. This time by boat. 5 minutes by boat later, roll backward and dive again on beautiful walls. We will describe a few special dive sites in more detail later. After the end of this dive, again the procedure of washing and care of the equipment, it is now almost 16Uhr. Once again relaxing on the beach or exchanging with newly gained friends, it is also against 18h to the last dive of the day, the Nightdive.

The description of the individual dive spots can be found directly on the Prince John page at the following link: Dive Sites. There you will find a very good overview of the individual dive sites and which animals can be found there.

Especially to mention, there are 3 new dive sites that are not yet described on the Prince John website. Loli 1 and 2, a half-day trip, CA. 20 minutes away by car from Prince John. These two dive sites are an El-Dorado for muck-diving (here we have also found the object of our desire, the leaf-sheep snail). Half-day tour means in this case: 9am downhill by car. Short check whether the equipment is complete. Camera equipment still in the provided camera bag. The pleasant, you do not have to worry about anything again, the guides take care of everything. There are enough towels and water in the car. Located on a small cove in the town of Loli, both dive sites can be reached directly from the beach. Ironically, there was a small boy with two lollipops in his hand on a log. So I was 3 weeks of the firm conviction that the dive spots are called Loli 1 and Loli 2. But it’s just the place where Loli is called.

The third dive site, Pasi Beti is located in the outer circle and can be reached by a half day tour or a day tour by boat. Travel approx. 40 min. Here you have a very big chance for various reef sharks. We ourselves were able to marvel at the white-tip reef sharks, black-tip reef sharks and smaller grey reef sharks at close quarters. There are also beautiful coral gardens on a slope steeply sloping up to 30m.

Of course you also have the possibility, if you want to make a day off, to book various tours. A trip to a beautiful waterfall or a trip to the market of Donggala with all the local specialties such as Pepper, mangoes, Kelor etc.

For non-divers, most boat trips are very suitable, as it is possible to snorkel at almost every dive site and the captains pay attention to one.