Marine Biodiversity Indonesia 2025

For MSc students in Biology and Geo-Ecology. BSc/BEd students accepted if space permits (max. 9 students).

Organisor: Nico Michiels (nico.michiels@uni-tuebingen.de)

IMPORTANT: We meet and say goodbye in North-Sulawesi

• Start: Friday 14th March 2025 at Manado International Airport (early afternoon)
• End: Friday 4th April 2025 at Manado International Airport (late morning)

Everyone takes care of their own flight schedule from Germany to Manado. This allows participants to choose their own trip, find cheaper solutions (while planning with 30 kg or more check-in luggage) and perhaps stay longer in Asia for an extra holiday before or after the course. 

Location for 3 weeks: Coral Eye on Bangka Island, North-Sulawesi
^{(not Bangka Island near Java)}

Requirements for participation

Genuine interest in field observation, species identification, biodiversity, tropical marine ecology. Candidates have attended some or all of the courses Marine Biology Methods, Marine Biology, Tropical Marine Ecology (Egypt) or other courses that contributed to their marine biological expertise. A willingness to learn at least 200-300 fish species by heart before the trip. Personal experience is also considered.

This course is for divers only. Given the remoteness of the site and demanding diving conditions, the diving qualification should be at least advanced (PADI Advanced Open Water, CMAS two-star or equivalent) with >30 dives. Diving with Nitrox is included and recommended. A recent dive medical and basic dive insurance is also required.

Make sure you have a passport that is valid for 6 months after arrival in Indonesia. A tourist visum for Indonesia can be acquired online.

What we offer

Expertise: Fifteen years of expertise focused on tropical marine fish identification and diversity (more here). Why fish and not corals? Many initiatives world-wide already focus on corals, but reefs are only a small part of tropical coastal marine habitats. Reefs only function well when exchange of organisms and nutrients with nearby habitats is possible. Fish use all these habitats depending on species and stage. Bangka Island houses more than 1000 coastal fish species because of its high habitat diversity: Reefs, mangroves, sand, silt, muck, rocks, seagrass and open water, with strong gradients in tidal and current exposure, nutrients and human impact.

Equipment: We have 6 sets of dive gear for students (regulator, BCD and dive computer), 10 Olympus tough 6 underwater cameras with underwater housing for student use, and many smaller and larger underwater torches for night diving as well as for fluorescence diving or snorkelling.

What you get for your money

Two way transfer from Manado International Airport to Coral Eye.
Full board accommodation in standard room for 21 nights with 3 students per room.
Diving (Nitrox included)

• 1 check dive from jetty on house reef with instructor
• 10 guided dives by boat (include 12 lt. aluminium tank and weights)
• 10 house reef dives from jetty (daytime, dusk or night)

Night snorkeling on house reef with guide
1 Day of mangrove exploration and snorkeling by boat
1 Full day Exploration trip by boat on other island
Visit to Lihunu village, getting to know more about the local way of life on the island
Trekking to the hills in the centre of the Island
Presentation of and participation in “No Trash Triangle Initiative” marine waste sorting station
Use of camera room & presentation room for didactic activities

Package price for students 2581 €

Subsidies: Students receive 460 € support from the Department of Biology. Additional support from the DAAD will be applied for in November 2024 and, if successful, will reduce the price even more. Roughly spoken, it can be expected that the trip will cost student participants around 2000 € or less. But that is excluding 2-way flight from Europa to Manado, the 30-day online tourist visum (currently around 40 €) and any extras.

Not included extras are e.g. a trip to Tangkoko National Park, diving equipment rental, soft drinks and alcoholics beverages, tips for staff, any extra dives, activities or materials, ...