Institute of Evolution and Ecology (EvE)

Marine Biodiversity Indonesia 2025

3-week course in reef biodiversity in North-Sulawesi

For MSc students in Biology and Geo-Ecology. BSc/BEd students accepted if space permits (max. ~ 8 students).

Organisers: Nico Michiels and Madeleine Parnot
Confirm your interest by filling out this (short) questionnaire: https://forms.gle/syVvVZAxuzU7RK6o7

IMPORTANT
We meet and say goodbye in North-Sulawesi.
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. 
These dates are FINAL:

  • Departure from Germany on Sunday 8 March at the latest (depending on your travel plans)
    • Meeting in Manado: Monday 9 March 2026 at Manado International Airport
    • Goodbye in Manado: Monday 30 March 2026 at Manado International Airport
  • Arrival back in Germany on Saturday 31 March at the earliest (depending on your travel plans)

Our home for 3 weeks is Coral Eye on Bangka Island, North-Sulawesi
(not the other Bangka Island near Java)

Maximum number of student participants: 8

Requirements for participation

  1. 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 300 fish species by heart before the trip. (Anki deck) is important. Yes, we will test you. Personal experience is also considered.
     
  2. This course is for divers only. Given the remoteness of the site and the challenging diving conditions in Indonesia, 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. You can get a Nitrox certificate on site at an extra price. A recent dive medical and basic dive insurance is also required.
     
  3. 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.
     
  4. Fluency in English.
     
  5. This is a Master course. Only if space permits, Bachelor students that fulfil the criteria can be considered.
    (We recommend Bachelor students to take Bio-BEE-210 Tropical Marine Ecology, Red Sea, Egypt. It allows snorkelers and less experienced divers to improve their confidence and skills under less challenging conditions).
     

What we offer

Expertise: Twenty years of expertise focused on tropical marine fish identification and diversity (more here).
Why fish and not corals? Many initiatives world-wide focus on corals, but reefs comprise only 1-2% of tropical coastal marine habitats. Reefs only function well when an exchange of organisms and nutrients with other nearby habitats is possible. Fish use all  habitats depending on species and stage. Bangka Island houses > 1000 coastal fish species because of its high habitat diversity: Reefs, mangroves, sand, silt, muck, rocks, seagrass and open water, with strong gradients in current exposure 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 smaller and larger underwater torches for night diving and snorkelling.

What you get for your money

  • Two-way taxi and boat transfer from Manado International Airport to Coral Eye.
  • Full board accommodation (incl. standard drinks) in standard room or (cheaper) staff room for 21 nights with 2 or 3 students per room.
  • 23 dives included (1 check dive, 10 house reef dives, 10 boat dives, incl. weights, 12 L aluminum tank and dive guide)
  • Realistic cost estimate:
    • 2230 € for students in a regular room with en suite bathroom in main building (triple occupancy)
    • 1810 € for students in simple staff accommodation (100 m from main building, 2 students per room). AC in all rooms.
  • This cost estimate includes subsidies from the Department of Biology of our university. It does not consider the DAAD/PROMOS support we shall apply for in December 2025. If successful, may reduce the price by another 500 €. Both subsidy sources are exclusively for students registered at the university of Tübingen!  

Not included are … 

Our cost estimate excludes the 2-way flight from Europe to Manado and the online tourist visa (ca. 30 €). Also not included are extras such as more dives, Nitrox/EAN course, trip to Tangkoko National Park, equipment rental, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, tips for staff, and day trips to remote diving destinations.