TAMAN NASIONAL TAKA
BONERATE
Geographical location : 120°54-121°25 E ; 6°16-7°06 S
Administrative location : Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan (Kabupaten
Selayar)
Area : 530,765 hectares
Waters Temperature : 28° - 32° C
Salinity : 34 - 35 °/00
Weather clearness : 80 - 100
Drifted oxygen : 4.5 - 6.0 ppm.
Low-tide : 1 - 1.5 m
Wind speed : 33 - 50cm / second
Rainy season : January to March
Dry season : July to September
Best time to visit : April - June and October - December
(Taka Bonerate National Park) is home to the third biggest atoll in
the world after Kwajifein in the Marshall Isles and Suvadiva in the Moldiva
Isles. The total area of the atoll is about 220,000 hectares with coral reefs
spreading over 500 km².
This park has unique topography, consists of a chain of islands of dry
coral and a large flat sunken reef, forming a large number of islands. These
coral islands are interspersed by narrow, deep, sheer-walled straits. On the
coral flats there are small, deep pools surrounded by coral reefs. At low tide,
dry land is clearly visible, dotted by water flooding into the small pools.
Plant species inhabiting the coastal areas are dominated by coconut
tree (Cocos nucifera), pandan laut (Pandanus sp.), cemara laut (Casuarina
equisetifolia), and ketapang (Terminalia catappa).
Among the more than 261 identified species of coral are Pocillopora
eydouxi, Montipora danae, Acropora palifera, Porites cylindrica, Pavona clavus,
Fungia concinna, etc. Most of the corals have formed either atolls (barrier
reefs) or fringing reefs. They are all beautiful and in relatively pristine
condition.
There are about 295 species of coral fish and several species of fish
which are of high economic value for consumption, like grouper (Epinephelus
spp.), skipjack (Katsuwonus spp.), napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and
surgeonfish (Acanthurus sp.).
Among the 244 species of mollusc are the top shell (Trochus
niloticus), horned helmet (Cassis cornuta), trumpet triton (Charonia tritonis),
green shell (Turbo marmoratus), fluted giant clam (Tridacna squamosa), and
pearly-chambered nautili (Nautilus pompillius).
The species of turtle that have been recorded here include the
hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Pacific ridley turtle (Lepidochelys
olivacea), and common green turtle (Chelonia mydas).
There are 15 islands in Taka Bonerate National Park where visitors can
enjoy diving, snorkelling and marine tours