Samalona Island

Exploring the Charm of Samalona Island: A Hidden Marine Gem at the Gateway to Makassar

Samalona Island is more than just a small landmass in the middle of the Makassar Strait. For the people of South Sulawesi, this island is an icon of marine beauty, offering an instant escape from the hustle and bustle of Makassar city center. With its land area continuously shrinking due to natural abrasion—now only about 2 hectares remain—Samalona still radiates magnetic appeal through its clear sea water gradients, fine white sand as soft as powder, and captivating underwater ecosystem.

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Landscape and Geographical Characteristics

As part of the Spermonde Islands, Samalona Island presents a contrasting yet harmonious visual landscape. From a distance, the island appears as a green dot surrounded by a silver-white ring on a blue carpet. The main characteristic of this island is its gently sloping coastline with very clean white sand sedimentation.

Unlike the beaches on mainland Sulawesi which tend to have dark sand, Samalona is formed from the accumulation of coral fragments and shells over thousands of years. The clarity of the water around the island allows for a visibility of 10 to 15 meters into the water under clear weather conditions. The seabed around the pier to the western side of the island is dominated by sand flats and well-preserved coral colonies, creating color gradients from transparent light blue to deep dark blue in the drop-off areas (underwater cliffs).

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Underwater Ecosystem and Biodiversity

Despite its tiny size, Samalona Island is home to rich marine biodiversity. The coral reef ecosystem here is dominated by hard coral species such as Acropora and Porites, as well as various types of soft corals that sway with the currents.

For marine life observers, Samalona offers encounters with various colorful species of reef fish. You can easily find Clownfish hiding behind anemones, parrotfish (Scaridae), and schools of sergeant major fish that often swim close to the surface. In certain deeper spots, the presence of giant clams (kima) and blue starfish adds to the island's biodiversity richness. Its land vegetation is dominated by coconut trees and large shade trees that provide protection from the scorching equatorial sun.

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Outdoor Activities and Tourist Experience

Samalona is a paradise for water activity lovers. Here are some of the main experiences not to be missed:

1. Snorkeling and Diving: This is a must-do activity. Visitors don't need to swim far into the sea to enjoy the beauty of the coral. Just a few meters from the shoreline, an underwater garden is presented before your eyes. For professional divers, there are dive sites that hold history, namely several shipwrecks from World War II that have now transformed into artificial reefs.

2. Island Hopping: Due to its strategic location, tourists often use Samalona as a starting or ending point to visit neighboring islands such as Kodingareng Keke Island or Barrang Lompo Island.

3. Enjoying the Sunset: Samalona offers one of the best sunset views in Makassar. Without being obstructed by tall buildings, visitors can watch the giant fireball slowly sink below the Makassar Strait horizon, creating an orange glow that reflects on the calm water surface.

4. Makassar's Signature Grilled Fish Culinary Experience: The experience on Samalona is incomplete without tasting fresh fish grilled directly by the local residents. The aroma of grouper or baronang fish grilled with coconut husks provides an authentic taste sensation that is hard to find elsewhere.

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Best Time to Visit

Visits to Samalona Island are heavily influenced by the wind season in the Makassar Strait. The best time to visit is during the Dry Season (May to September). During this period, the sea tends to be calm, currents are not too strong, and water clarity is at its maximum, which is ideal for snorkeling.

Conversely, during the rainy season (December to February), the west wind often brings high waves and makes the water murky. Tourists are advised to depart in the morning around 08:00 WITA to avoid the midday sun and have more time to explore the island before returning to Makassar in the afternoon.

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Conservation and Environmental Preservation

As a popular destination, Samalona faces serious environmental challenges, especially abrasion and plastic waste accumulation. Conservation efforts are continuously promoted by the local community and the Makassar city government. Tourists are strongly urged to adopt the principle of Travel without Trace, such as not touching or stepping on coral reefs while snorkeling, and bringing back plastic waste to the mainland. Protection of the coral reef ecosystem is a priority due to its function as a natural wave breaker that protects the island from further erosion.

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Accessibility and Facilities

Access to Samalona Island is very easy and quick from the center of Makassar city.

• Transportation: Visitors can rent a speedboat or a wooden boat (klotok) from the pier in front of Fort Rotterdam or Bangkoa Wooden Pier. The sea journey only takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on weather conditions and boat engine type.
• Facilities: Although small, the facilities on Samalona are adequate to support tourist comfort. Snorkeling equipment rental (masks, fins, life jackets), gazebos or bale-bale for relaxing, public toilets, and changing rooms are available. For those who wish to stay overnight, there are several simple accommodations in the form of homestays managed by local residents, offering a simple living experience on the island.

Samalona Island is proof that extraordinary natural beauty does not always require a complicated journey. With its captivating white sand and underwater richness, Samalona remains a marine gem that must be preserved so that it can continue to be enjoyed by future generations as a natural heritage of South Sulawesi.