Sailing to Sulawesi’s Untouched Gem: Will Nickel Mining Destroy Labengke - S5 Ep 124

Sail with us aboard Our Dreamtime to the island of Pulau Labengke, a remote ecological paradise off the southeast coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia, where crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, heart-shaped bays, and lush rainforests teeming with hornbills, kingfishers, and other exotic bird species await. In this sailing adventure, we explore a pristine, unspoilt island that feels like the very definition of Nirvana—but its future is under threat. Just across the narrow strait, aggressive nickel mining is devastating the Sulawesi mainland, stripping away jungle, leaving barren red hills, and polluting once-thriving marine ecosystems with choking red sediment. Fears expressed by locals and disturbing signs such as survey pegs on Labengke suggest this paradise may soon face the same destructive fate. Join us as we anchor in a stunning fjord-like bay, share our firsthand experience of this natural wonder, and raise awareness of the environmental risks posed by unchecked mining activity in Southeast Asia’s most beautiful and fragile sailing destinations.

Here’s a very concerning report from the BBC - The rush for nickel: 'They are destroying our future' - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66131451


Nirwana Labengke Resort - https://labengki.com/

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This video contains music used under license from Epidemic Sound.
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00:00 Intro
01:17 Anchorage
01:50 Exploring the Bay
02:56 Nirwana Labenke Resort
04:41 Threat of Nickel Mining
06:20 Mooring Failure
08:35 Blue Lagoon
08:48 Heart Bay Anchorage
21:42 Bloopers
24:05 Next & Bloopers