Bunaken is considered among the best scuba diving destinations in majestic Indonesia. People come from all over the world, especially to dive. Divers will be mesmerized by the massive walls lined with beautiful corals in the crystal clear waters! The seabed around Bunaken Island can be very deep up to 1600 meters. This makes this particular destination something unique! There you can find large pelagic fish as well as small critters which make it a great swimming spot for underwater photos.
Bunaken Island is included in the Bunaken National Marine Park which was created in 1991. As a result of this marine development, the ocean around Bunaken is very healthy with excellent biodiversity and corals, one of the best on earth. This destination offers excellent sightseeing opportunities for non-divers. On this web page, you will find practical suggestions for programming a scuba diving excursion to Bunaken, Manado:
Where to stay?
I usually use this site to book my resorts from Bunaken, Manado because they usually have the lowest prices I’ve found. I enjoy it because it’s free to cancel and adjust the date. Most lodgings are a bit expensive and upscale, but you will find beautiful bungalows from the beach. It’s also possible to keep the most important properties around Manado in luxury hotels with fantastic bay views.
Activities and trips from Bunaken, Manado
Although It is possible to do many other things during your stay for non seafarers:
We were snorkeling in the south park. It’s very nice in front of almost any hotel.
- Go hiking along the island footpath or climb the Manado Tua Volcano.
- Go fishing with a local fisher but out of the marine park
- Go dolphin watching or whale spotting on a day trip.
Finest time to See Bunaken, Manado
During the tourist summit season which takes place in July and August, hotel dives can be complete and reservations are advised! Otherwise, all seasons are great.
Health and safety
If you are planning an upcoming diving trip or traveling to Bunaken, Manado, then buying travel insurance for scuba diving is a good idea, as you will never know what might happen and if you wanted to. We recommend these dive insurances because they provide global coverage and concentrate on providing excellent insurance and medical assistance support for scuba divers.
Where is Bunaken, Manado located on earth?
Bunaken is a small island (8 km²) located at the North End of Sulawesi Island, part of the vast Bunaken National Marine Park covering an area of 890.65km² of which only 3% is terrestrial.
How to get to Bunaken, Manado?
To get to the park you must first get your strategy to Manado. It is the 2nd largest city in Sulawesi after Makassar and can be found about 50 minutes from the boat on Bunaken Island. On most flights, there is a stop inside Makassar airport. Most hotels will arrange private boats or charter boats for transfers. You will be charged around IDR 25000 to get a foreigner and also IDR 10,000 to get a neighborhood. You can also rent your boat, but be prepared to haggle hard!
Hot Tips
Try to get there in Manado during the day to be transferred directly to your resort on the islands. But if you arrive at night, you must stay one night in Manado before enjoying the dives in Bunaken. If you arrive via an international flight, you are likely to find a visa on arrival at Sam Ratulangi, Manado Airport. To dive inside Bunaken Marine Park, you must purchase a license. Regional dive operators usually provide it. Otherwise, it can be purchased at one of the three ticket booths on Bunaken and Siladen islands.
People nowadays prefer to live in Siladen compared to Bunaken Island because of its very beautiful beaches. However, Siladen is much more isolated than Bunaken, so you have a choice!
Planning to visit Bunaken soon? Find out more about Bunaken and Indonesia by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.
