Bunaken Island: Everything You Must Know Before Going There

Source: https://www.indonesia.travel/

One of the most incredible diving sites in Indonesia, Bunaken Island (Pulau Bunaken), is unsurprisingly very popular with sailors around the globe. Even the Bunaken Marine Park isn’t only loaded with marine life, but it is also mesmerizing because of its water so clear it’s truly transparent.  It includes the islands of Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage, Nain and Nain Kecil.  It’s located in Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia.

See here for snorkeling and diving, as it boasts rich marine life from its Marine National Park. It has a remarkable varied marine life like 70 different corals, five species of sea turtles, several fish species, and even white tip and black tip reef sharks, the nearly extinct dugongs, barracuda, and even saltwater crocodiles! Indonesia was becoming a tropical climate of just two seasons, both dry and moist. It is best to visit during the dry season to make the most of your marine visibility. The dry season is from May to September. Though this could be the peak season with a bunch, it may become sweltering daily.

What To Do There

The principal thing to do this is to dive!  Here you’ve got 20 dive sites to choose from where you can expect to enjoy several hard to locate marine resides. Beware that some walls are steeps and present may be strong and surprising in change. Snorkel at many of the websites above if diving isn’t your thing, you’ll be pleasantly delighted there are lots of marines resides as well in the shallow location.

Hiking to many mountainous areas is possible, but paths are not well researched, so please check with the natives. Dolphin and whale watching can be arranged along with dive trips, or you may hire a ship individually because of this. Simply chill at the beach and enjoy the beautiful sunlight, seas, and wind. And many more exciting activities you must try.

Places to Stay

Some people choose to remain at Manado and make day trips to Bunaken Island, but in case you’ve got the time, staying around the island itself is well advised. There are many hotels and dive resorts to choose from, and if you’re into diving, it is the perfect approach to learn more about the sea here. Among the most well-known resorts is Bunaken Cha Cha Nature Resort, a luxurious villa with the sea with its very own private beach. Diving can also be arranged from here.

Getting There

Fly into Manado, then take a ship to Bunaken, which takes approximately 45-60 minutes. You might arrange the boat with your resorts or else there’s a public boat that leaves daily (except Sunday) at around 2-3 pm in Manado to Bunaken. Grab the public vessel in the north of the Manado market. It charges 25,000 Rp one way for overseas travellers while 10,000 Rp for local travelers.  You will return with the ship through the Bunaken village jetty at about 8-8.30 am.

Get back to Manado for your town fix, then go west, for example the world-famous diving website Raja Ampat or onwards to the beautiful Maluku Islands. Else head south to the Togean Islands for more diving chances. Note that there is a Marine Park fee of IDR 50,000 per day (roughly IDR 150,000 annually if you need that). Please cover dive resorts, dive shops, or hotels where applicable and receive your pass, which could be checked from time to time.

Vacation is more than just the scenery/food/accommodation, it’s about making long-lasting memories. Discover more adventures in Bunaken by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.