All visitors to the Bunaken National Park (divers and non-divers) are required to pay an entrance fee of Rp.50.000 for a day-pass and Rp.150.000 for a year-pass (January 2009). This money is used to protect and clean-up the park.
This 12km coast line has many dive sites which are famous for 'muck' diving.
The tidal difference is about 2.2 metres and therefore most dives are drift dives. Water temperature ranges between 26 and 29°C and the visibility varies between 10-20 metres.
A number of the local resorts around the bay have house reefs with healthy Coral and a large variety of marine life. You can do these dives directly by boat from the resort or make your first dive(s) at Bunaken National Park and do your last dive at one of these sites, everything is possible!
The tidal difference is about 2.2 metres and therefore most dives are drift dives. Water temperature ranges between 26 and 29°C and the visibility varies between 10-20 metres.
A number of the local resorts around the bay have house reefs with healthy Coral and a large variety of marine life. You can do these dives directly by boat from the resort or make your first dive(s) at Bunaken National Park and do your last dive at one of these sites, everything is possible!
Use the map to jump to the dive site :
Tanjung Pisok - [1]
This site has a slope that ends in a wall where currents can be unpredictable, because it is on a corner.
In the deeper part you might see Jacks, Bumphead Parrotfish and, if you are lucky, a White tip reef Shark.
In the shallow part you will find a colourful variation of soft and hard Corals plus a variation of Nudibranchs. Here you are likely to observe Blue ribbon Eels, Lionfishes, Fusiliers, Red-tooth Triggerfishes and lots of Butterflyfishes.
In the deeper part you might see Jacks, Bumphead Parrotfish and, if you are lucky, a White tip reef Shark.
In the shallow part you will find a colourful variation of soft and hard Corals plus a variation of Nudibranchs. Here you are likely to observe Blue ribbon Eels, Lionfishes, Fusiliers, Red-tooth Triggerfishes and lots of Butterflyfishes.
Batu Hitam - [2]
The name of this site means Black Rock and is an excellent macro-site.
Here you find the bottom sloping from 5-22m and the visibility various between 10-30m.
There are rocky patches with Cuttlefishes, Pipefishes, Leaf Scorpionfishes, Emperor Shrimps and a lot more. Look out for nesting Jawfishes!
Here you find the bottom sloping from 5-22m and the visibility various between 10-30m.
There are rocky patches with Cuttlefishes, Pipefishes, Leaf Scorpionfishes, Emperor Shrimps and a lot more. Look out for nesting Jawfishes!
Molas wreck - [3]
This German 60m steel-hulled merchant ship sunk on 22 February 1942. It was discovered in 1980 by Loky Herlambang of NDC dive-resort.
The wreck is situated in front of Molas beach that clarifies the name given to it. The wreck is lying on its side and you will find the bow at 24m and the propellers are at 42 metres deep, which makes it an advanced dive.
The visibility is normally between 5 and 15m. The wreck is covered with soft Coral and you might encounter giant Puffer fishes, White tip reef Sharks and Napoleon Wrasses. On the reef you will find Nudibranchs and sometimes Cuttlefishes.
The wreck is situated in front of Molas beach that clarifies the name given to it. The wreck is lying on its side and you will find the bow at 24m and the propellers are at 42 metres deep, which makes it an advanced dive.
The visibility is normally between 5 and 15m. The wreck is covered with soft Coral and you might encounter giant Puffer fishes, White tip reef Sharks and Napoleon Wrasses. On the reef you will find Nudibranchs and sometimes Cuttlefishes.
Reclamation area - [4]
This site is in front of Manado just outside of the harbour and is truly a MUCK dive.
Due to construction at the shore the visibility is around 5-10 metres. This site is crowded with Nudibranchs, Shrimps and Crabs, like the Sponge Crab. There are Lionfishes and if you pay attention you might find a Ghost Pipefish.
Due to construction at the shore the visibility is around 5-10 metres. This site is crowded with Nudibranchs, Shrimps and Crabs, like the Sponge Crab. There are Lionfishes and if you pay attention you might find a Ghost Pipefish.
Murex house reef - [5]
Just in front of this resort you find a sandy bottom which slopes down to 25m and more. Scattered around are rocky outcrops with Corals and Sponges. Currents are normally mild, but can be a bit stronger depending on the tide.
Good night diving here with a good chance to see Octopuses and a Spanish dancer, but even during the day there is enough to see if you know the site. Pinnate Batfishes, Lionfishes, Razorfishes, Goatfishes and Moorish Idols. Anemones with a variety of tenants like the Anemone Crab and different species of Anemonefish.
Look out for the boxing Mantis Shrimp!
Good night diving here with a good chance to see Octopuses and a Spanish dancer, but even during the day there is enough to see if you know the site. Pinnate Batfishes, Lionfishes, Razorfishes, Goatfishes and Moorish Idols. Anemones with a variety of tenants like the Anemone Crab and different species of Anemonefish.
Look out for the boxing Mantis Shrimp!
Lumba-Lumba house reef - [6]
The dive site is around the jetty and consists of black sand and small Corals. Mandarin fish, Ghost Pipefish, Lobsters and quite a lot of Nudibranchs are found here. The notorious Blue ringed and Mimic Octopus have been spotted on this site.
Critter circus - [7]
This site has a sandy sloping bottom with Coral blocks and a depth of 25m.
Some artificial reef balls are dropped on the sand and form a nice habitat for juvenile Angelfishes, Harlequin Ghost Pipefishes, Leaf Scorpionfishes and other species of Pipefish.
In the shallow part you will find sea grass beds with sea Snakes, Nudibranchs, Crocodilefishes and Frogfishes.
Some artificial reef balls are dropped on the sand and form a nice habitat for juvenile Angelfishes, Harlequin Ghost Pipefishes, Leaf Scorpionfishes and other species of Pipefish.
In the shallow part you will find sea grass beds with sea Snakes, Nudibranchs, Crocodilefishes and Frogfishes.
Popo or Betlehem - [8]
Betlehem is the name given by the dive guides and means, with a bit of imagination, "better then Lembeh", and they know!
Situated at the foot of the Lokon volcano this site has a black sandy slope with a maximum depth of 30m.
On the bottom you see sand bags with ropes which hold the oyster farm, floating at the surface, in place. Around these bags and ropes are many rare creatures to be found. No Corals around here, but sea grass beds and Sponges where you can find amazing creatures like the Pegasusfish, Hairy Frogfish, Seahorse and Pipefish. The dive guides are masters at spotting these camouflaged critters.
Situated at the foot of the Lokon volcano this site has a black sandy slope with a maximum depth of 30m.
On the bottom you see sand bags with ropes which hold the oyster farm, floating at the surface, in place. Around these bags and ropes are many rare creatures to be found. No Corals around here, but sea grass beds and Sponges where you can find amazing creatures like the Pegasusfish, Hairy Frogfish, Seahorse and Pipefish. The dive guides are masters at spotting these camouflaged critters.
Popo Malcolm - [9]
More to the of West Betlehem there is a continuing reef with a short wall which is covered in soft Coral and Sponges with a maximum depth of 36m. Here you can find Leaf Scorpionfishes, Hawk fishes, Crocodilefishes and sometimes Napoleon Wrasses.
North-Sulawesi's Bunaken marine park can be dived year round but the best time is between April and November. With a visibility between 20 and 30 metres, the water temperature 26-30 °C and the diversity of marine life, it is high end diving!
All visitors to the Park (divers and non-divers) are required to pay an entrance fee. There are daily tickets available, but if you are diving here you need a year permit, which cost around €13,- , and helps protecting the park.
The area has enough to offer for beginning and experienced divers.
Diving in and around Bunaken is mostly wall diving and drift diving, but also includes several beautiful Coral slopes.
You will find flat reefs that slope down around 15 metres to form underwater valleys or vertical walls plunging hundreds of metres down, large caves with hanging masses of Coral and a tremendous collection of sea life. Your safety/decompression stops in the shallows at the end of your dives will never have a dull moment due to the abundance of marine life.
From the main land it will take around 45 minutes to get to the dive sites at Bunaken.
It is quite common to make 3 dives in the area and enjoy your lunch on the boat.
The area has enough to offer for beginning and experienced divers.
Diving in and around Bunaken is mostly wall diving and drift diving, but also includes several beautiful Coral slopes.
You will find flat reefs that slope down around 15 metres to form underwater valleys or vertical walls plunging hundreds of metres down, large caves with hanging masses of Coral and a tremendous collection of sea life. Your safety/decompression stops in the shallows at the end of your dives will never have a dull moment due to the abundance of marine life.
From the main land it will take around 45 minutes to get to the dive sites at Bunaken.
It is quite common to make 3 dives in the area and enjoy your lunch on the boat.
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