SCUBA TOURS WORLDWIDE - Representing the world's finest diving in Indonesia
Indonesia - Bunaken Islands
Tasik Ria | Minahasa Lagoon | Kima Bajo | Sample Itinerary | Lembeh Strait | Komodo | Raja Ampat |
The Bunaken Islands
The Bunaken Islands are a group of 5 lush and green volcanic islands situated to the east of North Sulawesi. A marine park sanctuary since 1991, the waters around these islands teem with fish life and pelagics. Divers can enjoy a wonderful combination of pristine coral walls and drop-offs coupled with exciting macro dives in search of weird and wonderful critters.
Gateway to dive the Bunaken Islands is via Manado International airport, North Sulawesi, just a two and a half hour flight from Singapore. We can arrange your accommodation in either the excellent and renowned Tasik Ria Resort & Spa or the fabulous new boutique Kima Bajo Resort.
The Bunaken Islands are dived from very comfortable day boats, which set off each morning to make two tank dives. Afternoon dives are also scheduled along with regular night dives. Whichever resort you choose, you can be sure of great comfort and superb diving.
Tasik Ria Resort & Spa
The Tasik Ria Resort & Spa is a superb resort set amongst beautiful gardens and situated along the seafront, offering great comfort and easy access to the Bunaken Islands National Park. The resort has 34 rooms in 2 categories, all have air conditioning, mini bar, safety deposit boxes, en-suite bathrooms, cable TV, IDD phone and coffee/tea making facilities.
There are 20 Pool View Rooms, conveniently situated around the large freshwater swimming pool, and for those seeking a more romantic hideaway there are 14 premier Sea View Cottages, offering more privacy and views out to the sea.
Facilities at the resort include a wonderful spa offering a wide range of beauty treatments and massages. There is a main restuarant serving a range of international and local cuisines, and a Pool Bar, where guests can enjoy snacks and beverages all day long. There is also the popular Sunset Jetty Bar, offering wonderful views over the sea.
The resort has a fully equipped dive centre with spacious and comfortable day boats setting off on the 35 minute journey to dive the Bunaken Islands daily. Soft drinks and snacks are available onboard and there is a large sundeck for relaxing in between dives. The resort also has an excellent house reef - reached by boat - with incredible critter life, and Nitrox is available.
Minahasa Lagoon
Minahasa Lagoon is situated on Mangatasik Beach, just 30km southwest of Manado. This intimate, boutique resort offers a high standard of accommodation, set amid lush vegetation with stunning views out to the Bunaken Islands.
Accommodation is in 15 Sea View Cottages and 8 Garden View Rooms. All rooms are air conditioned and spacious with open air bathroom, large terrace, ceiling fan, mini bar, and tea and coffee making facilities. Two of the Sea View Cottages are connected by a shared, covered terrace, making them ideal for group stays or families.
There is a choice of areas to eat and drink while at the resort. The River Restaurant serves International and Asian cuisine, with a choice of fine Italian, French, Spanish and Australian wines, while The Jungle Restaurant specialises in local cuisine. By the pool is the Sea Front Bar, serving a range of hot and cold snacks, beers, wines and spirits.
Facilities at the resort include a swimming pool, beach side hot tub and jacuzzi, two spas offering a wide selection of beauty treatments and massages, a full service photo and video centre, and the resort is wheelchair friendly.
The diving is managed by Eco Divers Manado, a PADI 5 Star Gold Palm IDC Centre, and divers are limited to just 4 per guide, allowing divers all the time they need to see and photograph the varied marine life. The fully fitted day boats have comfortable seating, sundeck, toilets & showers, and free snacks and beverages are served throughout the day. There is also a camera room, battery charging area and a computer.
Kima Bajo Resort
Nestled amongst undulating coconut groves overlooking the tranquil Wori Bay and just 25 minutes away from the Bunaken Islands National Park, Kima Bajo is a small and beautiful upscale boutique resort offering a very high standard of luxury and service.
Accommodation at the resort includes 19 Bunga Villas, each with a sunken outdoor bath and shower, 1 Grand Villa with its own private pool, and 12 spacious Long-House Rooms. Each room is provided with en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, safety deposit box, mini bar and TV.
The excellent fully equipped dive base is run by Eco-Divers. The dive base has superb purpose built dive boats, built in a traditional design, and comfort features include sundeck, camera rinse tanks, WC and shaded salon. The boats take divers to over 30 dive sites with speed and comfort, each carrying a maximum of just 8 guests and dive groups are kept very small - just 4 guests to each guide. Nitrox is available.
Sample itinerary
To get to Manado we recommend flying from the UK on Singapore Airlines to Singapore. From there a flight on Silk Air will bring you to Manado. We can arrange 30kgs of luggage in economy class for divers carrying dive equipment. The following is a sample itinerary travelling on Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow:
Day 01 Depart London Heathrow at 1155hrs for flight to Manado via Singapore
Day 02 Arrive Manado at 1305hrs and transfer to hotel for 10 nights
Day 03 Begin 8 days of superb diving in the Bunaken Islands
Day 11 Depart Manado at 1345hrs for overnight flight to Heathrow via Singapore
Day 12 Arrive London Heathrow at 0535hrs.
Bunaken Islands + Lembeh Strait Combination Holiday
Why not combine the thrilling dives of the Bunaken Islands with some stunning critter diving in Lembeh Strait in one sensational trip. It is just a two and half hour drive from the west to the east and we therefore highly recommend doing a two centre-holiday for the ultimate in Indonesian diving! Please call us for an itinerary and quotation for an incredible combination package.
