Bunaken National Park

North Sulawesis diving crown jewel. Vertical coral walls drop into the abyss just meters from shore, with resident turtles, napoleons, and some of Indonesias healthiest reefs.

Bunaken Marine Park Guide

Bunaken National Marine Park, located off the coast of Manado in North Sulawesi, is one of Indonesia's premier diving destinations. The park covers 890 km² of ocean and five islands, renowned for dramatic wall diving and stunning coral formations.

Epic Wall Dives

Bunaken's signature diving experience is its vertical walls that plunge from shallow reef tops down 25-50 meters. These walls are encrusted with massive sponges, gorgonian fans, and soft corals. Sea turtles, Napoleon wrasses, and reef sharks are common sightings.

Getting There

Fly to Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado (direct from Jakarta, Singapore, and Manila). From Manado harbor, boats to Bunaken Island take 45-60 minutes. Most dive resorts on Bunaken arrange transfers.

Lembeh Strait

Combine Bunaken with nearby Lembeh Strait for a complete diving experience. While Bunaken offers big reef scenery, Lembeh is the world capital of 'muck diving' — hunting for bizarre critters like mimic octopus, hairy frogfish, and flamboyant cuttlefish.

Good to know

  • Best time to visit: April to October (dry season). Best diving conditions: July-August. Water temperature 27-29°C year-round.
  • Getting there: Fly to Manado (Sam Ratulangi Airport) from Jakarta, Singapore, or Manila. Public boats to Bunaken from Manado harbor (45-60 min).

Plan the journey

Compare the live route, departure harbor, operator, journey time and fare for your intended date. Island transport changes with seasons, sea conditions and port instructions, so confirm current availability before arranging transfers or accommodation around a sailing.

For a scheduled crossing, use fast boat search. Travelers who need a private route, flexible stops or a whole vessel can also compare charter packages, while fishing trips are listed separately by location and technique.

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