Bunaken National Marine Park
Bunaken National Marine Park
Bunaken National Marine Park
4.5
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4.5
877 reviews
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62
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16
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yeemai y
Perth, Australia284 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
stayed on siladen for 16 nights & snorkelled extensively around island & on bunaken, Plenty of turtles off Bunaken & lots of small fish of different varieties. Fantastic corals, hard & soft, best we've ever seen but NOTICEABLE ABSENCE of large fish you 'd expect to find on a reef this healthy. Divers we spoke to reported similar sightings. Wished we looked harder at the reviews before we went & wouldn't have stayed as long. Some reviews dating back 2013 also mentioned lack of large fish even back then. OVERFISHING is obvioulsly still a huge problem in these waters despite being marine park
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cramac
Sarnico, Italy1,739 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
I stayed for 5 nights. The coral reef is fantastic and ends with walls where the diving I am told is exceptional (I only did snorkeling). I saw numerous well-preserved fish and corals. It must be considered that the current can be strong and often changes direction, even if it never pushes offshore. The coast is surrounded by mangroves, but there are various points where there are accesses to the sea. From Bunaken alone they can also organize excursions to nearby Siladen and the more distant Nain, where you can see many dolphins. Various excursions with divers' boats are also possible to some of the numerous diving sites which are often also suitable for snorkelling. However, it is possible to do excellent snorkeling directly from the shore. Around noon and until 4.30pm, the tide drops rapidly. At that time you can walk to reach the barrier near the wall. Footwear that allows you to walk without cutting yourself and which you can then keep on when wearing fins is therefore useful. The latter are very useful for swimming even in the presence of currents. Finally, the village is home to a very kind and welcoming population. Truly a beautiful island.
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pit F
1 contribution
Dec 2021
Been around in the dive and snorkel world.
Bunaken is without doubt within the top 5 of my favorites.
Easy accessible, by plane and from the main land. Great choice of dive resorts.
Personally I prefer to stay on a land based resort in order to have as little impact as possible on the island environment.
Bunaken is without doubt within the top 5 of my favorites.
Easy accessible, by plane and from the main land. Great choice of dive resorts.
Personally I prefer to stay on a land based resort in order to have as little impact as possible on the island environment.
Written 8 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Newnormal north Sulawesi tour guide
24 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
3 island trip Bunaken national park in newnormal Bunaken Manado tua,and Siladen
Trip snorkeling in Bunaken national park is really still wonderful and the underwater coral reef still really outstanding the family from Jakarta Contact me in my WhatsApp +6289515507588. For accompany them to visit Bunaken in newnormal .we did snorkeling Bunaken ,Manado,and Siladen .
Was wonderful time .
Yes i am certified tour guide here in north Sulawesi so this my job to do this.
But many time i come to Bunaken alone and my friend .
So come visit Bunaken is not far Manado the capital of north Sulawesi.
If you need my service just google me
Jotje lala.
Trip snorkeling in Bunaken national park is really still wonderful and the underwater coral reef still really outstanding the family from Jakarta Contact me in my WhatsApp +6289515507588. For accompany them to visit Bunaken in newnormal .we did snorkeling Bunaken ,Manado,and Siladen .
Was wonderful time .
Yes i am certified tour guide here in north Sulawesi so this my job to do this.
But many time i come to Bunaken alone and my friend .
So come visit Bunaken is not far Manado the capital of north Sulawesi.
If you need my service just google me
Jotje lala.
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JaneRosehip
20 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
It‘s amazing how manifold the wildlife here still is. However, the island takes a lot of patience because it us dirty, the dirty water comes over from Manado, and I spend a whole snorkel tour to collect the plastic at the harbour-side. Also the accommodations usually have no sweetwater-shower, which makes swimming uncomfortable. We spend here two days and left the island afterwards with a happy and a sad eye.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Novi M
Dallas, TX199 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
I have been to Bunaken 3 times, and planning the 4th one this year. It is one of the places I never get tired of, and I've been to Bali, Lombok, Komodo, Sumbawa, Pulau Weh, Krakatau, Thousand Islands, Karimunjawa and more. Bunaken is still the winner combining a shorter/easier commute with more underwater biodiversity to offer.
A few low rating reviews mentioned a lack of relaxing beach and sporadic (occasional) trash issues. If you are looking for wide, white sandy beaches, there are plenty of other places in Indonesia for that. Bunaken is not one of them. It is all about what lies below the sea, not above. No night life either. The most important thing is this national park located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, an area where the marine biodiversity far exceeds the Caribbean and Great Barrier Reef together, but less research and conservation efforts have been done. Due to the corrupt and inept local government's failure to manage trash issue, I fear this paradise will be gone soon, and that makes me want to visit this place again and again before paradise fades into history.
I always visit in the dry season (June to September) so I have not observed those "trash issue" that much. The fact is, Bunaken National Park has more than 20 dive/snorkel sites. One bad review about a few sites doesn't accurately portray the entire park. Some places have 50 meters of visibility, while other just 15. Liang beach is one side of Bunaken island that unfortunately suffers from trash that is brought by the current from Manado, and it is worse during the rainy season. But the opposite side of the island is very clean. If you only have limited time to visit, make sure you research about "Bunaken dive sites", and choose which ones you want. Don't just go where your boatman takes you. Do you want to do wall diving, see more big fishes, rare creatures, a lot of turtles, or just fun free diving/snorkeling around coral reefs with many cute colorful fishes surrounding you? They have everything here, you choose. I myself like the idea of high visibility with high biodiversity conveniently located in one place, so my favorite site is Bunaken Timur. And I don't do scuba diving anymore there, just snorkel or free dive. I am able to see the same abundant species I see when scuba diving, without concern over time limit/out of oxygen. The drop-off in Bunaken Timur is the cleaning station for a lot of big fishes and turtles so I can see rays, sharks, school or barracudas, huge napoleon wrasse while only snorkeling. I can snorkel for hours and hours and never get tired because it is not the same species over and over. If you stay at one of the resorts in front of Bunaken Timur, all you have to do is just walk and swim from the beach. No need for boat hiring. Even before you reach the corals, you pass the mangroves and seaweeds that is also another habitat for different sea creatures, nursery for many fishes include sharks, which is quite interesting to explore too while walking and swimming (since it is too shallow to scuba dive there). You will be amazed by the abundant quantity and quality of sea life there, and it is not impossible to even discover a new species there!
A few low rating reviews mentioned a lack of relaxing beach and sporadic (occasional) trash issues. If you are looking for wide, white sandy beaches, there are plenty of other places in Indonesia for that. Bunaken is not one of them. It is all about what lies below the sea, not above. No night life either. The most important thing is this national park located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, an area where the marine biodiversity far exceeds the Caribbean and Great Barrier Reef together, but less research and conservation efforts have been done. Due to the corrupt and inept local government's failure to manage trash issue, I fear this paradise will be gone soon, and that makes me want to visit this place again and again before paradise fades into history.
I always visit in the dry season (June to September) so I have not observed those "trash issue" that much. The fact is, Bunaken National Park has more than 20 dive/snorkel sites. One bad review about a few sites doesn't accurately portray the entire park. Some places have 50 meters of visibility, while other just 15. Liang beach is one side of Bunaken island that unfortunately suffers from trash that is brought by the current from Manado, and it is worse during the rainy season. But the opposite side of the island is very clean. If you only have limited time to visit, make sure you research about "Bunaken dive sites", and choose which ones you want. Don't just go where your boatman takes you. Do you want to do wall diving, see more big fishes, rare creatures, a lot of turtles, or just fun free diving/snorkeling around coral reefs with many cute colorful fishes surrounding you? They have everything here, you choose. I myself like the idea of high visibility with high biodiversity conveniently located in one place, so my favorite site is Bunaken Timur. And I don't do scuba diving anymore there, just snorkel or free dive. I am able to see the same abundant species I see when scuba diving, without concern over time limit/out of oxygen. The drop-off in Bunaken Timur is the cleaning station for a lot of big fishes and turtles so I can see rays, sharks, school or barracudas, huge napoleon wrasse while only snorkeling. I can snorkel for hours and hours and never get tired because it is not the same species over and over. If you stay at one of the resorts in front of Bunaken Timur, all you have to do is just walk and swim from the beach. No need for boat hiring. Even before you reach the corals, you pass the mangroves and seaweeds that is also another habitat for different sea creatures, nursery for many fishes include sharks, which is quite interesting to explore too while walking and swimming (since it is too shallow to scuba dive there). You will be amazed by the abundant quantity and quality of sea life there, and it is not impossible to even discover a new species there!
Written 6 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mpangau
2 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
June 18, my family and I traveled to bunaken via the marina plaza dock and rented a catamaran boat in a small office in the marina plaza dock
We plan to snorkel in Bunaken and siladen island
We rented a catamaran at the marina dock
From the initial price of idr 1.4 million for 15 people to Bunaken, we must add idr 300k for journey to siladen island
At the boat charter office i made it clear that we will snorkel in siladen too
When we arrived in Bunaken, we pay the taxes to the area bunaken IDR 5k rupiah per person
Then we rented snorkeling equipment in bunaken for 150k rupiah each set.
I began to suspect because the boat motorist insisted that snorkeling equipment should be hired a complete set, while internet references mentioned may be rented as needed
Then I also have to pay two boat mtororist that becomes a snorkeling tour guide in bunaken by hiring additional 2 sets of snorkeling equipment, in total I hired 7 sets of snorkeling equipment
the weirdness grew to be because after 1 hour of water play and snorkeling in bunaken, the motorist said we had to leave immediately to siladen to avoid low tide. we agreed because in the hope we will go snorkeling in siladen
it turns out the snorkeling equipment we rent 150rb only used 1 hour because we must return it to the owner because they said it is not allowed to be brought to siladen
until here I still follow the dirty game by the motorist
we finally went to siladen and arrived around 11.30
finally in siladen we can only swim around the dock and walk on the island of siladen
when we were enjoyinging swimming, motorist said we had to go home for fear of rain
but it's still 1 pm
so just 1 hour we played in the water and the motorist already lifted the ladder access to the boat
we finally went back to manado to the marina plaza dock and arrived at 2 PM noon
a very unpleasant and unsatisfactory experience
not in accordance with the cost of IDR 3 million more we spend
I DO NOT RECOMMEND TO RENTING ANY BOAT IN MARINA PLAZA BECAUSE YOU CAN BE FOOLED BY THEM
NEVER RENT BOAT AT MARIZA PLAZA DOCK
IT IS useless
We plan to snorkel in Bunaken and siladen island
We rented a catamaran at the marina dock
From the initial price of idr 1.4 million for 15 people to Bunaken, we must add idr 300k for journey to siladen island
At the boat charter office i made it clear that we will snorkel in siladen too
When we arrived in Bunaken, we pay the taxes to the area bunaken IDR 5k rupiah per person
Then we rented snorkeling equipment in bunaken for 150k rupiah each set.
I began to suspect because the boat motorist insisted that snorkeling equipment should be hired a complete set, while internet references mentioned may be rented as needed
Then I also have to pay two boat mtororist that becomes a snorkeling tour guide in bunaken by hiring additional 2 sets of snorkeling equipment, in total I hired 7 sets of snorkeling equipment
the weirdness grew to be because after 1 hour of water play and snorkeling in bunaken, the motorist said we had to leave immediately to siladen to avoid low tide. we agreed because in the hope we will go snorkeling in siladen
it turns out the snorkeling equipment we rent 150rb only used 1 hour because we must return it to the owner because they said it is not allowed to be brought to siladen
until here I still follow the dirty game by the motorist
we finally went to siladen and arrived around 11.30
finally in siladen we can only swim around the dock and walk on the island of siladen
when we were enjoyinging swimming, motorist said we had to go home for fear of rain
but it's still 1 pm
so just 1 hour we played in the water and the motorist already lifted the ladder access to the boat
we finally went back to manado to the marina plaza dock and arrived at 2 PM noon
a very unpleasant and unsatisfactory experience
not in accordance with the cost of IDR 3 million more we spend
I DO NOT RECOMMEND TO RENTING ANY BOAT IN MARINA PLAZA BECAUSE YOU CAN BE FOOLED BY THEM
NEVER RENT BOAT AT MARIZA PLAZA DOCK
IT IS useless
Written 28 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark W
Denver, CO18 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
I dived Bunaken last month (December). The water temp was 82 Fahrenheit and the visibility was 60 feet. I saw many turtles and the reef was healthy. I dived the park 5 years ago and at that time I found a lot of trash in the water and on the reef. That was not the case this time and the reef appeared healthier.
Written 16 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TXELL17
Barcelona, Spain26 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
We travelled 25 hours flight from Europe to spend our holidays in North Sulawesi, and specially we spent a week in Bunaken island. As non-divers we choose Bunaken because it is a top destination for snorkel people as well. And it is. The underwater sea of Bunaken and North Sulawesi is unique and incredible. We have been to other coral reefs before like Australia (Queensland) and Seychelles but nothing is comparable with Bunaken. There are so many variety of coral fishes, green turtles, etc. that you even can see how the fishes compete for their own territory and space. Also there are a great variety of soft and hard corals, anemone, etc. And because of this, this is why I am so disappointed about the amount of trash, empty bottles, plastic bags, and a garbage of all kinds floated on the sea everywhere and all the time. We travelled on August, driest month of the year, so I cannot even imagine how the island will be during the rain season when garbage can go with the flow to the sea.
Who manage this “national Park”? Where goes all the money left by divers, tourists, snorkeling people who visit the park year after year? It is really impossible all this rubbish comes from only “tourist”, so we visit the inner island as well and you can see piles of burning trash just next to the market. So, be prepared about it and don’t be “shocked” as us if you spent 25 hours flying to visit this “paradise”.
Who manage this “national Park”? Where goes all the money left by divers, tourists, snorkeling people who visit the park year after year? It is really impossible all this rubbish comes from only “tourist”, so we visit the inner island as well and you can see piles of burning trash just next to the market. So, be prepared about it and don’t be “shocked” as us if you spent 25 hours flying to visit this “paradise”.
Written 3 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hesam Saroukhani
Dubai, United Arab Emirates124 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
I stayed in Bunaken for a week and dived in most of the dive sites (15 dives), I must say It is so called National Marine Park to attract divers but not really kept as national park!
After a heavy rain especially during rain season! You will have loads of floating trash mainly plastic bottles, bags etc. will arrive at Bunaken beach and will land on the beach!
Other than it make beach looks very ugly and dirty, I have had serious health concern since I could see syringes floating, women pads etc!!
I felt disgusting really!
About Diving, it is great underwater life there, fishing supposed to be banned however you still see fisherman with small boat fishing and as result several fishing lines on the reef! I tried to clean 3 of them, which were very long lines!
Seems line Montehage and Nain (two other sister islands) not included in Marine Park and you will see most shocking condition with fishing lines there!!
After a heavy rain especially during rain season! You will have loads of floating trash mainly plastic bottles, bags etc. will arrive at Bunaken beach and will land on the beach!
Other than it make beach looks very ugly and dirty, I have had serious health concern since I could see syringes floating, women pads etc!!
I felt disgusting really!
About Diving, it is great underwater life there, fishing supposed to be banned however you still see fisherman with small boat fishing and as result several fishing lines on the reef! I tried to clean 3 of them, which were very long lines!
Seems line Montehage and Nain (two other sister islands) not included in Marine Park and you will see most shocking condition with fishing lines there!!
Written 7 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I am planning a visit in December 2018 to Bunaken Marine Park. While my husband will go diving with the dive company, me and 2 kids will wait by the beach and probably do some swimming/snorkelling. My question is will there be beach cafes in which we can sit and sip a drink and have some fries... ? How is it like that for non divers? Thanks in advance.
Written 4 October 2018
Michael
Adelaide, Australia
I stayed at the Grand luley once in wet season, which is on the mainland in close proximity to Bunaken. I didn't see any really great spots for snorkeling there, just alot of mangroves and a Port for boats going back and forth to Bunaken Island.
Written 16 October 2023
Planeamos ir a bucear a bunankemp en febrero
Como es la visibilidad en esa epoca ??
Written 11 December 2016
Hi :)
I love snorkling but I am so afraid of sharks I'm wondering... are there big/dangerous sharks?
Any previous attacks? I know it sounds silly but I am afraid I won't enjoy it much if I am afraid all the time to become some kind of a snack :)
Written 20 May 2016
Hi Alenike:
There are sharks but I haven't heard of any attacks in the Bunaken Reserve Area. If you stay at the Bunaken Island Resort, they will advise you if there are any dangers.
I have snorkelled many times in Malaysia & Indonesia & have seen sharks but as long as you don't panic and flop around like an injured big fish, stay still and the shark will swim right by you!
Hope that helps
Written 21 May 2016
Hello,
I am deciding whether to stay at the accommodation on the East side, West side of island or the North.
Snorkeling is the most important for me, so I would like to have an easy access to the beach snorkeling sites.
Thank you!
Written 30 March 2016
Bonjour,
Nous pensons aller sur l'île de Bukanen en août, dans quel hôtel étiez-vous ?
Merci bien !
Elodie
Written 1 March 2016
Hi, did anyone been to Pulau Bangka in Northern Sulawesi? Is this island more as in Bunaken island? I want to go there this October but not sure which is the best. I love snorkeling, wishing to be able to see more colourful fishes.
Please kindly advise me.
Thank you.
Regards,
Felicia
Written 22 July 2015
Bangka is a lovely island and October is a good time to visit. The only month that is not good for diving and Snorkeling is August, because of large waves and a choppy sea.
Written 20 August 2016
We can't bring any dive gear (BCD, snorkel, weights, fins, air). Who did you dive with and did they supply ALL of the gear in good working condition?
Where did you stay?
Am also going to Lembeh to muck dive. Any recommendations on accommodations or packages?
Written 3 March 2015
You can visit the breeze (name of resort in Bunaken. They provide diving and snorkling gear and also i stayed there. They also have expatriate instructor who'll teach you and accompanied during the dive
Written 15 December 2015
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