ID · North Sulawesi · 1.62°N 124.75°E

bunaken

Steep reef walls off Manado, with turtles on most dives.

Best time
Diving goes on all year. The drier months, roughly May to October, tend to be calmer; December to February is wetter and windier, with choppier crossings.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly to Manado, usually with a connection in Singapore, Jakarta or Makassar. Boats from Manado's harbour, or your resort's own boat, take about 45 minutes to an hour to reach Bunaken.
Save postcard
ID · North Sulawesibunaken1.62°N 124.75°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Steep reef walls off Manado, with turtles on most dives.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBunakenID, North Sulawesi
KLbunaken
≈ 2,567 km from KL, as the crow flies
Bunaken marine park at North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Borgx assumed (based on copyright claims). · Public domain

1 / 4

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small island in Bunaken National Marine Park, just off Manado in North Sulawesi. Its reefs drop off as sheer walls into deep water, covered in coral and busy with fish and turtles. It's mainly a diving and snorkelling trip, with dive resorts and simple homestays along the shore.

Things to do

  1. Wall divesThe best-known sites drop straight down from the reef top, with turtles and plenty of reef fish.Map ↗
  2. Snorkelling the drop-offsThe walls start in shallow water, so snorkellers can see the edge too.Map ↗
  3. SiladenA smaller island next door with white sand and quieter resorts.Map ↗
  4. Manado TuaThe cone-shaped volcano island across the water, with more dive sites around its shores.Map ↗
  5. Liang BeachThe island's main beach, with warungs and boats for snorkelling trips.Map ↗

Good to know

  • There's a marine park entry fee. Your resort or boat operator usually collects it.
  • Don't touch the coral or the turtles, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
  • Currents can be strong along the walls. Snorkel with a guide or with a boat close by.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.