Snorkelling and Diving on Bunaken Island (Sulawesi)

Saying Goodbye...

Now after nearly 15 years I would like to say goodbye to the visitors of my website. For age reasons I will not be able to visit the nice island any more. Maybe one of our 3 children will continue in a few years (all of them are divers too) my tradition and report to you regularly about its diving experience. At the moment this is not possible for them for careerl reasons yet.

If you like, you can take over this job in the interim. If you plan to stay in one or several of the Resorts described by me and to publish afterwards a report on this website, then contact me to inform you. You can get further particulars and support certainly also from the Resorts directly.
I wish you a wonderful diving vacation on Bunaken!

Klaus

Update 2015

• Bunaken SeaGarden Resort

My Dive Holidays 2013

• Cacalang Resort
• Raja Laut
• Bunaken SeaGarden Resort
• Living Colours

My holidays on Bunaken in North - Sulawesi

If you are looking for insiders' tips for Tours, Scuba Diving or Snorkelling on Bunaken in North Sulawesi / Indonesia, perhaps you can find a couple of useful suggestions on these pages. After many holidays in BUNAKEN NATIONAL PARK in the past 10 years I can give you now a report on my unforgettable experiences. If you are making plans for your own diving holidays in Indonesia, you will find some useful general tips, how to behave correctly, to avoid dangers, to use an Indonesian toilet and bathroom in the traditionell way and many more. Links to other websites for scuba divers and about diving, about North Sulawesi and general information about Indonesia may also assist you at your preparations.

"Hot tips": Homestays and Dive Centers

I was often asked by visitors of my website, which Dive Center or accommodation they should choose. They have been confused by the numerous dive centres and resorts to be found on the Internet and they did not trust to the much too tempting grandstanding there.

I have therefore added a new menu item after my return from Bunaken in February 2004 about the Resorts on Bunaken known to me after my return in February, 2004 (updated after my stay Okt Nov., 2011).  It is a description of the homestays and dive centers on Bunaken, which I got to know. Maybe stupid. Possibly you become infected by my enthusiasm and you snatch away the nicest Bunganlow near the beach from under my nose next year. Actually, I should also not have published the nice underwater photos rather. And also not...

My UW-Videos

This is a private, independent site for divers and snorklers, not for the resorts. It shall call your attention to the essentials and help you in searching a appropiate accommodation. You find there a comprehensive description of the differences between the Resorts on Bunaken concerning location, furnishings, cuisine, bathroom / toilet, atmosphere, service at living and diving . Use the links to the detailled descriptions of our experiences in some Resorts during our past holidays. I have selected these resorts because I would like to recommend them - compared to others at the same price range-. And quite new since 2008 is there a very recommendable offer for groups.

Reasonably and without fear staying and diving around Bunaken

Most of the time my family and me lived for financial reasons (mostly 2-3 months) in one of the many reasonably priced local cottages. We spent our days with snorkelling on the numerous reefs around the island, wandering through the island and making tours to the surrounding area.

You can find reports with many photos about the life on Bunaken and a description of our tours, also with many pictures. In the course of years I have made many good experiences, but also unpleasant ones. Partly also because of unawareness of the local circumstances and partly because of the nature of the people. Hence, I have added for you some important advice. At the moment a column "FAQ" (frequent questions and answers) comes into being.

On this map you can see tour destinations and dive resorts on North Sulawesi, described on this website. Simply click the symbol to find out a short description.

 

Some people would not like to travel to Indonesia any more for fear of possible terrorist acts. They think that the danger is ubiquitous in a mainly Islamic country. These guys should know, though, that North Sulawesi is largely inhabited by Christians and also the culture is characterized by Christianity. Muslims and Buddhists live as a minority there. I do not have experienced any religious fanaticism  in North Sulawesi. On the contrary: I could  primarily on Bunaken learn that all religious groups handled each other very tolerantly and friendly. One admittedly may not feel completely safe any more in Indonesia since the terrorist attacks within the last years. But where on this planet you are still sure? If one liked to exclude every risk, then one however should avoid stations, undergrounds and discotheques in Europe or America and - diving - .

Report us about your own experience on Bunaken!

If you want to pass a small comment on this web site or if you like to write about own experiences, then take a little time for my guestbook . You may help other travellers by this.