Bunaken is an island diving base off Manado in North Sulawesi. The main planning choice is an island stay close to the reef or a mainland stay with boat trips. Huge walls covered in coral are the attraction underwater; above the surface, the transfer schedule and the resort’s location shape the holiday.
A few nights on Bunaken or Siladen suit a sea-focused break. Manado and its coastal resorts make land excursions and airport logistics easier. Neither choice is universally better: the balance depends on how much of the trip the whole party wants to spend on the water.
Dans cette page vous trouverez toutes les infos pratiques pour préparer un voyage de plongée à Bunaken, Manado:
Table des matières
- Voyage Bunaken, Manado - Guide
- Où rester dormir? Où se loger?
- Activités et Excursions
- Meilleure période pour visiter
- Santé et sécurité
- Où se trouve Bunaken, Manado sur la carte?
- S'y rendre
- Comment se déplacer aux alentours?
- Photos Bunaken, Manado
- Meilleurs sites de plongée
- Avis sur la Plongée sous marine en Français
Où rester dormir? Où se loger?
Je me sers en général de ce site web pour réserver mes hôtels en Bunaken, Manado. En effet c'est très pratique car on peut annuler les réservations et ce sont en général eux les moins chers.
| Base | Good fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bunaken Island | A diving rhythm with accommodation and boats arranged together. | Airport days need a sea transfer. |
| Siladen | A smaller-island resort stay with reef outings. | Meals, activities and transfers depend closely on the property. |
| Manado coast | A mix of diving and mainland plans. | Boat time to the park becomes part of the diving day. |
It is also possible to stay on the mainland around Manado with a view of the bay, as Julien noted in the original guide. Actual harbour access and the daily dive plan are more useful than the word “beachfront” alone.
Sea Garden lists a garden cottage at €32.50 per person/night sharing, or €42.50 single, with meals and drinking water; rates valid until 1 May 2027. Accommodation rates. Two Fish lists a garden room with air-conditioning at IDR 805,000 per person/night sharing, full board. Room categories. Checked 12 November 2026.
Activités à faire et excursions à Bunaken, Manado
Travelling with a non-diver?
Reef-top snorkelling is the natural companion activity, with boat places and rental priced separately by some operators. The Bunaken diving guide gives verified examples and the supervision questions to settle before booking.
The park authority describes mangrove trails at Mantehage and Tiwoho, while resorts can quote additional outings. A land excursion is a separate plan with transport and current access confirmed, rather than something guaranteed between two dives. Dolphin trips are wildlife outings, with no promised sightings.
A climb or highland visit after diving requires separate altitude planning. A quiet afternoon by the sea may fit the dive schedule more comfortably.
A glimpse of the Bunaken marine park
Giorgio Galassi’s Amazing Siladen, shared by Siladen Resort in February 2024. Historical footage illustrates the marine park; it is not a current-condition report.
Meilleure période pour visiter Bunaken, Manado
Bunaken can be visited year-round, with April–October a broad dry-season starting point. A flexible stay helps when wind or waves change the practical crossing or snorkelling options. Regional seasonal guidance.
Small properties can have limited room choices, particularly for a family or mixed diving party. Confirmed room and transfer arrangements matter more than assuming that a particular month will suit every activity.
Santé et sécurité
An island holiday needs a realistic plan for medical assistance and evacuation, with insurance covering the intended diving. The operator should explain available oxygen, communication and the transfer procedure. A resort’s equipment does not replace personal cover.
Flying or travelling to altitude after diving needs an appropriate interval. DAN’s flying-after-diving guidance is the reference for planning, while personal medical questions belong with a qualified clinician.
If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Bunaken, Manado, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). Je vous recommande cette assurance voyage car ils offrent une couverture mondiale et couvrent de nombreux sports à risque comme la plongée sous marine.
Ou est situé Bunaken, Manado dans le monde?
Manado is on the northern tip of Sulawesi; Bunaken lies offshore. The park also includes waters around Siladen, Manado Tua, Mantehage and Nain. Bangka and Lembeh are separate regional diving choices, not interchangeable names for Bunaken.
The park authority describes an approximately hour-long motorboat journey from Manado to Bunaken. The actual crossing varies with harbour, boat, destination and sea conditions.
Bunaken dive-site references
These geographic references distinguish three areas of the island. They are for holiday planning, not underwater navigation or a guaranteed dive route.
- Lekuan wall area: A regional reference for the Lekuan wall; entry and route vary with conditions. Location source
- Fukui Point: Sloping reef on the western side; current determines the profile. Location source
- Muka Kampung: Village-side slope and wall reference, with turtle habitat. Location source
Comment aller à Bunaken, Manado?
The usual arrival airport is Sam Ratulangi, Manado (MDC). Flight routes and connections depend on the date; the resort needs the actual arrival time to organise the road-and-boat transfer. A daytime arrival can make an island transfer simpler, while a late arrival may require a mainland night.
Cha Cha’s published package uses a fixed scheduled transfer, with a Manado harbour departure around 16:00 and an island departure at 09:30. It says arrivals at 17:30 or later cannot cross the same day. These are that resort’s arrangements, not a public ferry timetable. Transfer inclusions and timing.
Sea Garden lists one-way airport/city transfers at €45 for one or two people and €55 for three or four. Transfer quote basis. Public boats may cost less, but departure days, landing place and onward luggage transfer need confirmation; an old timetable is a poor basis for a flight connection.
Ai-je besoin d'un visa pour Bunaken, Manado?
Entry rules depend on nationality and purpose. Indonesian Immigration lists the B1 visa-on-arrival fee at IDR 500,000, with an initial stay of up to 30 days for eligible travellers. It requires at least six months of passport validity and a return or onward ticket. Eligibility and the intended entry point need checking against official immigration guidance.
The Bunaken park ticket is separate. Its official portal currently lists foreign visitor entry at IDR 150,000 per visit and domestic entry at IDR 10,000 per person/day. The booking quote should identify applicable activity charges and how the ticket is collected. Official park information. Checked 12 November 2026.
Comment se déplacer aux alentours?
Short walks and arranged boats are central to an island stay. A map distance does not establish an easy walk between resorts: paths, steps, beach access and tides vary. Anyone needing step-free access benefits from agreeing the actual landing and room route with the property.
Manado is the practical place to organise onward transport, cash and supplies before crossing. The room price, meals, transfers, park fees and diving extras are best kept as separate lines in the trip budget.
Bunaken suits a sea-focused holiday; a mainland base makes airport and land arrangements easier, with boat travel built into dive days. Not always. Resorts have their own crossing windows, and a mainland night may be necessary. Resort stays and snorkelling programmes provide options. Boat space, supervision and activity prices are operator-specific. No. Immigration permission, park entry and diving services are separate costs. No. The departure day, time, landing point and onward transfer should be reconfirmed for the travel date.Questions about Bunaken
Should I stay on Bunaken or in Manado?
Can I transfer to the island after a late flight?
Are non-diving partners welcome?
Does the park ticket include my visa?
Can I rely on an old public ferry timetable?
Bunaken diving guide · Indonesia liveaboard guide
Original guide by Julien; updated 12 November 2026.
Bunaken, Manado Photos
Avis sur la Plongée sous marine en Français
Cliquez sur le lien suivant pour la liste des poissons et le Top des spots de plongée: Bunaken, Manado Plonger
Avis et Revues de Plongées pour cette région
Bunaken, Manado
Plonger à Bunaken, c'est de la fantastique plongée sur tombants et jardins de coraux, une visibilité infinie et une biodiversité incroyable. Et rester sur une île isolée est une expérience vraiment spéciale !
Si vous avez déjà été à Bunaken, Manado, merci de partager votre expérience et vos bons plans (Hôtel, Excursions à faire, votre avis,…) dans la section ci-dessous, cela aidera d’autres voyageurs à organiser leur voyage ;-).