Bunaken National Marine Park: Indonesia’s Underwater Paradise

Bunaken National Marine Park is one of Indonesia’s most successful examples of combining coral reef conservation with economic growth.

The park nests in the heart of the Coral Triangle, home to some of the richest marine biodiversity in the world. With up to 2.000 species of fish and 390 species of coral, the Bunaken National Marine Park is known to have some of the highest biodiversity in the world. Whether you want to snorkel to simply watch the turtles swim by or find small critters to photograph, Bunaken always delivers.

Whether you’re looking to experience Bunaken diving, snorkeling, or simply enjoying the stunning ocean views, Bunaken offers an unforgettable adventure. With Bunaken Island as its main attraction, this park is a must-visit for ocean lovers exploring diving Manado and beyond. Read on to see what the marine park has to offer!

Bunaken National Marine Park: All You Need to Know

Established in 1991, Bunaken National Marine Park spans approximately 890 square kilometers, with 97% of the area consisting of marine ecosystems. The park was created to preserve the stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life, making it one of Indonesia’s first marine conservation efforts.

It covers five major islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain, and Siladen. The park’s protected status has allowed marine biodiversity to thrive, making it a hotspot for eco-tourism and diving.

Bunaken’s Flora & Fauna

Bunaken National Park is part of the Coral Triangle, a region that holds the highest marine biodiversity on Earth. Here’s what you can find in its vibrant ecosystem:

• Coral Reefs: Over 390 species of coral, including massive table corals and colorful soft corals.
• Marine Life: More than 2,000 species of fish, including clownfish, angelfish, parrotfish, barracudas, and even sharks.
• Sea Turtles: Green and Hawksbill turtles are commonly seen while diving.
• Marine Mammals: Dolphins, pilot whales, and even dugongs are spotted around the islands.
• Terrestrial Wildlife: Bunaken’s five islands also host Celebes crested macaques, Timor deer, and Sulawesi bear cuscus.

Also Read: 3 Days 2 Nights in Manado: The Ultimate Guide & Itinerary

The 5 Beautiful Islands of Bunaken

1. Bunaken

As the most popular island for tourist destinations, Bunaken awaits you with its spectacular view of natural wonders. First and foremost, the top thing to do while on the island would be to enjoy the enchanting underwater scenery. As one of the most fantastic diving spots in the world, Bunaken holds 20 diving spots you can choose from to discover the charm of its fish-to-coral habitat.

If you are not so into diving, you can still enjoy the abundance of Bunaken’s sea heritage by snorkeling. Feel free to interact with the animals by feeding the fish while swimming safely on the surface. Don’t forget to bring your underwater camera to capture the precious moment. If you are lucky, you’ll meet whales and dolphins in their native habitat as well.

You can rent a boat to take you to the middle and enjoy the sweet rendezvous with these mammals swimming in the high sea!

2. Siladen

Located northeast of Bunaken National Marine Park, Siladen Island offers a vast marine park with numerous colorful fishes, coral reefs, and a beautiful cave. Sitting on an area of 31.25 hectares, Siladen hosts the charming beauty of marine tourism.

If Bunaken is famous for the beauty of the sea, Siladen is famous for its coastline, a perfect place to sunbathe on the pristine sandy beach. Known as a quiet tourism island, Siladen is your perfect hideaway from the bustling routine of the city. Enjoy a pleasant experience of resting and sunbathing while basking in the splash of sunlight. This island has a catamaran (glass boat), diving spots, cottages, and food stalls around the area – a complete package to complete your holiday!

Read Also: Mastering Snorkeling, Best 5 Snorkeling Tips for Beginner

3. Manado Tua

Manado Tua is an island covering a total of 89,065 hectares, sheltering Bunaken-Manado Tua, one of the most spectacular dive sites in the world.

On land and underwater, Manado Tua is a haven of wonders. Here you can find the bigger types of fish such as the Napoleon wrasse, giant trevally, eagle rays, snappers, and groupers. Occasionally, you can also spot hammerhead sharks swimming freely. However, as currents here can be strong, Bob recommends only advanced divers should venture into these waters and best be accompanied by a professional.

Snorkeling can be your next option to watch the underwater sea life from glass-bottom boats. There are also jogging tracks and facilities for mountain biking and camping. If you’re up for hiking, climb to the inactive volcano summit to enjoy the fantastic view over the other islands and Manado Bay. In good weather, you can see the smoking cone of Mount Soputan!

4. Montehage

Montehage is an inhabited island located in Wori District, North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi. Despite being in the middle of the sea, most of the population’s livelihood is farmers due to the certain limit for fishing.

Also known as Mantehrawu or Manterao, the island has beautiful natural scenery and is overgrown by mangroves. The wave is also quiet, and the current is moderate, perfectly suitable for snorkeling and diving activities.

On this island, you can also go for some local food tasting. Several food stalls provide seafood and the famous Manado porridge. However, there has been no inn or hotel on the island, which means you’d have to spend the night in local homes or stay at Siladen Island when you want to stay.

The distance from Montehage Island to Siladen Island is only about an hour’s drive, so get your itinerary ready for an island-hopping adventure!

5. Nain

Nain Island is the little Maldives of Indonesia. Nain is celebrated for its pristine and turquoise sea that meets the white soft sand line on the beach. An impeccable addition to your island-hopping trip, along with Siladen and Bunaken!

The island is only accessible during the low tide, mostly in the morning. You can either rent a boat for a private tour or join one of the open trip services, mostly available during the weekend. Small fishing boats will pick you up from your larger boat since only smaller ones can reach the shoreline.

Here you can enjoy marine and water sports activities, with diving being the most popular among tourists. Don’t worry, the current is suitable for professional divers, even amateur ones!

While diving, get your camera ready to record the beautiful fish and other creatures swimming around you, as there might be some prominent species, such as barracudas or groupers around. If you are lucky, you can find more unique species like hammerheads and jackfish!

Read Also: The Ultimate Guide to Surfing in Sumba: Discover the Perfect Waves

Location Details & Guide to Bunaken National Marine Park

Bunaken National Park is located off the coast of Manado, North Sulawesi. The easiest way to reach the park is by boat from Manado, with a 45-minute ride to Bunaken Island.

Many visitors choose to stay on Siladen or Bunaken Island, where resorts and dive centers are available. Entry fees for international tourists are approximately Rp150.000 per day, while domestic visitors pay lower rates about Rp5.000 – Rp10.000.

Whether you’re planning an underwater adventure or a relaxing escape into nature, understanding the park’s geography, best travel routes, entry fees, and visiting tips will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

Bunaken National Park is located in North Sulawesi, off the coast of Manado. The park consists of five main islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage, and Nain, along with a vast marine area teeming with coral reefs and marine biodiversity.

To reach Bunaken, you’ll first need to fly into Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) in Manado. From there, you have several options:

• Public Boat: Departing from Manado’s Pasar Bersehati Harbor, public boats head to Bunaken Island once daily at around 2 PM. The ride takes about 45-60 minutes and costs between Rp50.000 – Rp100.000 per person.
• Private Boat Charter: If you prefer a more flexible schedule, private speed boats can be arranged from Marina Harbor or Pasar Bersehati, costing around Rp300.000 – Rp500.000 per trip, depending on the boat size and negotiation skills.
• Resort Transfers: Many dive resorts and hotels in Bunaken offer private boat transfers directly from Manado, often included in dive packages.

Best Time to Visit Bunaken

Bunaken is best visited between May and October when visibility is at its best for diving and snorkeling. Water temperatures range from 26°C to 29°C, with the visibility about 15 – 30m+, making it ideal for underwater exploration.

While the dry season is preferred for clear skies and calm waters, Bunaken can be visited year-round. If you’re visiting from November to March, expect occasional rain and stronger currents, which can impact diving conditions.

Also Read: 11 Authentic Minahasan Dishes for Your Culinary Trip to Bunaken

Entry Fees & Permits

To enter Bunaken National Park, visitors are required to pay a conservation fee that contributes to maintaining the park’s ecosystem:

• Rp150.000 per person (Local Tourists)
• Rp150.000 per person (International Tourist)

You can pay this fee at the entry points in Manado or Bunaken Island, or through licensed tour operators. Visitors must also wear an entry tag as proof of payment while exploring the marine park.

Where to Stay in Bunaken

There are accommodations ranging from budget homestays to luxury dive resorts. The best locations to stay depend on your itinerary:

• Bunaken Island – Ideal for divers and snorkelers who want to be close to the best dive spots.
• Siladen Island – A quieter, more upscale option with white sandy beaches.
• Manado City – Suitable for those who want city comforts before taking day trips to Bunaken.

Essential Tips for Visiting Bunaken National Park

• Bring Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Protect the coral reefs by using biodegradable sunscreen.
• Respect the Marine Life: No touching corals, chasing turtles, or feeding fish.
• Use Proper Diving Equipment: If you’re a beginner, make sure to dive with certified guides.
• Carry Cash: There are no ATMs on Bunaken Island, so bring cash for food, entrance fees, and boat rentals.
• Prepare for Limited Internet: Wi-Fi and mobile signals can be weak, especially on the islands.

Things to Do in Bunaken National Marine Park

1. Diving

Bunaken is a world-class diving destination, featuring over 20 dive sites with visibility reaching 30–40 meters. The park is famous for its vertical coral walls, underwater caves, and strong currents that attract large pelagic fish.

Top dive sites in Bunaken:

• Lekuan 1, 2, & 3 – These three sites offer some of the most impressive coral walls and marine biodiversity.
• Fukui Point – Best for spotting large schools of fish and sea turtles.
• Mandolin Reef – A great site for drift diving with stunning coral formations.
• Bunaken Timur – Known for its macro diving, where you can find seahorses, nudibranchs, and frogfish.

Also Read: 13 Tips Beginners Must Know Before Snorkeling in Bunaken National Marine Park

2. Snorkeling

Not a diver? No problem! Bunaken offers some of the best snorkeling experiences in Indonesia. The reefs are located just a few meters from the shore, making it easy for snorkelers to explore. Popular snorkeling areas include Siladen Island and Pangalisang Beach.

3. Hiking

While Bunaken is known for its marine life, hiking on Manado Tua provides a rewarding land adventure. The island features an extinct volcano, offering panoramic views of Gunung Soputan, the surrounding ocean, and islands. You might even spot some endemic wildlife along the way.

4. Visiting Volcanoes

Just a short boat ride from Bunaken, you can explore Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu, two active volcanoes near Manado. Trekking to these volcanic craters provides breathtaking views and an exciting contrast to Bunaken’s underwater attractions.

Also Read: Menengok Patung Yesus Manado: Salah Satu Monumen Rohani Ikonis Tertinggi di Indonesia!

5. Dolphin Watching

The waters around Bunaken are home to bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, and even pilot whales. Early morning boat tours offer a chance to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

6. Fishing

While fishing is restricted within the marine park, there are designated areas where visitors can experience sustainable fishing. Local guides can take you to spots where traditional fishing methods are used, allowing for an eco-friendly experience.

7. Catching Sunrise/Sunset

Bunaken’s beaches provide spectacular views of the sunrise and sunset, especially from Siladen Island. Watching the sky change colors over the calm ocean is the perfect way to end a day of exploration.

Stay at Bobocabin Bunaken Hills

For those visiting Bunaken National Park, staying in comfortable and nature-friendly accommodation is essential. Bobocabin Bunaken Hills offers a unique glamping experience, combining modern technology with the beauty of Sulawesi’s tropical landscape.

Why Choose Bobocabin Bunaken Hills?

• Strategic Location – Close to Manado and Bunaken, making it easy to access the marine park.
• Smart Cabin Technology – Enjoy keyless access, adjustable ambient lighting, and a huge Smart Window for a cozy stay.
• Eco-Friendly & Sustainable – Designed to minimize environmental impact while maximizing comfort.
• Breathtaking Views – Located on a hillside, providing panoramic ocean and mountain scenery.
• Peaceful & Private – Ideal for travelers looking for a tranquil retreat after a day of diving or snorkeling.

Bunaken National Park is a must-visit destination for ocean enthusiasts, offering world-class diving, snorkeling, and marine biodiversity. Whether you’re an experienced diver or a first-time visitor, Bunaken promises an unforgettable adventure. After exploring the marine park, unwind in the comfort of Bobocabin Bunaken Hills, where nature meets modern hospitality.

Download the Bobobox app now to book your stay and experience the beauty of Bunaken like never before!

 

Featured photo: Crispin Jones via Unsplash

Writer: Syifa Nuri Khairunnisa