When creating a list of things to do in Bunaken, it is essential to understand the area, the island, and everything surrounding this magical place. Why, you ask? Well, Bunaken isn’t just a typical beach on some random corner of the world. This tiny island off the coast of Manado has earned its stripes as one of the world’s top water sports destinations.
Tucked away in the northern tip of Sulawesi, Bunaken is the kind of place that makes your heart skip a beat before your feet even touch the water. With its crystal clear waters and vibrant marine life, this destination sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle, home to staggering biodiversity.
According to the marine data, over 390 species of coral and thousands of reef fish dart through its sea like confetti.
Adding to its charm, above the charming waves, Bunaken doesn’t hold back on the beauty either. The island is graced with swaying palm trees, warm island breezes, and sunsets unmatched by any others. With much of the area protected as a national marine park, the balance between tourism and conservation feels just right.
If you’re looking at things to do in Bunaken National Park and its surroundings, we have just the right thing for you!
Why Visit Bunaken?
Photo: Crispin Jones via Unsplash
In 2005, Indonesia attempted to have Bunaken National Marine Park listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It didn’t quite make it, but the nomination was more than a formality; it was a reminder to the world that this small cluster of islands in North Sulawesi has something extraordinary going on.
Long, long before the tourism brochures and trendy scuba hashtags, Bunaken was already making waves among marine biologists as well as divers who knew they’d stumbled onto something rare: aquatic beauty.
The reason itself is that Bunaken has been blessed by an unbelievable underwater life. As mentioned before, the location being in the heart of the Coral Triangle gives Bunaken something more than just a divine spot for snorkeling. It truly, and genuinely, is one of the most biodiverse marine spots on Earth.
If you’re planning to visit, try to book a week or two between May and October, when the sea turns glassy and the skies stay clear. During this time, the visibility stretches up to 40 meters, definitely a prime time for snorkeling, diving, or just floating around doing absolutely nothing.
To those of you who want to avoid the crowd, it’s best to come slightly earlier or late, say June or September, you get the same conditions with half the crowd. It’s the kind of window that makes you want to extend your stay before you’ve even packed!
Things to Do in Bunaken
1. Diving in Bunaken National Marine Park
Image: Sakurai Midori via Wikimedia Commons
If our brain recalls the most important and memorable events in our life before we die, diving in Bunaken would be one of them, trust. The coral walls are packed tight with life, turtles snoozing in ledges, and reef sharks come and go like they’ve got a schedule.
Each diving site has its own personality. Fukui is full of current and fast action, while Lekuan feels like a long, lazy glide past dense coral gardens. Even on a bad day, the visibility is quite decent.
Read Also: 6 Best Bunaken Dive Sites and Diving Price List
2. Snorkeling
Bunaken is one of the few places where snorkelers don’t feel like second-class citizens. The reefs start shallow and stay interesting for a long stretch, so you won’t be stuck floating over sand after five minutes.
You can just swim out from the beach, and within a few kicks, you’re looking at brain corals, sea stars the size of dinner plates, and parrotfish chewing through the reef like it owes them money.
It’s easy to cover a lot of ground without effort, especially on the calm side of the island. No need for a boat. Just grab your mask, walk into the water, and drift.
Read Also: Bunaken National Marine Park: Indonesia’s Underwater Paradise
3. Island Hopping
Photo: Ronny Buol via Pexels
The next agenda on your things to do in Bunaken list is perfect for everyone who needs to reach their 10k-steps a day goal.
There’s more to this place than just water sports. You can visit Siladen, a neighboring area that doesn’t say much but always has cold drinks and better beaches. The reef is quieter, but still full of life. This area has a few tucked away “warung” that can spoil you with mouth-watering Indonesian delicacies.
Then there’s Mantehage, another quiet destination where the outside world feels like it doesn’t exist. No resorts, no tourists, just stilt houses, wide mangrove forests, and the sound of kids paddling homemade boats. Definitely recommended if you need peace and tranquility.
4. Hike the Volcano on Manado Tua
You see Manado Tua every day from the beach, it’s that perfect cone in the distance that looks like it came straight out of a cartoon. Climbing here isn’t ethical, but it’s no walk in the park either. It’s hot, the trail is steep, and the jungle doesn’t care if you’re tired. It demands you to keep going.
However, the higher you go, the better the views, and by the time you reach the top, it’s just gonna be you, the sea, and a full circle of islands below.
Read Also: Dive into the Darkness: Night Diving Tips for Beginners
5. Visit Local Villages
The villages in Bunaken aren’t set up to impress tourists, and that is exactly why visiting them feels authentic.
You will walk through narrow paths lined with brightly painted houses, smell whatever’s cooking that day, and probably get waved at by every kid you pass. It’s not about staged culture shows or curated markets. It’s daily life, and if you pay attention, it says a lot.
6. Explore Bunaken Beaches
Photo: Bobobox Internal Asset
Don’t expect wide, empty stretches of sand. Bunaken’s beaches are smaller, framed by mangroves, and often dotted with fishing boats. However, they’ve got charm if you stop trying to compare them to Bali. Some are better at low tide, when the reef edge is exposed and the tidal pools come alive. Others are ideal for an afternoon nap under a tree after a long swim.
Liang Beach is the most accessible, with just enough food stalls and shade to keep you planted for hours.
Read Also: 13 Tips Beginners Must Know Before Snorkeling in Bunaken National Marine Park
Bobocabin Bunaken Hills, Manado
Photo: Bobobox Internal Asset
Ready to head to Bunaken? Complete your trip by staying at Bobocabin Bunaken Hills, Manado!
These cabins are designed with smart tech that actually makes your holiday easier. Doors open with QR codes, the lighting and air feel just right without you having to fumble with switches, and the vibe? Clean, minimal, as well as cozy without trying too hard.
What makes Bobocabin Bunaken Hills stands out even more is how it gives you privacy without making you feel isolated. Each cabin sits amongst the hills, so get those calm, quiet moments to recharge, but you’re still close to the beach, the boat docks, or anywhere you want to explore.
If you’re planning to make the most out of your time in Bunaken without getting stuck in a hotel bubble, this is where you want to be. For reservations, download Bobobox apps right here!
Writer: Samala Mahadi
Featured Photo: Dimitry B via Unsplash
