Bunaken National Park

Bunaken Map

It's Bunaken National Marine Park is located off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, which has an 89.065 Hectare. and established in 1991. Consists of two parts. North: 5 islands and some coastal areas of the island of Sulawesi. South: all of which is the coastal plain region of Sulawesi island. The island is inhabited by ± 35 000 people. With many people living on this island, must have been some conflicts. But national and local governments, conservation groups, businesses and local communities have worked together overcome this conflict and are very successful. This is an example of how all the social networks to preserve and exploit the natural wealth of the sea as their livelihood.

Diving at Bunaken

The park with its water clarity, the abundance of fish, coral reefs, and some steep walls on some sites. You can find things like the above is in the eastern part of Bunaken, just off the east coast which was considered by many as a place of the best diving in Indonesia.

Bunaken Flora and fauna

Bunaken has a variety of biological species is quite amazing, including:
1.  Not less than 70 different species of corals
2.  Five species of sea turtles
3.  white tip and black tip reef sharks are common
4.  Dugongs
5.  barracuda and
6.  Tuna makes regular appearances from the pelagic waters
7.  Saltwater Crocodile
8.  70% of all fish species in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean found here

Bunaken Tropical temperature. Dry season from May-October downy mildew, while the November-April rain.

Bunaken Dive sites map

Bunaken, How to get there?

From Manado to Bunaken takes 45-60 minutes by boat.
When you use transfortasi public boat, you can get it in the north of market Bunaken, the departures from Monday-Saturday at 02:00 to 03:00 clock, ticket prices for travelers Rp 25,000, Rp 10,000 while the local population.
If you want to go back to Manado from Bunaken, you can use the boat at the dock in the village of Bunaken. depart on Monday-Saturday 8:00 to 8:30 clock and hours of departure.
You can also rent a boat in the harbor behind the hotel Manado to Bunaken Sulawesi to, the rental price of Rp 150.00-250.000 for 2 people.
You can also use the transfer services provided by the resort when you stay there.

Photo by David and Vicky

Fees/Permits

To enter the Bunaken national park you have to buy park entry permit for Rp 2500 (Ticket)/ day for local poeple and Rp 150,000 (plastic tags) / year for foreign tourists. For children under 10 years free.
Although when you go through the door unsolicited nasioanl park entry permit fee to buy, but when you are diving or staying in resorts, dive operators and resorts will ask you to buy tickets this entry permit. when you pay, they will give entry permit card, the card you should always bring, because very often patrol checking identification cards/plastic tags of this entry permit.

Mandarin Fish at Bunaken, Photo by David and Vicky

Bunaken, What will You do there?

To get around you can walk or by using a motorcycle taxi.

Bunaken in the past more focused on diving tours, but now also focuses on Bunaken snorkeling activities.
what could be seen there :

Beach-combing, When it is low tide, you can walk on the reef and look around.
Hiking see some isolated bay on the east and north of the island in a national park.

Fishing, can only be done outside the national park or join the local fishermen.

Dolphin & Whale watching, Could see the dolphins while on your boat when diving or rent a boat to see dolphins

what can be done there?

The main thing why people came here is Diving. even though you are a beginner you can dive here, dive operators will arrange all of them from beginner to advanced.
dive operators are all affiliated with the resort.

Tiger Fish at Bunaken

For snorkeling you can do this in front of the resorts around the island. because in this place a lot of marine life that inhabit the shallows. But when snorkeling here wear fins because the currents sometimes be strong and do not go too far if you are not a powerful swimmer.

Diving at Bunaken National Park

Accommodation

Most visitors choose to sleep on their dive resort, almost all of which offer a complete package. Accommodation on the island of Bunaken are generally expensive by Indonesian standards as the majority of people come here on a short vacation trip. There is no budget for backpackers.
Resort to the south and west side of Bunaken Island located in the strip of sand beach while the front of them on the east side is a combination of small beaches and mangroves.

Turtel at Bunaken, photo by David and Vicky

Stay safe

Bunaken is considered to be a malaria-free zone. I like Bunaken !!
Dive operators and resort on Bunaken Island:
1. http://www.bunaken.nl/diving_in_paradise.htm
2. http://www.rajalaut-bunaken.com
3. http://www.bunakenbeachdiveresort.com
Liang beach:
1. Froggies Divers : www.divefroggies.com
2. Bastianos Resort & Diving Center : www.bastianos.com
3. Scubana
Pangalisang beach:
1. Bunaken Divers – Sea Breeze Resort : www.indopacificdivers.com
2. Twofish Divers : www.twofishdivers.com
3. Living Colours : www.livingcoloursdiving.com
4. Cha-Cha Dive Lodge : http://www.bunakenchacha.com