Beyond Bunaken: Discovering North Sulawesi’s Best Dive Sites

💰 Click here to see Indonesia Budget Breakdown

💰 Prices updated: September, 2026. Budget figures are estimates — always verify before travel.

Exchange Rate: $1 USD = Rp17,928.47

Daily Budget (per person)

Shoestring: Rp358,569 – Rp896,424 ($20.00 – $50.00)

Mid-range: Rp1,254,993 – Rp2,689,271 ($70.00 – $150.00)

Comfortable: Rp2,689,271 – Rp4,482,118 ($150.00 – $250.00)

Accommodation (per night)

Hostel/guesthouse: Rp71,714 – Rp179,285 ($4.00 – $10.00)

Mid-range hotel: Rp448,212 – Rp896,424 ($25.00 – $50.00)

Food (per meal)

Budget meal: Rp26,893.00 ($1.50)

Mid-range meal: Rp143,428.00 ($8.00)

Upscale meal: Rp537,854.00 ($30.00)

Transport

Single metro/bus trip: Rp3,500.00 ($0.20)

Monthly transport pass: Rp200,000.00 ($11.16)

Most people who plan a dive trip to North Sulawesi book Bunaken, then discover in 2026 that the popular boats are full, the day-trip crowds are bigger than the photos suggest, and they have only seen a fraction of what the region offers. Bunaken is excellent, but it is one chapter. Within three hours of Manado you can drift along vertical walls, hunt for hairy frogfish in black volcanic sand, and swim through soft-coral gardens that few divers ever visit. This guide shows you how to build a trip that goes well beyond the postcard.

Why North Sulawesi Rewards Divers Who Look Past One Island

North Sulawesi sits at the northern tip of the Coral Triangle, and the variety underwater is the reason divers keep returning. Deep channels, volcanic slopes, sheltered straits and open-sea walls all lie within a short boat ride of each other. That mix gives you big-animal reef diving in one place and some of the world’s best muck diving in another.

Above water, Manado is a warm, loud, food-obsessed port city with a mostly Christian population. Sunday mornings bring church choirs spilling out of open doors, and the evenings smell of charcoal and chilli. People say “torang samua basudara” (we are all brothers) and they mean it. Dive operators here are used to long stays, so you will find small, well-run centres that know their sites in detail.

Since 2024, the biggest changes are better road links to Bitung, more resort options near Likupang, and stricter reef-protection rules at several sites. The region feels more organised than it did a few years ago, but it is still relaxed and uncrowded once you leave the Bunaken day-boat circuit.

Choosing Your Base: Manado, Bunaken, Bangka, Lembeh and Likupang

Where you sleep decides what you dive. Each area has a different character, and most divers do best by splitting their stay.

Manado city

Manado suits divers who want restaurants, malls, pharmacies and easy airport access. Many Bunaken day boats leave from here. The downside is the traffic and the extra boat time each morning. It works well for the first or last night of a trip.

Bunaken and Siladen islands

Staying on the island means no daily commute, quiet evenings and the sound of waves instead of motorbikes. Homestays and resorts line the beaches, and you can step off the sand into the reef. It suits divers who want to dive, eat, sleep and repeat.

Bangka Island

Bangka sits off the northeastern tip of the mainland and is the quietest base in the north. Resorts here are small and the diving is current-rich and colourful. It suits experienced divers and photographers who prefer solitude.

Lembeh Strait (Bitung)

This is the macro capital. Resorts sit on the water facing Lembeh Island, and your day follows a pattern of short boat rides, long slow dives and a lot of camera talk. It suits patient divers who enjoy looking closely.

Likupang and the north coast

Likupang is the emerging area, with white-sand beaches, newer hotels and access to reefs around Gangga and nearby islets. It is a good choice for families and for divers travelling with non-divers.

The Dive Sites Worth Planning Around

Bunaken National Marine Park

The park’s reputation comes from its walls, which drop straight into deep blue water and are covered in sponges, fans and schools of fusiliers. Lekuan is good for big walls, Mandolin for turtles and bigger fish, and Fukui for a mix of wall and reef life. Green and hawksbill turtles are almost guaranteed. Currents can pick up, so listen carefully to your guide.

Bangka Island

Sahaung is known for its sloping reef with big gorgonians and healthy coral, and sometimes strong currents carrying schools of fish. Batu Gosoh offers dramatic rock formations and colourful soft corals. Bangka sees fewer boats than Bunaken, so you often dive with only your group.

Lembeh Strait

Lembeh’s black volcanic sand looks empty until your guide points. Then a hairy frogfish, a mimic octopus, a blue-ringed octopus or a tiny pygmy seahorse appears. Popular sites include Hairball, Nudi Falls, Police Pier and Angel’s Window. Bring patience, a reliable torch and a camera with good macro settings. Dives are often 70 to 90 minutes of slow movement at shallow depths.

Molas Wreck and Manado Bay

For something different, try the shallow wreck near Manado’s coast. It is not a big-ticket site, but it works well as a check dive or a relaxed morning when sea conditions are rough elsewhere.

Sangihe’s underwater volcano

For advanced divers with time to spare, the Mahengetang area in the Sangihe Islands offers an extreme, rarely visited experience around an active underwater volcano. Access is difficult, so it suits expedition-style trips with expert operators only.

Where to Eat Between Dives

Manado is the best place in Indonesia for hungry divers. Start with Pasar Bersehati, the big traditional market near the port, which wakes up early with fish stalls, vegetable piles and noodle vendors. The air is thick with the sharp smell of fresh chilli, smoked fish and frying shallots. Go early, around 6:00, for breakfast and chaos.

For a classic morning bowl, look for the tinutuan (Manado porridge) sellers around Jl. Wakeke, where tables fill with office workers and divers fuelling up. Along the Boulevard waterfront, evening stalls and seafood restaurants grill fish over coconut husk, served with fiery dabu-dabu salsa. Order whole fish and a bowl of rice, and expect to pay IDR 60,000 to 150,000 per person.

Pasar Karombasan is a good stop if you want fruit, snacks and cheaper everyday meals away from the tourist strip. Malls like Manado Town Square have food courts when you need air-conditioning and a quick meal.

In Bitung, the port area has simple seafood warungs serving grilled fish and rice, ideal before or after a Lembeh transfer. Most Lembeh and Bangka resorts offer full-board packages, and the food is usually good, but it is worth eating in town at least once.

Getting There and Moving Between Dive Areas

Flights and airport

Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) is about 15 to 20 minutes from central Manado. Most travellers connect through Jakarta, Makassar or Singapore, and some direct international routes have been added or restored in recent years. Check current schedules for 2026, because they change often.

Manado city transport

Gojek and Grab work well in Manado for cars and motorbikes, usually IDR 20,000 to 60,000 for city trips. Shared minibuses (mikrolet) run fixed routes for IDR 5,000 to 8,000 and are fun if you know your destination. Walking is fine along the Boulevard but hot in daytime.

To Bunaken and Siladen

Public boats leave from the port near Manado’s waterfront and cost around IDR 50,000 to 100,000 one way, but they run on local schedules. Resorts and dive centres arrange private pick-ups, which are easier with gear.

To Lembeh and Bangka

The new Manado–Bitung toll road has cut road time to roughly 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. A private transfer is usually IDR 500,000 to 900,000 per car, and most resorts handle it. Bangka requires a road transfer to the north coast followed by a short boat ride.

Day Trips and Surface-Interval Escapes

• Tangkoko Nature Reserve (2 to 3 hours from Manado/Bitung): Dawn walks bring you face to face with tarsiers, black crested macaques and hornbills. Leave before sunrise and expect a half-day trip. It pairs well with Lembeh.
• Tomohon and Lake Linow (1 hour from Manado): This cool highland town sits under volcanoes. Lake Linow shifts colour in the light, and the morning mist is a welcome change from the heat. Allow a full day.
• Lake Tondano and Minahasa highlands (1.5 hours): Visit floating restaurants, small villages and spots for photos, with a relaxed pace after a heavy dive week.
• Likupang beaches (1.5 to 2 hours): Paal and Pulisan offer white sand, clear water and a good sunset. Most visitors stay half a day.
• Bunaken snorkelling day (boat 45 minutes): Non-divers can snorkel the shallow reefs and still see turtles and colourful fish. Pair this with a dive day for family trips.

Do not fly within 18 to 24 hours of your last dive, so keep day trips to the surface-level activities, and avoid high-altitude drives like Tomohon right after diving if you are cautious about decompression.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Nightlife here is social rather than wild. In Manado, the Boulevard fills with live-music cafés, grill restaurants and bars where cover bands play pop, rock and old favourites in surprisingly good English. Karaoke is serious business, and Manado people sing well.

Resorts on Bunaken, Bangka and Lembeh usually have a small bar, a fire pit and dive logbook sessions that last longer than planned. Beer and cocktails cost around IDR 35,000 to 80,000. Alcohol is easy to find in Manado, unlike in some other parts of Indonesia.

For a different kind of night out, book a night dive. In Lembeh, the strait comes alive after dark with squid, crabs, shrimp and rare nudibranchs, and blackwater dives reveal drifting larvae in the open water column. They are advanced, spooky and unforgettable. Make sure your operator is experienced with them.

Shopping: Markets and Souvenirs

Dive gear shopping is limited, so bring your own mask, computer and regulator if you can. Basic items like reef-safe sunscreen, rash vests and torches can be found in Manado, but sizes and quality vary.

For local goods, head to Pasar 45 in downtown Manado, a busy shopping district with clothes, snacks and everyday items. Mega Mall and Manado Town Square offer air-conditioned shopping and bookstores. Pasar Bersehati is the place for spices, dried fish and bags of fiery sambal.

Good souvenirs include cakalang fufu (smoked skipjack), sambal roa, local coffee and cloves. Vacuum-packed products travel well. Check airline rules for liquids and meat items before packing food in your hand luggage.

When to Go: Seasons and Festivals

The dry season, from April to October, is the safest bet for calm seas and clear water at Bunaken and Bangka. June to September are the most reliable, with visibility often 20 to 30 metres. Water temperature stays around 27 to 30°C all year, so a 3 mm wetsuit is enough for most people.

Lembeh is sheltered and works all year, though visibility is typically lower than on reef sites, and that is normal for muck diving. From November to March, the rains bring choppy crossings and some cancelled boat trips, but also lower prices and fewer divers.

Festivals can add colour to your trip. The Tomohon International Flower Festival usually takes place in August, and Christmas and New Year are big celebrations across Minahasa, with parades, fireworks and busy flights. Book early if you plan to travel during these times.

Practical Tips Before You Dive

• Insurance: Get dive-specific travel insurance that covers hyperbaric treatment and medical evacuation. Manado has hospital facilities for emergencies, but remote sites are far from help.
• Certification and logs: Bring your card and logbook. Operators may ask for a recent dive history before taking you to current-prone sites.
• Safety: North Sulawesi is generally safe. Use normal precautions with valuables, and avoid leaving gear unattended on public boats.
• SIM cards: Telkomsel offers the best coverage on the islands. An eSIM is easier, but signal can drop at Bangka and parts of Bunaken.
• Water: Do not drink tap water. Resorts provide refill stations, and bottled water costs IDR 5,000 to 10,000.
• Tipping: Not required, but IDR 50,000 to 100,000 per day for your guide and boat crew is appreciated, usually pooled at the end of the stay.
• Language: Bahasa Indonesia is widely understood. Manado Malay is common locally. English is usually good at dive resorts, but limited in markets and with drivers.
• Sundays: Many shops open late or close in the morning because of church. Plan transfers and shopping around this.
• Entry: Visa on arrival costs IDR 500,000 for many nationalities, and you should complete the digital arrival form before landing.

2026 Budget Breakdown

Prices vary by season and resort, but these ranges give a realistic picture. Dive prices include boat and guide, usually not gear.

Budget (about IDR 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 per day with 2 dives)

• Homestay or guesthouse: IDR 250,000 to 500,000
• Meals at warung: IDR 100,000 to 200,000
• Two dives: IDR 700,000 to 1,000,000
• Transport and extras: IDR 50,000 to 100,000

Mid-range (about IDR 2,000,000 to 3,500,000 per day)

• Resort room, often full board: IDR 800,000 to 1,800,000
• Two to three dives: IDR 1,000,000 to 1,800,000
• Gear rental: IDR 150,000 to 250,000
• Drinks, tips and transfers: IDR 150,000 to 300,000

Comfortable (about IDR 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 per day)

• Premium resort or villa: IDR 2,500,000 to 6,000,000
• Private guide or small-group dives: IDR 1,500,000 to 3,000,000
• Nitrox, photography support and extras: IDR 200,000 to 500,000
• Private transfers: IDR 500,000 to 900,000 per car

Marine park fees are separate in Bunaken and usually range from IDR 150,000 to 250,000, depending on the tag type. Ask your operator which one applies to you.

Check whether prices include 10 to 11% tax and 5 to 10% service charge. In 2026, many resorts quote “net” prices, but some still add these later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bunaken the best place to dive in North Sulawesi?

Bunaken is best for walls, turtles and big vertical drop-offs, but it is not the best for everything. Lembeh Strait leads for rare macro life, and Bangka offers quieter reefs with strong currents and soft corals. Many divers split a trip between two or three areas to see the full range.

How many days do you need to dive North Sulawesi?

Plan at least seven days to cover two regions. A good split is three days at Bunaken or Bangka and three to four days in Lembeh, plus a buffer day before flying. Ten days lets you add Tangkoko, Likupang, or a slower pace with fewer dives each day.

When is the best time to dive in North Sulawesi?

April to October gives the calmest seas and best visibility at Bunaken and Bangka, with June to September most reliable. Lembeh is diveable all year because it is sheltered. Rain from November to March can bring choppy crossings and lower visibility, but also fewer divers and lower prices.

Do you need to be an advanced diver for North Sulawesi?

No. Bunaken has many sites suitable for Open Water divers, though currents can run strong at some points. Lembeh is mostly shallow and slow, so it suits beginners with good buoyancy. Advanced certification helps for deeper walls and drift dives. Tell your guide your real experience honestly.

How do you get from Manado airport to Lembeh?

Lembeh is near Bitung, around 50 kilometres from Manado. Most resorts arrange a private transfer costing roughly IDR 500,000 to 900,000 per car, taking 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. Grab and Gojek cars work in Manado, but pre-booked transfers are easier with dive bags.

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📷 Featured image by Bayu Setiawan on Unsplash.