"...the environment is a near perfect balance of the factors needed to create a reef..."
Prices From
£1125
Bed & Breakfast
Resort Information
Manado lies just a few degrees off the equator on the northern peninsula of Sulawesi in Indonesia and remains our most popular longhaul destination due to the combination of some of the best diving worldwide and very appealing prices.
The vast sweep of Manado Bay is dominated on the landward side by the peaks of two volcanoes. A third volcano cone rises steeply from the sea in the centre of the bay and a group of islands form a sheltering barrier across the seaward side.
The marine environment in Manado Bay is a near perfect balance of the factors needed to create a reef and the stunning result is evident with even a brief glance below the surface. The reefs are virtually untouched and, with the co-operation of local fishermen and the enthusiasm of local dive guides, the ocean waters around Bunaken Island and Manado Tua were designated as a National Marine Park in 1989.
A 4 star resort hotel located along the bay east of Manado, the Santika Hotel provides an excellent base for a diving holiday. It is the closest modern hotel to the dive sites of Bunaken Reef within the world famous Bunaken Marine Park. The Santika Beach hotel is one Indonesia's premier destinations for divers the world over.
Photos
Diving
Due to the close proximity of the Santiki Hotel to Bunaken National Marine Park, the more regular dived sites of Bunaken and Manado Tua can be reached in as little as 15 minutes. The dive sites on the northern coast of Bunaken Island can be reached in around an hour. Here the currents are moderate to strong so offer a wide range of dives for more experienced divers.
Visit dive sites such as Barracuda Point and Mike’s Point which are popular for a variety of sharks, turtles, eagle rays, tuna, giant jacks and napoleon wrasse. Only a few dive centres offer these trips, so the lack of other divers makes the newly discovered sites even more appealing. The more distant dive sites are visited several times a week (subject to weather conditions) and can be booked at a supplement of approx. US$15.00 per day (paid locally) for 2-3 dives depending on the site.
There is a fully operational 5 star PADI centre offering an excellent range of courses up to instructor level for those who wish to further their scuba skills.
The water temperature around Manado is 26-27°C year round and the visibility is between 25 and 40m.
Itinerary
Standard 10 Day Package
Day 1. (Sun, Tues, Fri) Morning flight from London Heathrow non-stop to Singapore.
Day 2. Arrive Singapore and connect with your flight to Manado. Transfer to the accommodation of your choice for a seven night stay.
Day 3 to 8. Six full days to enjoy diving in the Marine Park.
Day 9. Day at leisure before an afternoon flight to Singapore for an overnight stop.
Day 10. Join your lunchtime flight to London arriving early evening UK time.
Note: The above itinerary is a guide only. Explorers tailor-make holidays to suit your requirements.