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Bunaken
National Park, North Sulawesi Indonesia
The coral reefs off Bunaken island shouldn't
be missed while you are in Manado. These magnificent virgin reefs are still
relatively unspoiled. The drop-off walls at Liang cove is not only rare in
the world, with caves, gullies and caverns, harboring an immense wealth of
marine life.
A flat island about 15 km from Manado, with a friendly people. The coral
reefs off Bunaken island shouldn't be missed while you are in Manado. These
magnificent virgin reefs are still relatively unspoiled. The drop-off walls
at Liang cove is not only rare in the world, with caves, gullies and
caverns, harboring an immense wealth of marine life. Spectacular formation
of reefs begin with flat at about 5 m depth. These plunge downward to form
underwater vertical crevices with often reach depth on several hundred
meters. On these beautiful reefs, a wonderful collection of marine life
thrives.
The Bunaken reef is a chain of over 40 five star dive spots. The Marine Park
is spectacular with the greatest concentration of tropical fish, coral
species and world famous wall diving. Clear, warm
waters (sea temperatures usually range between 27-30 degrees C), light
currents and calm seas allow easy access to the underwater attraction
awaiting visitors to the five-islands of the Bunaken-Manado Tua National
Marine Park which sits directly offshore of Manado. Bunaken is the standout
favorite, with the highest density of schooling fish and the greatest
probability to see larger species such as turtles, sharks, and napoleon
wrasse. There are enough sites here to keep any diver happy for over a week
without going elsewhere.
The Dive Sites :
Most diving takes place near Bunaken and Manado Tua, because of their many
excellent sites. The following is representative of the diving in the area.
* Lekuan Walls (I, II, III)
This long wall on Bunaken is divided into three sites: Lekuan I, II and III.
Together they represent the park's best. Steep walls are marked with deep
crevices, sea fans and giant sponges. The shallows are filled with fishes.
The wall, often protected from stronger currents, is frequented by bumphead
parrotfish, turtles, and Napoleon wrasses.
* Mandolin
Mandolin has a knockout reef crest and a wall that attracts thousands of
fishes like schooling fusiliers, surgeonfish, unicornfish, and bannerfish.
They are acclimated to divers and are easily approachable.
* Bunaken Timor
There are strong currents and lots of fishes on this long wall. The shallow
reef isn't as spectacular as some but there are turtles, sharks, eagle rays,
and other big fishes in the blue. Overhangs and small caves mark the wall.
* Tanjung Kopi
Tanjung Kopi is a nice wall with a small school of barracuda and lots of
sweetlips. Visibility in the shallows is not terrific but the numbers of
fishes make up for it. Nudibranches and fire gobies are easy to spot here.
* Siladen Island
Siladen has a beautiful wall of soft corals that bloom when the current is
running. The shallows are nice with lots of fishes and schooling snappers.
* Muka Gereja
Muka Gereja is a pretty site with thousands of fishes in the shallows and
deeper canyons that lead to the wall.
* Barracuda Point
Barracuda Point, on northwest Montehage, is one of the furthest sites. A
school of giant barracuda are regulars along with jacks and tuna.
* Manado Wreck
This 60m (200ft) long German merchant ship sank near Molas Beach in 1942. It
sits upright with the bow at 23m (78ft). The ship is split near amidships
back to the stern, exposing the wheelhouse and cargo holds. Dives finish up
on a nearby shallow reef. Expect 10-15m (30-50ft) visibility.
How to Get To Bunaken National Park
Bunaken Island is easily reached from Manado by motorized outrigger boat
start from Manado harbor, Molas, Kalasey and Tasik Ria beaches. The public
boats from Manado to Bunaken are leaving daily around 2 p.m (depending on
tide), except Sundays, from Pasar Jengki near Manado harbor. Back from
Bunaken to Manado usually early in the morning, around 7-8 a.m
Bunaken Entrance Fee
All visitors to the Bunaken National Park
(divers and non-divers) are required to pay an entrance fee, in accordance
with North Sulawesi Provincial Government Provincial Law Number 9/2002. The
entrance fee for foreign visitors is Rp 50,000 per daily ticket
(approximately US$6), or Rp 150,000 (approximately US$17) for a waterproof
plastic entrance tag valid for the full calendar year.
Entrance tags and tickets can be purchased direct from all NSWA members, or
from ticket counters on Bunaken Island and on Siladen Island. They must be
carried at all times that guests' are within the park boundaries, and tags
can easily be affixed to guests' diving or snorkeling gear or on backpacks.
Enforcement of the entrance fee system is conducted via spot checks by park
rangers on land and at sea.
The entrance fee system has been adapted from the well-known Bonaire Marine
Park system, and the proceeds from the sales of the entrance tags are
managed by the Bunaken National Park Management Advisory Board (BNPMAB), a
multi-stakeholder board that NSWA is a member of. The system was successful
in rising over $130,000 for conservation programs in Bunaken during 2008.
Travel Tips
* Entrance tags and tickets can be purchased through
marine tourism operators based in Manado and in the Bunaken National Park,
or can be purchased from one of three ticket counters in Bunaken and Liang
villages on Bunaken Island and on Siladen Island;
* You should be aware that during the absolute peak
season months July and August it usually gets VERY busy. Many of the better
resorts and dive operators will not be able to accept walk-ins during that
time since they are fully booked. Better make a reservation before;
* Try to hire equipment from larger firms as these
tend to be more reliable, but remember the responsibility of checking the
equipment is ultimately yours.
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