@@user-retsailor it’s a perfect area for snorkeling. Lots of shallow reefs and coral gardens but also just over the drop off you can view into the depths and see large schools of fish and turtles 🐢
Love this. How many day we need to dive Bunaken? I’m planning a trip and my funny husband (who used to lived in Bunaken for 1 year) kept saying you don’t need much, 3 days. I don’t believe him! 😆
Thank you for your nice words. 3 days is doable if you do 3 dives per day but I would say do a few more days. Another great option is combining with Bangka Island and the Lembeh Strait. Check out Murex Resorts - Passport to Paradise. murexresorts.com/passport-to-paradise/ That’s a great way of seeing all what North Sulawesi has to offer. Don’t hesitate to ask more questions 🙏😊
Great footage! I am planning a trip to North Sulawesi towards the end of August and I will have around 5 or 6 days to dive. I definitely want to dive Bunaken, but just wondering if you would also recommend trying to squeeze in Bangka and/or Lembeh? Also, of the different dive resorts, are there any you'd recommend over the others? I noticed you've mentioned the Murex Passport to Paradise Programme below - do you know if this can be done over say, 6 days? Cheers!
Thank you so much for your nice comment! Always great to get appreciation for a video 🙏😊 With 5 or 6 days I would do 2 out of the 3 destinations. All 3, Bunaken, Bangka & Lembeh is pushing it and you would not get the best out of each location. Depending on your preference I would choose between Bunaken & Bangka or Bunaken & Lembeh. If you prefer coral reefs and fish then you should combine with Bangka. If you prefer muck diving then do Lembeh. 6 days is short for a Passport to Paradise but Murex Resorts can easily accommodate the 2 combinations I mention above. And you’ll be able to do a boat transfer between their resorts and won’t loose any dives. They are the only ones offering this option. If you go with Murex I’d choose for Bunaken - Bangka combination. They can take you muck diving in Manado Bay and there is also the option to do a day trip by boat to Lembeh from their resort on Bangka. This way you can still experience it all…..
@@pimvanschendel Thanks so much for the advice - massively appreciated! I have contacted Murex, but I’m still waiting to hear back from them at the moment. I think I will try to follow your suggestion and dive Bunaken and Bangka, possibly with a day trip to Lembeh added somewhere in the trip. Subscribed to your channel for the great dive shots and friendly advice 🙂
@@Joe-zy4eh Thanks for subscribing, very much appreciated 🙂 I need to get more video's going, haven't been diving enough. Enjoy North Sulawesi when you get there 👌
hello we are planning a trip to Bunaken between mid november 2024 and beginning of february. what is the best time to dive in Bunaken at this time of the year ?
Mid November until mid December is the best time within that period. After that chances are high you will get more rain and strong wind. If the west wind picks up you can only dive the east side of Bunaken. This year the weather has been exceptionally good during that period but usually it’s much worse. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have more questions
This looks awesome!! I'm Going to Sulawesi in September And I'm planning on allocating 6 days to dive in Bunaken (pbly around 10 dives) Do you have any recommandations when it comes to accomodation? I'm on a backpacker + budget, meaning comfortable homestay or a small clean room with a comfy enough bed and a fan in a hotel
Thank you for your kind words 😊🙏Nowadays there are plenty of homestay options in the village. Honestly I’m not that familiar with them but I know there are a few. I can recommend a few budget dive resorts that have also a good diving setup. I can highly recommend 2Fish Divers. They have been for over 20 years on the island and offer great diving services and have budget rooms. They also have an operation in Lembeh if you would like to combine locations. Seabreeze is also a cheap but well organized option. Let me know if you need more information, I’m happy to help out.
@@louisazraels7072 Panorama is quite run down, it was already before COVID and didn’t get any better. I hear good stories about Sven (owner) and how he runs the place. Not sure about their dive operation. I don’t have any personal experience with them.
@@pimvanschendel thank you so much, for the informations, I was curious about them because they offer 430 000 per dive including equipment rental whereas at 2fish its around 1M with rentals
Yes, snorkeling is amazing in Bunaken. The shallow reef tops are endless coral fields full of fish and other reef life. Snorkeling out over the edge of the drop off is beautiful. You’ll be able to see turtles swimming in and out of the wall. Usually very clear waters.
There are actually more barracudas then before. On Fukui a whole new school of yellow tail barracudas appeared during COVID and they ain’t going anywhere 😊. And there is still barracuda point on Mantehage island. There are not a ton of sharks around but that has always been like that. Black tips & white tips are always cruising around and there are certain spot where you can always see them (Ron’s point, Lekuan 2). The reefs have recovered during COVID and are in amazing shape. Last year a coral reef survey was done, you can find the article in a few editions ago from Ocean Geographic magazine, and coral reefs around Bunaken & North Sulawesi are one of the best & healthiest around in Indonesia. Maybe not as versatile as in Raja Ampat but healthier due to the extremely deep waters that surround us here.
Thank you 😊 Two daya is limited to dive all Bunaken but you can dive the highlights. There are a few must dive sites. Lekuan 1 & 2, Mandolin, Raymond’s Point and Fukui for a few larger schools of fish.
@@pimvanschendel Thank you for the recommendations. This does look like a special place, and maybe 2 days doesn't do it justice. I'll see what I can do
@@pimvanschendel hello. we plan to come to bunaken at the end of this year. we will very happy with recommendations about accomodations and places to dive. thank you.
The whale shark we encountered in July 2022 but is a very rare sighting around. Although this July there were 2 sightings again. I wouldn't choose Bunaken if you want to see a whale shark. There are better locations in Indonesia where you have much better chances of seeing one.
Hello, my name is Nurul. I want to ask permission, can i use your video? I want to make a voice over in Bahasa Indonesia about Bunaken. I will put the credit on the caption later. Can i?
@@pimvanschendel thank you for your replied. Actually, our Ministry of tourism make a voice over contest about tourism. So, i wamt to join it. I will use your video and use a voice over in bahasa indonesia. I will upload it on my Instagram account. Is it okay? ( pardon my english)
Fabulous looking place. would love to go there to snorkel sometime.
@@user-retsailor it’s a perfect area for snorkeling. Lots of shallow reefs and coral gardens but also just over the drop off you can view into the depths and see large schools of fish and turtles 🐢
Love this Pim, combined with the muck diving this was absolutely the premier diving experience of my life.
Thanks Dan! It is a special place and the variety of dives & underwater life is just amazing!
Wow. Awesome ... Must dive ❤
Thank you and yes, definitely a must dive 😎😊🙏
Saya suka Sulawesi 😍 banyak tempat yang bagus-bagus buat turis. Saya vacation ke Sulawesi bulan Juni and Juli 2023. Beautiful Sulawesi
Terima kasih banyak Ibu 🙏 Memang pesona Sulawesi Utara ❤️
Goed gefilmp Pim!
Dankjewel! Wordt tijd dat ik weer meer ga filmen 😎😊
@@pimvanschendelZeker weten
Love this. How many day we need to dive Bunaken? I’m planning a trip and my funny husband (who used to lived in Bunaken for 1 year) kept saying you don’t need much, 3 days. I don’t believe him! 😆
Thank you for your nice words. 3 days is doable if you do 3 dives per day but I would say do a few more days. Another great option is combining with Bangka Island and the Lembeh Strait. Check out Murex Resorts - Passport to Paradise. murexresorts.com/passport-to-paradise/ That’s a great way of seeing all what North Sulawesi has to offer. Don’t hesitate to ask more questions 🙏😊
Great footage! I am planning a trip to North Sulawesi towards the end of August and I will have around 5 or 6 days to dive. I definitely want to dive Bunaken, but just wondering if you would also recommend trying to squeeze in Bangka and/or Lembeh? Also, of the different dive resorts, are there any you'd recommend over the others? I noticed you've mentioned the Murex Passport to Paradise Programme below - do you know if this can be done over say, 6 days? Cheers!
Thank you so much for your nice comment! Always great to get appreciation for a video 🙏😊 With 5 or 6 days I would do 2 out of the 3 destinations. All 3, Bunaken, Bangka & Lembeh is pushing it and you would not get the best out of each location. Depending on your preference I would choose between Bunaken & Bangka or Bunaken & Lembeh. If you prefer coral reefs and fish then you should combine with Bangka. If you prefer muck diving then do Lembeh. 6 days is short for a Passport to Paradise but Murex Resorts can easily accommodate the 2 combinations I mention above. And you’ll be able to do a boat transfer between their resorts and won’t loose any dives. They are the only ones offering this option. If you go with Murex I’d choose for Bunaken - Bangka combination. They can take you muck diving in Manado Bay and there is also the option to do a day trip by boat to Lembeh from their resort on Bangka. This way you can still experience it all…..
@@pimvanschendel Thanks so much for the advice - massively appreciated! I have contacted Murex, but I’m still waiting to hear back from them at the moment. I think I will try to follow your suggestion and dive Bunaken and Bangka, possibly with a day trip to Lembeh added somewhere in the trip. Subscribed to your channel for the great dive shots and friendly advice 🙂
@@Joe-zy4eh Thanks for subscribing, very much appreciated 🙂 I need to get more video's going, haven't been diving enough. Enjoy North Sulawesi when you get there 👌
mon dieu que de souvenirs a Bunaken
That’s great to hear! Bunaken is an amazing place on earth 😊🙏😎
hello we are planning a trip to Bunaken between mid november 2024 and beginning of february. what is the best time to dive in Bunaken at this time of the year ?
Mid November until mid December is the best time within that period. After that chances are high you will get more rain and strong wind. If the west wind picks up you can only dive the east side of Bunaken. This year the weather has been exceptionally good during that period but usually it’s much worse. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have more questions
This looks awesome!!
I'm Going to Sulawesi in September And I'm planning on allocating 6 days to dive in Bunaken (pbly around 10 dives)
Do you have any recommandations when it comes to accomodation? I'm on a backpacker + budget, meaning comfortable homestay or a small clean room with a comfy enough bed and a fan in a hotel
Thank you for your kind words 😊🙏Nowadays there are plenty of homestay options in the village. Honestly I’m not that familiar with them but I know there are a few. I can recommend a few budget dive resorts that have also a good diving setup. I can highly recommend 2Fish Divers. They have been for over 20 years on the island and offer great diving services and have budget rooms. They also have an operation in Lembeh if you would like to combine locations. Seabreeze is also a cheap but well organized option. Let me know if you need more information, I’m happy to help out.
@@pimvanschendel any opinion concerning panorama diver restort? They seem much cheaper than 2Fish divers
@@louisazraels7072 Panorama is quite run down, it was already before COVID and didn’t get any better. I hear good stories about Sven (owner) and how he runs the place. Not sure about their dive operation. I don’t have any personal experience with them.
@@pimvanschendel thank you so much, for the informations, I was curious about them because they offer 430 000 per dive including equipment rental whereas at 2fish its around 1M with rentals
Can you snorkel here too?
Yes, snorkeling is amazing in Bunaken. The shallow reef tops are endless coral fields full of fish and other reef life. Snorkeling out over the edge of the drop off is beautiful. You’ll be able to see turtles swimming in and out of the wall. Usually very clear waters.
I read elsewhere that barracudas and sharks are hardly ever seen these at Bunaken days. Perhaps you got lucky. Is the reef still in good health?
There are actually more barracudas then before. On Fukui a whole new school of yellow tail barracudas appeared during COVID and they ain’t going anywhere 😊. And there is still barracuda point on Mantehage island. There are not a ton of sharks around but that has always been like that. Black tips & white tips are always cruising around and there are certain spot where you can always see them (Ron’s point, Lekuan 2). The reefs have recovered during COVID and are in amazing shape. Last year a coral reef survey was done, you can find the article in a few editions ago from Ocean Geographic magazine, and coral reefs around Bunaken & North Sulawesi are one of the best & healthiest around in Indonesia. Maybe not as versatile as in Raja Ampat but healthier due to the extremely deep waters that surround us here.
This is remarkable. May I know if it's possible to dive all Bunaken in 2 days? I like schools and big animals
Thank you 😊 Two daya is limited to dive all Bunaken but you can dive the highlights. There are a few must dive sites. Lekuan 1 & 2, Mandolin, Raymond’s Point and Fukui for a few larger schools of fish.
@@pimvanschendel Thank you for the recommendations. This does look like a special place, and maybe 2 days doesn't do it justice. I'll see what I can do
@@mhh5378 if you need recommendations about accommodations and places to dive with I can help you too.
@@pimvanschendel hello. we plan to come to bunaken at the end of this year. we will very happy with recommendations about accomodations and places to dive. thank you.
Which month was this? Im planning a dive trip in September, wanting to see whale shark. So deciding between derawan n bunaken
The whale shark we encountered in July 2022 but is a very rare sighting around. Although this July there were 2 sightings again. I wouldn't choose Bunaken if you want to see a whale shark. There are better locations in Indonesia where you have much better chances of seeing one.
Hello, my name is Nurul.
I want to ask permission, can i use your video? I want to make a voice over in Bahasa Indonesia about Bunaken. I will put the credit on the caption later. Can i?
Hi Nurul, thank you for your message and question. Where do you want to publish this video?
@@pimvanschendel thank you for your replied. Actually, our Ministry of tourism make a voice over contest about tourism. So, i wamt to join it. I will use your video and use a voice over in bahasa indonesia. I will upload it on my Instagram account. Is it okay? ( pardon my english)
@@nurul3882 sounds good! Looking forward to see the result!
@@pimvanschendel yeay! Thank you for giving me permission to use your video. By the way, manado is my hometown.
@@nurul3882 nice! I live in Manado.
terlalu cantik saya mau datang lagi
You should! Bunaken is more beautiful then ever before ❤️🙏