Manado, North Sulawesi

Volcanic and Dramatic

The dominating volcanic landscape creates a dramatic backdrop to the world class diving available in North Sulawesi. Conditions are generally calm all year round, and the deep waters afford excellent visibility averaging 25m. The seas are home to many unusual species, ranging from the prehistoric ‘coelacanth’ fish through to reef shark, green turtles, Napoleon wrasse and dugongs. The majority of sites are easily accessible and they are rarely crowded. Manado is extremely popular with photographers, who relish the fascinating marine life, excellent conditions and facilities.

Diving in the region is concentrated over two areas: Bunaken National Marine Park and the Lembeh Strait.

Dive Bunaken National Marine Park

The Bunaken National Marine Park has won numerous international conservation awards and is home to the majority of the dive sites that are accessible from Murex Manado, Siladen Resort & Spa, and Tasik Ria. 

Most of the reefs of the Bunaken National Marine Park are rich and unspoilt, offering pristine and abundant soft coral and fish life in huge concentrations. The night diving in the park is spectacular, providing frequent encounters with rare nocturnal creatures. For a change of scenery, the Molas wreck is remarkably intact for a WWII ship, the bow resting at 25m and the propeller at 40m.

The Bunaken National Marine Park consists of five islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Nain, Montehage, and Siladen, as well as a part of the North Sulawesi mainland. Diving in and around Bunaken is predominantly wall diving and drift diving. There are also numerous beautiful coral slopes that are suitable for novice divers. There are 22 official dive sites within the park. The variety of both fish and soft coral is outstanding, and marks out this area as one of the most bio diverse marine environments in the world. With visibility around 25m and water temperature 26-30°C, this is an excellent destination for underwater photographers and naturalists alike.

Schools of barracuda and jacks, green turtles and reef sharks, sea snakes and Napoleon wrasse are among the resident inhabitants of these steep coral walls fringing Bunaken Island.

Dive Lembeh Strait

The Lembeh Strait is world famous for its macro life. This is arguably one of the finest destinations in the world for macro and photography enthusiasts.

Lembeh plays host to a cornucopia of weird and wonderful creatures that are found here and here alone. Diving is over shallow black sandy slopes where seahorses and nudibranches are found in abundance. Many of the species that are encountered are simply not found elsewhere. Inimicus devilfish, dwarf lionfish, scorpion fish, puffer fish, mimic octopus, pegasus sea moths, frogfish, ribbon eels and flying gurnards to name but a few.

The Lembeh Strait is a unique dive destination and a haven for experienced divers who are looking for species that are unusual and rarely seen. The dive guides and instructors are extremely experienced in locating and identifying the many unusual species that are encountered in the Lembeh Strait.

twin centre Accommodation Options

Divers can easily combine stays between the resorts of Murex Manado, Siladen Island or Tasik Ria on the Bunaken side, with Dive Into Lembeh or White Sands Beach Resort on the Lembeh side.

Many guests also opt to combine a liveabaord with a land based option in Manado. Please ask a member of the Regaldive team for more information.

Diving at Siladen Resort & Spa is with Siladen Resort & Spa

Diving at White Sands Resort is with Eco Divers Lembeh

Diving at Dive into Lembeh Resort is with Dive into Lembeh 

Diving at Murex Manado is with Murex Divers Manado

Diving at Solitude Lembeh Resort is with Solitude Lembeh

Diving at Tasik Ria is with Tasik Ria Divers

Diving at Murex Bangka Resort is with Murex Bangka

As there are a finite number of dive spaces available at these resorts, divers are highly recommended to prebook their diving, particularly if you require any courses or speciality dives. Please ask us about 'All-Inclusive' dive packs available with accommodation. 

Siladen Resort & Spa Dive Centre

Siladen Resort & Spa's PADI 5 Star resort operates exclusively to guests staying at Siladen Resort and Spa. Running a professional and small, friendly outfit, they place high emphasis on protection of the national marine park and its environment.

The multi-lingual dive centre operates with a maximum of 4 divers to each guide and offers an intro dive to non-divers free of charge if staying 7 nights or more. It has access to 50 excellent dive sites and special trips on request to Lembeh, Bangka & Popo. Night dives are offered every night. At the dive center is a well equipt camera room, with dedicated rinse tanks, dry towels, and power strips for charging equipment and batteries.

There are no shore dive sites available; the diving is operated from 4 traditional Indonesian style vessels with a maximum of 8 to 12 guests per boat. It is compulsory to dive with a dive computer in resort. Each diver must have their own computer.

Diving with knives and gloves is not permitted in the Bunaken National Marine Park.

Dive Packs

We recommend you pre-book your dive packs with Regaldive prior to departure in order to secure your diving benefit from slightly lower rates than you will pay in resort. Options available include 6, 11, 15, 20 and 25 boat dives packages (Air or Nitrox). Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Dive Courses

A range of diving courses is available for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details.

Extras in Resort

• Nitrox: €6 per fill
• Special trips to Lembeh, Bangka and Popo on request
• Bunaken Marine Park fee:
  Per visit: IDR 50,000
  Per calendar year: IDR 150,000

Equipment Rental:

The resort carries 12 litre aluminium tanks with INT and DIN valves along with smaller tanks for children. DIN Adapters are also available. Equpitment rental prices are available on request.

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Eco Divers Lembeh

Well established in Manado, Sulawesi, Eco Divers (a PADI 5 Star resort) offer a small, professionally run dive experience renowned for offering a personal service for divers and snorkellers. A maximum group size of just 4 guests per guide is attained whenever possible, to allow plenty of space for photographers and a gentle pace of diving amongst the cornucopia of the weird and wonderful creatures found in the Strait.

Dives are conducted from purpose built dive boats with modern facilities, equipped with toilet, shower, rinse tanks and sundeck. Each boat takes 12 divers and has tank racks and a seated dive deck. Wherever possible, a ratio of 4:1 divers: guide ratio is aimed for. 

In addition to the day time diving activities Eco Divers offer mandarin dives at dusk to observe the courting dance of the colourful mandarin fish (book locally). Night time dives for suitably qualified divers also come highly recommended.

For clubs and groups of friends looking to travel together, group offers are available (6 stay, 5 pay).

Dive Packs

Options available at White Sands Beach Resort, with Eco Divers Lembeh, include 3, 6, 10 and 15 days diving packages with either 2 or 3 dives per day.  Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Dive Courses

A range of diving courses is available for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details.

Extras in Resort (pay locally)

• Nitrox fill: €5 per fill
• Night Dive (minimum 2 divers): €45 per dive
• Snorkeller /  boat sitter: €26 per trip

Equipment Rental guideline prices - EURO per dive - paid locally:

• Full equipment (Regulator, BCD, Wetsuit, Mask and Fins): €10 for 1 dive, €25 for 24 hours.
• Regulator: €8
• Computer: €6
• BCD: €6
• Wetsuit: €6
• Mask: €5
• Fins (and boots as required): €5
• Torch: €6

 Note: All local prices listed above are an indication only, and subject to change.

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Dive into Lembeh

The Lembeh Strait has long been established as one of the best macro diving spots on the planet. Although famous for its “muck diving" on black volcanic slopes the area also boasts some wonderful coral dive sites, including the housereef at Lembeh Resort.  

Dive into Lembeh schedule 3 day dives per day on twin engine fiberglass dive boats to a choice of more than 60 dive spots in the Lembeh Strait. After every dive the boats return back to the resort so you can enjoy your surface interval by the swimming pool or make any adjustments to your camera before your next dive.

A night dive by boat is available daily, providing there is a a minimum of two people. 

If you have booked a diving package (starting from four nights with three days diving), then there is FREE access to the two world famous house reef dive sites (“Hairball” and “Aw Shucks”) from 07:30 AM – 18.00 PM.

The fully equipped dive centre has a spacious camera room and dedicated camera rinse tanks. There is also a guest dive gear locker room, with gear rinse tanks and showers for after the dive. The dive guides are trained in camera handling and are specialised in working in Lembeh’s unique underwater environment.

Extras in Resort (pay locally)

• Nitrox fill: $7 per tank, $20 per day
• Night Dive: $45 per dive

Equipment Rental guideline prices - paid locally:

• Full equipment (Regulator, BCD, Wetsuit, Mask and Fins): $15 per dive, $30 per day
• Regulator: $8
• Computer: $6
• BCD: $7
• Wetsuit: $7
• Mask and Snorkel: $4
• Fins (full foot only): $4
• Torch: $10

Note: All local prices listed above are an indication only, and subject to change.

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MUREX DIVERS MANADO 

As pioneers of diving in North Sulawesi you can rest assured that you will be diving with experienced and professional dive guides throughout your stay at Murex Manado Resort. Murex Dive Guides have thousands of dives experience in the region, they also undergo intensive training programs including marine biology and underwater photography. Dive Guides strive to ensure that you receive the best underwater experience possible. Just like you, diving is their passion. 

This full-service dive centre offers very high levels of service. Dive conditions are checked each day and dives are planned to take you to the best sites at the right time.  

Safety is always the number one priority, and all Murex boats are equipped with emergency oxygen, full first aid kits and communications devices. All staff are trained in rescue and emergency procedures. 

The stunning walls for which the Bunaken Marine Park is so famous are just 35 minutes away and with warm waters and excellent visibility, diving in Bunaken is suitable for all level of divers. 

Dive sites around Manado Bay offer great muck, reef and wreck diving opportunities for all levels of divers. Highlights of diving here include a wealth of some of Indonesia’s rarest and unique critters. These dive sites, along with the Murex Manado House Reef, are excellent macro photography sites and also offer incredible night diving. 

A full range of PADI diving courses are available, along with freediving courses. 

DIVE PACKS 

We recommend you pre-book your dive packs with Regaldive prior to departure - contact us to arrange this. Your diving schedule can be tailored to suit your needs with options for single dives, two dive trips or full day excursions with lunch served on the boat. Discount packages are also available for divers and for snorkellers offering 2 dives per day. 

Group incentives are available for a minimum of 11 divers. 

Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs. 

EXTRAS IN RESORT (PAY LOCALLY) 

• Bunaken Marine Park fee: 
• Per visit: IDR 50,000 
• Per calendar year: IDR 150,000 
• Nitrox fill: $7 per fill  
• 15L tank $10 / day 
• Night dive (minimum 2 divers): $18 per dive 

Equipment Rental guideline prices - EURO per dive - paid locally: 

• Full equipment (Regulator, BCD, Wetsuit, Mask and Fins): €30 per day 
• 15L tank: €9 per day 
• Computer rental: €13 per day 

Note: All local prices listed above are an indication only, and subject to change. 

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Solitude Lembeh Resort

The expertly run PADI dive centre at Solitude Lembeh Resort is based around 'muck' diving and the area's extraordinary variety of macro life, hiding in the black sandy slopes and stunning coral heads. 

Small group sizes allow plenty of space for photographers and a gentle pace of diving. The dive centre have a fleet of fast speedboats allowing access to all 56 dive sites from the resort's own jetty, all within a 15 minutes radius. The excellent house reef provides more opportunities to spot that elusive critter.

This full-service dive resort adheres to the highest safety standards, while all dive staff are regularly trained in first aid and rescue procedures. 

Photographers are well catered for with a spacious and well-appointed camera room and dedicated camera rinse tanks. 

The resort's guides have finely tuned vision to spot a dive site's rare critters, finding camouflaged and elusive creatures where you swear there are none!  

DIVE PACKS

Discounted diving and accommodation packages are available starting from just 4 days and including 2 dives per day as standard, with options to dive on both air and Nitrox. Additional diving can be arranged locally or pre-booked in advance. Bespoke diving packages can also be catered for, while a range of diving courses are also available. 

Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs. 

EXTRAS IN RESORT

• Dawn, dusk or night dive surcharge: $20 per person, minimum 2 divers 
• Lembeh Strait fee: Rp. 50,000 (approx.$6)

Equipment Rental - paid locally per day: 

• Full equipment: $38 per day 
• BCD & Regulator: $18 per day 
• Computer: $11 
• Wetsuits: $9 
• Mask: $6 
• Fins: $6 
• Torch: $6 

Note: All local prices listed above are an indication only, and subject to change. 

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TASIK RIA DIVERS

The dive centre at Tasik Ria is managed by an experienced team. The dive centre is a PADI 5 Star dive resort offering fully guided diving from their purpose built day boat. The dive boat has a covered dining area, large sun deck, WC and can take 15 guests comfortably.

Day trips are offered to Bunaken Marine Park giving divers a variety of wall, macro and muck diving opportunities. The centre also offer a range of courses taught in various languages by their highly qualified team of PADI and in-house trained NAUI instructors.

The centre offers a diver / guide ratio of 4:1 whenever possible, giving great personal service across all dive experience levels and abilities. It can also organise special day trips to dive the Lembeh Strait's fabulous muck diving sites. For learner divers looking to take their first steps or gain more experience in a more far flung corner of the work, Tasik Ria offers this chance.

Find out more about the dive sites in Bunaken.

DIVE PACKS

Options available at Tasik Ria Divers include 4, 5, 6 and 7 days boat diving packages, all of which include up to 3 guided boat dives per day. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

DIVE COURSES

A range of diving courses is available for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details.

EXTRAS IN RESORT

• Nitrox: $7 per dive
• Night dive: $50
• Bunaken Marine Park fee:
• Per visit: IDR 50,000
  Per calendar year: IDR 150,000
• Lembeh Strait: On prepaid diving day $60 approx + Lembeh Strait fee Rp. 50,000 ($6)
• Equipment rental: prices on request

Local sales tax payable in resort:

Sales tax:  11%

Note: All local prices listed above are an indication only, and are subject to change.

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Murex Bangka

Murex Bangka is the twin dive centre of Murex Manado, also offering an exceptional diving from a team who undergo additional training in programmes such as marine biology and underwater photography. Small ratios offer a more personal experience as the dive team are proud to share the underwater world around Bangka archipelago with you.  

A full range of PADI diving courses are available, along with AIDA freediving courses. The coral nursery gives divers the opportunity to take part in the Ocean Gardener project, aiming to improve the reef life in the surrounding areas. Onsite is an extensive camera room with dedicated preparation area and ample charging points.  

The house reef is a gentle slopping reef, descending to a white sand bottom, vibrant coral and abundant marine life are prevalent as well as a host of unique macro critters. Peter’s Sponge is a favourite for spotting dugong, glassfish covered bommies which rest on the white sand floor. Batu Goso is a series of steep, coral encrusted pinnacles, these provide shelter from the tidal currents which bring white tip reef sharks, black tip reef sharks, turtles and groupers. It's also possible to reach dive sites on Gangga and Talise Islands in addition to a few on the mainland, special trips to Bunaken National Park can be arranged during transfer between the resorts. 

DIVE PACKS  

We recommend you pre-book your dive packs with Regaldive prior to departure - contact us to arrange this. Your diving schedule can be tailored to suit your needs with options for single dives, two dive trips or full day excursions with lunch served on the boat. Discount packages are also available for divers and for snorkellers offering two dives per day.  

Group incentives are available for a minimum of 11 divers.  

Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.  

EXTRAS IN RESORT (PAY LOCALLY)  

• Bunaken Marine Park fee:  
• Per visit: IDR 50,000  
• Per calendar year: IDR 150,000  
• Nitrox fill: $7 per fill   
• Night dive (minimum 2 divers): $19 per dive  
• Equipment Rental guideline prices - EURO per dive - paid locally:  
• Full equipment (Regulator, BCD, Wetsuit, Mask and Fins): €35 per day  
• 15L tank: €12 per day  

Note: All local prices listed above are an indication only, and subject to change.  

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Manado is easily reached via Singapore with a connection flight time of around 3.5 hours, into Manado International airport. There are 4 connections per week to/from Singapore - Manado and daily flights to Singapore from the UK.

Flights may also be available with Etihad, Emirates, KLM and Garuda, with separate ticket Jakarta - Manado with a domestic carrier.

Getting Around

Anyone booking the full package through Regaldive will receive local supplier assistance from the moment they exit customs at the airport, and all our packages include land and boat transfer where applicable, unless otherwise requested.

Taxis are readily available, but it is recommended that you seek assistance from reception at your local place of stay for any additional travel and excursion arrangements you may wish to make in situ.

Climate

You can enjoy fine diving year round in Manado.  Located just above the equator, temperatures remain constant throughout the year with highs near 33°C and lows that rarely fall below 27°C.  Humidity may be high during the rainy season. The water temperature ranges between 27°C and 29°C.

The sunniest season is from April to November.  It does rain through out the year, with rainfall rising between December and March. Showers tend to be brief and heavy.

If you are looking to enjoy some rainforest walks or white water rafting, it is better to travel in the rainy season (but again it is year-round) because that is when the forest and highlands are watered and are at their most lush.

In Water Protection

We suggest a 3mm or 5mm full suit (or dive-skin for those who do not feel the cold) for divers and snorkellers, to protect against any stinging hydroids.

Land Clothing

It is normally shorts and t-shirts by day (even if it rains, because it is warm tropical rain) in resort.  The night time dress code is light and casual.  If you are venturing any further, we recommend more modest dress with loose fitting clothing.

Time

Manado is +7-8 hours ahead of GMT depending on summer/winter time in UK.

Languages

The official language spoken is Indonesian.  English is widely spoken.

Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Approximate rates:
£1 = 18,918 IDR
€1 = 16,750 IDR
$1 = 13,653 IDR

All items must be paid in local currency (Rupiah) due to laws and regulations in Indonesia. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in all the resorts but may incur a local bank charge and card transactions are billed in Rupiah.  British Pounds are not accepted in Manado.

The most useful currency to take is the US Dollar. Exchange rates are usually published every day at the reception and some are able to exchange a small amount in resort.

You can withdraw cash in Rupiah from the ATMs at the local banks, provided you have your PIN number with you.  Also, if you make it to town before 2pm, you can draw up to Rp 3,000,000 on a Visa card or Mastercard inside the banks (you must present your passport with your credit card).

It is not possible to use travellers' cheques in local shops, dive centres and resorts. Travellers' cheques can only be cashed in the bank by the owner of the cheque, with a form of photo I.D.

Tipping

Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world.  Some local staff look to guests for personal recognition of particular services offered.

Electricity

220 volt electricity with standard European round pin electricity plugs.

Activities

Manado is the regional capital of North Sulawesi and serves as an ideal base to explore this area of outstanding natural beauty. Trek to the Kali Waterfall and the 'Tangkoko' rainforest where the world's smallest primate, the Tarsier monkey, lives. You can climb a volcano or take to white-water rafting. Then there's the geography of the area including paddy fields, spice plantations and markets. Excursions are available from all the resorts.

Night Life in Manado

Should you wish to try the local cuisine in town one night, you can reach Manado town from Tasik Ria Resort in around 30 minutes by taxi. These can be easily ordered through the hotel reception and cost about US$6 each way. Manado's 'Warung' restaurants offer excellent seafood, Asian and (some) western food cuisine. Eating out is extremely cheap, with most meals costing only around US$5. After dining, there is a reasonable but limited nightlife - a few good bars with live bands playing most nights; you can also shop at night for clothes and snacks.

Guests at Siladen Resort & Spa and White Sands Beach Resort are more limited in outside evening activities due to their location. 

Flight Information

Flights with Singapore are with Singapore Airlines, via Singapore into Manado International airport. There are currently 4 connections per week to and from Singapore to Manado. Flights from London Heathrow to Singapore are daily and twice weekly from Manchester.

Flights may also be available with Etihad, Emirates, KLM and Garuda Airlines with an onward flight to Manado with a domestic carrier.

Flight duration:
London - Singapore 12 hours and 40 minutes.
Singapore - Manado 3 hours and 35 minutes.

Passports

Passengers travelling to Manado should have minimum six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK, plus one full page free. Hotel receptions may be required to take a photocopy of your passport for registration purposes.

Visas

British nationals travelling to Indonesia can enter the country without a visa for up to 30 days at certain airports' Immigration Check Points: Soekarno-Hatta Jakarta ( CGK ), Ngurah Rai - Bali (DPS), Kualanamu, Medan (KNO), Juanda - Surabaya (SUB), Hang Nadim - Batam (BTH).

You won’t be able to extend your stay beyond 30 days if you enter under this visa waiver scheme. Entry via Manado and certain other entry points is still subject to a visa on arrival at a cost of $35 (30 day visa) and $15 (7 day visa). Please note that visitors must purchase a visa if their ultimate destination is not one of those listed above e.g. guests going to Manado.

For further information about entry requirements, visit the website of the Indonesian Embassy in London or your nearest Indonesian embassy.

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Manado, although we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure with your GP or local travel clinic. There are plenty of chemists and dentists in Manado and the general hospital has a good recompression chamber. Further information on vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.

Click here for all Hotel Offers

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Siladen Resort and Spa

Solitude Lembeh Resort

Dive into Lembeh Resort

Eco Divers Resort Lembeh

Mercure Manado Tateli Beach Resort

Dive into Lembeh Resort

Dive into Lembeh Resort

Siladen Resort and Spa

Kungkungan Bay Resort

Tasik Ria Resort

Dive into Lembeh Resort

Tasik Ria Resort

Dive into Lembeh Resort

Kungkungan Bay Resort

Tasik Ria Resort

Tasik Ria Resort

Tasik Ria Resort

Tasik Ria Resort

Kungkungan Bay Resort

Kungkungan Bay Resort

Tasik Ria Resort