Bunaken National Park

I love Bunaken. I've been there twice, once when I was young and recently again as I dived at almost every Indonesian place there is to dive :) Bunaken is special. It's also easy to reach. You can fly in to Manado via Singapore which is really convenient, skipping Jakarta or Bali altogether and save soooo much time, and you can also go via Makassar if you really have to. My domestic connection was from the latter and it's quite easy to connect. Once you arrive in Manado you still have to reach the islands but don't fret it's really close by. The taxi trip to the pier is half an hour at the most (r100,000 max at 2023 rate) and the public ferries go once a day and cost only r50,000 and takes 30 minutes max. Those ferries are quite basic so you'll get wooden planks to sit on but since my last visit they do have windows to close off in case it rains. Previously you'd get wet if that happens. Most resorts will offer private picks up from the airport which is a little bit more expensive but saves you some trouble. They pick you up from the airport, get you on the private speedboat and you'll go directly to the resort. Some resorts are bit away from the main pier on Bunaken so it can be a hassle to walk although you can also get a pickup trike if you have a lot of luggage. Either …

Bunaken National Park is located in the Northern Part of Sulawesi (Celebes) island in Indonesia. It takes around 3 hrs flight from Jakarta (going east) to Manado city, and then some short trip to the port. You need to take a boat to get to the islands and/or snorkeling/diving sites.

The National Park consists of islands where people can do embark to have lunch, have some water sports, rent snorkeling and diving equipments. Where the highlights of this NP is the snorkeling and diving itself.

The maritime beauty of this Eastern part of Indonesia is unquestionable and a must when you go to Manado.