Bastianos Bunaken Resort, Bunaken and Manado

Diving at Bastianos Bunaken

The onsite PADI dive centre operates four modern boats and normally schedules two morning dives at 08:30, followed by an afternoon dive at 15:00. Mandarinfish or night dives are also offered around 17:00 or 18:00. Dive groups are limited to four guests per guide, and equipment rental, PADI courses and nitrox fills are available. Facilities include individual equipment storage, a drying room and a dedicated air-conditioned camera room with assembly tables, storage and charging points. Snorkellers can join scheduled dive boats, subject to space and suitable conditions. 

The diving focuses on Bunaken Island and the wider marine park, where volcanic islands rise from deep water to create steep walls, sloping reefs and shallow coral gardens. Divers can expect sea fans, black corals and plenty of reef fish, alongside frequent sightings of green and hawksbill turtles. Barracuda, tuna, humphead parrotfish, reef sharks and eagle rays may pass in the blue, while nudibranchs, scorpionfish, seahorses and crustaceans reward slower searches along the reef. Conditions range from gentle sheltered sites to current-swept walls, allowing the team to select dives according to experience and sea conditions. 

Diving in Bunaken and Manado

Bunaken and Manado offer two distinct styles of diving. Around Bunaken, Siladen and Manado Tua, divers explore vertical walls, coral-covered slopes and shallow reef flats with turtles, schooling fish, reef sharks, barracuda and pelagic visitors. Along the mainland coast, black and white sand slopes, seagrass and patch reefs are home to frogfish, pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, Rhinopias, mimic octopuses and other sought-after macro subjects.

Diving is possible throughout the year, with May to July and September to October generally offering a great balance of great visibility and weather. The wetter months are normally from November into April, with rougher seas possible during January and February. Bastianos Bunaken is best positioned for the marine park’s reefs, though longer North Sulawesi itineraries can combine Bunaken with the macro diving of Lembeh and Bangka’s soft-coral sites.

Learn more about the diving in Bunaken here.

ZuBlu’s dive travel experts will help you create the ideal package at Bastianos Bunaken, including your preferred room type, diving, excursions, equipment rental, transfers and any special requests. Share your travel dates, group size, diving experience and budget, and we’ll recommend the best options for your trip.

We’ll also help with practical travel planning, including flight routes, arrival timings and resort transfers, making sure your itinerary works as smoothly as possible from start to finish.

Once you’ve finalised your plans, your travel expert will put a complimentary hold on your preferred room and send a final quote that includes accommodation, meals, diving, transfers, rental equipment or excursions. This quote will also show any extras paid in advance or at the resort - there are no hidden fees - as well as a payment schedule and cancellation terms and conditions.

Your booking is confirmed once the required deposit, or full payment when necessary, has been received.

After confirmation, your dedicated guest concierge will take over and assist with flight routes, transfers, any personal information required by the resort, and questions about your reservation. They are there to make the entire process as straightforward as possible.

Getting There

The nearest airport is Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado (MDC). Manado is served by domestic flights from the major Indonesian hubs, as well as international flights from Singapore.

After being met at the airport, guests are driven to a pier in Manado, followed by a boat journey to Bastianos Bunaken. The total time is around one and a half hours but this can vary with traffic, tides and sea conditions.

Guests arriving too late for a safe boat crossing during the day may need to stay overnight in Manado. Flight details should be confirmed with ZuBlu before booking connecting flights, particularly when arranging a same-day arrival or an early departure from Manado. Additional charges may apply to transfers outside regular operating hours or beyond standard collection points. 

Other Activities

Guests can snorkel around the island’s shallow reefs or join the dive boats for guided snorkelling. The resort can also arrange dolphin-watching trips, Minahasa Highland sightseeing, volcano trekking and North Sulawesi cooking classes. Excursions are subject to weather, minimum participation and local availability. 

Back on land, guests can relax beside the swimming pool or Liang Beach, book a traditional massage or browse the marine-life library.

Good to Know

• WiFi: Complimentary wifi is available in the lobby and restaurant.
• Mobile coverage: Coverage can vary across Bunaken Island and should not be relied upon for uninterrupted service.
• Electricity: Electricity is available at the resort, including charging facilities in the camera room.
• Plug type: Indonesia commonly uses Type C and Type F two-pin plugs; bring a universal adaptor.
• Payments at the resort: Extras payable by Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card, with a 2.5% surcharge.
• Currency: Indonesian rupiah; resort card transactions are processed in IDR.
• Time zone: Central Indonesia Time, WITA — UTC+8.
• Nitrox: Available for certified enriched-air divers at an additional charge unless included in a promotion.
• Marine park fees: Bunaken National Marine Park charges apply and are paid on site.
• Family policy: Families are welcome, and the sandy beach provides space for children; supervision remains the responsibility of parents.
• Access: Hillside rooms require the use of steps and may not suit guests with reduced mobility.