Kuda Laut Resort, Bunaken and Manado

Diving at Kuda Laut Resort

The onsite SSI dive centre is run by Celebes Divers, and divers can make use of the individual storage booths, a large drying room and an air-conditioned camera room for preparing and storing photography equipment. Guided boat diving, guided house-reef dives, sunset dives and night dives are available, with full rental equipment, 32% nitrox at a surcharge and SSI training from introductory experiences through to professional levels. Dive groups are limited to four guests per guide, private guides and boats can be arranged, and the crew handles guests’ equipment between the dive centre and boats. Snorkellers can explore the house reef independently or join guided sessions and boat trips. 

Most diving takes place from traditional fibreglass boats with covered seating, sundecks, toilets, camera rinse boxes, refreshments, emergency oxygen and first-aid equipment. Bunaken’s sites are characterised by coral walls, shallow reef flats and drift dives, with turtles, reef fish, sea snakes, reef sharks and the occasional pelagic visitors seen around the islands. The Siladen house reef offers another wall directly in front of the resort, while dusk dives may focus on mandarinfish and night dives reveal smaller nocturnal species. Longer excursions can be arranged to visit Manado Bay’s macro sites, Bangka and Lihaga, Nain Island or the Lembeh Strait. 

Diving in Bunaken and Manado

Bunaken and Manado combine two contrasting styles of diving. Around Bunaken, Siladen and the neighbouring islands, divers explore the famous coral walls, current-swept drop-offs and bright shallow reef gardens. Turtles are a highlight here, alongside schooling snapper, sweetlips and triggerfish, reef sharks, barracuda, jacks and occasional larger pelagic species.

The mainland coast adds black-sand slopes, patch reefs, seagrass beds and muck-diving sites where guides search for frogfish, pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, Rhinopias and unusual octopuses. Diving is possible throughout the year, with the best conditions during the dry season from April to October.

Learn more about the diving in Bunaken and Manado on the ZuBlu site here.

ZuBlu’s dive travel experts will help you create the ideal package at Kuda Laut Resort, 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 to Kuda Laut Resort is Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado (MDC). Most international visitors connect through an Indonesian hub such as Jakarta or Bali, before taking a domestic flight to Manado. Guest can also fly in directly from Singapore.

Resort transfers combine approximately 20 minutes by road from the airport to Wori jetty, followed by around 20 minutes aboard a boat to Siladen. Transfers can also be arranged from hotels in the Manado area.

Boat timings depend on flight arrival details, sea conditions and the confirmed transfer arrangement. Guests arriving late or departing on an early flight may require a night on the mainland, so flights should be checked with ZuBlu before any flights are finalised. 

Other Activities

Guests can snorkel the house reef, swim in the pool, book massages and spa treatments, or exercise in the resort’s gym. Guided snorkelling excursions and longer boat trips towards Bangka and Lihaga may also be arranged.

Land excursions explore North Sulawesi’s forests, wildlife, waterfalls, lakes and volcanic highlands. Options may include Tangkoko National Park, the Minahasa Highlands, Kali Waterfall, Manado city and scenic viewpoints. Dolphin trips and other private boat excursions are also available. 

Good to Know

• WiFi: Available at the resort, but as a remote island, speeds and reliability may vary.
• Mobile coverage: Coverage can be intermittent on Siladen and depends on the network.
• Electricity: 24 hour electricity is available throughout the resort.
• Plug type: Indonesia generally uses Type C and Type F two-pin sockets; bringing a universal adapter is recommended.
• Payments at the resort: Cash or credit cards can be used to pay at the resort.
• Currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR). USD and EURO are also accepted at the resort.
• Time zone: Central Indonesia Time, WITA (UTC+8).
• Languages: Indonesian and English are used by the resort team; additional languages may be available.
• Marine park fee: Bunaken National Park entry is paid separately at the resort and applies to divers and snorkellers.
• Family policy: Babies and children are welcome but must remain accompanied by an adult.
• Dive insurance: Recognised insurance covering scuba diving is required.