Bunaken is the name of a small island at the mouth of Manado Bay, adjacent to the island of Manado Tua. Later the name Bunaken was taken to name the location of the national park, which includes 5 islands (Bunaken, Siladen, Manado Tua, Mantehage, and Nain), the North Coast (Molas, Meras, Tongkaina, Tiwoho) and the South Coast of Arakan-Wawontulap (Poopoh to Popareng). The Bunaken Marine National Park area is now located in Manado City, Minahasa Regency, South Minahasa, and North Minahasa.
How to Get There
Bunaken can be visited from various angles in Manado. The distance traveled varies depending on the location. From Hotel Santika, for example, the distance is only about 15 minutes. But in general, the time needed to arrive at the pier on Bunaken Island is about 45 minutes. The means of transportation that are commonly used are ordinary speed boats, whose rental prices vary. This speed boat will take tourists to the Bunaken Marine Park terminal. Because this speedboat does not have a glass box to see the marine park, tourists have to change boats with glass at the Bunaken Marine Park terminal. They are moving this ship costs around IDR 100,000 per person.
Ferry boats equipped with glass boxes are generally clean, well maintained, and equipped with life jackets. Ferry boats in other places almost never provide life jackets and appear modest.
The glass box is usually located in the middle of the ship to enjoy underwater views such as colorful corals and various types of fish. If lucky, ship passengers can see some divers enjoying the great wall in the sea. So, tourists who don’t have time (or don’t want to) dive or snorkel, underwater views can still be enjoyed, even though the sensation is different.
The price of this type of ship varies, depending on the ability to bargain. This type of boat can carry a maximum of 12 people. Like speed boats, it will be cheaper to rent these boats in groups. If you want cheap transportation, tourists can use the taxi type. In the form of a typical passenger ship on the island of Bunaken to Manado City.
Underwater Scenery (Diving and Snorkeling)
For diving enthusiasts, the most interesting value of Bunaken is a great underwater wall, a wall with colorful coral reefs and fish swimming around it. Not all seas have walls like in Bunaken. This is what causes foreign divers to be willing to come all the way just to taste the sensation when diving on the great wall. There are recorded about 20 dive points, and 12 of them are around Bunaken island.
Diving into the seabed is the most appropriate choice of activity if you want to enjoy Bunaken fully. However, not just anyone can dive. In addition to having a diving certificate, you must also be accompanied by a guide. And more importantly, is the rental of diving equipment. For a set of diving equipment, tourists have to spend around IDR 1 million. Not to mention the cost of equipment and guide fees.
One of the dive sites is located in Lekuan II. After arriving under the water, tourists can not see the seabed because the depth reaches 200 meters. The shape of the seabed in Lekuan is from the beach with a water depth of 10 meters, and then suddenly there is a cliff to a depth of 200 meters.
The view of the cliffs with caves and faults on some sides is truly stunning. So divers can take a water tour on these cliffs filled with various strange and diverse flora and fauna.
In Lekuan II the ability to control buoyancy is essential. Tourists can dive to a depth of 23 meters for 40 minutes, then go up to 5 meters to do a safety stop for 5 minutes and return to the boat.
If you are reluctant to dive in the deep sea, tourists can snorkel and explore the shallow waters. If you don’t have snorkeling equipment, tourists can rent equipment consisting of diving goggles and flip-flops, including a wet suit. The rental place also offers a camera to take pictures in the water and includes a photo CD.
Whether your trips take you on a long stroll on beaches, delicious cuisines, relaxing spas and resorts, or urban attractions, additional research will give you the best experience for your visit. Get to know more about Bunaken by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.
