Indonesia has a paradise to the depths of the sea. Bunaken National Park is one of the contributors to natural beauty in Indonesia. Known for having the beauty of marine life and coral reefs, Bunaken is one of the most popular tourist destinations for domestic and foreign tourists.
The 90s was the first time a group of divers discovered this marine park on an expedition. With various mystical stories, divers were initially warned not to dive fishers because the area was inhabited by evil spirits from fishers who had disappeared or died at the end of a dangerous coral reef. The fishermen’s warnings are ignored. They dive and then discover the amazing underwater beauty. UNESCO has officially designated Bunaken Park as a world heritage since 2005.
Bunaken has a depth of about 4,000 feet, inhabited by 2,000 species of fish and 500 types of beautiful coral clusters. This area is occupied by around 35,000 people spread over 22 villages, most of whom work as fishermen, farmers, guides, captains, and workers in cottages. In Bunaken itself, there are dive points decorated with beautiful coral reefs and tropical marine fish with beautiful colors. The dive sites are lined up from southeast to northwest. Here we recommend 7 of the most beautiful dive spots.
- Mandolin Point
This spot has a uniqueness that adds to the curiosity of divers. This point is a sharp descent with coral walls with beautiful colors that can be found at a depth of 20 to 45 meters. At Mandolin Point, divers will get up close and personal with whip corals, visit the narc zone, meet large green or bluish-pink parrotfish, mappa pufferfish, and white tip reef sharks. Divers will have an unforgettable experience with beautiful views of the whip coral, where shrimp and whip gobies are found. Other fish that can also be found on the walls and peaks are surgeonfish, bannerfish, and unicornfish. Divers can approach these tame fish. In addition, at this point, divers will find caves on the seabed.
- Tembok Lekuan
This one destination is a wall with a reasonably long size with steep walls and deep enough gaps. Because of the length of this place is divided into three parts, Lekuan Wall I, II, and III. This place is a favorite dive destination in Bunaken Marine Tourism. Uniquely, there are sea fans and giant sponges that are rarely found in other dive spots in this place. When diving, divers will explore the deep sea accompanied by large parrotfish, sea turtles.
- Fukui Point
From the name you can guess, this point was discovered by the Japanese. This place is one of the diving spots in Bunakenis, a favorite for scuba divers. Divers will not find coral walls like those found at other points, but slopes with steep descents. At this site, divers will encounter white-spotted moray eels that emerge from their hiding places, showing off their beautiful dorsal fin spots and graceful movements. The marine life that can be seen in this spot are sailfin tangs, red-tooth triggerfish, napoleon wrasse, and garden eels. Divers will see thousands of red-tooth triggerfish crossing the coral reef slopes in slow groups with fast sea currents.
- Muka Gereja
The next dive point is the Church Front which is suitable for snorkeling. Fish in shallow sea waters will welcome a unique type of coral. This is where divers will find distinctive reef fish such as anemones. In front of this church, there is a rock wall with vertical cracks as well as small caves which if you are lucky, you will find white tip reef sharks roaming around.
- Sachiko Point
This dive point is taken from the name of a diving instructor from Japan. Located in the eastern part of Bunaken, this point is almost like Mike Point, with a cliff wall covered with rows of coral, tuna, jack fish, and reef sharks will pass by. At this point, even divers will find many sea snakes.
- Mike Point
This destination is located in the northern part of Bunaken Island. The name of this diving point is taken from the name of the underwater photographer, Mike Severn. Mike point has a steep topography with walls that tend to be upright covered with various hard and soft corals. Divers will find gorgonian fan coral and sponges along with large pelagic fish such as barracuda, eagle ray, and white tip reef sharks.
- Bunaken Timor
Bunaken Timor is the most visited diving spot and a highly recommended snorkeling spot. Divers at this point must master good diving techniques because the water currents are quite strong. There is no doubt about the underwater charm of Bunaken Timor. Divers will be treated to coral reefs that adorn the underwater and witness the life of sharks, eagle rays, turtles, and large fish passing by. Strands of seaweed and small caves adorn the coral walls that hypnotize divers.
Ready to start your getaway to Bunaken? Visit Wonderful Indonesia, and don’t miss out on the magic!
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