Recommendations for Manado - May 2008

[ballast]

I'm thinking of 2 weeks in N. Sulawesi for May 2008. I've been told to split the time between Bunaken and Lembeh areas. Any recommendations on resorts? I'm not concerned with or necessarily desire an upscale luxury resort. I'm more interested in reasonably priced, clean and comfortable place(s) with an outstanding dive operation. Any input would be welcome.

 

[AlanWald]

Do as many night dives as you can at Lembeh. It 's great fun and shallow.

Several Resorts now have locations at the Bunaken and Lembeh areas.

Divers to guide ratio is important. Your guides will find you stuff that you will never locate on your own. Also ask dive time policy, is it unlimited or limited to an hour.


Two Fish Divers (note that their prices are in US dollars, but you can pay in local currency or Euros) meets the above requirements. Dive Manado/Bunaken and Dive Lembeh with Two Fish Divers Bunaken and they have budget single rooms which is good for the solo travelers.

There is a full range of accommodation available in both areas.

Remember to keep some local currency (Indonesia rupiah) to pay your airport departure tax. Visa on Arrival for most Europeans, US, Canada and some others is US$25 cash in crisp notes (they don't care for old notes) for 30 days visa.

Best route from the West Coast of USA is Singapore Airlines, to Singapore (one stop in Narita Tokyo, chance to get out of the plane and cheaper than the Non-stop). Overnight in Singapore airport (there is a Ambassador Transit Hotel upstairs in terminals ONE and TWO) Welcome to Ambassador Transit Hotel and then Silk Air (the Singapore airlines subsidiary) in the morning to Manado. Coming from the US (and Canada) you will qualify for the Piece Concept (marked PC or 2PC in your ticket) so you get two bags of 60 to 70 lbs each plus carry on (bring what you need for your overnight at the airport as you luggage will be checked straight thru from LA to Manado) Singapore Air and Silk Air both operate from Terminal two.

Right now airfare is high, but it is worth checking the Singapore Airlines web site regularly as I was able to get a ticket there that was US$600 cheaper than what Expedia offered on the same flight.

Bring a small underwater light for day use (looking under ledges and into crevices on Bunaken 's Wall)

 

[Kupu]

I did a couple weeks diving Bunaken/Lembeh. I chose Two Fish Divers since they had shops in both locations making the move from Bunaken to Lembeh hassle free. I might not say they were "outstanding" but certainly quite good with regards to the dive operation.

Having done a bit of diving similar to Bunaken in the past, I found it ok but not somewhere I will go back to having seen it once. Good wall diving, good vis, nice coral, etc.

However, I was completely impressed with the diving in Lembeh, so many critters to take pictures of made for some very entertaining dives. I would have liked to stay there a couple of weeks. Photographers might consider starting out in Lembeh and then transfer to Bunaken after having your fill of playing in the muck.

Thanks for the tip about Singapore Air ticket prices AlanWald, good to know about that option when shopping for tickets.

 

[red_barbarian]

I'd also recommend Two Fish Divers. They were freindly, and a very low guide to diver ratio. I either had 1 other diver w/ me or none. They let you dive till you got to 40 BAR, no time limits. It make a huge difference over other op's there that want you out in 45 mins or an hour.

 

[leeaf]

I dived this area last year.

Bunaken - we stayed at Santika Hotel and dived with Thalassa Dive, which is located on the hotel grounds. Nice hotel, probably 3.5 stars, and good dive operation. Best part is it is located directly opposite Bunaken so only 10-15 mins to most of the dive sites. A lot of the other places have 30-45 min trips because they are further away.

Lembeh - we stayed at Lembeh Resort. A bit pricey but huge rooms and some of the best food I have experienced. Outstanding dive operation and wonderful set up for photographers - you get your own work station. The other main option is Kungkunan Bay resort and there is a brand new one called Black Sands.

Lee

 

[reubencahn]

I stayed at KBR two years ago. The guides are great which really makes the diving but the resort is another matter. My bungalow was rundown--and very noisy. The food was mediocre at best. I've read a number of poor reviews of KBR lately. We're planning on going back to Indonesia in August split between Komodo and Lembeh. I've been looking at both Kasawari and Lembeh Resort. Kasawari gets wonderful reviews but they're quoting $1300 more for a week for three of us.

 

[ajpbryant]

Bastianos is always a good option, I have sent many people there and never had any complaints. Also Minahasa divers can arrange both Lembeh and Bunaken, and there is Murex too. So many options in this area that it really comes down to budget and what you expect for your money.

 

[Rickg]

I'm thinking of 2 weeks in N. Sulawesi for May 2008. I've been told to split the time between Bunaken and Lembeh areas. Any recommendations on resorts? I'm not concerned with or necessarily desire an upscale luxury resort. I'm more interested in reasonably priced, clean and comfortable place(s) with an outstanding dive operation. Any input would be welcome.

ballast,

You might want to look into MUREX also. They have both shore and liveaboard options. Here are some links:

Home Page
Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia: Liveaboard scuba diving with MUREX

I've also attached a trip report I did from our trip in '04. We had a great trip with them but their LOB is my no means a luxury LOB.

Hope you have a great trip.
Rickg

 

[pelan-pelan]

For clean and totally professional service there is none better than lumbalumbadiving.com. They are just outside Manado and have received a number of positive posts here. Dutch run, by people who have lived out there for many years and who concern themselves with the big picture ie the environment and the education and involvement of the people living in the area. The cottages are spotless, fan and a/c, lots of hot water. The food is superb - not in the fancy sense, well cooked variety, good local fresh ingredients. They grow fruit in their own gardens. The web-site is a true representation.

The dive operation is highly efficient, personalised. They are close to the critter dives on Manado side so you can do those as well as Bunaken's walls.

Oh - and they are the so friendly and welcoming. We have dived with them over the last 10 years. We've dived in some amazing locations with great dive centres, but this lot are so good.

And they'll pick you up at the airport. If you want to go on to dive on Lembeh then they will liaise with the other dive centre to get you transferred.

On the Lembeh side there are a number of operations to choose from KBR Kungkungan Bay Resort (see the web-site) are now very much at the luxury end of the market. The guides there are highly experienced. Other places that have positive posts here include Nomad dive.

 

[mor1703]

try this ! Diving Bunaken Diving Manado - Bastianos Diving Resort, North Sulawesi - Indonesia .