Bunaken to Bangka

[Pesty]

I am asking for feedback on my time in Bunaken. I had booked 7 days in Bunaken, in April this year but based on some of the comments in SB, looked at Bangka. Do I keep my 7-8 days at Bunaken or cut back to 4 days at Bunaken and 4 days in Bangka with Nomad who has some spots that will fit. I had already booked return flights so can't extend. How easy and how long is it to move between the two islands? Should I stick with Bunaken and return next time to Bangka or is doing both easy? I am from Australia, so can return. I am planning to head to Raja Ampat in December and could visit Bangka first, then Raja Ampat.

 

[chillyinCanada]

To be fair to Bangka, we didn't go to the site that the Mariijn (Nomad owner) really wanted us to go to, because we had already said we wanted to avoid strong currents and on that basis the DM (Otny?) said nope.

Oh dear.

But surely you must have gone to Sahaung? Hopefully, more than once?

 

[MikeOWaterloo]

Sadly not. Spring tides/full moon? Maybe another time.

 

[Pearlman]

I am asking for feedback on my time in Bunaken. I had booked 7 days in Bunaken, in April this year but based on some of the comments in SB, looked at Bangka. Do I keep my 7-8 days at Bunaken or cut back to 4 days at Bunaken and 4 days in Bangka with Nomad who has some spots that will fit. I had already booked return flights so can't extend. How easy and how long is it to move between the two islands? Should I stick with Bunaken and return next time to Bangka or is doing both easy? I am from Australia, so can return. I am planning to head to Raja Ampat in December and could visit Bangka first, then Raja Ampat.

I found Bangka more enjoyable than Bunaken. More open and sprawling underwater seascapes compared to just walls at Bunaken - that too always diving diving on the dark side of the wall… if you are into UW videos only using ambient lighting then you won’t get any great shots in the low lighting. Photography with strobes is a different matter. Or else carry video lights. Bangka gave me a more expansive relaxed feel both underwater and above in the sunshine …

One reason to do both Ina single trip is that they are close by and you can another vacation for other destinations in RA… on my trip we travelled by boat from Bunaken to Bangka and did 2 dives mid-way and the 3rd of the day at Bangka…

Edit: Oops! I didn’t notice the date of the post was very old …