Bunaken or Bangka?

[bearteacher.tw]

Because I will only have 3 days diving in Manado, do you suggest Bunaken or Bangka to dive? Which one have better visibility? More big fish? More beautiful soft coral?

Thanks.

 

[davidlkh]

Big Fish would be Bunaken.

Colors, Soft and Hard Coral Bangka. If Bangka there is only one operator, Gangga Island Resort. Very well run.

Here is an article on Bangka, I believe that trip was in Sept 2003.
http://www.finsonline.com/articles.php?issue=20&article=68

They also do day trips to Bunaken and Lembeh, but must request before hand and plan ahead. As not all guests want to be at those sites.

 

[davidlkh]

To say Bangka has no big fish, is not true.

The big stuff typically are at the powerful tidal flow sites, it is mask ripping and regulator free flowing kind of place. So the operator very seldom visits those sites, as most guest do not enjoy that kind of power. The surface also looks quite intimidating with the many whirlpools and upwellings.

It is a dive to remember though.

 

[Wolverine]

Bunaken has big fish but only when the current flows... otherwise u have pretty good wall dives with plenty of coral and macro stuff to keep u busy. Incredible variety

 

[rgo]

If you want to maximise diving time, then do Bunaken and stay at one of resorts on Bunaken itself. Check out Froggies (www.divefroggies.com).
Staying on the island means shorter boat rides to dive sites (less than 10 minutes for most). You wake up, dive, back to resort, dive, back to resort.
If you stay in Manado, there's an hour boat ride, dive, hang around for surface interval, then dive, then another hour boat ride back.
Nighdiving on the Likuan walls is also great.