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.

 

[scrane]

From Manado, it will take about 1-1/2 hour taxi and 1/2 hour boat ride to get to Nomad Divers in Bangka. Nomad's can arrange for the transfer. Bunaken to Manado is probably a half hour on a boat. The first time I went to Indonesia I spent 4 days in Bunaken, 3 days in Lembeh, and 7 days on Bangka. I spent the following two trips entirely on Bangka.
If you like reefs and reef fish Bangka is the place to go. It is astonishing.
Nomad's is a small (10-12 guests maximum) family owned and operated "resort", blessed with probably the best captain and divemaster on the island. It is also the least expensive. Most dive sites are 10-20 minutes away.
I hope to be going back in October.

 

[Searcaigh]

I've not used Nomad, but I've been to Bangka several times with Murex.

If you want to do both Bunaken and Bangka and are a bit concerned about catching your flight in Manado, then do Bangka first.

When I've been diving in N. Sulawesi, Murex always took care of the transport, so I'm sure Nomad can probably do the same.

If it's your first trip to N. Sulawesi then staying the whole trip at Bunaken will be great as there is plenty of dive sites and lots to see,

 

[chillyinCanada]

I'm all about Bangka. Like member scrane posted above, my return trips became all about Bangka, even if I did occasionally sprinkle a day or two on Bunaken and Lembeh on the front and back ends due to Murex's Passport to Paradise and airport arrivals/departures.

 

[meola11]

Hi all, need some advice on Bangka Island. I’ve been to Raja Ampat and Komodo multiple times and am thinking of diving somewhere different. I’ve read that Bangka has beautiful reefs and lots of schooling fish. How does it really compare to some of my favourite sites like Blue Magic, Cape Kri, Sardine Reef and Mioskon? Thks!

 

[Luko]

How does it really compare to some of my favourite sites like Blue Magic, Cape Kri, Sardine Reef and Mioskon? Thks!

Does it need to compare to be of any value?
For instance your list isn't even comparable to me : personally I rate Mioskon as somehow uninteresting and Blue Magic as totally destroyed on a pinnacle top. (on a personal level I rate Mayhem and West Mansuar more fish school prone than these spots)

FWIW, Bangka is a different breed : Sahaung 2 in Bangka is one of the most colorful sites you'll ever dive, Batu Pendeta isn't far behind.Schooling fish isn't a characteristic of Bangka except for .. Sahaung.
If you just want fish density then Central Raja Ampat it is, but then after you just have to focus on R4, Komodo isn't even on the same par.