Komodo and Bunaken

[sea_star]

I was originally planning to go on a liveaboard to Komodo. But the boat is not going - a smaller one has been offered but we are not sure about it. How does the diving in Komodo compare to Bunaken?

Bunaken: Where should we stay? I have looked at the TwoFish and Living Colours. Any other suggestions/recommendations?

Also what is the best way to get from Bali to Manado? Can I wait until in Indonesia to buy airtickets or do I need to get them in advance (will be there for last two weeks of August and first week of September).

Thanks. :blinking:

 

[kimmymore]

I dove with two fish sometime back. Not very good diving because the diveguide were not able to show us a lot of the critters and good diving places. Accomodation - wooden huts for USD 15 if I am not wrong. I went for the cheapest, a room a distance away from the main eating building.
Suggestion depends on your budget I guess. If you can afford to spend, then no prob. Manado itself has lots of good accomodation, not really necessary to stay on Bunaken.
If not, just get on the island and ask around.
From Bali to Manado, I can't tell you. I flew to Manado from Singapore direct.
I am planning diving in Komodo though, so can't tell you the diff between the two. Manado has some really great diving, and a trip there is def recommanded.

 

[Quero]

Garuda flies from Denpasar (Bali) to Manado through Macassar. You can book online. Once you have entered Indonesia and have bought your visa, it is best to travel within Indonesia via domestic routes to avoid paying for another visa when you get to Manado.

Comparing the diving: Komodo is world-class diving, without a doubt, and so is Bunaken. Bunaken is justly famous for its wall dives--beautiful walls--and there are also a few shallow, sloping reefs and submerged rocks offering good diving. For variety, Lembeh Strait is not far away, and if you like muck diving it is an absolute must. Consider splitting your time half and half between Bunaken marine park and Lembeh, staying on Bunaken while you are there, switching to/from a Lembeh resort for that part. Which resort(s) to choose depends a lot on your budget.

Have you completely given up on the idea of a Komodo liveaboard?

 

[jcclink]

After diving Komodo & Raja Ampat I found Bunaken rather disappointing. Not nearly as much marine life. As mentioned above, Komodo is world class. If you enjoy muck diving do Lembeh Strait. What Komodo boat was offered to you?

 

[OnTheSpot]

When are you planning the trip? There are plenty of liveaboards in the Komodo area, surely an alternative must be possible? Which boat has been offered. The diving in the 2 areas (Komodo vs. Bunaken) is like chalk and cheese, very different. I'd prefer Komodo myself, a bit more wild and exciting.

Komodo Dive Sites

Bunaken

 

[kimmymore]

oh wow, all pointing towards komodo. I can't wait to go!! Counting down to komodo liveaboard - 3 weeks appro.
Sea Star, i have no idea why you dropped the komodo liveaboard offered to you, but if you are keen, we could make the trip together? I am going diving with www.aridive.com
take a look and let me know? I can't promise anything as I have never been on board, but I do know one of the crew and he is a great DM
That's all I can say for now
Cheers
Kim

 

[bodiver13]

Seastar, what was the smaller boat that was offered to you?

On my opinion, if you are going alone or with 1-2 friends and not in a tight schedule, u can just buy ur ticket to Denpasar(Bali) and then arrange the next trip later when u are already here in bali.
But also depending on the time of ur trip, u might want to know that in term of airfare, half-end of august is consider a low season, BUT Indonesia's independence day is on august 17th, and around that day all flight to and from Bali will most likely be full or very expensive.

I would advise you if i may, to do your Manado(Bunaken and Lembeh) trip first. Fly into manado from singapore, or whethever u r from...
and then later go to Bali. From bali u can either dive there or/and dive komodo with a LOB. There are some last minute LOBs you can join (if u haven't booked one already) and some of them have their offices in Denpasar that you can visit. Some boats leave from Denpasar and some of them already in Komodo (LabuanBajo). It is fairly easy to get a ticket from Denpasar to LabuanBajo if you decide to join the LOB..

On accomodation and dive centers in manado, just read some of the previous posts, they have a lot of recommendation.
On the comparison between Komodo and Manado, most significant is the higher amount of marine lifes (fishes) that u r going to see in Komodo. And also Komodo is more remote and only accessible by LOB, which in turn makes ur trip more fun and adventurous. Currents are stronger in Komodo, but can be rewarding if you are up for pellagics. Oh ya, one more thing, you can take a break from your diving and go to the park and see the amazing Komodo Dragons

On other info regarding diving bali and indonesia, u can read them at www.kapalselam.org.
We are a non-profit diving club dedicating on promoting diving Bali (and Indonesia).

Cheers,
Bodiver (bodiver13@gmail.com)

 

[sea_star]

Thanks for all the replies.

The boat we are considering is the mv keti (with Grand Komodo). I posted asking about it but got no response. I have since looked at the one mentioned by kimmymore (aridive) - it looks ok too. Has anyone been on either of these boats and have any comments or suggestions as to which one to use?

From the sounds of it Komodo is better? So it seems that we may choose to go that route. We do still want to go to Northern Sulawesi - but we are thinking this might make more sense to go when we can get an international flight to Manado. For next time is anyone familiar with Murex resort on Bangka island? How does that compare to Bunaken?

Thanks again

 

[kimmymore]

Hi Sea Star,
Have a good trip wherever you are going
Kim

 

[opalobsidian]

Hi Sea Star!

I just got back July 7th from a trip to Bali and Northern Sulawesi. I am not certain how experienced a diver you are, I'm a newbie myself and did 23 of my 43 total dives in Norhtern Sulawesi. I really enjoyed how mild the current was there; I definately wasn't looking for the wildness and the challenge of the ripping currents I've heard about in Komodo!

I had a great time during my 10 days in N Sulawesi, even tho the dry season is taking it's sweet time coming this year and there was rain 8 out of the 10 days. I booked the entire stay thru Simone of Thalassa diving (www.thalassa.net) We stayed 5 days at the Santika resort, about 30 minutes out of Manado city and across from Bunaken Island/Manado Tua, and 5 days on Thalassa's liveaboard, the Mimpi, which took us out to the lovely Bangka Isands and down to the Lembeh Straights. The cost for the entire package, which included 10 dives at Santika and up to 4 dives a day off the liveaboard, came to $1290 USD, which I thought was a great value.

The Santika Resort (http://www.divetrip.com/thalassa.htm) was a very nice accomodation, with nice, air con rooms with balconies, a great pool area, and beautiful grounds! Plus, the dive center is right there on the grounds- so convienent! The breakfast buffet was great, but dinner rated no better than airline food. Most of the guests would go into Manado for dinner; your dive guide will probably jump at a chance to take you into town and show you around. We passed on the Manado trip because we felt too lazy after diving all day. The hotel doesn't have a beach but is on a very beautiful mangrove tidal area. A lack of beach was no problem for me, as when we stayed on a beach last year the sand held wicked little biters that would swarm you and drive you slapping and scratching off the beach within minutes. These hideous creatures seemed immune to repellant as well!

Simone is a fabulous hostess and a very consiencious diver!!! She constantly trains her dive staff and it really shows! They all take pride in doing a great job in making sure you are diving safely and seeing lots of fun creatures.

The liveaboard was fun as well, but it did rain all day on 3 of our 5 days and we had not packed for the chilly weather or the chilly diving! The water in the Lembeh Straights area was in the mid 70s and I froze in my 5mm wetsuit. But it was still well worth the time and money; we saw all kinds of strange and lovely underwater sites and creatures. The Mimpi itself is a humble wooden boat we called the African Queen. It chugged along reeeaaal slowly. But it was completely clean and well maintenanced, and our cabins were perfectly comfortable! The crew was great and the food was good too, quite tasty with a good variety of menu. However, I did get a wicked case of the runs, which cut some of my dives short. They did have anti diarrheal medicine onboard, but it didn't help much. Next time I'll be sure to pack some immodium!

Regarding a Bali-Manado flight, the most complicated aspect to booking is the fact that the prices of the flights change EVERY DAY! I really couldn't see any pattern to the price fluctuations, nor could the agent we booked thru. It wasn't any cheaper to book directly thru the airlines than it was to use an agent, plus the agent would go into Denpasar to get the tickets for you (we stayed in Ubud) Two airlines, Garuda and Lion, fly from Denpasar to Manado thru Makassar. Garuda was more expensive than Lion Air, but had a better schedule, departing Denpasar mid morning and returning in the early afternoon. We finally went with Lion, which leaves Denpasar in the evening, arriving Manado about 11 PM, and departs Manado at 7AM arriving Denpasar about 11 AM. We held out until the last minute hoping to get a good price, and finally ended up paying about $130 USD each (the first day we inquired it was $109 but the next day shot up to $180!!!) The late arrivals and early departures were no problem, tho, as Santika provides transportation to and from the airport at no extra cost. Many hotels charge as much as $20!

Another more low cost, "authentic experience" accomodation choice, is where we stayed last year, the Pulisan Jungle Lodge (http://www.pulisanresort-sulawesi.com/) We loved this place, but last year it was so hot and dry that the lack of air conditioning was a real problem at night. This year it would NOT have been an issue!

Regarding Murex, we haven't any direct experience with them, but we did see their Bangka Island resort, which looks beautiful and rustic, and their 2 liveaboard boats, which looked much fancier than ours. However, word had it from other divers that their dive program isn't as good as Simone's.

Is that too much information yet?

Best wishes for a great journey!
Pamela