Manado v Bunaken ?

[scubagirl1957]

Hi everyone

I'm still planning my July/ Aug trip to Indonesia. My next question is do I stay in Manado or is it best to head straight to Bunaken? I plan to stay for a week or so then head over to Lembeh for a few days then over to Komodo.

Thanks

 

[exposure]

I had to make the same choice and I choose to stay in Bunaken then Lembeh. I never stay in Manado but if I have to do it again, I'll go for Bunaken. Diving is awesome there, then if you had few days in Lembeh.... Great.

 

[highdesert]

If diving is your first priority, I can see no advantage to staying in Manado rather than on Bunaken, unless you just like the idea of boat rides. We did five boat dives a day on several days, staying on Bunaken. There is a definite advantage to staying within a 5-15 minute boat ride of all the dive sites.

 

[instructorinasia]

I would recommend a few days in Bunake, few days in Bangka and few days in Lembeh as well! MAy as well see everything there is to offer in North Sulawesi! I would recommend slightly longer in Lembeh as you are doing coral based diving in Komodo and Bunaken and it will give some more time to enjoy the awesome muck diving there is on offer!

 

[pughio83]

I would give more time to lembeh, Komodo will give everything and more when compared to bunaken. I thought bunaken was very overrated, but was maybe due to having to repeat the same sites over and over for some reason, whilst lembeh was out of this world.

 

[LiquidDivingAdventure]

You might consider Ambon too. We just started sending folks to Maluku Dive Resort and are getting great reports.

 

[pelan-pelan]

It depends what you want in the way of diving. Manado is a secret treasure. There are amazing critter sites Manado side (mainland side). Go with a good operator like www.Lumbalumbadiving.com . In fact you only need to go as far as their jetty! If you're looking to chill out, take time on the boat on the way over to Bunaken - that is if you get a chance with the dolphins and pilot whales that turn up. They have seen other whales and a variety of types of dolphin out in the deep channel which adds another dimension.

 

[Luko]

You might consider Ambon too. We just started sending folks to Maluku Dive Resort and are getting great reports.

Definitely not in july/august!!!

 

[Andreni]

During our North-Sulawesi-stay last summer we decided to skip Bunaken if/when we return to this region. It was a bit bland, nice but nothing too special and nothing to travel 24-hours to it.. I would rather spend more time in Lembeh and go to Bangka instead of Bunaken.

 

[JHB]

Hi, we are vacation specialists that live in Manado, been here 15 years... The answer to your question is... depends on what facilities you require and what if anything you might like to visit while in North Sulawesi, volcano or perhaps Tangkoko Nature Reserve. These are best done from the mainland. If you need assistance on domestic flights drop us a line as well. Cheers...............