Northern Sulawesi

[ChrisDur]

My wife and I will be flying into (world events permitting) Manado this summer and hope to spend a few weeks snorkeling and perhaps even getting certified. We've been to some great places in Indonesia and Malaysia----next is N. Sulawesi. I've been sending out Emails to resorts to stay from the mainland up to Biaro Island (Kikisi). Bangka, Bunaken, etc. My question is this........... I know many on this forum have done dive trips on live-aboards. Is there a place that you saw that you wish you could have gotten off the boat and stayed a while? I'm looking for nice coral and a breeze. I know the diversity is great in most areas. Any opinions would be great.

After, we'll fly back to Bali and spend our other 2 weeks in Lipah, Amed -- where we always go. Our time there is more cultural and we do things for the villages. I'd like a recommendation for a place to stay in N. Sulawesi that is perfect for snorkeling and just a nice place to stay.

This forum has helped me with some other questions. I'm most grateful........

Chris Durniak Chico, CA

 

[Reefwalker]

Hi Chris
During my live-aboard excursions from Manado in North Sulawesi, I always thought that Bangka Island (a couple of miles offshore) was the nicest place for snorkelling and diving. There are very few facilities on the island, but Murex Dive Resort & Live-Aboard have some small bungalows that have been built in the last few years see there website for pics. There is also Gangga Island a bit further west from Bangka, the resort there is a bit more up-market, the snorkelling not quite as good as Bangka but still very nice, see their website.
Either island would be good places for learning scuba also.
Where do you stay in Lipah Beach area, we dive the area between Lipah and Amed regularly. There is also some nice snorkelling at Bunutan just nearby.

 

[ChrisDur]

Thanks........... We stay at Vienna Beach. Big pig roasts (Babi guling), decent coral and fish, and tons of friends. Spend a lot of time in Layan. We've been very fortunate in being welcomed into society--you might say. Very poor, but proud. We try to make a difference every time we go there. Just love it.

Spent a few days over at Menjangan Island. Very nice. Best probably I've seen in Bali. We've been lucky enough to spend time in Papua, a few spots north and south in Queensland - G.B. reef, and some islands off the Malay Penninsula. Our trips to Borneo have all been inland.

I'm very interested in all things "Wallace" so Sulawesi seems a natural. I'm planning on some time at the "Highlands Resort" outside of Manado. My wife enjoys volcanos and I've got a bit of the "Bird" thing going on. Then we'd like to visit an island or two. Bangka does sound perfect. Hopefully somebody will respond concerning Biaro. No time constraints at all. Just looking for a sweet place.

Oh yes, I do enjoy the Japanese wreck 3 km's north of Lipah. Grapsis sp. crabs under the shallow water cobbles. Found some big ones once on logs floating off Biak. Could jump over 1 meter. Someone I wrote to at the Smithsonian said it might be a species specific to floating logs. ---- As you can see, I'm relatively new to Pacific reef systems and find them fascinating. Thanks again...........Chris

 

[opalobsidian]

ChrisDur

If you value assisting the local villagers check out the link to the Pulisan Jungle Lodge...

http://www.pulisanresort-sulawesi.com/project.html

We stayed there last year and enjoyed it alot. Katarine the owner is very devoted to serving the local people.

Here are some reviews of the lodge...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...393-Pulisan_Jungle_Beach_Resort-Sulawesi.html

Have fun!
Pamela

 

[hallboy]

Biaro is 5 hours of boat each way.... If you intend to stay one week on the island and Been certifies i woul tell to think about Onong resort in Siladen ( Celebes divers - check their website ) or Bangka with Murex ( maybe Murex can pick you at Siladen, or leave you ther on the wy back: one stone /2 birds ). Gangaa is some of a maldivian concept brought to Sulawesi: nice expensive and maybre not what your lookin for. If you go with Celebes divers, you can viit the volcanos ant the FOrest park from there, and then leave the place to Toraja land. Pulisan jungle lodge would be interesting too.
(hello opa )

 

[hapadiver]

You can truly get away from it all in the Togean Islands in the bay of Sulawesi. However, it is a real ordeal to get there. Posted a trip report about my visit there, as well as to Bunaken, Komodo, and Flores, a while ago. If you search for any of those spots it should come up. That's my favorite part of the world. Hope you have an amazing time.

 

[ChrisDur]

Thanks for the replies...............