Diving in North Sulawesi

North Sulawesi is an area that, because of its amazing dive sites, is especially known and popular among divers and snorkellers. This part of Indonesia, just like West Papua, lies in the heart of the coral triangle. It is the area with the largest marine biodiversity in the world. For that reason alone, we went there three times. Once was in Manado itself where we explored the whole area with the submarine. Twice we visited the beautiful Bangka.

There are three diving areas around North Sulawesi, namely the Bunaken National Park, Lembeh Strait and Bangka Island.

Diving in Bunaken National Park

This marine nature park, located north of Manado, was established in 1991 and covers approximately 900 km2 of which 97% is under water. The underwater world consists mainly of fringe and barrier reef corals. There are approximately 390 species of coral. The reefs are inhabited by about 2000 species of fish. The park is renowned for its wall diving, currents and therefore also large fish. Nowadays there are many turtles.

Tourism is well developed here. You will find plenty of accommodation, ranging from simple huts for (young) backpackers to 5-star resorts.

Despite its international fame and subsidies, the park has deteriorated over the years due to tourism itself, plastic waste, anchoring and dynamite fishermen. Fortunately, nowadays many measures are taken against dynamite fishing in particular.

Diving at Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi

The Lembeh Strait, located east of Manado, is the strait between Lembeh island and the Sulawesi mainland. The strait is known as the ‘muck diving’ capital of the world. You will find a lot of unusual and rare marine life, including angler fish and special species of octopuses, seahorses and nudibranches.

Lembeh Strait is a popular dive site for experienced divers and underwater photographers. Although the dives rarely need to be cancelled due to bad weather, you should consider the sometimes-very-strong currents.

On the island of Lembeh, as well as in Bitung and Aertembaga northeast of Bitung, you will find a lot of accommodation in various price ranges, including the Lembeh Resort (Lembeh), K2 Lembeh (Lembeh), Kungkungan Bay Resort (Aertembaga) and Black Sand (Aertembaga).

Diving at Bangka in North Sulawesi

The northernmost and least-known island of Bangka has beautiful coral gardens that are almost as good as those in Raja Ampat. Diving around Bangka means enjoying pinnacles and slopes of usually up to 30 metres’ depth. You have little current, beautiful corals and lots of macro life such as pygmy seahorses, nudibranches and small crabs. We also dived there with a sea cow, which was a special experience.

At Bangka there is less accommodation than at the other dive sites in North Sulawesi. Our favourite is the Mimpi Indah eco-resort, which is run by a Dutchman and his Indonesian wife. Great houses, delicious food and a fantastic dive centre! Besides Mimpi Indah, you have Coral Eye and the Murex Bangka Dive Resort.

North Sulawesi is an area that, because of its amazing dive sites, is especially known and popular among divers and snorkellers. This part of Indonesia, just like West Papua, lies in the heart of the coral triangle. It is the area with the largest marine biodiversity in the world. For that reason alone, we went there three times. Once was in Manado itself where we explored the whole area with the submarine. Twice we visited the beautiful Bangka.

There are three diving areas around North Sulawesi, namely the Bunaken National Park, Lembeh Strait and Bangka Island.

Diving in Bunaken National Park

This marine nature park, located north of Manado, was established in 1991 and covers approximately 900 km2 of which 97% is under water. The underwater world consists mainly of fringe and barrier reef corals. There are approximately 390 species of coral. The reefs are inhabited by about 2000 species of fish. The park is renowned for its wall diving, currents and therefore also large fish. Nowadays there are many turtles.

Tourism is well developed here. You will find plenty of accommodation, ranging from simple huts for (young) backpackers to 5-star resorts.

Despite its international fame and subsidies, the park has deteriorated over the years due to tourism itself, plastic waste, anchoring and dynamite fishermen. Fortunately, nowadays many measures are taken against dynamite fishing in particular.

Diving at Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi

The Lembeh Strait, located east of Manado, is the strait between Lembeh island and the Sulawesi mainland. The strait is known as the ‘muck diving’ capital of the world. You will find a lot of unusual and rare marine life, including angler fish and special species of octopuses, seahorses and nudibranches.

Lembeh Strait is a popular dive site for experienced divers and underwater photographers. Although the dives rarely need to be cancelled due to bad weather, you should consider the sometimes-very-strong currents.

On the island of Lembeh, as well as in Bitung and Aertembaga northeast of Bitung, you will find a lot of accommodation in various price ranges, including the Lembeh Resort (Lembeh), K2 Lembeh (Lembeh), Kungkungan Bay Resort (Aertembaga) and Black Sand (Aertembaga).

Diving at Bangka in North Sulawesi

The northernmost and least-known island of Bangka has beautiful coral gardens that are almost as good as those in Raja Ampat. Diving around Bangka means enjoying pinnacles and slopes of usually up to 30 metres’ depth. You have little current, beautiful corals and lots of macro life such as pygmy seahorses, nudibranches and small crabs. We also dived there with a sea cow, which was a special experience.

At Bangka there is less accommodation than at the other dive sites in North Sulawesi. Our favourite is the Mimpi Indah eco-resort, which is run by a Dutchman and his Indonesian wife. Great houses, delicious food and a fantastic dive centre! Besides Mimpi Indah, you have Coral Eye and the Murex Bangka Dive Resort.