Seeing as Mat has done a fair bit of diving out here in Bunaken, I thought I would get him to write up a review of it as I know some of you will be interested. Enjoy!
The diving in Bunaken has been world class. While there haven’t been very numerous or large shoals of pelagics, there has been enough to keep dives interesting as something always seems to appear from the deep. Sharks (white tip, black tip), blue fin tuna, bump head parrots and Napoleon wrasse have all made an appearance while others in our group also saw eagle rays.
Bunaken’s highlights however are the spectacular corals, reef fish and macro stuff. On every dive, the dive guys point out numerous tiny shrimps, crabs and nudibranches all of which, in appearance, are stunning varieties whether hairy, transparent, colourful or spiny. There is always something new and interesting to see in every dive. It is often very difficult to know where to look as scouring the coral walls makes you take your eye off the deep blue. Truly a place where you need eyes in the back of your head or a very good dive guide!
Another massive bonus for diving in and around Bunaken are the turtles. On most dives around Bunaken you will see at least one often many. And on every snorkel trip on the house reef we encountered turtles.
I also sampled a bit of muck diving around Manado which was fascinating. Sea horses, cuttlefish, shrimps and rays abound. This was the first time I had tried it and something I would like to do more of although I was glad to be back to the steep coral walls of Bunaken for its multitude of life.
All in all, I would give the diving in Bunaken an 8.5 out of 10. The only thing missing is a bit more of the big stuff.
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