Bunaken Marine Park: Diving, Snorkeling and Island Guide
Contents
Bunaken National Marine Park lies off Manado in North Sulawesi and spreads across five islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage and Nain. More than 30 dive sites ring them, and Lekuan, Mandolin and Fukui Point stand out among them.[1]
Choose your kind of visit
Most people come for the water. Book with a local operator and say whether you dive or snorkel. Ask whether snorkeling and diving leave on separate boats, what gear and guiding are included, and which island or site the trip heads for.
Things to Do
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GetYourGuide partner offers. GoAsia may earn a commission if you book through these offers. Check whether tickets or transfers are included, and follow the attraction's official booking and admission rules.
Consider a land-based outing
Manado Tua, the cone-shaped island behind Bunaken, adds a day on land. A trail climbs to the Signase viewpoint, about 1.5 km long with gradients from gentle to very steep. It ends about 420 m above sea level with a view over Manado Bay and Bunaken island.[2] The park authority described the trail in December 2019, so ask the park office whether it is open before you plan around it.
Arrange the transfer and inclusions
The park charges an entry ticket under Government Regulation No. 12 of 2014 on non-tax state revenue, at different rates for foreign and domestic visitors.[3] Boat timetables, piers and fares depend on the operator. Before you pay, ask for the pickup and return points, the boat timing, the island or site, what the park charge, equipment, guide and meals cover, and the weather and cancellation terms.
On a short visit, pick one priority: a dive-site outing, a snorkeling trip or Manado Tua on land.
For broader trip planning, see our Indonesia travel guide.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia (Indonesia.travel): Bunaken: Surganya Eksplorasi Laut yang Tak Bisa Dilupakan. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia (KSDAE): Manado Tua as a New Nature Tourism Destination in Bunaken National Park. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [3] Balai Taman Nasional Bunaken (Bunaken National Park Authority): Tarif Masuk Kawasan Taman Nasional Bunaken. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
The park spans five islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage and Nain. More than 30 dive sites lie around them.
Snorkel with a local operator, or spend a day on land at Manado Tua, where a trail leads to the Signase viewpoint. The park authority described that trail in December 2019, so ask the park office whether it is open.
Lekuan, Mandolin and Fukui Point are the highlights. Ask which site is planned for your date and whether the conditions and experience requirements suit your group.
Ask the operator. Find out whether snorkeling leaves separately from diving, what equipment is included, and which site and water entry are planned.
By boat. Timetables, piers and fares depend on the operator and the island you choose, so confirm the pickup point, island and return plan before booking.
Park entry is charged under national rules at different rates for foreign and domestic visitors. Ask for an itemized quote that separates transport, park charge, guide, equipment, meals and lodging.
On a short stop, focus on one outing. If you want to combine islands or add the Manado Tua hike, confirm the full route and the return time with your operator first.
