Page 75 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Bunaken Marine Park Bunaken Marine Park

Sachiko’s Point on the north side of Pangulingan is located on the northern
Bunaken Island is covered with gorgonian side of Manado Tua and is an advanced
sea fans and barracudas, black tip reef dive due to the strong currents that sweep
sharks and Napoleon wrasses are regular across the reef and make for excellent
sightings. drift dives. The current here often attracts
bigger fish including a resident school of
Ron’s Point on the southwest corner batfish and jackfish as well as passing
of Bunaken Island is an advanced dive Napoleons, barracuda and tuna.
location due to its depth and strong
currents, which attract larger pelagics. Barracuda Point on Montehage Island
Schools of black-tip reef sharks, barracuda, is an adrenaline pumping dive for divers
tuna and jacks frequent the area. The experienced in drift dives and currents.
shallows here are great for critter hunting This wall dive offers incredible visibility
and make a perfect place for a safety stop. and the barracuda and bump head
parrotfish found here make it well worth
Siladen Jetty is another phenomenal the effort.
wall dive off the south west corner of
Siladen Island and offers stunning clear Located in the southern section of the
water shallows, abundant healthy coral, marine park, off the mainland coast is
a multitude of caverns, overhangs and Tanjung Kalapa (Poopoh dive site). This
recesses which make excellent habitat for site combines black sand muck diving, sea
macro critters. grass and a small wall which is covered
with soft corals and home to a huge
concentration of fish species.

Snorkeling and Freediving Highlights

Both snorkelers and freedivers have endless opportunities in
the Bunaken Marine Park. The hard coral reef tops are home to
a multitude of reef species and the clear, shallow water means
that everything is on display from the surface. Venturing out over
Bunaken’s drop offs, the bright blue water offers a bird’s eye view
of schooling fish. Turtles, which are an extremely common sighting here are
often seen in the shallows or surfacing for air.
Calm surface conditions, year round warm water and excellent visibility make
snorkeling and freediving in Bunaken suitable for all levels from beginners and
children through to seasoned free divers who will relish Bunaken’s drop offs. For
freedivers who want to make deeper freedives, Bunaken’s vertical walls provide
ideal conditions – and guarantee breathtaking views.

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