Explore Mando
Diving in Manado, the capital city of North Sulawesi, offers an unparalleled underwater experience in some of Indonesia's most celebrated dive sites. As the gateway to the stunning realms of Bunaken Marine Park, the Bangka Islands, and the Lembeh Strait, Manado is a diver's paradise. Each location offers a unique underwater landscape, making it an exceptional dive destination. Bunaken is renowned for its world-class wall dives where you might spot migrating sperm and pilot whales. The steep underwater cliffs are adorned with vibrant coral formations, providing a breathtaking backdrop for encountering sea turtles and white-tip reef sharks.
A trip to Manado would be incomplete without exploring the Bangka Islands and the Lembeh Strait. The Bangka Islands boast unique rock formations and pinnacles of soft coral, home to an array of marine life including seahorses, eagle rays, and occasionally, sharks. Meanwhile, Lembeh Strait is a haven for muck diving enthusiasts, with its black sandy slopes teeming with macro life such as nudibranchs and unique critters. While there are day trips available from Manado, a liveaboard journey ensures a more comprehensive exploration of these rich waters. Whether you seek vibrant coral gardens or tiny marine marvels, diving in Manado promises an unforgettable adventure for divers of all levels.
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Diving in Manado
Scuba diving mainland Manado offers wreck diving of a 75-metre cargo ship and a search for orangutan crabs at Tanjung Pisok, a muck dive located close to the Sulawesi mainland. Take a boat ride to the nearby Bunaken Marine Park to experience Bunaken’s signature deep wall dives or head to the Bangka Islands to find yourself drifting in strong currents over bizarre rock formations. In Lembeh become accustomed to the lower visibility of muck diving and capture shots of elusive creatures on your camera. When scuba diving around Manado, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
The best Months to dive in Manado
In northern Sulawesi, rainfall is lower than in other areas of Southeast Asia, thus, scuba diving in and around Manado is possible all year round. Around mainland Manado, the dry season runs from May to October with visibility of up to 50-metres. During the rainy season from November through to April, the rainfall can cause runoff from the mainland reducing visibility at some sites. Yet, the conditions at Bunaken and Bangka Islands are rarely affected. July through to August are the best months to observe sperm whales migrating at Bunaken and the perfect time to inspect the black sandy depths of Lembeh for its weird and wonderful creatures.
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