National park · Indonesia

Bunaken National Marine ParkTaman Nasional Laut Bunaken

Base on Bunaken island for 3–4 nights and dive or snorkel the wall in front of your resort; day-trippers from Manado see one site and miss the reef at its best. Go May–October for 35 m visibility; expect rain and rougher crossings Nov–Apr.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

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Area

890 km²344 sq mi

approximate

Established

1991

Best months

May–Oct

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…

Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.

At a glance

Country: Indonesia
Area: 890 km²344 sq mi; Marine park covering Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage, Nain and Nain Kecil; land area of the islands is a small part of the total (check).
Established: 1991
Best months: May–Oct
Permits: For some areas

Bunaken National Marine Park protects 890 km² of sea and five small islands off North Sulawesi, about 30–60 minutes by boat from Manado. It is a diving and snorkelling park rather than a walking one: coral walls drop from the shallows into water over 1,500 m deep, and the reef starts roughly 40 m off the beach, past the mangroves. Around 20,000 people live from these waters, and the park is often cited as a working model of cooperation between the state, villages, dive operators and conservation groups. There is no long trail network — the real walks are the rough climb up the Manado Tua cone and the poorly marked coastal paths to coves on the east and north of Bunaken island. Most visitors sleep on the island for 3–4 nights and dive or snorkel the house reef in front of their resort; day-trippers from Manado get one or two sites before the last public boat back.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1991.

Size and age

890 km²344 sq mi · national park since 1991

Marine park covering Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage, Nain and Nain Kecil; land area of the islands is a small part of the total (check).

Why go

Wall diving and snorkelling straight off the beach: coral starts about 40 m out, past the mangroves.
Five sea-turtle species and reef sharks on sites 10–20 minutes by boat from the village.
Manado Tua, the cone-shaped extinct volcano across the channel, is a landmark you can climb on a half-day trip.
Cheap and close to a city: Manado airport to island jetty in under two hours.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanAvoid
FebAvoid
MarCaution
AprGo
MayBest
JunBest
JulBest
AugBest
SepBest
OctBest
NovCaution
DecAvoid

JanWet season; storms can last days and cut visibility
FebWet; crossings rough
MarRain easing late in the month
AprTransition; improving visibility
MayDry season starts; calm seas
JunClear water, little rain
JulPeak visibility; busiest weeks
AugDry and clear; book beds ahead
SepDry, warm, good visibility
OctEnd of dry season; still clear
NovWet season returns; afternoon storms
DecWettest stretch; boats delayed

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Bunaken National Marine Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Green and hawksbill turtles on the reefAll year · Resident; commonly seen on wall dives.	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
White-tip and black-tip reef sharksAll year	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
DugongAll year · Resident but rarely seen; do not chase one.	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Barracuda and tunaMay–Oct · More pelagic water in the dry season.	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Dolphins and whales passing the channelMay–Oct	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no
Stinging jellyfish or planktonMar–Apr, Sep–Oct · Occasional at the change of seasons; vinegar or cola is the usual local treatment.	no	no	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no	no

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Manado (Kalimas harbour)

Public boats Stella Maris, Opo Lao, Sumber and Karunia leave around 14:00–15:00, no Sunday sailings; they are often delayed. Return from Bunaken village jetty or the church beach around 08:30–09:30, also no Sundays.Public boats Stella Maris, Opo Lao, Sumber and Karunia leave around 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, no Sunday sailings; they are often delayed. Return from Bunaken village jetty or the church beach around 8:30 AM–9:30 AM, also no Sundays.

30–60 min

From Manado airport (Sam Ratulangi)

Most resorts arrange an airport transfer and boat; otherwise taxi to Kalimas harbour and take the public boat.

1.5–2 h door to door

From Tongkaina or Bahowo

Boats from Rap-Rap Ekowisata Tongkaina and Bahowo, Rp 50,000 (≈ US$4), possibly more frequent than from Manado.

20–40 min

From Siladen island

Resort boats from Manado or Bunaken village; no public scheduled service.

20–30 min

Zones and sectors

Zones of Bunaken National Marine Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Bunaken village and Liang Beach	Main settlement, jetty, visitors centre, homestays and the best-known house reefs.	Open; walk or ojek between settlements.
Pangalisang (east coast)	Dive resorts along a mangrove-and-beach frontage with reef close in.	Open; resort jetties.
Manado Tua	Extinct volcanic cone island with a village and a rough trail to the summit.	Open; boat from Bunaken village, local guide advised.
Siladen, Mantehage, Nain and Nain Kecil	Smaller islands in the park with villages, mangroves and reef.	Open; boats arranged locally.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions for orientation only; dive-site coordinates vary by shop.

1Bunaken village jetty · Gate≈1.596, 124.781Public boat landing and the village beach.Map ↗
2Liang Beach · Beach≈1.621, 124.766West-coast strip with resorts and the visitors centre.Map ↗
3Pangalisang Beach · Beach≈1.611, 124.780East-coast resort frontage with reef close in.Map ↗
4Bunaken Timur dive site · Dive site≈1.615, 124.790Approximate position off the east coast.Map ↗
5Manado Tua summit · Summit≈1.635, 124.695Approximate; rough trail from the village.Map ↗
6Siladen island · Sleep≈1.632, 124.802Resort island north-east of Bunaken.Map ↗
7Manado Kalimas harbour · Ranger station≈1.490, 124.840Approximate; public boats leave from behind the Celebes Hotel.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

DivingModerate1 dive, 45–60 minBunaken Timur wallThe east-coast wall, often called the best single site in Indonesia; strong, changeable currents, so it suits intermediate divers.Booking: Any dive shop on the island

SnorkellingEasy1–2 hHouse-reef snorkel from the beachSwim out past the mangroves; the reef starts about 40 m from shore. Wear fins — currents change fast. Best on a falling tide, not at dead low.

SnorkellingEasyHalf dayKayak the reef edgeThe safest way to reach several snorkel spots: you can climb back on when the current picks up.Booking: Two rental places in the village, near the church

TrailsHard3–4 h returnManado Tua summit trailRough, poorly marked and slippery after rain; start early, take water and a local guide.

TrailsModerate2–3 hCove walk on the east and north coastPaths to secluded coves are poorly marked and some are impassable after rain; the beach can vanish at high tide.

WildlifeEasyHalf dayDolphin and whale watchingSightings are not guaranteed; go early morning in the dry season.Booking: Dive boats or a chartered boat

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

IDR ranges · check

Fees for Bunaken National Marine Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Bunaken National Marine Park entry	IDR 50,000–150,000 (≈ US$4–10)	person	Paid once and valid for the length of your stay; usually collected by your resort or dive shop (check current rate).
Public boat, Manado Kalimas to Bunaken village	IDR 50,000 (≈ US$4)	person one way	Locals pay about Rp 20,000; no Sunday service.
Chartered boat, Manado to Bunaken	IDR 400,000–1,000,000 (≈ US$25–65)	boat	Price depends on boat size and passenger number.
Public boat from Rap-Rap Ekowisata Tongkaina or Bahowo	IDR 50,000 (≈ US$4)	person one way	Often more frequent than the Manado boats; confirm with your hotel.
Single dive with a resort dive shop	IDR 450,000–650,000 (≈ US$30–40)	person	2026 estimate; equipment usually extra. Roughly €30–40.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry ticket permit or guide

Buy on arrival through your resort, dive shop or at the park office; keep the ticket, it is checked on the water.

Diving no permit

No separate permit, but dive shops require certification for anything beyond an introduction dive.

Fishing permit or guide

Only allowed outside park boundaries; arrange with local fishermen or a boat operator.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Park entry ticket: Required for every visitor; buy it through your resort or dive shop and keep it with you.
No touching or standing on coral: Do not stand on the reef flat at low tide, and keep fins off the wall.
Fishing: Only outside park boundaries; no spearfishing or collecting inside the park.
Boat anchoring: Boats use moorings at dive sites rather than dropping anchor on coral (check).check
Drinking water: There is no natural potable water on the island; drink bottled or refilled water and ask that tea and coffee are made with it too.
Litter: Carry out everything you bring; plastic ends up on the reef.

Where to stay

In the park

Bunaken village homestays and guesthouses

Simple rooms with meals from around Rp 250,000–500,000 per room; the cheapest base and walking distance to the jetty.

In the park

Pangalisang and Liang Beach dive resorts

Full-board bungalows and cottages, roughly €20–45 per person per night, most with their own dive shop and house reef.

Near the park

Siladen island resorts

Quieter, pricier villas 20–30 minutes by boat; no public boat service.

Near the park

Manado

City hotels for a night before or after a flight; you lose the reef mornings.

Safety

Currents on the walls high

Many sites suit intermediate or advanced divers only. Snorkel with fins, keep a reference point on shore and do not stray far.

Tide cutting off the beach walk medium

On coastal paths the beach can disappear at high tide; check the tide before walking the shoreline.

Slippery trails after rain medium

Some paths are dirt and very slippery; wear grip soles and allow more time.

Saltwater crocodiles near river mouths and mangroves low

They are occasionally reported close to mangroves and river mouths; do not swim or snorkel in those spots.

Malaria low

Bunaken is considered malaria-free, but nearby parts of North Sulawesi are not; take normal precautions on the mainland.

Stinging marine life low

Avoid touching anything; carry vinegar for jellyfish stings.

Accessibility

Boats are small and boarding is by beach or jetty step; travellers with limited mobility should arrange a resort transfer in advance.
Bunaken village paths are flat but muddy after rain; the Manado Tua and cove trails are not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

Pay the park entry fee — it funds ranger patrols and village agreements that make Bunaken a cited conservation model.
Choose a dive shop that uses moorings and briefs on no-touch diving.
Refill water bottles where your guesthouse offers it instead of buying new plastic.
Do not buy coral, shells or turtle products.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Bunaken?

The Bunaken National Marine Park entry fee is a one-off payment for your stay, in the region of Rp 50,000–150,000 per person (2026 estimate, check the current rate). It is normally collected by your resort or dive shop. Add Rp 50,000 each way for the public boat from Manado, or Rp 400,000–1,000,000 to charter a boat.

What are the best hikes in Bunaken?

There is no long trail network. The two real walks are the rough climb to the Manado Tua summit (3–4 hours return, guide advised) and the coastal paths to secluded coves on the east and north of Bunaken island (2–3 hours). Both are poorly marked and slippery after rain, and the beach can disappear at high tide.

When is the best time to visit Bunaken?

May to October, the dry season, when seas are calm and visibility can reach 35 m. November to mid-April is the wet season: storms can last several days and cut underwater visibility, and crossings are rougher.

Do I need to stay on the island?

You do not have to, but it is worth it. Boats from Manado take 30–60 minutes and the last public return leaves around 08:30–09:30, so day-trippers get one or two dives. Staying 3–4 nights lets you dive the wall in the morning and snorkel the house reef in the afternoon.

Can beginners dive or snorkel at Bunaken?

Yes. Several sites are beginner-friendly and every dive shop runs introduction dives and Open Water courses. The famous walls have strong, fast-changing currents, so they suit intermediate and advanced divers. Snorkellers should wear fins and stay near a kayak or boat.

Is there drinking water on Bunaken?

No natural potable water on the island. Drink bottled or refilled water, and ask that tea and coffee are made with bottled water too.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go