BUNAKEN

Bunaken Marine Park incorporates the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Nain, Siladen and Montehage, covering over 890 square kilometres of which only three percent is terrestrial.

The park provides habitat to over 390 species of corals as well as areas of seagrass plains, coral reefs, mangroves and other coastal ecosystems. It is also home to a thriving population of green turtles.

Turtles are not the only highlight of this incredible region. The waters around the islands are over 1,000 metres deep in places, and these deep waters form part of the migratory path for sperm whales, which can seasonally be seen basking at the surface (best time for sightings are between March and

April, August and September). Other marine mammals that can be found in the park include dugongs, spinner dolphins and pods of pilot whales.

Since the creation of the marine park, a number of initiatives have contributed to its ongoing success and health. A successful turtle egg hatchery has contributed significantly to the green turtle population, and the issuance of marine park tags has provided funding for patrols to ensure that all fishing is off the reef.

MUST-SEE

LEKUAN (1, 2 AND 3) – These three sites feature huge coral walls and are Bunaken’s best-known sites. You’ll find turtles in droves and macro marine life to keep even the most avid underwater photographer satisfied. Look out for pygmy seahorses on the fans, squat lobsters on the barrel sponges, and don’t be surprised if you spot an eagle ray or reef shark out in the blue. Safety stops at these sites are amid a cloud of schooling pyramid butterflyfish and hordes of redtooth triggerfish.

WHEN

1991

WHERE

Indonesia

WHAT Marine National Park

SILADEN JETTY – Another phenomenal wall dive located off the southwest corner of Siladen Island, this dive site boasts stunning clear water shallows, abundant healthy coral, and a multitude of caverns, overhangs and recesses, which make excellent habitats for the abundant critter life that reside here. On the wall, scorpionfish lay camouflaged against the corals, ostentatious nudibranchs perch on ledges, spider crabs blend into fans, orangutan crabs burrow into bubble corals, thorny oysters can be found in the many recesses, and green turtles and sharks are also frequent visitors. Amongst the critter life, reef fish also flourish here; parrotfish, sweetlips, triggerfish and snappers all add to the blend.

POOPOH – Located in the southern section of the park is Poopoh – a small coastal fishing village. In front of this village there is incredible muck diving. The black sandy slope is partially covered in seagrass and home to numerous species of frogfish, mimic octopus, seahorses, ghost pipefish, cuttlefish, and the list goes on. This is also one of the best dive sites for spotting dugongs. Towards the end of the slope there is a mini-wall which is draped in colourful soft corals and home to a huge concentration of reef fish.

TOP A school of batfish swim around a diver. These fish are common around reefs and shipwrecks

ABOVE Anthias come in orange, yellow and pink, and are a dazzling sight when seen in large numbers

LEFT Bunaken Marine Park has healthy reefs with a high density and variety of soft coral species