Snorkelling and Diving on Bunaken Island
(Sulawesi)

(Updated: January 2010)

My holidays in North - Sulawesi

If you are looking for insiders' tips for Tours, Scuba Diving or Snorkelling in North Sulawesi / Indonesia, perhaps you can find a couple of useful suggestions on these pages. After altogether 15 months holidays in BUNAKEN NATIONAL PARK in the past 9 years I can give you now a report on my unforgettable experiences. If you are making plans for your own diving holidays in Indonesia, you will find some useful general tips, how to behave correctly, to avoid dangers, to use an Indonesian toilet and bathroom in the traditionell way and many more. Links to other websites for scuba divers and about diving, about North Sulawesi and general information about Indonesia may also assist you with your preparations.

"Hot tips": Homestays and Dive Centers

I was often asked by visitors of my website, which Dive Center or accommodation they should choose. I have therefore added a new menu item after my return from Bunaken in February 2004. It is a description of the homestays and dive centers on Bunaken, which I got to know. I do not make advertising for certain Dive Centers either. Therefore you will not find any names or links there. This shall namely be a private, independent site with information from a scuba diver and snorkeller for scuba divers and snorkellers and not for business people.

Scuba Diving: Low-cost and without fear

Most of the time my family and me lived for reasons of cost (mostly 2-3 months) in one of the many reasonably priced local cottages. We spent our days with snorkelling on the numerous reefs around the island, wandering through the island and making tours to the surrounding area.

Some people would not like to travel to Indonesia any more for fear of possible terrorist acts. They think that the danger is ubiquitous in a mainly Islamic country. These guys should know, though, that North Sulawesi is largely inhabited by Christians and also the culture is characterized by Christianity. Muslims and Buddhists live as a minority there. I do not have experienced any religious fanaticism  in North Sulawesi. On the contrary: I could  primarily on Bunaken learn that all religious groups handled each other very tolerantly and friendly. One admittedly may not feel completely safe any more in Indonesia since the terrorist attacks within the last years. But where on this planet you are still sure? If one liked to exclude every risk, then one however should avoid stations, undergrounds and discotheques in Europe or America and - diving - too.

Report us about your own experience!

Please!

If you want to pass a small comment on this web site or if you like to write about own experiences, then take a little time for my guestbook . You may help other travellers by this.