Cakalang Tauchresort

New: Swimming Pool

Feel Luxury!!!

Origin of the Dive Resort

We know the Dutch instructor Ferdinand and his Indonesian wife, the owner of the CAKALANG already since 5 years. At that time, Ferdinand was still working for a neighboring dive resort. Like many of his colleagues before he ended very soon his job there and instructed divers for several resorts on the island as a freelancer. He also rented the dive boat KURNIA at very favorable conditions. We made regularly use of it during our more week stay on Bunaken .
Soon, the two bought a property and Ferdinand started to his own architect's plan the construction of a two storey house. To my knowledge, the first on the island with basement.
When I learned that by now this little resort was created with the completion of two bungalows, we booked quickly one of them for our first week on Bunaken before our departure. This one week, however, turned into two ...

From Airport To Cakalang Dive Resort

At our arrival at the airport SAM RATULANGI we were already prepared for the usual difficult price negotiations with the taxi drivers. But to our surprise was waiting for us a driver with the sign "Papa Klaus" to bring us to the Public Boat in the port of Manado. There was already waiting Ferdinand to welcome us and to accompany us to the island. By chance we met on the boat Andreas from Munich, who still had no plan where to stay, but joined us to try the CAKALANG. His enthusiasm for the resort was so great that he should spend his entire 4-week diving holiday there. I owe to him, by the way, some very successful photos which he made available to me for this side.

Arrived on the island, we changed on the dive boat Kurnia and drove directly to the resort where we were warmly welcomed by Julin and her team.

The Resort

While we took a welcome drink in the restaurant, we were able to take a first look over the small resort. It is easily to overview. The garden is planted with tropical flowers and shrubs and of course still needs some time to unfold in all its glory. The individual buildings are connected by sandy paths.

Not far from the restaurant stand the two newly constructed bungalows just a few steps from the beach. They are built of traditional local wood and have - as is usual in this price range - a corrugated metal roof. We were glad to get the one lying directly on the beach, as it is shaded by the crown of a big old tree.

About 50 meters from the beach stands on a small hill the residential building. On the ground floor are the private rooms of Ferdinand and Julin. An iron spiral staircase leads to the upper floor with 3 bedrooms, bathrooms and a large day room. The house is surrounded on two sides on top by a tiled balcony and downstairs by a large terrace.

Our Bungalow

Now, however, we wanted to see our accommodation and take our first shower. Because Andreas had not booked, he found accomodation provisionally on the first floor of the residential building. We got the bungalow directly lying on the beach.

Before we entered the tiled balcony, accessible by a few steps we could clean our feet in a tub with water from sand and dry them on a small carpet. When we walked into our new "home", our eyes fell first on the double bed with bedside table and lamp. The large, tiled room was simply furnished with a small table, a wooden shelf, and a ceiling fan. The adjacent, also tiled bathroom had 2 areas: The shower area lay a little deeper, so that one could enter the area with toilet and wash basin dry-shod. The shower water comes from own well and, hence, is slightly salty.

Your need not seach for switches for lighting in any of the rooms. Instead we got a remote control with several buttons for each room including balcony. In the rooms enough power outlets are available to connect ones own chargers. However, this must happen between approx. 16 o'clock in the afternoon till 9 o'clock in the morning. Also, the free WiFi network, as well as the fan only work during this time. However, the bungalow has plenty of windows.They are opened and fixed with a hook, so that one never needs, actually, an additional cooling.

On the balcony there are two plainchairs. We also found a clothesline for hanging the laundry.
So we had everything we needed. The rooms were clean and well maintained. They were cleaned every day. Bedcloths and towels were changed every 3 days. We would have liked but yet had a wardrobe in the living room and a hanging rack for towels in the bathroom. Perhaps there is even now already.

However, we would have liked one more wardrobe in the living space and a facility to hang up our towels in the bathroom. Maybe there is already one, in the meantime.

Good Night

Due to the sufficiently large distance from the street a peaceful sleep without any noise is guaranteed. Also from disturbing noise by generators we remained unmolested since the machines in question were located far enough away from the bungalows in the basement of the dive center. Instead, we enjoyed the sound of the waves during the night.

While on Bunaken there are often very unpleasant odors from waste incineration in the neighborhood, we were lucky here. The neighboring resort has also guests and wants to spare them. Ferdinand, by the way, sets a good example: At the end of his land, he has built a stove with chimney, to burn the generated waste. He uses the cinder to the production of concrete.

Even with the climate in our bedroom, we got along well. The bungalow could hardly heat up during the hours of sunshine because of its natural shadowing. Furthermore blew from the sea always a cool breeze through the windows, so we almost did not need the ceiling fan.

During our 2 week stay in the Cakalang Resort we met not a single mosquito in our bungalow. To the defence an electric mosquito plug is available. We have not used a mosquito net in spite of rainy season. Even if they were available in the form of four-poster beds in other resorts. But that has always been our personal decision. One can also think differently about it.

Meals

In the open-air restaurant directly on the beach stood hot water in thermos jugs, as well as glasses and cups for the tea - and coffee preparation. For the choice there was local Coffee and various tea kinds. Shortly after our arrival 2 toast were served with a fried egg and fresh pineapple. In order to coat there were different jams and chocolate peanut cream.

The restaurant is built from local wood and bamboo in the traditional Minahasa style. It serves not only to have the food, but also provides an area where guests can get together and exchange their diving experiences with a cool drink. Here is also the place where one has the best internet reception.

For lunch and dinner the long wooden table is layed. Plates and cutlery lie on clean sets. For the hot drinks you provide yourself. Either one helps himself with coffee or tea, or one orders a chill Bir Bintang or a soft drink. From the kitchen, delicious fish, poultry or meat dishes are served on plates for your choice. In addition vegetables and rice or roasted potatoes, sometimes also special soups à la maison. On some days there are fish fresh from the grill or as another specialty of Cakalang-cuisine: In dough baked and with vegetables filled Tofu.

As dessert are available tropical fruits such as pineapple, banana or papaya.

Everything is prepared tasty and appetizing. A look in the kitchen testifies of the fact that there works a very friendly and contented team in hygienic surroundings.

The Day

Our daily schedule was determined by the 3 meals and one or two dives (see below). In the interim, we went snorkelling on the house reef directly in front of our resort. As almost everywhere all around the island there is an underwater paradise with a variety of corals and fish. Also this year we were again so fascinated as 10 years ago, when we discovered the "Aquarium" off Bunaken. One need not be a diver to explore here the specific world of the coral reef with his countless coral fish kinds, anemone fishes, lionfishes, parrotfishes, sweet lips, butterflyfishes (see picture), boxfishes, triggerfishes, but also moraines, bluespotted stingrays, to small or big exemplars of napoleon wrasses. With some luck one sights at the border of the reef, something more than 100 m from the beach, a passing reef shark, eagle ray, barracuda or a giant turtle.

During the diving-free time we also went for walks to the village Bunaken approx. 600 m away to visit once again old friends. Everywhere on the way through the village you meet friendly people calling "selamat siang" (good afternoon). If you are discovered by children, they inform their friends by the cry of "bule", to draw attention to the fact that a white man is in sight.

If you are interested. go in a north-westerly direction for about 400 m and you can then visit the great new photovoltaic system on the island. The people of Bunaken are very proud of their achievement and you will surely find someone who guides you with pleasure through the plant.
To the north, one comes along the concrete road to Tanjung Parigi. If you want to traverse the forest in the direction of Liang Beach on the west side of the island, you should be careful that you do not move in circles and keep always in mind the way back (leave not too late, remember branches, sun or GPS device as help). But be not too afraid: The walk through the jungle is not longer than 700 m.

The rest of our time we spent with reading on our porch, sharing in the restaurant the latest underwater photos with the dive buddy, writing e-mails or sending text messages. At the hot midday hours I often lied in my hammock under a shade-giving tree on the beach in front of our bungalow.

Then after the dinner we mostly used the opportunity to sit together with Julin, Ferdinand and the other guests drinking one (or several) Bir Bintang. In this small resort with only 2 bungalows and the few rooms in the house, where, therefore, no more than 6-8 guests usually sit at a table, you find a family atmosphere as it is only rarely found elsewhere on Bunaken . For a change one meets in the Opo Cafe for a Bir or "Mie Bakso", a meatball soup, the speciality of the house. You have to go a few hundred meters, but should take a torch with you.

Dive Center CAKALANG

Until recently Ferdinand worked as a freelance instructor for many resorts on Bunaken. He does so still. Now he has also set up his own dive center in Cakalang Resort.

He performs the diving courses in his native language Dutch, in German and English - regardless at which resort you live - as a freelance PADI - Instructor. He offers:

• Discover Scuba Diving (2 dives): He lets you experience the beauty of the underwater world at the most beautiful dive sites in the world. His friendly and gentle kind of teaching takes away the possibly existing shyness and enthusiastic, so that you are ready for the next step ..
• PADI Open Water Course: alone or in a small group you will learn the basics of diving and with it the license for diving around the world.
• PADI Advanced Open Water Course: You extend with his help your knowledge and abilities (e.g., deep diving and night diving, wreck diving and navigating). In a small group or if requested also alone.

Diving in CAKALANG Dive Center

After a long abstinence Andreas and I expected our first dive the next morning with great joy. We both have enough experience. Nevertheless one is fulfilled over and over again by some excitement: How does one manage with the dive guide and the unknown partner? We both dived with their own equipment, but however wanted to get an idea of the new dive center. By looking into the equipment room we were able to convince ourselves that the entire diving equipment from renowned manufacturer smade an as good as new and well-kept impression. Since the dive center was still under construction during our stay, the dive center was not yet fully equipped. However, orders were on the move and constantly packages with new material arrived.

Of course, we were interested in the condition of the compressor and its location. In consideration of the relatively small property we already had concerns that a considerable noise pollution could go out from compressor and generators. . But Ferdinand had found a very clever solution and housed all the equipment in the basement of the building. About a stair we got in two separate rooms. The apparatuses worked there behind sheds provided with sound absorption. Proudly Ferdinand his showed us ingeniously thought-out ventilation and exhaust gas system outward. Another basement room was just tiled and should become a spare parts store for diving equipment and repair shop once.

When we reached our dive boat Kurnia the next morning at 9 clock on a nearby path through the mangroves, all our equipment was already on board and the diving equipment was mounted. The boat has an ideal size for approx. 4-6 divers and is with his two 40 HP - engines very fast. Today we shared one dive guide with our first dive. Captain was the for many years by us known and experienced "Feki". The first destination was Alung Banua, a dive site on the west side of the island which is usually free of current and is visited consequently often by diving beginners.

It took about 10 minutes until we docked at the buoy. On board, everything was neat and tidy and ready to hand. For a snack there was fruit, biscuits and a drinking water dispenser with Aqua.

In a short briefing, dive guide Aman described to us the dive site as a gently sloping wall with many caves where you can see in addition to nudibranchs and scorpion fish, larger fish such as reef sharks, eagle rays, tuna, mackerels or Napoleon with some luck. Our maximum dive depth he fixed at 25 m. Feki and Aman helped in putting on the dive gear and stood friendly aside where help was necessary. Arriving at the dive site we noticed that indeed there was hardly any current.

During the more than one hour lasting dive Aman proved himself as an experienced guide who showed us not only the hardly to be discovered nudibraches and leaf fish, but had also always an eye on us. In particular, when we went at 20 m depth in a cave and floated upward in a narrow chimney of about 8 meter.

After the surface interval which we spent on the roof of the boat followed a second dive at Lekuan III, also on the west side of the island. At about. 13 o'clock we returned and were glad about the already set table in the restaurant.

In the next 14 days more guests arrived, with whom we went diving. We visited almost all dive sites around Bunaken, Manado Tua and Siladen. One of the highlights was the wreck dive close to the Mandoer harbour. The often long journeys were not charged extra, as is the case in some other resorts. Andreas spent another a great day with other diving guests having a picnic on the beach of the neighboring island Siladen while I was already living in another resort.

Renting Dive Boat KURNIA

Even if I did not make any more use of this offer this year, nevertheless, I would like to report everybody of you who plans diving independently, about a possibility which could be interesting particularly for couples, families or groups:

You can rent the boat KURNIA inclusive boatswain to go independently to diving, snorkelling, fishing and dolphin tour. For diving an experienced local dive guide accompanies you. He takes care of your equipment before and after the diving and supportes you with UW-photographing.

Hereby arise invaluable benefits for you:

• For a fixed rent to you is the boat with boatswain available all day.
• Time, duration and the destination of our drives were completely incumbent upon our decision, i.e. complete independence of a divecenter
• Between the dives you ar free to make a "lunchbreak" in any nice, shady sandy bay . For such day trips the Resorts provides you with food. Boatswain and dive guide take over purchase, preparation and realisation of the barbecue for you.
• Accompanying non-divers can snorkel in various places at no extra cost, whenever they feel like.
• Basically it is also possible to go by this boat from Bunaken to the neighbouring islands or to Lembeh to stay there and to dive.

The boat KURNIA has two 40 HP engines, an oxygen tank with Nitrox regulator, life jackets, water dispenser, seat upholstery (which we can bring for sunbathing up to deck). If requested cold and hot drinks are provided for you.

The calculation of costs:

You pay the rent for boat and boatswain per day. Everything else will be charged extra as needed. This would include:

• Fuel
• Dive guide
• Dives including tank fills

This type of holiday is priced low especially for people from 3-6 people with their own equipment. The more people, the boat incl staff share, the lower is logically the price.

If I could arouse your interest now, you can contact Ferdinand directly and ask him for an offer geared to needs. Give him then full particulars about your special requirements, e.g., number of the people, divers, equipment to be rent, planned dives per day and so on.

What I particularly liked

• The hilarious and familiar atmosphere
• Commitment and warmth of the owners Julin and Ferdinand
• Spacious and well thought-out design of the bungalows
• Daily cleaning and change of towels and bed cloths every 3 days
• The cool climate inside thanks to a shady tree
• Noise protection and responsible behavior towards the environment
• Good service by the always helpful staff
• Varied, very tasty food
• Cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen
• Well-kept sandy beach with many places under shady trees
• There are hammocks available
• Free Wi-Fi
• The competence and the trained eye of the diving guide
• Full-service diving
• No increase in prices in more distant dive sites
• The helpfulness of the owners in many situations
  • Technical assistance, eg in case of problems with the equipment
  • Help with vacation planning
  • Getting flight tickets
• For individual needs- if possible - is catered.
• Flexibility: One is free, to dive with another dive center (but one does not) or to live somewhere else and dive here and do a PADI - diving course.
• The instructor Ferdinand is a patient, friendly instructor who can teach in English, German and of course in Dutch

Recommendation:

The DIVE RESORT CAKALANG is one of the rather cheaper budget resorts on Bunaken, ranked in this category even at the lower end in regard to price for living and diving. Nevertheless, it has an astonishing amount to offer: A very versatile kitchen with tasty and plentiful food, large enough and clean bungalows and good all-round service for divers.
I recommend it, therefore, all divers who want to live cheaply, without having to go without cleanliness and comfort. Divers and snorkelers will find ideal conditions with regard to support and competence of staff and well-maintained diving equipment here. These conditions are not always fulfilled in cheap dive resorts on Bunaken. Those who plan to take a dive course and are searching for an experienced and sympathetic German-speaking PADI Instructor, make the right choice here.

Because the small CAKALANG Dive Resort is already fully booked months before, not only during the high season, I urgently advise you to care about booking on time.

Should you have got interest in further information, you find them on the Website of the Resort

And here are some souvenir photos: