Why You Should Go Diving in North Sulawesi

The Indonesian province of North Sulawesi is gaining popularity among tourists for its panoramic views, cultural attractions, and stunning underwater landscapes with colorful coral reefs. The rich biodiversity in areas surrounding the regional capital Manado has earned a reputation as a dream destination for divers, snorkelers, and water sports enthusiasts.

Why should North Sulawesi be on every dive traveler's wish list? The reason is the perfect tropical diving conditions year-round.

North Sulawesi is home to pristine coral reefs. Bunaken Marine Park is a biodiversity hotspot with over 2,000 species of fish and 380 species of coral. You can encounter humphead wrasse, barracuda, giant grouper, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, blue-spotted stingrays, emperor angelfish, Almaco jack, spotted seahorse, blue-striped snapper, bream, giant clams, helmeted hornsharks, nautilus, and ascidians. Dense schools of fish patrol Bunaken’s expansive reef flats. Divers and snorkelers are often surrounded by redtooth triggers, yellow snappers, butterflyfish, and dragonets.

Bunaken also hosts green sea turtles and hawksbills that feed on sponges. Visiting local dive sites at Lekuan and Timur almost guarantees turtle encounters. You can also experience thrilling drift dives at Raymond Point and Mandolin, situated between Bunaken and Manado Tua.

Most dives can be done at depths of less than 25 meters. However, a sunken cargo ship from World War II can be seen at 40 meters – its large propellers are well preserved.

The Lembeh Strait is located in the southeastern part of the province. This relatively small waterway between Lembeh Island and the mainland is a favorite among macro photographers and critter hunters eager to capture the astonishing variety of exotic marine life.

In Lembeh, you can encounter marine life ranging from tiny colorful nudibranchs and peculiar frogfish to quirky cephalopods and camouflaged crustaceans. Every dive in Lembeh offers the chance to discover something new and entirely unexpected. Sometimes it is called underwater Pokémon hunting. Delighted divers return from muck dives with new creatures like blue-ringed octopuses, mimic octopuses, and captivating flamboyant cuttlefish.

Painted and hairy frogfish, with their clumsy mobility, are favorites among videographers. The size of this species can range from as large as a basketball to as small as a fingernail.

Nudi Falls is one of the recommended dive sites to see unique and colorful creatures. It's also home to the popular pygmy seahorse Bargibanti, which lives among the branches of sea fans attached to the coral wall.

While the Lembeh Strait is famous for muck diving, its northern part features coral gardens. The depth there is between 18 and 24 meters.

North Sulawesi enjoys a year-round tropical climate and a comfortable water temperature of 28 to 30 degrees, allowing the use of a 3mm wetsuit. The dry season lasts from April to November, and the rainy season usually begins in early December. Overall, the diving conditions are good all year round.

Tour operators and locals promote sustainable tourism practices. Diving operators, marine parks, and local communities support conservation initiatives to protect coral reefs, preserve marine biodiversity, and support the local economy. The North Sulawesi Watersports Association (NSWA) is an alliance of 18 dive operators and resorts. Thanks to NSWA, dynamite fishing is a thing of the past. The association has also installed environmentally friendly mooring lines, allowing boats to dock without dropping and dragging anchors. All dive guides working at NSWA-Allied Resorts are highly qualified and strive to treat the environment carefully and respectfully.

North Sulawesi is easily accessible via Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado. Regular flights also connect major regions of Indonesia such as Bali and Jakarta, as well as nearby international hubs like Singapore. Local tour operators and diving operators provide convenient transport to accommodation sites.

Besides world-class diving, North Sulawesi is equally known for its rich culture and warm hospitality of the local people. Since tourism in this area is only beginning to develop, visitors to North Sulawesi are considered more like honored guests and friends rather than tourists.

Traveling foodies can enjoy the delicious cuisine of North Sulawesi. One of the most famous dishes is tinutuan – a porridge made of rice, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. A variety of seasonings and toppings enhance its taste, making it rich and slightly tangy.

While many signature dishes of Manadonese cuisine resemble other main Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice) and gado-gado (blanched vegetables with peanut sauce), one dish sets Manado apart – dabu-dabu, a variant of sambal. It is a spicy condiment resembling salsa, made from diced tomatoes, chili peppers, salt, green onions, and lime juice. Manadonese love it for the kick this spicy mix adds to any dish.

Thanks to its biogeographical position, North Sulawesi is home to many endemic animal species. Nature lovers and birdwatchers will enjoy the nearby Tangkoko Jungle Reserve. On its 8,700 hectares, you can find creatures such as the Sulawesi crested macaque and tree-dwelling marsupials. The masked owl, ground-dwelling maleo, and satanic nightjar are just a few of the exotic bird species inhabiting North Sulawesi.

The Minahasa highlands amaze travelers with breathtaking panoramas. From the summit of Mount Lokon, you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding green hills and fields. On clear days, you can see both coasts of North Sulawesi at once from the Tetetana hills.

In North Sulawesi, you can't miss the fascinating history of waruga, the ancient sarcophagi of the Minahasa people. These richly decorated ancient coffins are carved from stone. Experienced guides provide engaging stories about the heritage and people resting in them. With the spread of Christianity, such burial methods gradually disappeared, but today they are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You can also go rafting, cool off under magnificent waterfalls, visit amazing temples, or haggle at bustling markets in North Sulawesi. There are activities for every taste.