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07-02-2006, 9:13 PM IndianaJones Joined on:07-02-2006 Posts 1 Bunaken diving - Bunaken vs Siladen vs Gangga Hi everyone - looking for advice on where to stay for Bunaken diving. We've gone thru LP guidebook / TT posts - and still can't quite make up our minds on which place to choose as our base. - We'll have 7-8 days (end July) in northern Sulawesi for diving / relaxing on the beach. - We want to primarily do Bunaken park divesites (I understand they are the best in the region for coral reef diving). - We also want to try the muck diving in Lembeh strait, but since we haven't done muck diving before (and don't know yet if we'd like it), we don't want to commit the whole week for staying in Lembeh, but rather do it as a day trip from my base resort or move to Lembeh for 2 days - We'd rather stay in more upmarket place / nice beach / beachfront bungalows (price is secondary consideration) Can you help by sharing your thoughts on how the following would fit this picture: - BUNAKEN ISLAND - we've got recommendations on Cha Cha / Froggies / M.C. I understand staying on Bunaken island places us the closest to the divesites, but I get the impression that the beaches are nothing special and the accomodation basic? - SILADEN - found it on internent - and it looks really nice (better accomodation), and it still lies within the park so I assume access to divesites is fast - any reports / POV on it? How is the beach vs Bunaken? - GANGGA - looks like a really nice accomodation & they claim doing both Bunaken park & Lembeh strait diving, on top of Gangga / Bangka reefs - but it's a 45 min boat ride and I'm afraid they don't do it everyday. Any info how the Gangga / Bangka reefs compare to Bunaken park? - MAINLAND (NEAR MANADO) RESORTS - any info places like Minahasa Lagoon, Santika Manado/Thalassa, Kima Bajo, Tasik Ria? - 1-2 DAYS IN LEMBEH - should we do it as a day trip from our base resort, or rather move for e.g. 2days to a place like Kungkungan / Lembeh resort? Thanks in advance.    Report

07-07-2006, 1:32 AM 1Scubadiver Joined on:07-06-2006 Posts 1 Re: Bunaken diving - Bunaken vs Siladen vs Gangga We've stayed at Santika twice, using the on site operator, Thalassa. The hotel is pleasant, well-maintained with decent food. The dive center is a PADI 5 star and often has several DM and Instructor students in residence. The owner of the center is Dutch and most of the guests at the hotel are European with increasing numbers of Americans as Manado becomes more popular. She has cultivated a good relationship with the local village, providing DM certification for a number of local guys and raising funds for remodeling two schools. There is a long walk, possibly 150 meters, on a plank bridge to the jetty where divers get on boats that accomodate groups of anywhere from 4-10 divers. The staff trucks your gear to and from the boats.  Since it is only a 10-15 minute ride to the primary dive sites, I see no advantage to staying on Bunaken itself. There doesn't seem to be anything particularly striking about it and I believe water is in limited supply.  It also seems a bit more congested with resorts/hotels compared to Santika which feels remote. It's worth the extra fare for a longer boat ride to Popu and to Banka. Popu features some interesting muck diving. If you get over to Banka, also make sure to dive Machiko Point, a fanstastic spot. We haven't dived Lembeh but will be doing so this November when we return to N. Sulawesi for the third time, in this case on the Aggressor.  From everything I've heard, if you're into UW macro photography it would be worthwhile to spend at least 2-3 dive days at Lembeh. We've run into another diver from the States who goes to this area for 2 weeks each year, spending one at Santika/Thalassa and another at one of the resorts in Lembeh.  I believe there is another dive center/hotel near Popu which has received positive comments but I haven't been there myself.  Looks as though you have a nice time coming up! Peace, Travis    Report

07-30-2006, 5:57 PM bluebaydivers Joined on:07-29-2006 Posts 1 Re: Bunaken diving - Bunaken vs Siladen vs Gangga hi indi, there is an alternative to gangga island resort. its a new small dive resort in bangka island, at the small paradisical island sahaung. from there you can dive in bangka/gangga , bunaken and lembeh!! just check out the web site http://www.bluebaydivers.de hope that helps anke    Report

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