World divers know well this little island on the north shore of Indonesian Sulavesi. It is famous for the coral gardens and plenty of tropical fish. Thanks to the nearby Manado airport with direct flights to Singapore, Jakarta and Bali many foreigners are coming the beauty of the underwater world. I am the backpacker, diving was always too expensive to me. I went to the Bunaken Island to snorkel. It is 45 min by junky motorboat from the little Manado harbor. Coral gardens of Bunaken are worth to see – local resorts charge hefty 50000 INR for the rental of mask and snorkel! Pay or bring gear with you and just swim through the grassy area to the edge of the big blue hole. Enjoy the beauty of the nature.
Most package tourists go from airport to the boat and onward to the resort to dive. They are missing something: lovely, sleepy fishing village on the Bunaken Island full of nice people, jackfruit trees and wooden boats. I got there in the private house a big plate of nasi (rice) with fish for just 5000 INR – like 50 cents…
