Snorkel, dive, and enjoy Manadonese cuisine in Bunaken National Park

THe Bunaken National Park is an ordinary tourist destination in Manado Bay, North Sulawesi Province. This area is an icon of Indonesia's marine beauty and has been recognized internationally as one of the best diving locations on the planet.

Offering crystal-clear water visibility of up to 20–30 meters, Bunaken provides a magnificent stage for thousands of marine life living harmoniously among towering coral reefs.

Designated as Indonesia's first marine national park in 1991 amid increasing awareness about the importance of protecting tropical coral reef ecosystems, this 89,065-hectare (ha) site encompasses both the island's land area and waters.

In 2005, Bunaken's biodiversity earned its inclusion on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s World Heritage Site list. This further solidified its standing in international tourism, particularly for tourists from Europe and the Americas.

Bunaken offers a variety of activities for all types of tourists. It boasts over 20 dive sites, including Lekuan I, II, and III, which are known as "The Wall Diving Paradise." The diverse species of pygmy seahorses, green turtles, and giant clams at Fukui Point dive site are prime targets for both macro and wide-angle photographers.

For those who don't dive, snorkeling at Siladen Island and Liang Beach offers views of colorful coral reefs. Visitors can explore the five main islands, Bunaken, Siladen, Manado Tua, Mantehage, and Nain, by ​​traditional boat. Sunset with the silhoutte of the Old Manado volcanic island in the background makes for a dramatic end to the day.

A trip to Bunaken wouldn't be complete without sampling the delicious local cuisine. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood prepared with authentic spices, such as grilled fish rica-rica with freshly caught fish and a signature spicy sauce, on the beach. Woku belanga and cakalang fufu are other iconic fish dishes rich in spices that provide a fresh and savory flavor.

There's also tinituan, or Manadonese porridge, a nutritious breakfast dish made from a mixture of pumpkin, corn, and various vegetables and served with sambal roa spicy sauce made from ballyhoo fish. In addition, sambal dabu-dabu is a must-have accompaniment adding a fresh, spicy and sour touch to every dish.

The best time to visit Manado is from May to October during the region's summer, when the seas are calmer and visibility is optimal. Follow conservation ethics by not stepping on coral reefs, feeding fishes, or throwing trash into the sea. Be sure to bring cash from mainland Manado City, North Sulawesi, as ATMs are not available in the Bunaken National Park area.