Something else often spotted by divers is litter, there is too much of it in the waters around Bunaken. Garbage disposal in Manado city basically involves chucking rubbish into the sea. It's a disappointing distraction from the otherwise beautiful reefs and something that the marine park authorities are working to address. 
There are several dive sites around Bunaken Island, mostly drop offs just off shore:
Bunaken Timur (Bunaken East) is one long reef wall down to 40m running all the way from north to south down the east coast of Bunaken Island. The reef needs several dives to see it all and is usually a gentle drift but when currents are strong a large distance can be covered. Divers should also be wary off up and down currents.
Bigger fish to look for includes eagle rays and black tip reef sharks. Green turtles are often seen. All the usual reef fish can be found here as well as lots of macro critters like leaffish and ornate ghost pipefish. If you'd like a challenge, try to count all the species of butterflyfish here, there are 33 different species!
Lekuan I,II & III are three prongs of the same reef to the south of Bunaken Island. They are three seperate dive sites that are suitable for all levels of diver with crystal clear water and weak currents. The dramatic walls are not just popular with divers, the fish like it here too! Large schools of bumphead parrotfish charge around the reef. Green turtles can be seen on coral ledges, it's not uncommon to see five or six on each dive. Napolean wrasse can often be spotted too. As with most dive sites in the area, critter hunting divers will also love it here. Coral crevices are full of nudibranchs, crustaceans and small reef fish. Continued >> |
