Some dive resorts try to be everything to everyone. Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort does not. It knows exactly what it is: a long-established, professional operation sitting on the best stretch of sand on Bunaken Island. Liang Beach faces west, catching every sunset. The water is calm. The beach is wide. And beneath the surface, the Bunaken National Marine Park drops away into something extraordinary.
Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort puts you 60 minutes by boat from Manado and a world away from the crowds. The location works. From here, you reach all the famous wall dives within a short boat ride. Fukui, Lekuan, Mandolin. The names mean something to divers: steep coral plunges, turtles sleeping on ledges, schools of barracuda and bumphead parrotfish cruising past. The dive guides are local. They know the currents, the cleaning stations, and the spots where eagle rays glide through the blue.
What surprises most guests is the value. Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort offers a range of rooms that keeps diving affordable without sacrificing comfort. Standard hillside rooms work for budget travellers. Superior and deluxe beachfront rooms add air conditioning, hot water, and private terraces with hammocks. The newest deluxe beachfront rooms sit right on the sand. Step off your balcony, walk 20 metres, and you are at the dive boats. That simplicity matters after a week of 8 am starts.
The resort itself feels relaxed. An elevated lounge area looks out over the strait. Free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a pool table, and a swimming pool fill the gaps between dives. The spa offers massage, facials, and reflexology. The beachside bar serves cold beer at sunset. None of it is flashy. All of it works. Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort was previously awarded Dive Resort of the Year based on guest feedback, and the same quiet competence remains today.
Diving runs on a steady schedule. 3 boat dives per day, sometimes 4 if you add a night dive. Boats leave at 8:30 am for two morning dives with a surface interval on board. Afternoon dive at 3 pm. Night or mandarin dives at 5 pm or 6 pm. Nitrox is available for certified divers. The dive centre has 4 modern boats, 2 compressors, a camera room, and a drying room. Staff rinse your gear. Guides keep ratios at 1:4. Maximum dive time is 70 minutes or 50 bar, whichever comes first.
For the full North Sulawesi experience, combine Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort with its sister property in Lembeh Strait. A combination package makes sense: walls and big fish in Bunaken, then muck and macro in Lembeh. The same operator, the same standards, 2 completely different worlds. Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort is not the fanciest place on the island. But for dependable diving, fair prices, and a beachfront location that delivers, it remains one of the smartest choices in the park.
Where you sleep after a day of wall diving should be comfortable without costing a fortune. Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort gets that balance right. The property sits on Liang Beach, the longest stretch of sand on Bunaken Island, and the accommodation options stretch from budget-friendly hillside rooms to brand new beachfront units completed in 2024. No matter which you choose, you wake up to the sound of water and the knowledge that the park's best dive sites are minutes away.
The most popular choice are the
Superior Beachfront rooms. 14 of them, lined up along the sand. Each has air conditioning, a private terrace with a hammock, and direct access to the beach. Step off your balcony, walk a few metres, and you are at the dive boats. These rooms are simple in design but generous in space. Wooden interiors, tiled floors, and large windows that catch the sea breeze.
For something newer, the
Deluxe Beachfront rooms were built in 2024. 5 units, modern and spacious. Stylish tile flooring, air conditioning, luxurious bathrooms, and private balconies facing the water. The finishes are a step up from the standard beachfront rooms. Perfect for divers who want a bit more comfort without losing the beachfront location. Sunset views are excellent from here.
If you prefer elevation and quiet, the hillside rooms offer a different vibe. 4
Superior Hillside rooms sit above the coastline, surrounded by tropical foliage. Each has a private balcony, air conditioning, and views of either the garden or the ocean. The walk to the restaurant and pool is short. 5
Standard Hillside rooms are the most affordable option. Basic but comfortable. Air conditioning, ensuite bathroom with hot water, and a terrace. Ideal for budget travellers who spend most of their waking hours underwater.
All rooms at Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort include the following:
- Air conditioning and fan cooling
- Daily housekeeping
- Twin or double bed configuration
- Private bathroom with hot water shower
- Balcony and exterior furniture
- Towels and soap
- Mosquito nets
- Table, cabinet and chair
- Electricity - twin round pin (power socket adaptors available)
Bunaken is not subtle. The walls drop. The currents push. The fish gather in numbers that make you check your air more often than usual. Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort sits on the best beach on the island, and the dive operation matches the location. Western-managed, PADI-certified, and staffed by local guides who have grown up in these waters. You are in professional hands.
Bunaken National Marine Park covers 5 islands. The diving is defined by steep walls that fall hundreds of metres, with colourful coral gardens in the shallows. Classic sites include Fukui, Lekuan, and Mandolin. Expect green and hawksbill turtles on every dive. Reef sharks patrol the walls. Schools of barracuda, bumphead parrotfish, tuna, and wahoo cruise past. The guides know where the eagle rays clean. They also spot the smaller things: scorpionfish, seahorses, nudibranchs hiding in the crevices.
For advanced divers, the deeper sections of the walls offer something special. For beginners, the shallow coral gardens at 4-5 metres are regarded as some of the best in the world. Snorkellers can join the dive boats and stay on the surface. The visibility is consistently good.
Daily Dive Schedule:
The routine works around the park's conditions. 3 boat dives per day, sometimes 4 with a night dive:
* 8:30 am - First dive (morning)
* Surface interval on the boat (approx 1 hour) with snacks, fruit, coffee, tea, water
* Second dive (morning). Return to resort for lunch
* 3 pm - Third dive (afternoon)
* 5 pm or 6 pm - Mandarin dive or night dive (extra charge)
Boat journey times to most sites from Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort range from 2 to 30 minutes. Maximum bottom time is 70 minutes or until 50 bar, whichever comes first. The 50 bar rule is enforced. No decompression diving.
Dive Options:
* Standard boat dives (wall, reef, mixed)
* Night dives (see the reef transform)
* Mandarin fish dives at dusk
* Enriched air nitrox (EANx) for certified divers (must show cert. and analyse own tank)
* PADI courses from Discover Scuba to Divemaster
* AIDA freediving courses (II, III, IV) with national record holder Stanley Sradaputta
* Snorkelling trips (join the dive boats)
* Dolphin trips (organised separately)
* Visits to Nain Island (extra charge, arrange on arrival)
Dive Centre Facilities:
Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort maintains a well-organised dive centre. The team rinses your gear, carries it to the boats, and stores it overnight.
* 2 electric compressors
* 4 modern wooden-hulled dive boats (6-13 metres)
* Camera room (workstations, charging, storage)
* Drying room for wet equipment
* Equipment storage
* Fresh water bucket shower and bathroom at the dive centre
* 11-litre aluminium tanks with INT valves (adjustable DIN inserts)
* Limited 13-litre 'big' tanks available (surcharge, request in advance)
* Full rental equipment (BCD, regs, wetsuits, masks, fins, computers)
* First aid kit and emergency oxygen on site
Dive Boats:
Traditional style with wooden hulls. Specifications vary but all include:
* 2-3 x 40 HP Yamaha engines
* Shaded kit-up area
* Rinse tank for cameras
* Sundeck
* Drinking water (coffee, tea, snacks, fruit provided)
* Toilet (on some boats)
* First aid kit and emergency oxygen
* Crew of 2 (captain, assistant) plus guide
* Maximum 1 guide per 4 divers
* Maximum 6-16 divers per boat (varies by boat)
* Crew assemble and rinse gear
Safety and Emergency Procedures:
The approach is practical and clearly communicated.
* Dive insurance mandatory. DAN Asia-Pacific short-term cover available on arrival. Any valid dive insurance accepted.
* Dive computers strongly recommended.
* Maximum depth: 18 metres for Open Water Divers; 30 metres for Advanced or higher (unless deep specialty certified).
* End dive at 50 bar. Complete 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres. Surface.
* No decompression diving.
* Nearest recompression chamber: Manado (approx 1 hour by boat then 30 minutes by car).
* Emergency oxygen on all boats and at dive centre.
* Evacuation procedures briefed to guests.
A day of wall diving in Bunaken works the body. Currents, deep drops, and the constant need to check your depth and air leave you ready for a different kind of focus when you surface. Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort understands this. The property sits on Liang Beach, the longest stretch of sand on the island, and the amenities are designed for simple, honest relaxation.
The elevated open-air lounge is the social heart of the resort. It overlooks the water, catches the afternoon breeze, and offers satellite TV, a DVD player with a movie library, a book exchange, and fish identification guides. Free Wi-Fi reaches the lounge, restaurant, and reception area. A pool table provides low-key evening entertainment. The swimming pool sits nearby, a freshwater alternative to the sea.
For deeper relaxation, the spa offers traditional massage services including shiatsu, reflexology, facials, and body scrubs. The therapists work on tired shoulders and lower backs. Book a session after the 3 pm dive, before dinner. Liang Beach itself is the real amenity. Sun beds line the sand. The beachfront restaurant and bar serve cold drinks and meals with a view. The water is calm, safe for swimming, and family-friendly.
Freediving:
Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort offers AIDA-certified freediving courses and guided training sessions. Stanley Sradaputta, a national record-holder (81 metres in 3 minutes), leads the programme.
Land Tours and Cultural Excursions:
When you need a break from salt water, Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort arranges day trips to the mainland. These require a full day and should be planned in advance.
* Minahasa Highland Tour: cooler air, volcanic lakes (Tondano), ancient waruga stone tombs, traditional villages, and spicy Minahasa cuisine. The highlands rise 600-700 metres above sea level. Bring a sweater.
* Volcano trekking (Mount Lokon): a 3-4 hour hike up an active volcano at 1,580 metres. Fumaroles, mud pools, and panoramic views. Local guides mandatory.
* Tangkoko Jungle National Park: 8,700 hectares of primary rainforest. Look for tarsiers (the world's smallest primate), black macaques, and hornbills. Moderate trekking.
* Manado City Tour: the regional capital. Bustling fish market, the largest Chinese temple in North Sulawesi, notable Christian landmarks, and a nearby waterfall if time permits.
* Dolphin trips: organised separately if you do not see them from the dive boats.
* Tarsier in Mangrove: a local alternative to the full Tangkoko trip, for guests with limited time.
* Rafting: available on some rivers; ask at reception.
Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort facilities include: Beachfront restaurant and bar - Shiatsu and Spa with massage, reflexology, facials & scrubs - Swimming pool - Elevated open-air lounge with satellite TV, DVD player, movie library, book exchange & fish ID books - Free wi-fi internet in lounge, restaurant and reception area - Camera room (charging, storage, workstations) - Beach sun beds - Snack/provisions shop - Casual baby sitting service - Manado tour desk - Laundry service - 24/7 security
Diving Bunaken's walls burns through energy. The currents, the depths, the sheer concentration of big fish and steep drop-offs leave you hungry. Properly hungry. Bastianos Bunaken Dive Resort serves meals that satisfy without pretence. The beachfront restaurant overlooks the water, and if you time it right, your evening meal happens against a Bunaken sunset. The restaurant is open-air. The breeze usually keeps things comfortable.
Breakfast runs from around 7 am. The spread is simple and solid: eggs cooked to order, pancakes or waffles, hot and cold cereals, fresh fruit, toast, and coffee or tea. It is enough to fuel the first 2 dives of the day.
Lunch and dinner follow a set menu or buffet, depending on the day. The kitchen mixes Indonesian, Chinese, Italian, and other Western styles. Seafood features heavily. Curries are popular. Once a week, the resort puts on a BBQ. A typical meal includes soup or salad, a fish dish, a meat dish, a vegetable option, and one more main. Rice is always present. Meals finish with fresh fruit or pastries. Portions are generous. The quality is consistent.
Throughout the day, tea, coffee, drinking water, and bananas are available free of charge. The beachfront mini bar sells soft drinks, beer, and wine.
Special diets can be accommodated. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal. Send us notice in advance and the kitchen will work around your needs.
Service is friendly and unhurried. Do not expect a la carte or gourmet plating. What you get is honest food, cooked well, served with a view of the water you just dived.
"
All the staff were SUPER friendly and very caring, they did everything they could to ensure that all of our demands/needs were answered. Very good food, lovely accommodation, pick up and drop off from and to Manado very well organised. An incredible diving experience with Simone, the best teacher we could have hoped for. Equipment in excellent condition; we felt very safe all along.
Dive The World provided easy and quick contact during all of our trip." -
Celine Faessler, Switzerland, 8 August 2024 ...
"
Service at both resorts (here in Bunaken and Bastianos Lembeh) was excellent. The resort managers were extremely helpful, dive crew and divemaster were exceptional, and the resort staff was friendly and accommodating. Overall, the staff, food and facilities were excellent." -
Nancy Nehring, USA, 11 November 2012 ...
"
They take care of us from the time we land at the airport thru when they drop us at the airport. Food was good (better at Lembeh Strait). Manager of the resort were really nice and helpful." -
Stephane Tremblay, Canada, 25 April 2012 ...
