Bunaken Dive Sites

Mandolin Point

The origin of the name of this site in the south west of the island is unknown but some have suggested it is a reference to the number of 'strings' present here in the form of whip corals.

Descending down alongside one of Bunaken's typically colourful walls you will soon realise that, in the 20-45m depth range, there are more single whips than your eye can take in. For depth chargers this is a good chance to get down into the 'narc zone'.

As a good diver you will want to avoid any unnecessary contact with the reef which here is like trying to snake through a maze of tripwires. Bigger stuff to see includes Maori wrasse, bumphead parrotfish (both the big green ones and blue-pink ones), mappa pufferfish and white-tip reef sharks. There is also no shortage of macro stuff to keep you amused with the whip corals playing host to commensal shrimps and whip gobies.

Later you will see the wall morphing into a mat of sponges and hard and soft corals over which the current will lead you. At this stage of your dive you can hunt around for porcelain crabs on bubble coral and gorgeous little candy crabs on soft corals. Mandolin Point is an unusual and continually stimulating spot to dive and is unlike any other dive site in the haven that is Bunaken.

Mandolin Point Reef Basics: Wall diving
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 15 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface conditions: Calm
Water temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience level: Intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round, but can be rough from January to March
Distance: ~20 km north of Manado Bay (45 mins)
Access: Bunaken and Manado resorts and liveaboards

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