Diving Bunaken Island
Tanjung Kopi
Located on the east coast foothills of the spectacular volcanic island of Manado Tua, Tanjung Kopi is literally translated as "Coffee Point" but the reason for the name remains a mystery. However, one thing is for sure, the site is superb for the photographer. Both wide angle and macro lens can be used, so bring both along.
The dive site's main feature is a sloping underwater plateau that descends from 5 to 30 metres, fringed with a vertical wall that drops off to over 80 metres. An experienced dive guide is essential for diving here, as entry at the correct point is critical. Currents can be very strong, so you'll want to drop in upstream and drift over to the plateau.
This is the ideal location in Bunaken to see the bigger fish species. Use a reef hook or find a suitable rock to hold onto, then just hang out and watch the action in the deeper water off the wall. Black tip reef sharks, dogtooth tunas, Napoleon fish, giant trevally, eagle rays and the occasional hammerhead shark all glide through the currents, seemingly without effort.
But equally Tanjung Kopi is famous for its schooling fish with hundreds of batfish, jacks and bigeye trevallies imitating each other in a single group. On the reef plateau, blacktail barracuda hang around at 7 metres deep feeding in the currents.
For lovers of macro life, reef fish and corals, there is something for all, as some of the best soft coral gardens at Manado Tua can be found on the southern reef top of Tanjung Kopi. Reef fish are in abundance and many surprises lie in store, from harlequin shrimps, boxer crabs, starry morays, ribbon eels,and nudibranchs of all shapes, sizes and colouration to mention just a few.
Amongst the most fascinating things about this Bunaken dive site is the grandeur of Manado Tua Island itself. Being an extinct volcano, you can actually follow the outline of the centuries-old larva flows down to the water's edge, and imagine how the underwater topography was formed all those eons ago.
Tanjung Kopi Reef Basics: Plateau with fringing wall
Depth: 5 - >35m
Visibility: 20 - 30m
Currents: Can be very strong, depending on tides with up and down currents
Surface Conditions: Calm
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Advanced only
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: All year round, but can be rough from January to March
Distance: ~27 km north of Manado Bay (60 mins)
Access: Bunaken and Manado resorts and liveaboards
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