Planning a dive trip to Bunaken Manado, Indonesia

up close experience with a Hawk's Bill Turtle 
[More Photos here] 

GETTING THERE:

Destination

Manado (located in North Sulawesi of Indonesia)

Airport/s	Sam Ratulangi a.k.a Manado International Airport (Airport Code: MDC) More information about Manado Airport
Routes	Direct Flights from Jakarta to Manado (and vise versa) are available
Flights	Indonesia Flag Carriers: LionAir, CitiLink, BatikAir, Sriwijaya, Garuda Sports Equipment Check-in are available for LionAir & Garuda. Garuda offers 26KG Sports Equipment free of charge (this is as of July 2016, pls visit Garuda website or call costumer service for any updates/changes in their check-in policies). International Low Cost Carriers such as AirAsia, TigerAir, JetStar doesnt have flights to Manado (status checked as of July 2016). However, these airlines have flights to Jakarta Airport (Airport Code: CGK).   If you are not based in Indonesia, my suggestion is to fly to Jakarta and take Indonesia Flag Carrier flights to Manado (MDC).  Please note that if you are arriving at CGK International Terminal, you have to take a bus to domestic terminal. More information about Jakarta Airport Jakarta Airport CGK Terminal & Airline Guide  Flight Time (Jakarta CGK to Manado MDC): *3 Hours 10 Mins. (direct flights)
Booking Air Tickets	You can directly book tickets from airline websites as mentioned above or you can find and book flights through the following sites: NusaTrip.com, Tiket.com, Traveloka.com, Booking.com Domestic Indonesia flights are usually cheaper at NusaTrip.com
Quinn's Notes:	Flying domestic via low cost carriers / budget airlines - expect departure & arrival delays, it could take as long as 30 minutes delay to 2 hours delays, depending on the season. LionAir is known for this. If you are taking Garuda Airlines, less chances of departure/arrival delays.

DIVE OPERATOR:           Tasik Ria Resort, Spa & Tasik Divers Manado - North Sulawesi

Dive Package	Manado, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, 4D3N Trip. Package Cost  Diver: Rp 4,500,000,-/diver*   Non-Diver: Rp 2,000,000,-/person* *based on twin sharing room.  Cost may change, please contact dive resort or contact person below. Cost Includes:  Land transportation to and  from airport.  Twin sharing Deluxe room at Tasik Ria Resort for Manado. 3 day dives (with total of 6 dives in two days). Tanks and weights. Dive guide with ratio of 1 for each 4 divers. Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch on diving days. Cost Excludes: Airfare to and from the dive destinations (Jakarta-Manado).  Room service charges. Laundry services. Personal expenses. Gratuities to dive guide crew. Dive gear rental. Night dive. Dinner (it will be charged separately if you wish to dine at the resort) Additional courses like PADI Advance Open Water and Nitrox course can be arranged at the dive center however, this must be booked in advance. Dive Gear Rentals: Full set: Mask, snorkle, fins, regulator, BCD,Wetsuit. Rp250,000/day   Regulator; Rp100,000,-/day  |  BCD: Rp75,000,-/day Wetsuit: Rp70,000,-/day  |  Mask: Rp25,000,-/day Fins: Rp25,000,-/day  |  Torch: Rp50,000,-/day Dive computer: Rp75,000,-/day  |  Night dive: Rp300,000,-/day Nitrox tank: Rp100,000,-/tank Contact Options:  Directly to Tasik Resort or through Antony "Anton" Situmeang (antonmeang@gmail.com | +62811814806).  My name is Quinn and by all means, please mention my name to Anton. :-)
Quinn's Review	Accommodation (Rate: 8 out of 10): Rooms are very spacious and clean.  You have plenty of room to dry your equipment / wet suits or you can hang it at the dive center. Air Conditioning and WIFI are fully functional. Food (Rate: 8 out of 10): At the Resort:  Good selection of food for breakfast buffet (nothing fancy but it will fill you up).  Dinner buffet is a feast.  Food Selection: Western & Local (Manadonese).   On the Boat: Bring your own light snacks like biscuits or chocolates.  The boat provides hot and cold water, coffee and tea.  Lunch is cooked and served on the boat.  Not my favorite. From instant noodles to quick cooked food - soy sauce or chili sauce based food.  But usually divers are super hungry after 1 or 2 dives, so everything will taste good.  Hotel Service (Rate: 5 out of 10): It’s a huge resort with less personnel.  It will take a while to get someone to attend to your needs like ordering drinks by the pool or call for assistance to help you with your luggage upon check out Boat Service (Rate: 8 out of 10): Bring your own towel to the boat though the boat will provide you one.  Beer (or any alcoholic drinks) is not a standard part of the menu but if you request the boat man to fill up the boat with cold beers, they will.  Extra charge of course. Tasik Dive Resort have their own boat so its very convenient and comfortable as you don't have to share with other dive centers. Pool Area (Rate: 8 out of 10): Huge pool.  Always an awesome feeling to jump in the pool after dives. Watch out for mosquitoes and insects at night (if you choose to hangout at their restaurant or by the pool area)
Other Dive Center Options	Tasik Ria Resort Ranks #3 on TripAvisor but here you will find other options for dive centers and resorts You also have other options for accommodation if you do not wish to stay at Tasik, here are the other top accommodation choices.
Quinn's Dive Log Photos posted here	Dive 1 / Day 1: Fukui Point Bunaken Island - 5 May 2016 - Bottom Time 52 Mins - Max depth 23.5meters - 28°C Bottom Temp.- 20-25 ft visibility - Dive number: 62    Dive 2 / Day 1: Labosong Point Bunaken National Park - 5 May 2016 - Bottom time 55mins - Max depth 25.9 meters - 27°C Bottom Temp. - 20-25 feet Visibility - Dive number: 63    Dive 3 / Day 1: Critter Circle 2 Bunaken National Park - 5 May 2016 - Bottom Time 55 Mins - Max depth 26.8 meters - 27°C Boltom Temp. - 20-25 feet visibility - Dive number: 64    Dive 4 / Day 2: Celah Celah Bunaken National Park - 6 May 2016 - Nitrox 30% Oxygen - Bottom Time 57 Mins - Max depth 29.6 meters - 28°C Bottom Temp. - 20-25 feet visibility - Dive number: 65    Dive 5 / Day 2: Lekuan II Bunaken National Park - 6 May 2016 - Nitrox 32% Oxygen - Bottom Time 55 Mins - Max depth 22.3 meters - 28°C Bottom Temp. - 20-25 feet visibility - Dive number: 66    Dive 6 / Day 2: Muka Kampung Bunaken National Park - 6 May 2016 - Nitrox 33% Oxygen - Bottom Time 50 Mins - Max depth 27.4 meters - 28°C Bottom Temp. - 20-25 feet visibility - Dive number: 67    Dive 7 / Day 2: NIGHT DIVE Criter Circus II Bunaken Manado - 6 May 2016 - Nitrox 33% Oxygen - Bottom Time 41 Mins - Max depth 22.6 meters - 28°C Bottom Temp. - 20-25 feet visibility - Dive number: 68    Dive 8 / Day 3: Alung Banua Bunaken Manado - 7 May 2016 - Nitrox 32% Oxygen - Bottom Time 53 Mins - Max depth 28.4 meters - 28°C Bottom Temp. - 20-25 feet visibility - Dive number: 69    Dive 9 / Day 3: Lekuan III Bunaken Manado - 7 May 2016 - Nitrox 32% Oxygen - Bottom Time 51 Mins - Max depth 24.1 meters - 28°C Bottom Temp. - 20-25 feet visibility - Dive number: 70
More about Manado	Local Cuisine:   Manado cuisine is known for its rich variations in seafood, daring amount of spices, extra hot condiment,[1] exotic meats, and European-influenced cakes and pastries. Manado food hallmark among others are; tinutuan (Manado style vegetables and rice congee), cakalang fufu (smoked skipjack tuna), cakalang noodle, paniki (spiced fruit bat), chicken or various fish/seafood spiced in rica-rica or woku spices, chicken tuturuga, and brenebon.  Credit: Info Source
	Top Best Restaurants:  City Extra, Rumah Makan Raja Oci, Raja Sate Restaurant Manado, Tuna House, Wisata Bahari Seafood Restaurant.   Credit: Info Source Other Things To Do / Visit:  Soekarno Bridge,    Desa Wisata Bentenan, Museum Negeri Propinsi Sulawesi Utara, Blue Carpet, Safaris, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Credit: Info Source Local Transportation:  Mikrolet (local / popular public transport), buses, taxis, motorbike taxis, rent a car, rent a motorbike.  More Info Here

Other Scuba Diving Adventures and Underwater Photos:
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   BALINESE MANTA RAYS - Bali Indonesia
   A CLOSE UP WITH A HAWKSBILL TURTLE - Bunaken Manado Indonesia
   MY FIRST TIME TO DIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES - Anilao Batangas Philippines
   MANTA RAYS DECIDED TO TAKE A DAY OFF - Manta Point & Nusa Penida Bali 
   UNCOVERING U.S. ARMY CARGO SHIP - Tulamben Bali) 
   STROLLING AROUND CORAL GARDEN - Tulamben Bali)

Underwater Videos:
   UNDERWATER WORLD Video Playlist

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