Bunaken National Marine Park General Information

Bunaken National Marine Park General Information The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia's growing system of marine parks. The park covers a total surface area of 89,065 hectares, 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken , Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists. The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and harbor some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Pick any of group of interest - corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken . The park has around 70 genera of corals; compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found. BUNAKEN NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE: All visitors to the Bunaken National Park (divers and non-divers) are required to pay an entrance fee, in accordance with North Sulawesi Provincial Government Provincial Law Number 9/2002. The entrance fee for foreign visitors is Rp 50,000 per daily ticket (approximately US$6), or Rp 150,000 (approximately US$17) for a waterproof plastic entrance tag valid for the full calendar year. Entrance tags and tickets can be purchased direct from all NSWA members, or from ticket counters on Bunaken Island and on Siladen Island. They must be carried at all times that guests'are within the park boundaries, and tags can easily be affixed to guests'diving or snorkeling gear or on backpacks. Enforcement of the entrance fee system is conducted via spot checks by park rangers on land and at sea. The entrance fee system has been adapted from the well-known Bonaire Marine Park system, and the proceeds from the sales of the entrance tags are managed by the Bunaken National Park Management Advisory Board (BNPMAB), a multi-stakeholder board that NSWA is a member of. The system has been very successful in raising over $250,000 for conservation programs in the Bunaken Marine Park since its inception in 2001. Please read: The Bunaken Entrance Fee - Questions and Answers Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park. Biologists believe that the abundance of hard corals is crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. Hard corals are the architects of the reefs, without them, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals (folious, branching, massives, etc.) for shelter and egg-laying. Others, like the enormous Bumphead Parrotfish, Balbometopon muricatum, are"coralivores"and depend on hard corals for their sustenance. Bony mouth parts fused into an impressive"beak"allow these gregarious fish to crunch corals like roasted peanuts. Some 20,000 people live on the natural resources of Bunaken National Marine Park. Although there are inevitable conflicts between resource protection and use by people, the Indonesian government is taking a fairly unusual and pragmatic approach to park management. The idea is to promote wise resource use while preventing overexploitation. Local communities, government officials, dive resort operators, local nature groups, tourists and scientists have played an active role in developing exclusive zones for diving, wood collection, fishing and other forms of utilization. If successful, Bunaken Marine Park will stand as an important example of how Sulawesi, and the rest of Indonesia, can work to protect its natural resources. Accommodation and Transfer On the island you have the choice amongst a number of homestays, with rates starting at around Rp. 80 000 per day and person incl. fullboard. If you only go for the cheapest option don't complain afterwards if the water in your mandi (bathroom) doesn't get filled up regularly, or food isn't quite as nice as you had hoped for. Life in North Sulawesi in general isn't as cheap as in other regions of Indonesia, and most things on Bunaken have to be brought in from Manado. Depending on the season even fish can be pretty expensive. Better think twice before you try to bargain down prices which are already cheap; for the locals it could mean the difference between being able to eat 3 or only 2 meals a day, or buying school books for the children or not. Some of the dive operations on Bunaken are offering more upmarket accommodation, even hot showers (Living Colours, Cha Cha Nature Resort). Some guesthouses ("homestays") on Bunaken : Pangalisang Beach: Lorenso's Homestay Liang Beach: Panorama, Nelson's, Papa Boa There are a lot more... Bunaken's much smaller neighbour Siladen only offers few accommodations. Most popular among budget travelers seems to be Martha's Homestay. The most upmarket resort within the boundaries of the Bunaken National Park is Siladen Resort&Spa which started operations in 2003. The eco-friendly luxury boutique resort places high emphasis on the protection of the Marine Park and the environment.  The public boats from Manado to Bunaken are leaving daily around 2 p.m (depending on tide), except Sundays, from Pasar Jengki near Manado harbour. Back from Bunaken to Manado usually early in the morning, around 7-8 a.m. Even on Sundays there might be boats, just go to the harbour and ask people there. To charter a boat is about Rp. 150,000 - 200,000 OW. If you want to go to Siladen it is better to inquire first at the harbour, but usually there are several boats as well. The fare to Siladen is also Rp. 15 000. Bunaken - Scuba Diving A growing number of dive centers is operating from the mainland around Manado and directly from Bunaken Island. Generally spoken you should rather pay a few dollars more and go for safe and experienced operators than just choose the cheapest option. Tank fillings can be a problem, and headaches after each dive give you a clear sign that your dive operator saves money on filters; better go somewhere else if you experience this. In general diving standards in North Sulawesi are high, as is environmental awareness among the dive operators, especially the ones who have formed the North Sulawesi Watersports Association , NSWA. The NSWA has made significant strides in improving the management and conservation of Bunaken National Park and surrounding marine ecosystems and in conferring concrete benefits of tourism to the villagers living within the park. Many of its members have spent a lot of their money and time for various ecological and social achievements within the park. This has not gone unnoticed; the Bunaken National Park has received the"Tourism for Tomorrow Award"and the"UN Equator Prize"(more on www.divenorthsulawesi.com ). Unfortunately some stupid backpackers still think that they know everything better than these international organisations and refuse to pay the entrance fee to the National Park. If you are planning to do this, please stay away. You are not welcome - the National Park needs support, not ignorance! A few Bunaken Dive Operations (just a few): Living Colours Diving Bunaken : Dive center and resort on the eastern side of Bunaken ; idyllic location, nice and professional team, relaxed atmosphere, good food. Hot water showers. Cha Cha Dive Lodge Bunaken : Small and intimate dive resort, also on the eastern side. Run by an Irish-Italian/Japanese couple. Excellent food, hot water showers. Two Fish Divers Bunaken : PADI operation based at Pangalisang. Two British instructors, recommended for courses. Bastianos Resort&Diving Center : located on Liang Beach, western side of the island. Since April 2004 the dive center is managed by Indonesian instructor Frans Rattu. A few Manado Dive Operations (not complete): Eco Divers Manado have their base at Minahasa Lagoon Resort to the south west of Manado. Modern and well-organized dive center. They have their own resort in Lembeh, so Eco Divers is an excellent choice if you want to do both, which is highly recommended. Since April 2009 diving at the nice and friendly Tasik Ria Resort Manado (about 20 minutes by car from the city) is run by Tasik Divers , with all new boats and equipment. Celebes Divers : Nice resort south of Manado, run by Italians. Minahasa Lagoon Resort : One of the most upmarket (dive) resorts in North Sulawesi. Located at a beautiful bay about 30 km south-west of Manado. Very well run, excellent services, even small things are very well taken care of. LumbaLumba Diving : Dive center with own cottages based in Tasik Ria. Very well run, owned by a Dutch couple. Snorkeling and Diving Guidelines Do not touch living marine wildlife, such as coral, animals, etc. Do not collect souvenirs (shells, coral, etc.). Do not stand or rest on coral reefs. Never harass aquatic animals for your own amusement. Always be aware of your position in the water and that of your dive gear, in relation to marine animals and the coral reef. Remember to dive safely, both in terms of your health and that of the marine environment. Review and update diving skills such as buoyancy control, finning and positioning. Do not feed marine animals. For dive resorts based at or near Lembeh Strait/Bitung please see the Lembeh/Bitung page. If you are looking for something very special and you can afford it, try the Gangga Island Resort . This upmarket European run resort is based on a real tropical island paradise near the northern tip of North Sulawesi's peninsula. Great place for divers and non divers alike! You should be aware that during the absolute peak season months July and August it usually gets VERY busy. Many of the better resorts and dive operators will not be able to accept walk-ins during that time since they are fully booked. Better make a reservation before. -Recommendation- Living Colours Dive Resort Bunaken Small dive resort with relaxed atmosphere. The fully equipped dive centre is on the beach between the jungle and the mangroves, run by dedicated, environmentally conscious dive professionals. Our crew is a group of experienced local Captains and Divemasters, and European Padi Instructors. The bungalows accommodate two people. They are equipped with a double or two single beds, fan, mosquito net, bamboo, coconut and rattan furniture, and western bathroom with running water. Our well-appointed kitchen serves Indonesian and western dishes three times a day. Barbeques on the beach-front are a must! Coffee and tea are available all day long. Living Colours Dive Resort Bunaken Email: info@livingcoloursdiving.com Tel: (+62) 812 4306063 Some useful and interesting sites: Protecting Bunaken : The North Sulawesi Watersports Association Bunaken Dive Sites The Coelacanth , a living fossile discovered in the Marine Park Tony Wu Photography - Underwater Photography and Marine Conservation.