Bunaken Island – 10 Best Things to Do - Full Guide 2025
Located in North Sulawesi,Indonesia,Bunaken is a paradise for anyone who loves nature,adventure,and marine life.This small island is part of the Bunaken National Marine Park and is known for amazing diving and snorkeling spots,beautiful nearby islands,and the chance to see hundreds of turtles and dolphins.Here are the 10 best things to do in Bunaken and why it deserves a place on your travel list.
We’re already counting the days until our next visit to relive this amazing adventure.In the meantime,we hope our experience helps you make the most of your time in Bunaken and discover its best spots.
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10 Best Things to Do in Bunaken
1. Go Scuba Diving in Bunaken
The top thing to do in Bunaken is diving.Bunaken is famous worldwide for its amazing dive sites,and trust us,they’re absolutely worth it.
What makes Bunaken so special is the huge coral wall that surrounds the entire island,which you can even spot on Google Maps.Right off the shore,you’ll find a stretch of shallow water,and then the seabed suddenly drops,forming a dramatic coral wall that’s truly amazing to see.
This unique geography gives Bunaken Island tons of incredible dive sites.The coral walls are full of vibrant colors and marine life.You’ll see plenty of fascinating macro creatures,and there are also bigger animals like sea turtles.We’ve never seen so many turtles in one dive—they were everywhere.We honestly think it’s impossible to dive or snorkel in Bunaken and not spot at least one turtle.We also saw plenty of lionfish and lots of colorful fish like schools of butterflyfish.
The most stunning dive sites are Lekuan 1,2,and 3 Wall,known for their steep coral cliffs and constant turtle sightings.Diving in Bunaken is also very affordable,usually around 1,000 IDR for two dives including equipment.
2. Go Snorkeling in Bunaken
If scuba diving isn’t your thing,snorkeling in Bunaken is an amazing alternative.The island has shallow reefs close to the shore that are great for beginners,and deeper spots along the reef drop-off that offer a stunning underwater view.You have three ways to enjoy snorkeling around Bunaken:
Option 1: Private Boat
Hire a private boat to take you around the island for snorkeling,including stops near Siladen Island,Bunaken’s nearby island just a short ride away.Private snorkeling tours with a local boat are usually very affordable,ranging from 200K to 800K IDR depending on distance,duration,and whether gear is included.You can ask your accommodation to arrange it for you.
Option 2: Diving Boat
Budget-Friendly Snorkel Day: If a private boat isn’t an option and you don’t have anyone to split the cost with,join a diving boat.Some operators let snorkelers come along for 100K to 250K IDR depending on things like whether you’ve dived with them before,if you need to rent gear,and how well you negotiate.
Option 3: Go Solo
Swim straight from the beach to the coral wall’s drop-off.We tried it from this spot on the beach and it worked great,though it took about 20 minutes of swimming one way.Check the tides to make sure you can enter and exit easily.Bring your own snorkel gear or rent it for 50K to 100K IDR.
3. Visit Nain Island
Nain Island is one of the most breathtaking places we’ve seen in Sulawesi,if not the world.With its two curving white-sand sandbanks,crystal-clear water,and stunning mountain islands in the background,it felt like a real paradise.The best part was having the whole place to ourselves,which made it truly unforgettable.
Before we arrived,we could hardly find any information online about Nain Island.So we waited until we got to Bunaken and asked the locals.Once again,Stefan,the owner of El Homestay,was a huge help and arranged a local boat to take us there.
Keep in mind that Nain Island isn’t always accessible,so check with the locals and watch the tides.The boat trip to Nain,including a few other stops,cost us 1,500K IDR.To save money,we asked other travelers from our accommodation to join and split the cost,which worked perfectly.We combined this trip with a Dolphin Cruise,snorkeling at Siladen Island,and exploring the mangroves for a full adventure.
4. Go on a Dolphin Cruise
We absolutely love dolphins and couldn’t wait to see them in the wild in Bunaken.Setting off early around 6–7 a.m.,we had no idea what to expect.After an hour of searching,we were thinking about trying again the next day when suddenly,something amazing happened.
Hundreds of dolphins appeared,swimming around and alongside our boat for over an hour.It was absolutely mind-blowing!Our boat captain made it even better,letting us stay as long as we wanted and keeping us surrounded by these incredible creatures.
Once again,Stefan,the owner of El Homestay,helped us arrange this unforgettable tour.If you’re visiting Bunaken,we highly recommend staying here;he really goes above and beyond to make every experience perfect!
5. Visit Siladen Island
Bunaken is part of a bigger marine park that includes several other islands.One of the most popular neighbors is Siladen,some travelers even base themselves there to explore the park.If you’re thinking of staying,check out the hotels available in Siladen.
We highly recommend visiting Siladen from Bunaken,as it has even more beautiful beaches than Bunaken.However,for snorkeling and diving,Bunaken is the better choice.Still,don’t miss snorkeling in Siladen;it’s an amazing experience!
6. Explore the Bunaken Island
You can rent a scooter for 50K IDR per half-day or 100K IDR per day to explore the island at your own pace.Along the way,you’ll find several viewpoints with panoramic views.Don’t miss Pantai Liang Beach,a favorite spot among local tourists.
Take the chance to experience the local culture and meet the friendly residents,including fishermen.The people of Bunaken are warm and welcoming,so feel free to interact with them.Just remember to dress appropriately,since the island is mostly Muslim.
7. Volcano Hike on Manado Tua Island
Another top thing to do in Bunaken is hiking the inactive volcanic cone of Manado Tua on Manado Tua Island.The hike offers stunning views of Manado Bay,nearby islands,and on clear days,the smoking Gunung Soputan volcano.
8. Try Traditional Food
Accommodations in Bunaken usually provide all meals on-site,since there are no restaurants on the island.This is a great chance to try traditional Indonesian food.At budget-friendly places,you’ll mostly get local dishes,while more luxurious options may also serve Western food.
The food in Bunaken was some of the best local cuisine we’ve had in six months in Indonesia!Every meal was different,with dishes like ikan bakar(grilled fish)and fresh fruits and vegetables.Everything was fresh and healthy.
If you’re not staying there,you can ask to join them for dinner.If they have space,they usually allow up to two extra guests,but you need to ask ahead and get confirmation.
9. Watch the Sunset
Go to the southwest coast of Bunaken’s main village for a stunning sunset view over Manado Tua Volcano.
10. Visit the Mangrove Forests
Bunaken’s mangrove forests are home to many animals,from exotic birds to mudskippers.You can visit the mangroves while exploring Nain Island or during the Dolphin Snorkel tour.
