Located between Borneo and the Maluku Islands, Sulawesi is the world’s 11th-largest island. The diverse cultures, distinctive landscapes, paddy fields, and tropical forests make Sulawesi an excellent holiday destination. You can encounter wildlife such as tarsiers, hornbills, cuscus, and crested macaques that are endemic to Sulawesi at the Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve. Visit the Bada Valley and be fascinated by the mysterious stone megaliths, which could be over 5000 years old.
The pristine beaches of Sulawesi are home to beautiful aquatic life, including an abundance of fish species, and are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. If you’re looking for a perfect stay close to great dive spots, keep reading for a list of the top dive resorts in Sulawesi, Indonesia.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to diving spots, equipment, and diver education. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 14, 2024.
1. Thalassa Dive & Wellbeing Resort Manado; Manado (from USD 114)
Reasonable pricing for spacious, modern rooms with AC and beautiful glass jungle views.
Stunning freshwater pool, lovely gardens, game of pool, and easy access to snorkeling, diving, and boat trips.
Located in a beautiful area full of trees and flowers, perfect for relaxation and as a transit point in North Sulawesi.
Exceptional and delicious meals served with a smile, with a seating arrangement that encourages socializing with other guests.
Thalassa Dive & Wellbeing Resort Manado, surrounded by lush greenery, provides spacious, air-conditioned rooms with contemporary amenities for a comfortable stay.
The dive center offers beginner, intermediate, and professional diving courses to enhance your diving experience. With up to three dive trips a day, a fully stocked dive equipment rental center, and expert guides, you are sure to have a memorable experience. After a day of diving, you can relax with a swim in the outdoor pool or enjoy a soothing massage at the spa.
Thalassa Dive & Wellbeing Resort Manado
Address: Kelurahan Tongkeina Lingkungan 1 Jl. Raya Tongkaina, Kecematan Bunaken 95231 Manado, North-Sulawesi Indonesia
14.46 km (9.0 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
2. Bunaken Sea Garden Resort; Bunaken (from USD 27)
Affordable lodgings & gear rental, transport to Bunaken island available at scheduled times
Spectacular house reef for snorkeling, easy transport pickups via WhatsApp
Fantastic location by the reef, walk to local villages and beach, great for snorkeling and boat trips
Delicious and plentiful meals, excellent food from breakfast to dinner, opportunity to swim with big turtles
Featuring direct access to Pangalisang Beach, this cozy resort offers traditional-style cottages in a tropical garden setting. The beautiful house reef offers an incredible opportunity to snorkel directly in front of the resort. If you want to learn to dive, the dive center offers a PADI Dive Course for an additional charge. Seasoned divers can explore the colorful coral reefs of Bunaken National Park for an additional charge without traveling too far.
Enjoy delicious Indonesian food at the on-site Sea Garden restaurant. The comfortable rooms offer necessary amenities, ideal for a relaxing stay.
Bunaken Sea Garden Resort
Address: Pangalisang Beach, Bunaken Island
7.68 km (4.8 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
3. Two Fish Resort Bunaken; Bunaken (from USD 59)
This simple resort features year-round water activities and has an award-winning PADI 5-star Center that offers scheduled dives. You can choose between two morning dives, one afternoon dive, and a night dive. The experienced, English-speaking crew and guides guarantee a memorable diving experience. You can also request a day trip that includes three dives and lunch on the boat if you meet the minimum requirement of divers.
Although the resort offers meals on an all-inclusive basis, the water activities are additional.
Two Fish Resort Bunaken
Address: Pangalisang Beach
7.9 km (5.0 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
4. White Sands Beach Resort Lembeh; Bitung (from USD 243)
To make the most of your vacation, stay at the White Sands Beach Resort Lembeh. Surrounded by nature and a perfect white sand beach, this resort provides air-conditioned oceanfront cottages with ensuite baths. Begin your day with a delicious breakfast, and for an extra fee, experience thrilling watersports.
Eco Divers, the on-site dive school, will assist you with your dive adventures. They offer a range of courses, from the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program to the PADI Enriched Air Diver Course. There’s a minimum age requirement between 10 to 18 years, depending on the course you wish to take up. The dive school also offers courses for experienced divers, such as the PADI Master Scuba Diver and PADI Divemaster Course. These courses aim to enhance academic knowledge and teach various specialty courses.
White Sands Beach Resort Lembeh
Address: Pantai Pasir Putih, Kelurahan Batukota, Kecamatan Lembeh Utara
58.84 km (36.6 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
5. Grand Luley Manado; Manado (from USD 57)
Staying in this tropical paradise will let you experience tranquility in nature. The rooms are airy and equipped with modern amenities. A spa, swimming pool with a snack bar, restaurants, and fitness center are all available on-site, so there is never a dull moment.
For an additional charge, the trained professionals at Luley Dive Center offer personalized snorkeling and diving experiences. You can choose from various PADI courses and specialty programs as well. You can witness the rich marine life at Bunaken National Marine Park, including coral formations, green turtles, miniature seahorses, rainbow-colored clownfish, and more.
Grand Luley Manado
Address: Jalan Tongkaina, Kecamatan Bunaken
12.71 km (7.9 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
6. Panorama Backpackers; Bunaken (from USD 25)
Panorama Backpackers is an excellent choice for affordable accommodation in North Sulawesi. Depending on your skills and needs, the neighboring dive center provides courses and dives with or without equipment for an additional charge. Most of the dive sites are within 25 minutes from the resort, allowing guests to get right into it without lengthy boat trips. Divers will get to see various species in the ocean, such as Ghost Pipe Fish, huge Napoleon fish, sharks, and much more.
If you are unsure about diving, you can try snorkeling, hiking, fishing, or canoeing. The rooms at this property are comfortable and offer basic amenities, and some even have sea views. You can enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out on your excursion.
Panorama Backpackers
Address: Liang Beach
6.95 km (4.4 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
7. Bara Beach Bungalows; Bira (from USD 59)
Set on Bara Beach, this lovely property offers spacious air-conditioned bungalows with a deck to enjoy the surrounding garden or sea views. With many dive sites to choose from, you will see a diverse variety of marine creatures. If you plan on diving, head to the nearby dive centers. There are three dive centers within a 3-minute drive, the closest one being next to the resort. Snorkelers can explore the coral gardens at the house reef or the nearby islands.
Bara Beach Bungalows
Address: Bulukumba, Tanjung Bira Jl. Poros Bara
941.21 km (584.9 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
8. Murex Bangka Dive Resort; Likupang (from USD 243)
For a relaxed tropical stay, choose this 3-star beachfront resort in Likupang. It boasts a beautiful garden, a lovely sun terrace, a great restaurant, and exciting facilities for beach activities. Start your day with a delicious American or continental buffet breakfast.
Go on a diving excursion to the Bangka dive site to explore colorful corals and unique marine species. The dive center offers day and night dives. Choose a night dive for a unique experience and a chance to see rare nocturnal critters. Blackwater dives are also available for those interested in seeing the strangest creatures which only surface in the evening. You also have the option of booking a private boat for you and your group. The onboard facilities in these boats include shaded sundecks, a toilet, refreshments, spare dive equipment, and much more.
Murex Bangka Dive Resort
Address: Bangka Island
44.27 km (27.6 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
9. Kuda Laut Boutique Dive Resort; Bunaken (from USD 173)
Reasonable pricing for the quality and location, but some issues with currency exchange rates and unexpected additional charges.
Well-organized diving center, spacious bungalows, beachside pool, and a good selection of activities including snorkeling, diving, massages, and a gym.
Idyllic island location close to Bunaken island with beautiful views, but the transfer facilities need improvement for convenience.
Varied and delicious food with good choices for lunch and dinner, although some guests found the meals to be rushed and with limited local options.
Want to experience a sunny and relaxing vacation while being close to diving spots? Then you should check out Kuda Laut Boutique Dive Resort. It is located on Siladen Island and is perfect for a relaxed snorkeling or diving experience. The dive center offers beginner-friendly and advanced courses and organizes night and sunset dives. You can book guided dives or snorkeling trips to explore the colorful house reef.
The resort also arranges guided land excursions to nearby waterfalls, lakes, and volcanoes for a unique and adventurous experience.
Kuda Laut Boutique Dive Resort
Address: Siladen Island
7.58 km (4.8 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
10. The Village Bunaken; Bunaken (from USD 111)
The Village Bunaken is renowned for its well-equipped dive center and professional diving instructors who can assist you in enjoying your diving sessions to the fullest. With DSD pool training, beginners can feel at ease before diving into the sea. All diving equipment at Fish in Air, a PADI 5-Star dive center, meets international standards. When you schedule a dive session in Bunaken, you are guaranteed to see colorful corals, sea turtles, and schools of fish.
Non-divers can explore the resort property, relax on the private beach, or enjoy a soothing massage at the spa.
The Village Bunaken
Address: Paitai Pangalisang, palau Bunaken
7.15 km (4.5 mi) from Bunaken National Marine Park
Enjoy a fun-filled diving excursion in Sulawesi
If you are considering a diving trip to a tropical coastal paradise in Indonesia, check out this list of the top dive resorts in Sulawesi to ensure an unforgettable diving experience. This region boasts some of the world’s most diverse marine habitats. Diving here among an array of colorful corals and unique sea creatures will give you one of the most memorable experiences.
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