Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best dive season in Manado ?

We opened all year around. You can dive whole year around on Bunaken and Manado if you are in the good condition of dive boats. All of our boat comes with two engines of 40PK in each boat. Two boats with bigger size have three engines each boat of 40PK in a good and well maintained. Sometimes in the rainy season when we have rain on the mainland but on bunaken Island only has little rain or even sunny. The air temperature in North Sulawesi stays around 29-32C all year-round.

The water temperatures on Bunaken between 27-29C, not too much serious protection is required, so we suggest a 3mm one-piece of long-suit for diving is fine which also can give you a protection against jelly fishes and any stinging hydroids.
We have two seasons for Indonesia :

Dry Season : From April until October. This is the time for sunbathing, but can be also getting some warm rain at anytime of the year. During dry season the wind blows from south-east the sea is calm and even looks flat. If you’re coming to visit the rainforest or go rafting, we actually prefer the rainy season (but again it is year-round) because that is when the forest and highlands are watered and are at their most lush. Visibility is normally 29m and can sometimes get as good as 30m+ on some days.

Wet / Rainy Season : From November to March with cooler winds from north-west which can bring heavier rains and rougher seas. Visibility is about 15-20m but can sometimes drop to 10m for a few days when there is heavy rains.

For land clothing, normally shorts and t-shirts are sufficient for the day (even if it rains, because it’s warm tropical rains), and light trousers at night, perhaps with a long-sleeve shirt. Do not forget sun lotion and sun glasses for the day time. We’ll provide towels in the room, but guests also able to bring their own.

What is your advice on Malaria ?

North Sulawesi in general and Manado especially is tropical and so malaria cannot be discounted but there is no malaria in the region. When you are traveling to our region, we suggest you follow your doctor’s advice regarding malaria tablets. Officially, North Sulawesi is non-malarial, but if the tablets don’t bother you too much it’s always best to bring on the side of caution. On Bunaken Island there’s some mosquitoes ( but not to many ) and we also recommend that you spray anti-mosquito spray for your arms and legs mostly from afternoon until evening. There is mosquito net in every room at Bastianos.

The odd case of dengue fever has been reported in North Sulawesi, though these tend to be in the villages where rubbish is sometimes not properly cleared and in some part of Bunaken Island that has mangroves. Our side of the island is far from the mangroves area.

There are plenty of chemists and dentists in Manado which can provide drugs. The General Hospital ( Prof. Dr. Kandou Hospital ) has a good recompression chamber (around 60 minutes boat ride to Manado harbor from Bunaken Island and another 15 minutes drive from the harbor to the hospital. Also there is another recommended private hospital which is Pancaran Kasih hospital at the down town of Manado if you require a doctor. There is no public health service, and everyone has to pay so before you are going to the doctor or hospital, be prepared by taking some Rupiah (IDR) cash with you.

Is it safe travel to North Sulawesi ( Manado ) ?

There are always many reports of problems and conflicts in Indonesia and this is very frustrating us since Indonesia is a big country with many islands which actually not all the areas in Indonesia have problems and conflicts as always reports in the overseas newspaper and TV channels. For people that has been traveling to our country, they know better what is the conditions and the atmosphere like, especially in North Sulawesi since North Sulawesi is one of the safe province in Indonesia for traveling.

Are there any other activities beside scuba diving ?

On Bunaken it’s mainly for scuba diving. Also you can snorkel, sun-bath, relax, and take a walk to one of the villages. For snorkeling, you can joining our dive boat following the diving schedules or you can have your own small out-trigger wooden boat ( max.3-4 pax ) by hire from the local fishermans or villagers.

You can going out for snorkeling to Siladen Island and or Manado Tua Island and if you are lucky, on they way you can find a school of dolphins or pilot whales. The island of Bunaken and Manado Tua are still pretty natural. We can arrange trips to the other attractions in North Sulawesi for you, like the volcanic highlands or the Tangkoko Nature Reserve