Sulawesi Utara is an Indonesian province on the north-eastern tip of the island of Sulawesi. It the west of the province of Gorontalo, the Celebes Sea to the north, the Gulf of Tomini to the south and the Moluccan Sea to the east. The province also includes the Sangihe and Talaud Islands, which are a link to the Philippine island of Mindanao.

Manado (also Menado) is the capital of the North Indonesian province Sulawesi Utara (North Sulawesi) on the island of Sulawesi.

Around North Sulawesi are our main destinations. Bangka, Lembeh and Bunaken.

Bangka Island is a small island off the north-eastern tip of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Bangka is known for its unspoiled beaches and diving tourism. It is administratively part of the East Likupang district in the North Minahasa regency in North Sulawesi province.

Lembeh Strait: The Strait of Lembeh (Lembeh Strait) is considered to be the world's best diving area for macro lovers and fascinates with an incredible variety of species. It lies between the island of the same name and the northernmost spur of Sulawesi.

It is about 16 kilometres long and two kilometres wide. Its banks are partly formed by white limestone formations with offshore islands. The contrast is provided by Batu Angus, a mighty lava field. The black sand in its vicinity is also evidence of volcanic activity.

About 25 dive sites are waiting to be explored in the Lembeh Strait. Visibility is 10 to 20 meters, the water is relatively cool for tropical conditions with 24 to 27 degrees. As the road is quite well protected, you can dive here all year round.

Underwater you will experience a landscape of black volcanic sand, slopes and corals, which is home to many, sometimes bizarre and rare species.

Some of the inhabitants of Lembeh Strait are small and very cleverly camouflaged - macro photographers will have their bright joy.

Bunaken Island The diving area around Bunaken is an underwater national park of more than 75,000 hectares. 

Most of the dive sites are steep walls with a species-rich vegetation. A paradise for both macro and wide angle photography.

An underwater visibility of 20 to 30 meters and an exuberant abundance of species make the national park a unique diving region. Among the special features of the area are the 25 to 50 meter high coral walls.

70 percent of all fish species of the West Indian Pacific are found here: Sting mackerels, blue striped snapper, flag perch.

DETAILS

MANADO - BANGKA ISLAND - BUNAKEN DAY TRIP - LEMBEH STRAIT

Route: Manado - Bangka Island -Lembeh Strait - Manado

Travel Time: 21/03 - 04/03/2021

Travel duration: 12 days

Included according to itinerary:

20 dives guided by local guides 11 overnight stays

Bangka Island and Lembeh Strait Full board

All transfers organized and arranged by us between our destinations as per itinerary per: minibus, taxi, boat

— Throughout the trip Georges Travel will accompany you in German language, also during diving activities!

Not included:

— Arrival / departure, onward journey from Manado / Indonesia

— All local statutory fees such as National Park fees or other fees for divers

— All other expenses for services not mentioned in the offer or programme, any food in and outside the hotel such as mini bar or other additional services on the boat with costs such as alcoholic drinks or similar, as well as tips

— Insurance

SERVICE

FLIGHTS: If you need help to book a flight to Manado for your return or onward journey, we are happy to help.

HOTELS

If you would like to arrive in Manado before 21.02.2020, we are happy to help you book a hotel.

Single room surcharges and availability are available upon request. Whether for the whole trip or only part of the trip, for example with the offered extensions.

TRANSFERS

Unscheduled individual transfers due to different arrival date, delay or similar reasons cannot be accepted. In any case, we will organize and book a single transfer to the current stay of the travel group upon request. In this case the additional costs are usually due in advance.

DIVING

We travel during the high season!

On the spot there are hardly any places available on the dive boats at short notice.

All other services that can be booked, additional day dives, but also rental equipment, Nitrox, etc., we ask you to inquire early enough.

SERVICE

If you would like to book further dives, please inform us in time, see our high season notice.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Cancellation, travel cancellation, travel health and accident insurance and luggage insurance, diving accident insurance.

Please inquire in advance and again promptly before departure about possible changes regarding entry and customs regulations, recommended vaccinations and other health precautions

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Travel itinerary

1st day / evening MANADO

Meeting point at Hotel Manado 4*

The hotel is located about 4.7 km and about 10 minutes by taxi from the airport.

After the check-in we would be pleased if all participants are present at the latest in the evening, so that you have the opportunity to get to know each other during a cosy get-together.

If you are too tired from the journey you can of course rest and make up for it the next morning.

2nd day Bangka Island full board

After breakfast we will be picked up, drive to the harbour and transfer to Bangka Island to the Blue Bay Dive resort.

Check in at the dive centre:

Please have your passport or copy and at least one ID card of your diving education ready. Dive logbook. 

Try on rental equipment.

It is best to check your own equipment, if available, for completeness and functionality. Bring a DIN/INT adapter if you have one. The diving school has tanks for the DIN system, but may not have enough for all.

Afterwards the first dive takes place almost in front of the resort.

Depending on the time 1 – 2 dives are planned.

It is possible to buy additional dives on site.

3rd day Bangka Island full board

After breakfast the first dive is on!

The dive sites will be chosen the evening before (depending on the weather).

About 11:00 am Second dive

12:00 Lunch

Further dives are possible on request also sunset or night dive.

From 17:00 discussion of the dives in the bar.

19:00 dinner

4th day Bunaken Day-trip full board

After breakfast we go by boat to Bunaken Island where we stay on the boat all day and do 3 dives.

From 17:00 Discussion of the dives in the bar.

19:00 dinner

5th day Bangka Island full board

After breakfast the first dive is on!

The dive sites will be chosen the evening before (depending on the weather).

About 11:00 am Second dive

12:00 Lunch

Further dives are possible on request also sunset or night dive.

From 17:00 discussion of the dives in the bar.

19:00 dinner

6th day Bunaken day trip full board

After breakfast we go by boat to Bunaken Island where we stay on the boat all day and do 3 dives.

From 17:00 Discussion of the dives in the bar.

19:00 dinner

7th day Bangka Island full board

After breakfast the first dive is on!

The dive sites will be chosen the evening before (depending on the weather).

About 11:00 am Second dive

12:00 Lunch

Further dives are possible on request also sunset or night dive.

From 17:00 discussion of the dives in the bar.

19:00 dinner 

8th day Bangka — Lembeh full board

After breakfast by boat we will continue on to our next stop, Lembeh, where we will make two more great dives on the way to Lembeh, have lunch and arrive at the dive resort later in the afternoon to check into our rooms.

Dinner and good night. 

9th day Lembeh full board

After breakfast we explore the underwater world of Lembeh.

For lunch, we are at the resort.

Lazing around the pool between the dives is always great to relax.

The second dive can be chosen as 11:00 or about 14:00 or night dive.

It is possible to buy additional dives on site.

19:00 dinner.

10th day Lembeh full board

 After breakfast we explore the underwater world of Lembeh.

For lunch, we are at the resort.

Lazing around the pool between dives is always great to relax.

The second dive can be chosen as 11:00 or about 14:00 or night dive.

19:00 dinner.

11th day Lembeh — Manado 

Transfer to Manado to the Point of Sheraton

and enjoy the last evening.

12th day Manado — Airport

Departure day Unfortunately it is time to say bye bye.

Individual departure from Manado Airport.

It is possible to buy additional dives on site.