Bunaken islands are located in the northwest of Manado city. It is an important destination for visitors who love snorkeling, scuba diving, dolphin watching, and any marine tours. Bunaken, Siladen, Manado Tua, Nain, are surrounded by coral reef which is the habitat of a lot of species of marine creatures from colourful tropical fish to sea star, urchin, and christmas tree worm.
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| White sandy beach of Bunaken |
They could be seen if visitors swim in the blue seawater by wearing snorkeling mask, snorkel and fins. Scuba diving is a favorite activity for visitors who have got certificates of PADI, SSI or CMAS, NAUI, or SDI. For ordinary visitors who do not have scuba diving certificates, swimming and snorkeling are easier, safe and more affordable.  |
| Tropical Fish in Coral Reef of Bunaken Islands |
The duration of stay for snorkelers can be as short as 3 days to 1 week. The snorkeling holiday in Bunaken island can be combined with birdwatching to see Pied Imperial Pigeon, Sahul Sunbird, Sulawesi Crow and other sea birds such as Black-naped Tern, Pacific Golden Plover, Whimbrel and etc.
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| Mount Manado Tua, and some part of Bunaken island as seen from the white sandy beach of Siladen island |
In addition to swimming and snorkeling holiday in Bunaken, visitors could combine it with tour to Minahasa highland where visitors could enjoy walking tour through farmland to see farmers working in their gardens, watch various species of birds and butterflies as well as see the Minahasan villagers in their daily life.
If the sea is calm and the weather is good, a trip to Nain island will allow visitors to see the beautiful view of Nain Atol seascape.
Hiking, Birdwatching, Butterfly Watching, Village Tour in Minahasa Highland
There are several interesting sites in Minahasa Highland. They can be explored in 3 to 4 days hiking, wildlife watching and sightseeing tour. Some of them are described as follows:
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| Birds in Sonder's Farm Forest of Minahasa Highland |
- Tomohon - this is a town in Minahasa that is the main gate for visitors who want to explore Minahasa highland. There are hotels, guesthouses in Tomohon which visitors could choose to stay. Local people in North Sulawesi call Tomohon as the town of education. There are schools and universities in Tomohon.
- Mount Mahawu for hiking, sightseeing, birdwatching and butterfly watching. . For nature lovers, Mount Mahawu is an important of destination for watching and photographing such birds as Scaly-breasted Kingfisher, Sulawesi Cuckoo-dove, Sulawesi Pitta, Sulawesi Myzomela and etc.
- Lake Linow is the site for sightseeing and birdwatching. There are birds such as White-breasted Waterhen, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Barn Swallow, Collared Kingfisher, Sunda Teal and etc.
- Sonder Farm Forest - This is an agricultural land of Subdistrict Sonder. Visitors could enjoy walking tour through this dry agricultural land to see various kinds of food crops that local farmers grow. There are corn, peanuts, banana, avocado, spring onion, red beans, tomato, cabbage which tour participants could see when doing walking tour in Minahasa.
- Sonder Hill - This is the mountainous areas of Minahasa highland that is covered by farm forest. This is the site for nature lovers to see such birds as Warbling White-eye, Black-crowned White-eye, Sulawesi Blue Flycatcher, Crimson Sunbird, Sulawesi Myzomela, Citrine Canary Flycatcher, Black Sunbird, Sahul Sunbird, Brown-throated Sunbird, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, and etc. Butterfly watching can also be done in Sonder hill. Various species of butterflies could be seen in the forest of the hill. They include Manado Yellow Tiger Butterfly, Blanchard's Tree Nymph, Blanchard's Ghost, The Clipper, and Helena's Birdwing Butterfly, and etc.
- Paddy Field of Sonder - The terraces of rice field in Subdistrict Sonder are the habitat of various species of birds such as Barred Rail, Buff-banded Rail, White-browed Crake, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Javan Pond Heron, Chestnut Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia, Black-faced Munia, and etc.
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| Forest, agriculture land and waterfall in Minahasa highland |
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| Butterflies in Sonder Farhighlan |
Flying to Manado city
To enjoy snorkeling holiday in Bunaken islands as well as hiking, birding and sightseeing in Minahasa highland, visitors need to fly to Sam Ratulangi Airport of Manado city which is the capital of North Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. There are regular flights that connect Singapore and Manado city served by Scoot Air. There are also flights that connect Manado and Guangzhou that are served by China Southern Airlines and Trans Nusa. Manado city can also be reached from major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, Ternate and Sorong city. These domestic flights are served by Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air, Super Airjet, Batik Air, and Trans Nusa.
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| ARJ 21 of TransNusa Airline at Sam Ratulangi Airport of Manado city |
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| Traveling to North Sulawesi |
Booking
If you are interested in taking a snorkeling tour in Bunaken islands and hiking, birdwatching and village tour in Minahasa highland, and want me to organize your trip, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 or by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com
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