Are you planning your next tropical diving holiday? With literally the world at your feet and so many different types of diving to choose from it can be tough deciding where to go.

The Indonesian province of North Sulawesi lies at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the most marine rich region on Earth. North Sulawesi offers incredible wall diving in the Bunaken Marine Park; wreck, critters and reef combinations in Manado Bay; colourful coral reefs surrounding Bangka Island; and the world’s best muck diving in the Lembeh Strait. So how do you begin to choose which destination to visit?

Whilst many divers have heard of these world class diving destinations, some may not realize the close proximity within which they are found. Taking a scuba diving holiday in North Sulawesi does not mean that you have to choose between locations – you can see all that is on offer in one trip with a Passport to Paradise.

Dive Your Way from Resort to Resort

The idea of moving from resort to resort can seem arduous and result in wasted diving days – but in North Sulawesi this does not need to be the case. Murex’s Passport to Paradise is a unique concept and an experience unlike any other. Stay at Murex Manado (for diving Bunaken and Manado), smoothly transition to Murex Bangka and then on to Lembeh Resort. You can choose the number of nights you wish to stay in each location (and the order) and boat transfers include two dives along the way. The seamless boat diving transfers ensure that there are no wasted diving days, no time-consuming logistical planning, and no drying and packing gear between destinations. Dive your way, hassle free, from one resort to the next.

Let’s take a look at the beautiful resorts and the world-class diving that awaits you in North Sulawesi….

Stay at Murex Manado Resort

This beautiful resort is set amid lush, tropical water gardens, overlooking the ocean with stunning views of Manado Tua volcano and Bunaken Island. The resort’s landscaped gardens feature lily ponds, koi ponds, spring fed streams, mature fruit trees, tropical flowers and turtles are known to nest on the black sand beach.

Accommodation is a mix of comfortable and spacious Deluxe Cottages and there are two Premium Deluxe Cottages that are even more generously proportioned and include additional storage and beautiful organic decorative touches. All accommodation has ensuite bathrooms with hot water, air conditioning, either a king size bed or twin beds, verandas with comfortable seating, and thoughtful finishes.

When you are not diving, enjoy the infinity pool with sunlounges overlooking the ocean, sea kayaks are available, there is a variety of land tours to choose from or indulge yourself with a relaxing spa treatment.

Diving in the Bunaken Marine Park

Just 30 minutes by boat from Murex Manado Resort lies the world renowned Bunaken Marine Park. The Bunaken Marine Park was one of the first regions in Indonesia to be declared a Marine Protected Area by the Indonesian Government, and it shows! No fishing is allowed on the reefs and this is a no-anchoring zone, utilising mooring buoys instead to protect the corals from anchor damage. Dive sites around this small island are characterized by staggering coral walls that descend into the depths and are teeming with life. The resident population of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) has grown from strength to strength over the years, so much so that at some sites you’ll lose count of the number of turtles you see in a single dive. Hawksbill turtles are also known to frequent the marine park.

Other highlights of diving in Bunaken include phenomenal visibility, huge schools of pyramid butterflyfish and red toothed triggerfish, passing white tip reef sharks, broadclub cuttlefish, an array of nudibranch species, hunting banded kraits, a plethora of macro critters and look out for occasional spotted eagle rays gliding in the blue.

Diving in Manado Bay

Manado Bay is home to wide ranging marine life and diverse dive sites. This area is becoming increasingly recognized for its black sand muck diving sites that are home to an abundance of unusual critters from numerous cephalopod species through to seahorses, nudibranch and crustaceans. The Molas wreck is an exciting wreck dive and also offers a myriad of fish and critters. The Bay is an underwater playground for marine enthusiasts and photographers alike. Another highlight of diving here is night diving, which is when the critters really put on a show! To the south of Manado Bay lays Poopoh, a record breaking site where 385 different species of fish were recorded in one dive.

Stay at Murex Bangka Resort

Situated on a palm-fringed white sand beach, Murex Bangka Resort offers a truly tropical island experience. When staying at Murex Bangka you won’t see a single road or vehicle, just a beach, the ocean and bright blue skies.

Accommodation options include Oceanfront Cottages, Premium Oceanfront Cottages, and Hillside Deluxe Cottages. All accommodations have ensuite bathrooms with hot water, verandas, either a king size bed or twin beds, and comfortable seating. Deluxe and Premium accommodations are beautifully appointed and more generously proportioned with additional daybeds and storage space. All Oceanfront accommodations offer stunning sea views and Murex’s Oceanfront cottages are an ideal option for solo travelers.

Bangka’s cottages have 24/7 electricity, powered largely by solar). Rooms are fan cooled during the day with air conditioning running from 5pm – 7am to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. Murex Bangka’s Dive Centre has individual gear lockers and boasts an impressive spacious camera room – a major plus for underwater photographers.

Diving Bangka Island, North Sulawesi

Bangka is as beautiful underwater as it is on land.  Dive sites around Bangka Island feature pinnacles, sea mounts and white sand muck. Bangka offers a spectrum of critters combined with schooling snappers and larger species including reef sharks. If you are interested in underwater photography, you’ll be spoiled for choice whether your preference is wide angle or macro.

Bangka’s pinnacles are a major highlight. Every available surface is adorned with kaleidoscopic soft corals – expect an overload of colour! Some of Bangka’s most notable dive sites include Sahaung, Batu Goso, and Batu Mandi.

Some of the unique critters you’ll find here include 3 species of pygmy seahorse, harlequin, tiger and mantis shrimps, a treasure trove of nudibranch species, octopus including blue rings, long arm, and mimic octopus. For those who prefer larger marine life, Bangka is also known for being one of the best places in North Sulawesi to have the chance of a dugong sighting.

Stay at Lembeh Resort

Known as Lembeh’s premier and most luxurious dive resort, Lembeh Resort is located in a secluded bay on the banks of the Lembeh Strait. At the heart of the resort is the architecturally impressive main restaurant, swimming pool, dive centre, camera room and esteemed Backscatter Authorized Photo Centre.

Lembeh Resort’s accommodation, as one would expect, is spacious and thoughtfully finished with absolute comfort in mind. Choose between 3 types of accommodations: Garden View Rooms, Hillside Luxury Cottages, and Premium Luxury Cottages.

For those seeking a truly exclusive experience, Lembeh Resorts boasts a beautifully appointed Cliffside Villa. The villa is perched on a green hillside with a floral garden, private swimming pool and offers 180° views of the Lembeh Strait below.

All accommodations include ensuite bathrooms with hot water, hairdryers, air-conditioning, king-size bed or twin beds, hot and cold drinking water, complimentary tea and coffee, mini-bars, Wi-Fi, and electronic safes.

Diving in the Lembeh Strait

Over the years, the Lembeh Strait has been named as the ‘Critter Capital of the World, a ‘Muck Diving Mecca’, and the ‘Twilight Zone’. All names of which Lembeh Strait is certainly worthy!!

It’s undeniable that Lembeh is one of the most unique places to dive on the planet. While ‘muck diving’ might not initially sound so appealing, do not be deceived. This is any marine life enthusiast’s dream.

Lembeh Strait’s sheer abundance and density of rare and unusual critters is unrivalled anywhere on earth. Just a few of the highlights include; 3 species of pygmy seahorses; flamboyant cuttlefish; mandarin fish mating; 8 species of frogfish; tiger, mantis and harlequin shrimps; Bobbit worms; stargazers; multiple species of ghost pipefish; bobtail squid; octopus species including mimic, wunderpus, blue ring, coconut, hairy, longarm, and starry night; a rainbow of nudibranch species; and  the list goes on… and on.

Needless to say, this is why underwater photography professionals from around the world visit the Lembeh Strait time and time again.

All resorts include full board accommodation: 3 meals a day, afternoon snacks, Wi-Fi, unlimited complimentary drinking water, tea and coffee – and exemplary service comes as standard.

For those of you who want to experience the full diversity of Indonesia in comfort, have a choice of up to 150 dive sites, and maximize your diving opportunities – a Passport to Paradise is the dive trip of a lifetime.

Contact Murex Resorts now and get a spending voucher worth 10% off your next holiday with them!

Contact Murex Resorts: reservations@murexresorts.com