Diving Holidays to Manado, Indonesia: An Introduction

Manado is the centre of Minahasa and is the capital of North Sulawesi facing the Bunaken Marine Park in the Celebes Sea , comprising 5 islands surrounded by spectacular coral reefs.

North Sulawesi is famous for its amazing Nature. Active volcanoes, pristine jungle, endemic monkeys. But North Sulawesi ’s best heritage is its bewildering marine life where one of the World's highest marine biodiversity inhabits wildly varied shapes and colours of the fringing coral reefs in the Bunaken Marine Park. Manado city is the provincal capital of North Sulawesi. Manado is the starting point for exploration of the Minahasa region's many attractions. Fun-loving and extroverted, the Minahasa people live in neat wood frame houses, with fences and flower gardens, giving Manado a European feel. Behind every building are glimpses of emerald hills and azure sea. Inland from Manado, a trip through the Minahasa Highlands will take you to intriguing prehistoric sites, volcanoes and hot springs with breathtaking panoramas of lush mountains, orchid gardens and terraced hillsides.

Manado Diving centre, Indonesia

Located on the premises of Hotel Santika, Thalassa is a 5* PADI IDC centre. The philosophy of Thalassa Dive Center is offering diving activities with the highest quality, safety and service possible with a strong emphasis on the preservation of the underwater environment. Thalassa’s guests can find all activities under one roof: half day and full day dive trips, equipment rental, dive courses, an entire fleet of comfortable dive boats, charging station, 250 tanks, Bauer compressors.

Thalassa’s strong collaboration with the hotel and the expertise of both Thalassa and hotel Santika will assure that they can offer hospitality and services at the highest level.     

The islands of the Bunaken archipelago offer a number of dive sites. The reefs have deep and colourful walls, rich in vibrant soft corals, vivid sea fans and marine fauna. The main reason attraction to diving this area is the exceptional biodiversity of these reefs. All dives in Bunaken are done on the external reef, along the vertical walls. Most dives are drift dives. A mild current is almost always present (but seldom strong). Currents are not dangerous as they run parallel to the reef gently pushing the divers into one direction.

Diving accommodation in Manado, Indonesia

Hotel Santika is the only 4 star resort in Manado , just 30 minutes drive from Manado and 40 minutes from the airport, it’s the closest dive resort to Bunaken National Park .

The hotel is nestled among coconut trees on the beach of Tanjung Pisok and is located opposite the amazing Bunaken Sea garden, just a 10 minute boat ride away. Santika is clearly the diver’s best option in Manado .

The hotel has 101 guestrooms -72 superior and deluxe rooms and 28 cottages, most of which have ocean views. Each room has a mini -bar, safe deposit box, television, IDD telephones, air conditioning, bathroom with hot water, bath tub and shower. Hotel amenities include restaurant , beautiful open-air lobby bar, swimming pool, barbecue, jogging track, boutique, free shuttle to town, baby sitting services, money exchange, massage therapy .

Programme in Manado, Indonesia

General:
Flights on Singapore Airlines / Silk Air
Departures every Friday/Sunday/Tuesday/Thursday from London or Manchester.

First /Second Day
Departure from London Heathrow or Manchester to Singapore , arrival in Singapore the day after, early morning and immediate connecting flight to Manado. On arrival, transfer with private minibus will be provided to the Hotel Santika Welcome cocktail and accommodation in your reserved room, dinner and Board.

Third to Eighth Day
Half board basis. Entire days dedicated to diving activities, 3 boat dives per day 6 days, including dives to Lembeh and lunch box. Non-divers activities include free use of the swimming pool. Choice of excursion programme can be booked at the diving centre.

Ninth Day
After breakfast, the resort will provide transfer with private minibus to Manado airport. Departure to Singapore , arrival and connecting flight to London or Manchester , overnight on board.

Tenth Day
Early morning arrival at your final destination- End of all our services. The basic travel programme can be extended or amended

Prices for diving in Manado, Indonesia

Santika/Thalassa Price Per person season 2010 to 31 March 2011:

Price Includes:

All prices are per person – 7 nights accommodation in twin/double room at the Santika Hotel - Buffet breakfast and dinner, tea/coffee/mineral water- private transfers between Airport and Resort (minibus + speed boat)- Diving -15 guided boat dives. Prices with flights are based on the lowest booking fare available on Singapore Airlines and is subject to availability.

Supplements per person: