Bunaken

The wildly varied shapes and colours of the fringing coral off Bunaken Island have become an International snorkelling and diving attraction. The 808 hectare island is part of the 75,265 hectare Bunaken Manado Tua Marine National Park (Taman Laut Bunaken Manado Tua), which includes: Manado Tua (Old Manado), the dormant volcano that can seen from Manado, and climbed (four hours) following path; Nain and Mantehege Islands; and Pulau Siladen.

Most of Pulau Bunaken's resident live in Bunaken village at the southern tip. The scarcity of fresh water has limited the island's development, and villagers must import their drinking water from Manado. (Washing water is drawn from small, brackish wells). Unfortunately, tourism has exacted a heavy toll: westerly winds often sweep alarming piles of garbage onto Pantai Liang, turning this picturesque tropical beach into refuse heap overnight.