For our third trip to Indonesia, I wanted this journey to focus on some key features. First off, I desired to stay at a resort this time. Dive travel to Indonesia is so liveaboard-focused (and you know I love the liveaboard experience), but I didn’t want this trip to be so dive-centered. Not only for our divers but also for our non-diving loved ones who will be joining us.
Second, I wanted to go somewhere in the North Sulawesi region. As one of the top dive destinations in the world, you know it was only a matter of time before the divers of FCD visited.
And third, I was looking for a specific overall experience. Something very laid-back, sophisticated, intimate, and luxurious. And I believe I found that with Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa.
Everything about the resort echoes these words. It is on Bunaken Island, off the mainland, far away from the hustle & bustle of the world. It’s a small and cozy resort built to accommodate only 26 guests. With each couple having their own luxurious private cottage, built on a hillside, overlooking the beautiful ocean.
The resort echoes sophistication and luxury in the overall level of service they provide. From the accommodations, spa, amenities, the infrastructure like the UV water treatment system, and certainly the 5-star dining. This is why Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa has been consistently awarded as one of the best dive resorts in all of Indonesia
The resort has 6 custom-built 45ft-60ft dive boats for a maximum of 26 guests at the resort. Let that sink in a moment. 6 LARGE boats to accommodate a max of 26 divers! 3 “smaller” 45’ boats carry a maximum of 4 passengers, and the 3 bigger ones carry a max of 6. (Fact: when I worked in Key Largo years ago, we would squeeze 35 divers on a 46ft boat). This configuration not only ensures a comfortable & intimate experience on the boats but also in the water. They purposely have it this way so that we are not diving in big groups potentially overloading a dive site.
The last element I wanted was a certain level of tranquility & peace. I want to be able to just turn the world off and just be in the moment. That is one reason why this is a 12-night dive trip. I didn’t want the experience to feel rushed or fleeting. I wanted a slower pace, so we have more moments & time to reflect on and enjoy the overall experience with our loved ones and friends.
One last thing, my friends: I reserved the entire resort for our group only. For 12 wonderful days, this resort is going to belong to the adventurous community of First Coast Divers. We have space for a total of 12 couples/pairs. I truly hope you decide to join us on this spectacular adventure to one of the premier dive destinations in the world and staying at one of the world's premier dive resorts.
Click here to review the resort’s web page. It is loaded with information for you to become familiar with what makes Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa so special.
Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa | Luxury Dive Resort
So…like I said…a certain type of trip. I’m so looking forward to doing 22 dives in one of the best dive destinations in the world. Spending some relaxful & special time with my wonderful wife Suzy. Certainly, visiting the spa for some awesome massages (with Suzy ). Having more time to spend with my photography, getting to know more about Indonesia and their culture, making new friends there and oh yeah…enjoying the wonderful culinary arts of the chefs at the resort!
And by the way, October is still the dry season there, so we are sure to have some
wonderful weather.
Getting there: Yes, I know Indonesia is literally on the other side of the world, but it is easier and more affordable to get there then you think. Singapore Airlines offers daily direct flights from either Newark & JFK to Singapore (airport code: SIN). Once there, we have only one connecting flight to the city of Manado (airport code: MDC) on Singapore Airlines sister carrier Scoot Airlines. Yes, I know the flight from New York to Singapore is the longest commercial flight in the world, but the aircraft Singapore Airlines uses for this route are specially configured with only Business & Premium Economy seating. The Premium Economy seats are wider, recline more, have substantially more leg room & have fold out footrests when the seat is reclined. And the prices are awesome. Far lower than what you would expect.
*Special Note to my Single Divers. I am looking for at least 2 singles to share the 2-bedroom Cottage #2. So…if you are a single diver and you are interested in doing this trip with us, then please contact us right away. It will be first-come first-serve for this availability. We will certainly do our best to get you buddied up with another single traveler.
*Special Note Concerning the Trip Price: I negotiated, booked & deposited this trip with the resort back in November 2022. Because of that, we were able to lock in the prices based off their 2022 rack rate for a trip that was in 2026. And I was able to secure from them a free night as well. This is a huge savings and value for us. This trip, if booked in 2026, would cost more than $1000 more per person. And not only that, I also had them include a free 1-hour Spa treatment for each of us. Needless to say, this is a high value trip. This is a great example of why doing your dive travel with FCD is a smart decision.
Bunaken National Marine Park
Often written as one of the world’s top 10 dive destinations, the Bunaken National Park offers diving for all levels of scuba divers. Marine Biologist, photographers, and recreational divers all travel here for an opportunity to experience the vast and impressive marine biodiversity.
North Sulawesi is home to some of Indonesia’s — if not the world’s — best wall diving. The islands that form Bunaken Marine Park drop precipitously, reaching below 2,000 feet (600 m) in some places. The best scuba diving in Bunaken features pristine hard corals, abundant reef fish, and larger pelagic species including reef sharks, eagle rays and tuna.
The Bunaken National Park is said to have 70% of all fish species that are currently known in the Indo-Western Pacific. You can see giant tridacna clams, leaf fish, cuttlefish, and a range of invertebrates hiding amongst the colorful sponges and bubble coral. The coral biodiversity is extremely impressive!
Inclusions:
• 13-day / 12-Night Stay in a private luxury cottage overlooking the ocean
• 22 Guided dives throughout your stay
• Free Nitrox for certified nitrox divers
• All Meals (breakfast, lunch, snacks & a la carte dinner)
• Unlimited tea, coffee & drinking water
• Free laundry service (not including dry-cleaning or special items)
• Free 1-hour Spa treatment per person (BONUS FOR OUR GROUP)
• Airport transfers to & from Manado airport and resort
• Use of paddle boards & kayaks
• All local taxes
Exclusions:
• Airfare. We suggest guests fly Singapore Airlines into Singapore (SIN) and connect direct to Manado (MDC). FCD will help guide you with your air travel arrangements.
• Night dives are not part of the dive package but are available upon request for a fee.
• Remote site dives are available for a nominal fee.
• Rental scuba gear is available for a nominal fee.
• All beverages other than tea, coffee & water.
• Marine Park fee. Currently it’s only about $10 and must be paid locally.
• Spa treatments (other than the free 1-hour session allotted to each guest)
• Off-site excursions. The resort can help arrange these either on Bunaken Island or the mainland.
• Tips for your dive crew and resort staff
TRIP INFORMATION:
Rates:
• $6499 per person / double occupancy
• $4999 per person / double occupancy (Non-Diver rate)
Terms:
• $1500 Non-Refundable / Per Person Deposit due at booking
• $1500 Payment due by Aug 1, 2025
• $1500 Payment due by Feb 1, 2026
• Balance Due by June 1, 2026
*Special Notes Regarding Villa Requests:
• Cottages #1 & #11 are classified as “Easier Access”. The assignment of these two cottages will be at the discretion of FCD.
• Cottage #2 (this is a 2-bedroom unit) is reserved for single divers who are looking to share with another single diver. Please contact us if you are a single who is interested . We will do our best to get you buddied up.
• Cottage #12 is a two-story double deck unit. This is great for friends or family traveling together. Each floor is totally separate & private from the other.This includes the entrances and balconies. They are just like the other cottages except there are two floors.
• All cottages besides #1, #2 & #11 are available for requests on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Additional Information
• The deposit is non-refundable and will not be refunded for any reason. We are making a commitment to our travelers, so we expect our travelers to fulfill their commitment to us.
• No additional funds will be returned if canceled within 10 months from the trip.
• In the event someone needs to cancel, they can certainly transfer their secured booking to a replacement traveler and receive a full refund minus a 10% service fee.
• All trip participants (divers only) are required to have their own personal Diver Supplemental Insurance. Again, we suggest either D.A.N. or DiveAssure.
• As with all our trips, we highly recommend that our travelers purchase trip insurance. We recommend either D.A.N. or DiveAssure.
