Bunaken National Park is located in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. With over 8,000 hectares of coral reef, an estimated 2,000 species of fish and at least 58 different genera and sub genera of corals in the park its no surprise this region has been an attraction for divers for many years. The reef slopes range in depth from 50 meters to over 200 meters, the deepest of which are found between the islands of Mantehage and Manado Tua, at over 1,300 meters. This is possible only because of the lack of a continental shelf, part of the reason Bunaken Island plays host to such a wealth of marine life. Nutrient rich waters are fed through oceanic channels. Upwelling brings this food source closer to the surface where many species feed. Its these ingredients that attract those wishing to dive Sulawesi.

Many hard and soft corals compete on the reefs that surround the park. Colonies of animals individually referred to as ‘polyps’ are joined together by a thin layer of common tissue. They generally survive at depths between the surface of the water and 30m. All corals contain zooxanthellae, a species of algae which converts sunlight into food through photosynthesis; the excess nutrients not used by the algae are consumed by the coral, this is known as a symbiotic relationship.

Reef dwelling fishes live around the coral reefs and lagoons of the park. They rely on the reef as a food source and for shelter. Most reef fishes rest during the night, whilst being active during the day. These include the butterfly fish, angel fish and gobies amongst many other families. Pelagics however are open water fish, travel long distances and are generally faster swimmers. These include trevally, tuna and sharks.

Marine reptiles also inhabit the park. Estuarine crocodiles have been sighted in the mangrove areas, although sightings are very rare. Sea snakes, despite spending considerable amounts of time beneath the surface are air breathers making them reptiles and are often seen by divers, particularly in sea grass beds and mangrove areas.

Of the eight species of turtle found worldwide at least five live in Indonesia, three of which make regular sightings. All in all Bunaken Marine Park supports an incredible wealth of marine life. For those wishing to experience diving in Indonesia, Bunaken is a must see destination.

Bunaken sea level in late afternoon filled with dozens of people wearing floating-legged frog with orange buoy. They have a group, but sometime people enjoying it alone. They are have the same goals, enjoying the beauty of the underwater world through a snorkeling mask. There was a rented speedboat, yacht, and a wooden motor boat owned by local fishermen. Even some people deliberately to Jetski.

They came accompanied by a guide who knows most of the best spots for diving or snorkeling. Even the guides also guide the participants who want to snorkeling to the beautiful place and secure.

Bunaken

With snorkeling, indeed visitors can clearly see the various coral reefs and ornamental fish theres in Bunaken. Although only on the surface. But that was enough to make anyone ‘hypnotized’ and forget to go home. “I was new here, only snorkeling make me so happy. Later when I was able to diving i will here again for underwater dive,” said Vita, tourists from Jakarta who was off from work and on holiday to Bunaken for the first time along with 3 colleagues.

While the sea far below there, humans appear to use the tube to move slowly, taking out air bubbles. They enjoy the underwater world of Bunaken extraordinary. Viewing them from the surface, it comes with envy and pride. Jealous because they can explore the full beauty of Bunaken, closer to the coral reefs and a variety of him. Proud that they can enjoy any one of the natural beauty of the sea is famous in Indonesia without damaging the coral reef let alone carrying garbage. A scuba diving attracts many visitors to the island.

With scuba diving, the rescuers can enjoy a variety of ‘resident’ under the sea near Bunaken more, such as Ivory Fish with dorsal fins that can be enforced and locked so that he could live safely in the hole in the rock. Do not approach a nest egg of this fish, because these fish will strike. Gobi fish, which is the largest family of fish, coral, one of the unique gobies here is the Gobi shrimps living together in a sand pit. Both got a different task, the shrimp are keeping the nest clean-Gobi protect shrimp from the opponent’s attack. Barracudas are flocking there in large numbers with sharp teeth like a saw to make it an effective predator on the coral reef.

The Other Fish are swordfish and Bertandung fish, both have a kind of sword at the bottom of the tail. The sword was a defense from predator  attacks. Sometimes used to fight with each other to determine who becomes leader of the group.

There is another angel fish that have their own nests in the area. This type of fish to form a group consisting of 1 male and several females. This unique fish is born as females when adult become male. Another uniqueness, these fish are able to make a tap in the water. Perhaps because of its uniqueness was, called him an angel.

There’s more fish, other fish such as bats fish who like watching the divers, especially air bubbles. Sweetlips fish also because it has a sexy lips and muscular. Besides fish, there is also a variety of marine reptiles such as snakes and turtles.

The beauty of Bunaken marine decades actually been identified by divers homeland. But the new government realized that and then Bunaken National Park (TNB) was officially established as one marine national parks in Indonesia in October 1991, after approximately 20 years of beauty was discovered by the pioneer of 3 local dive businesses, namely, Dr. Hanny Batuna, Loky Herlambang, and Ricky Lasut. Only when this region was famous by international divers, the government realized then gradually establish an area of approximately 89,000 ha is a conservation area.

TNB consists of several islands, namely Pulau Bunaken Island Siladen, Mantehage Island, Manado Tua Island, following several island children, and the island of Nain. The diving spot is limited locations in each of the five beaches that surround the island. Recorded more or less 20 point dive (dive spot) with a depth varies up to 1344 meters. Of the 20 point dive, dive 12 points of which are located around the Bering Bunaken Island visited by the divers and lovers of the beauty of underwater scenery.

Most of the 12 point dive in Bunaken Island lined up from the southeast to the northwest of the island. On the island there is great underwater walls, which is also called hanging walls or the walls of the giant rock that stood vertically and curved upward. This reef bindings also a source of food for fish in the waters around Bunaken Island.

We can see Rock cliffs from the ship before it reached the coast of Bunaken. The water is blue with thousands of big fish in the edge of the cliff, creating beautiful incredible scenery.

Incoming search terms for the article: