Underwater Kingdom of Bunaken
Friday, November 09, 2007
On the north of Sulawesi, lies a beautiful and astonishing Indonesian tourism spot: Bunaken. Formerly established in 1991, it is among the first of Indonesia’s growing marine parks. For scuba divers, it is an undeniable spot to get involved with. Generally, Bunaken is an island which large 8.08 square kilometers in Manado Bay. Around the Bunaken island, an area of 75,265 hectares large, is the Bunaken National Marine Park which consists five islands: Manado Tua, Bunaken, Siladen, Mantehage, and Naen. Instead of the large occupied area of the park, the diving spots are only found around the coasts which surrounds each island.
Fish, Corals, Clams: It’s All Here!
Talk about its biodiversities, you can count to Bunaken’s collection of corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families. Then you can conclude that genera or species around is bound to be remarkably high. Don’t you know that 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken? Also, it has around 70 genera of corals, which you can compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Acc
ording to the statistics, nearly 70% (about 2,500 species) of all fish species which are known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found around Bunaken. It’s slightly higher than in the Philippines.Well, if you wonder why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity, the Oceanic currents may explain. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park.
The abundance of hard corals is crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. Hard corals are the architects of the reefs, without them, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals (folious, branching, massives, etc.) for shelter and egg-laying. Others, like the enormous Bumphead Parrotfish, Balbometopon muricatum, are "coralivores" and depend on hard corals for their sustenance. Bony mouth parts fused into an impressive "beak" allow these gregarious fish to crunch corals like roasted peanuts.
Dive.. Dive.. Dive..!!
Back to the business. It is not hard to find and get yourself underwater. A lot of dive centers is operating from the mainland around Manado and directly from Bunaken Island. Talk about satisfying underwater adventure, a more few dollars are better expensed for safe and experienced operators than just choose the cheapest one. Tank fillings can be a problem. Some operators may saves money on filters which may gives you headaches after each dive.
20 diving spots vary in depth, from 2 meters down to 1,344 meters deep. 12 of them are found around Bunaken island, lies from southeast to northwest of the island. On this area, you can find the underwater great walls (which also called hanging walls) which stands vertically and bended upwards. The walls have been the source of food of surrounding fishes around Bunaken Island.
How Do I Get There?
The public boats from Manado to Bunaken are leaving daily around 2 p.m (depending on tide), except Sundays, from Pasar Jengki near Manado harbour. Back from Bunaken to Manado usually early in the morning, around 7-8 a.m. Even on Sundays there might be boats, just go to the harbour and ask people there. To charter a boat is about Rp. 150,000 - 200,000 OW. If you want to go to Siladen it is better to inquire first at the harbour, but usually there are several boats as well. The fare to Siladen is also Rp. 15 000.
A number of homestays are available on the island which rates around Rp 50,000.00 per day per person. But you may displeased by some things like the water in the bathroom is left unfilled or dissatisfying breakfast. If you want a better service, some dive operatorions offer more upmarket accomodation which will please you with running water (Living Colours) and hot showers (Cha Cha Nature Resort).
You can look for another reference on the link below:
Sulawesi Info , Sulawesi North Diving
posted by Daniy @ 5:28 AM,
