Bunaken-Manado Tua National Marine Park
In 1989 Indonesia's first marine park was established in Manado
Bay. Today, the North Sulawesi Watersports Association helps to
educate the local population and foreign tourists on how best to
enjoy and preserve this remarkable area.
Highlight
The coelacanth (SEE-la-canth), a fish once believed to have been
the ancestor of all birds, mammals and reptiles, was thought to
have become extinct 65 million years ago with the last of the dinosaurs.
In 1938, one was discovered near South Africa. Additional coelacanth
discoveries in the nearby Comoro Islands led researchers to call
it a living fossil.
Until 1997 the only known population of this extraordinary fish
was in the Comoro Islands. A scientist in Manado stumbled on a
coelacanth for sale in a local fish market. Recognizing it immediately,
he brought it to the attention of the world. Subsequent submersible
dives at Bunaken-Manado Tua National Marine Park led to additional
sightings. The Manado coelacanth is now recognized as a new species, Latimeria
menadoensis .
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Manado Tua, Sulawesi,
Indonesia |
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Anemone Fish |
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Schooling Barracuda |
©Denise Nielsen
Tackett & Larry Tackett |
Like its Comorian relatives, the Manado coelacanth is almost two
meters long and weighs up to 70 kg (~150lbs). Its thick, heavily
scaled body has lobed fins resembling "arms" and a tri-lobed tail.
Females give birth to as many as 26 live "pups" at a time.
The discovery of the Manado coelacanth is a good sign. Living
in very deep caves (>200m or 650ft) near volcanic islands has
enabled them to successfully elude man. Perhaps there are other
areas of the world where this elusive creature has escaped detection.
The Park
The park covers over 75,000 hectares in the Sulawesi Sea. The
four coral islands, Bunaken, Siladen, Montehage and Nain, are flat.
The fifth, Manado Tua, is an extinct volcano with an imposing crater
that towers over the bay. Coral walls surround the islands, plunging
over 1300m (4200ft) in depth. Excellent fish life and coral cover
make this the world's premier wall diving destination.
The drift diving is easy - jump in and go with the current. Dive
boats pick up divers wherever they surface. Most diving is in light
currents when the filter-feeders open up and the reefs are at their
best. Currents bring in schooling fishes and bigger animals like
eagle rays, barracuda, Napoleon wrasses and sharks.
The water temperature is warm, about 27ºC (84ºF). The
best time to dive is March to November. The rainy season is December
to mid-March. July and August are sunny and windy. Visibility is
excellent at 15-30m or more.
Best Feature
The park's best feature is its steep walls and coral gardens.
Snorkelers, too, can enjoy the shallow reefs filled with clouds
of colorful fishes. Schooling pyramid butterflyfish are common
along the reef crest. Deeper walls are filled with black corals,
sea fans, and fantastic sponges. Nudibranchs are plentiful.
Dive Sites
Most diving takes place near Bunaken and Manado Tua, because of
their many excellent sites. The following is representative of
the diving in the area.
Lekuan Walls (I, II, III)
This long wall on Bunaken is divided into three sites: Lekuan
I, II and III. Together they represent the park's best. Steep walls
are marked with deep crevices, sea fans and giant sponges. The
shallows are filled with fishes. The wall, often protected from
stronger currents, is frequented by bumphead parrotfish, turtles,
and Napoleon wrasses.
Mandolin
Mandolin has a knockout reef crest and a wall that attracts thousands
of fishes like schooling fusiliers, surgeonfish, unicornfish, and
bannerfish. They are acclimated to divers and are easily approachable.
Bunaken Timor
There are strong currents and lots of fishes on this long wall.
The shallow reef isn't as spectacular as some but there are turtles,
sharks, eagle rays, and other big fishes in the blue. Overhangs
and small caves mark the wall.
Tanjung Kopi
Tanjung Kopi is a nice wall with a small school of barracuda and
lots of sweetlips. Visibility in the shallows is not terrific but
the numbers of fishes make up for it. Nudibranches and fire gobies
are easy to spot here.
Siladen Island
Siladen has a beautiful wall of soft corals that bloom when the
current is running. The shallows are nice with lots of fishes and
schooling snappers.
Muka Gereja
Muka Gereja is a pretty site with thousands of fishes in the shallows
and deeper canyons that lead to the wall.
Barracuda Point
Barracuda Point, on northwest Montehage, is one of the furthest
sites. A school of giant barracuda are regulars along with jacks
and tuna.
Manado Wreck
This 60m (200ft) long German merchant ship sank near Molas Beach
in 1942. It sits upright with the bow at 23m (78ft). The ship is
split near amidships back to the stern, exposing the wheelhouse
and cargo holds. Dives finish up on a nearby shallow reef. Expect
10-15m (30-50ft) visibility.
By Denise Nielsen Tackett & Larry Tackett
Boats visiting these areas | Ocean
Rover |
