Dive Shop
Eco Divers Manado is a PADI 5 Star Gold Palm IDC facility, so you can be assured of consistency in service. The owners Jim & Cary Yanny have seventeen years experience of managing top quality dive operations in Indonesia and other locations in the world. Eco Divers also operates Eco Divers Resort in Lembeh Strait.
Dive Center and service
The purpose built boats are powered by energy efficient double outboard engines and have comfort features including sundeck, camera rinse tanks, WC and shaded salon. They take divers to over 30 dive sites with speed and comfort, each carrying a maximum of just 8 guest divers. Snorkellers and non-divers are also welcome to join the trips. Dive groups are kept very small - just 4 guests to each guide. At the jetty a camera storage facility with individual lockers is available for guests' use.
Their daily dive program to Bunaken National Park offers a two-tank morning trip and one-tank afternoon trip. The morning trip departs at 8.15am and the boats return at around 1pm, so guests can enjoy lunch at the resort. The afternoon trip departs at 3pm and returns by around 4.30-5.00pm. Night dives, special trips to Lembeh Strait and PADI dive courses can be arranged on request.
Their experienced dive guides will show you the wonders of the "critter heaven". Your gear will be set up and washed down for you by the very helpful and friendly dive crews. All you will need to look after is your camera equipment.
Dive areas
Bunaken National Park: consists of seven islands and is located in the Bay of Manado. The diving area is famous for its beautiful overgrown steep coral walls and the great richness of species living here. The drop-offs start in the shallows of 1-2 meters (3-6 ft) and then fall into the Abyss. Especially beautiful is the shallow waters where one can finish the safety stop in an array of colorful fish. That makes those reefs also an ideal area for snorkelers. Bunaken has apart from the green turtles, plenty of the less often seen leatherback and loggerhead turtles in big sizes! There is also a beautiful wreck situated in the Bay of Manado, here divers often are accompanied by dolphins or pilot whales.
Lembeh Strait: Just an hour's drive away from Manado, close to the port town of Bitung, is Lembeh Island. Here is the world's arguably best dive area for 'muck diving'. This is a paradise for divers who are looking for the smallest and rarest fish and critters. You very likely are going to see the Ambon scorpion fish, ghost pipefish, seahorses, crabs and angler fish in all colors, just to name a few. These sites, including the two wrecks, are a highlight for underwater photographers and lovers of muck diving. Don't expect beautiful coral reefs in good visibility, you will dive in sandy spots with not so good visibility, as that is where the critters live. There are partial rather cool currents in the Lembeh Strait. The water temperature can get as low as 22C (71F), a warmer 5mm wetsuit is recommended.
