Bunaken and Manado (North Sulawesi)

Dive safety priorities in Bunaken:

• Currents: treat every wall as a potential drift. Stay close to the reef without contacting it, and follow the guide's current plan.
• Depth: walls can drop fast. Set a hard max depth and keep your computer visible.
• Surface: carry an SMB and know how to deploy it. Boat traffic is common near popular sites.
• Planning: keep profiles conservative, especially if you are doing multiple days of diving.
• Freediving: use a float and flag, maintain strict buddy protocols, and avoid busy dive boat lanes.

Medical planning:

• Manado is the medical hub for North Sulawesi. If you are diving, have a clear emergency action plan with your operator.
• A hyperbaric oxygen therapy capability is reported in Manado medical facilities and has been used for decompression sickness treatment.
• For suspected DCI, administer oxygen immediately, contact local emergency services, and call the DAN Emergency Hotline for coordination and advice.

Conservation and responsible behavior:

• Bunaken is a protected national park. Buy the official entrance ticket and follow rules on reef interaction.
• Do not touch coral, do not collect shells or coral pieces, and do not feed marine life.
• Maintain excellent fin control in the shallow reef flat to avoid kicking coral.
• Choose operators that brief reef etiquette, use mooring buoys, and support local conservation initiatives.
• Respect seagrass and mangrove habitats, which are critical nurseries and linked to species like dugong.