Most visited dive sites of the Bunaken National Park.

No. 1: Likuan I Characteristics: Vertical winding wall, with many vertical cracks and canyons. Often strong current. Reef top relatively sheltered from waves, with many branching corals. Invertebrates: Giant barrel sponges, black coral, gorgonians, ascidians. Fishes: Many huge schools of plankton-feeders: fusiliers (Caesionidae), pyramid butterflyfishes (Hemitaurichthys polylepis), bannerfishes (Heniochus diphreustes), damselfishes (Pomacentridae). Possible Encounters: Turtles (Chelonia midas), seasnakes (Laticauda colubrina), whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), large emperors (Lethrinidae) and jacks (Caranx ignobilis, C. melampygos), groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus).

No. 2: Likuan II Characteristics: Vertical winding wall, with many vertical cracks and canyons. Reef top sheltered from waves, with many branching corals. Often strong current. Sometimes downward currents. Invertebrates: Giant barrel sponges, black coral, gorgonians, ascidians, featherstars. Fishes: Reef fishes: Angelfishes (Pomacantidae), butterflyfishes (Chaerodontidae). School of black snappers (Macolor niger). Possible Encounters: seasnakes (Laticauda colubrina), whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), large Napoleon wrasses (Cheilinus undulatus).

No. 3: Likuan III Characteristics: Vertical wall with caves and sandy slope. Reef top sheltered from waves, with many differently shaped hard corals. Invertebrates: black coral, gorgonians, ascidians, featherstars. Fishes: Many blacktip reef sharks (Carcharinus melanopterus) and whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus). Possible Encounters: Barracudas (Sphyraena qenie), mantas (Manta birostris).

No. 4: Celah Celah Characteristics: Vertical winding wall, with many cracks and crevices. Good night dive. Reef top very sheltered, many different shapes of hard corals. Invertebrates: soft corals, ascidians, featherstars. Fishes: Reef fishes: butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), parrotfishes (Scaridae), surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae). Possible Encounters: Large napoleon wrasses (Cheilinus undulatus).

No. 5: Alung Banua Characteristics: Vertical wall, with many cracks and crevices. Some interesting small caves. Reef top very sheltered, many different shapes of hard corals. Good night dive. Invertebrates: Nudibranches, soft corals, sponges, ascidians. Fishes: Mainly reef fishes: anthiases (Pseudanthias spp.), parrotfishes (Scaridae), wrasses (Labridaae), butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae). Many shrimp gobies (Gobidae). Large school of black snappers (Macolor niger) Possible Encounters: 1 large Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), schools of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum).

No. 6: Fukui point Characteristics: Slope completely covered with foliose and branching hard corals. Invertebrates: Giant barrel sponges, giant clams (Tridacna gigas) Fishes: Many schooling fishes: spadefishes (Platax spp.), black snappers (Macolor niger), blackfin barracuda (Sphyraena qenie), jacks (Caranx spp.), sweetlips (Plectorhinchus orientalis and P. lineatus). Large triggerfishes (Balistoides viridescens and Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus) and garden eels (Heteroconger hassi). Possible Encounters: Great barracudas (Sphyraena barracuda), eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari), giant sweetlips (Plectorhinchus obscurus), Napoleon wrasses (Cheilinus undulatus), bumphead parrotfishes (Bolbometopon muricatum). Rarities: Possible to see the sexual display of the flasher wrasse Paracheilinus filamentosus.

No. 7: Mandolin point Characteristics: Vertical wall in large steps, with small caves in the deep part. Reef top very interesting and various. Often strong current. Invertebrates: black coral, large gorgonians, ascidians. Fishes: Many huge schools of plankton-feeders: fusiliers (Caesionidae), pyramid butterflyfishes (Hemitaurichthys polylepis), bannerfishes (Heniochus diphreustes), damselfishes (Pomacentridae). Large angelfishes (Pomacanthidae). Possible Encounters: Turtles (Chelonia midas), seasnakes (Laticauda colubrina), whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), jacks (Caranx ignobilis, C. melampygos), barracudas (Sphyraena barracuda), dogtooth tunas (Gymnosarda unicolor), eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari), giant sweetlips (Plectorhinchus obscurus), Napoleon wrasses (Cheilinus undulatus), groupers (Plectropomus areolatus).

No. 8: Raymond's point Characteristics: Vertical wall, with one large cave. Spectacular reef top, with many hard and soft corals. Often strong current. Invertebrates: Forest of whip corals (Cirrhipathes sp.) and soft corals. Many lobsters. Fishes: Angelfishes (Pomacanthidae), butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), wrasses (Labridae). Probably one of the richest dive spots with regard to reef fishes, so that it is difficult to identify the more distinctive groups. Possible Encounters: seasnakes (Laticauda colubrina), large emperors (Lethrinidae), red snappers (Lutjanus bohar), groupers (Plectropomus areolatus), dogtooth tunas (Gymnosarda unicolor), stingrays (Taenyura limma).

No. 9: Mike's Point Characteristics: Vertical wall shaped like an amphitheatre. Reef top exposed to the waves, with huge massive corals (Porites). Invertebrates: black coral, giant gorgonians, ascidians, sponges. Fishes: Many anthiases (Pseudanthias spp.), angelfishes (Pomacanthidae), tilefishes (Hoplolatilus starcki). Possible Encounters: whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), large jacks (Caranx ignobilis), eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari), occasionally very large silvertip sharks (Carcharinus albimarginatus).

No. 10: Tanjung Parigi Characteristics: Vertical winding wall, with exposed reef top, damaged in some part. Invertebrates: barrel sponges, black coral, gorgonians, ascidians. Fishes: surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), rabbitfishes (Siganidae), parrotfishes (Scaridae). Possible Encounters: Large jacks (Charanx ignobilis) and other pelagic fishes.

No. 11: Sachiko's point Characteristics: Vertical wall, with caves in the deeper part. Very exposed reef top with large massive corals (Porites). Invertebrates: black coral, many large gorgonians, whip corals, ascidians. Fishes: Many huge schools of plankton-feeders: fusiliers (Caesionidae), pyramid butterflyfishes (Hemitaurichthys polylepis), bannerfishes (Heniochus diphreustes), damselfishes (Pomacentridae). Wrasses (Labridae), parrotfishes (Scaridae), butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) and large angelfishes (Pomacanthidae). Glassfishes (Parapriacanthus ransonneti) in a shallow cave. Possible Encounters: whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) resting in caves, blacktip reef sharks (Carcharinus melanopterus), ribbon sweetlips (Plectorhinchus polytaenia), large emperors (Lethrinidae) and jacks (Caranx ignobilis).

No. 12: Bunaken Timur  (Bunaken Sea Garden Divers housereef) Characteristics: Vertical wall in large steps, with many cracks and small caves, very beautiful reeftop. Invertebrates: Many soft coral (Nephthiidae), black coral, gorgonians, ascidians. Fishes: Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), surgeonfishes(Acanthuridae), parrotfishes(Scaridae), wrasses (Labridae). Possible Encounters: small whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), stingrays (Taeniura limma).

No. 13: Depan Kampung Characteristics: Vertical wall, with many vertical cracks and canyons. Often strong current. Reef top very heterogeneous. Invertebrates: Giant barrel sponges, black coral, gorgonians, whip corals, ascidians. Fishes: Many huge schools of plankton-feeders: fusiliers (Caesionidae), pyramid butterflyfishes (Hemitaurichthys polylepis), bannerfishes (Heniochus diphreustes), damselfishes (Pomacentridae). Possible Encounters: Turtles (Chelonia midas), seasnakes (Laticauda colubrina), whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), large emperors (Lethrinidae) and jacks (Caranx spp.).

No. 14: Siladen Characteristics: Vertical wall in large steps. Spectacular reef top, with a huge variety of hard and soft corals. Invertebrates: Soft corals, gorgonians, featherstars, giant clams (Tridacna spp.). Fishes: Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), groupers (Serranidae), parrotfishes (Scaridae), moray eels (Muraenidae). 6 different species of anemonefish (Amphiprion spp.). Possible Encounters: Turtles (Chelonia midas), stingrays (Taeniura limma).

No. 15: Siladen Utara Characteristics: Reef flat with sand and gravel. A sort of river bed modelled by the currents and the waves, with huge massive corals (Porites). Often strong current. Invertebrates: Gorgonians, whip corals. Mantis shrimps (fam. Squillidae). Fishes: Large groupers (Plectropomus areolatus) and snappers (Lutjanus spp.), wrasses (Labridae), Garden eels (Heteroconger hassi). Possible Encounters: Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), large emperors (Lethrinidae).

No. 16: Manado Tua - Buwalo Characteristics: Vertical winding wall, with many vertical cracks and canyons and small caves. Wonderful reef top, with huge tabular corals. Invertebrates: Giant barrel sponges, black coral, gorgonians, ascidians, nudibranches, featherstars. Fishes: Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), parrotfishes (Scaridae), angelfishes (Pomacanthidae), sweetlips (Plectorhinchus spp.). 6 species of anemonefishes. Possible Encounters: Turtles (Chelonia midas), seasnakes (Laticauda colubrina), whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) resting in caves, a school of batfishes (Platax orbicularis).

No. 17: Manado Tua - Negeri Characteristics: Vertical winding wall, with many vertical cracks and canyons and small caves. Sheltered reef top, with many branching corals. Invertebrates: Giant barrel sponges, black coral, gorgonians, ascidians, nudibranches, featherstars. Fishes: Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), parrotfishes (Scaridae), angelfishes (Pomacanthidae). Possible Encounters: Turtles (Chelonia midas), seasnakes (Laticauda colubrina).

No. 18: Pangulingan Characteristics: Sandy slope with large rocks and coral formations. Often very strong current. Possible downward currents. Invertebrates: Hard corals, soft corals. Fishes: Parrotfishes (Scaridae), surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), rabbitfishes (Siganidae), emperorfishes (Lethrinidae). Possible Encounters: whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), jacks (Caranx spp.), dogtooth tunas (Gymnosarda unicolor). Occasionally grey sharks (Carcharinus amblyrhynchos), hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp.).

No. 19: Tanjung Kopi Characteristics: Coral flat in mild slope to 15-20 m depth, deep vertical wall with caves. Often strong current. Possible downward currents. Invertebrates: black coral, gorgonians, whip corals. Fishes: Parrotfishes (Scaridae), surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), rabbitfishes (Siganidae), emperorfishes (Lethrinidae), sweetlips (Plectorhinchus spp.). Possible Encounters: whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), large emperors (Lethrinidae), jacks (Caranx ignobilis), dogtooth tunas (Gymnosarda unicolor), large Napoleon wrasses (Cheilinus indulatus), blackfin barracudas (Sphyraena qenie). Occasionally grey sharks (Carcharinus amblyrhynchos), hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp.).

No. 20: Barakuda point Characteristics: Wall in large step, alternate with sandy areas. Reef flat very wide and exposed to waves and currents, huge massive corals (Porites Often very strong current. Possible downward currents. Invertebrates: Whip corals, soft corals, sponges. Fishes: Parrotfishes (Scaridae), surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), triggerfishes (Balistidae), emperorfishes (Lethrinidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), groupers (Serranidae). Schools of fusiliers (Caesionidae) and bannerfishes (Heniochus diphreustes). Possible Encounters: A very large school of blackfin barracuda (>300 Sphyraena qenie), jacks (Charanx spp.), dogtooth tunas (Gymnosarda unicolor), schools of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum). Occasionally grey sharks (Carcharinus amblyrhynchos), hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp.).

No. 21: Gorango Characteristics: Wall with many cracks and vertical canyons. Reef flat exposed to waves and currents, huge massive corals (Porites Often strong current. Invertebrates: Large gorgonians, whip corals, soft corals, sponges. Fishes: Parrotfishes (Scaridae), surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), triggerfishes (Balistidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), groupers (Serranidae). Possible Encounters: schools of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), Napoleon wrasses (Cheilinus undulatus). Occasionally grey sharks (Carcharinus amblyrhynchos), hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp.).

No. 22: Bango Characteristics: Wall with many cracks and vertical canyons, alternating with sandy slopes. Reef flat exposed to waves and currents. Often strong current. Invertebrates: Large gorgonians, whip corals, soft corals, sponges. Many arborescent Tubastrea micrantha. Nudibranches. Fishes: Parrotfishes (Scaridae), surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), triggerfishes (Balistidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), groupers (Serranidae). Possible Encounters: Eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari), schools of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), Napoleon wrasses (Cheilinus undulatus). Occasionally grey sharks (Carcharinus amblyrhynchos), hammerhead sharks.

No. 23: Batu Kapal Characteristics: Very wide reef flat , damaged in some parts. Deep vertical wall with caves. Often very strong current. Possible downward currents. Invertebrates: Whip corals, soft corals, sponges. Fishes: Parrotfishes (Scaridae), surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), triggerfishes (Balistidae), emperorfishes (Lethrinidae), snappers (Lutjanidae). Possible Encounters: Jacks (Charanx spp.), dogteeth tunas (Gymnosarda unicolor), schools of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum). Occasionally grey sharks (Carcharinus amblyrhynchos) and hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp.).

No. 24: Jalan Masuk Characteristics: Very wide and beautiful reef flat, with huge colonies of tabular Acropora and other hard coral. Wall in large step, alternate with sandy areas. Often very strong current. Invertebrates: Many different species of hard corals, soft corals, sponges. Fishes: Parrotfishes (Scaridae), surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), triggerfishes (Balistidae). Possible Encounters: Jacks (Charanx spp.), , schools of bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum). Occasionally whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus).

No. 25: Tanjung Pisok Characteristics: Reef flat sloping to 15-20 m depth, very rich in large tabular Acropora. Wall in large steps, alternating with sandy slopes. Often strong current. Invertebrates: Large tabular Acropora, whip corals, soft corals, arborescent Tubastrea micrantha. Nudibranches. Fishes: Parrotfishes (Scaridae), surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), triggerfishes (Balistidae), butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), groupers (Serranidae). Possible Encounters: Eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari), Napoleon wrasses (Cheilinus undulatus), large groupers (Plectropomus areolatus). Rarities: High concentration of blue ribbon eels (Rhinomuraena quaesita).

No. 26: Molas shipwreck Characteristics: Chinese commercial iron ship, on a muddy slope 30 m deep. Reef a little damaged but very rich in small animals. Invertebrates: black coral, gorgonians, nudibranches. Fishes: Pterois, fusiliers, snappers. Possible Encounters: A large whitetip reef shark Triaenodon obesus sleeping under the ship during daytime.

No. 27: Johnson's point Characteristics: Slope in large steps, very interesting for night dives. Invertebrates: Especially during night dives, plenty of lobsters, crabs, nudibranches, large shells. Many large basket stars. Fishes: All reef fishes. Possible Encounters: The flash-light fish Photoblepharon palpebratus during night dives.

No. 28: Tenggah Characteristics: Slope in very large steps, very strong current. Invertebrates: Whip-corals, sponges. Fishes: Many parrotfishes, wrasses, batfishes. Possible Encounters: Many large white-tip and black-tip reef sharks. Schools of jacks.