Manado

Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi and Indonesia's 27th province, is a vibrant city located along Manado Bay, framed by the volcanic Minahasa Highlands to the south and surrounded by vast coconut plantations and rice fields. Originally known as Wenang, this historic spice trade port was renamed in 1623 and now serves as a gateway to some of Indonesia’s most stunning marine attractions.

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The islands around Manado Bay, Lembeh Strait, and nearby marine reserves offer a wealth of pristine dive sites for both novice and experienced divers. The underwater terrain is remarkably diverse, featuring dramatic drop-offs, trenches, caves, coral-covered slopes, and lava-formed boulder fields. Rock pinnacles and underwater canyons add to the intrigue, while the reefs teem with vibrant hard and soft corals, sponges, and an impressive variety of reef and pelagic fish, making Manado a premier destination for diving enthusiasts.