Located in the village of Kalasey, just a short drive southwest of Manado, the Murex Manado Dive Resort has grown from a family weekend retreat into one of North Sulawesi’s leading dive operations. As divers from across the world have discovered the outstanding marine diversity in this region of the Coral Triangle, the Murex Manado has established itself as a firm favorite amongst leading researchers and underwater photographers.

In addition to offering outstanding dive experiences and service, they pride themselves on warm Manadonese hospitality and a family atmosphere. The traditional bungalows are nestled within their lush landscaped gardens, filled with palm, guava, mango and avocado trees, as well as hibiscus, birds of paradise and wild orchids. The views out across the ocean and the dormant volcano of Manado Tua are outstanding, with plenty of activities to keep non-divers entertained.

Accommodations

The Murex Manado Dive Resort offers 15 bungalows, all of which are situated within their lush landscaped gardens, surrounded by wildflowers and dotted with tranquil Koi ponds. There are 12 garden-view bungalows and 3 ocean/pool-view bungalows, which all offer a king-size bed or two twin beds, air-conditioning, table and chairs, as well as an en-suite bathroom with hot water. The ocean-view bungalows have open-air bathrooms where you can shower under the stars, while their garden-view bungalows have inside showers.

Amenities

The Murex Manado has access to 24-hour electricity and internet is available in the restaurant area for guests to stay connected with the outside world. There is a refreshing swimming pool which overlooks the ocean and has been purposely built for dive training, and there are plenty of lounge chairs where you can relax and watch the sunset.

The Murex Manado Dive Resort facilitates air-conditioned airport transfers for its guests arriving into Manado Airport, as well as boat transfers to its sister Murex dive resort at Bangka Island. They are happy to organize land excursions and activities so you can explore the lush landscapes of Northern Sulawesi.

Food

The restaurant at Murex Manado Dive Resort offers both an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy the alfresco ambiance on the water’s edge, as well as an indoor dining room next to one of their Koi ponds. Breakfasts include cereal, bread, tropical fruits and juices, cooked-to-order eggs and pancakes, and complimentary tea and coffee is available throughout the day.

Buffet-style lunches and dinners are served, with plenty of food to satisfy hungry divers. Select from a range of meat, fish and vegetable dishes, as well as soup which is served at dinner for starters. Barbecue banquets are normally held once a week, with chicken and pork, freshly-caught seafood and local Minahasa dishes for guests to sample.

Snacks are provided at afternoon tea so you never go hungry between dives, and you can select from their range of soft drinks, juices, bottled wines and Bintang beers at any time. If you have special dietary requirements, the Murex Manado Dive Resort is happy to accommodate you with prior notification.

Diving

Murex has established itself as a leader in North Sulawesi diving, discovering many of the dive sites and ensuring their ongoing protection through conservation initiatives. Their team of highly experienced PADI instructors and divemasters know the waters of Manado Bay and Bunaken National Park intimately and are dedicated to offering new experiences and marine life encounters for all diving guests. A range of certification courses are available at Murex Manado and their custom-built pool has been specifically designed for dive training.

Diving is done in small guided groups or buddy pairs, ensuring a personalized experience which is tailored to the individual divers’ skills and desires. You can opt to dive in Murex Manado’s house reef which sprawls off the resort’s black sand beach, with newly marked dive trails allowing divers to head out anytime they like, guided or unguided. Alternatively, you can join their daily boat trips out into Manado Bay and Bunaken National Park. This 90,000 hectare marine reserve is located off the northern tip of Sulawesi and dotted with islands whose fringing reefs and steep walls are a diver’s wonderland, with a few muck diving sites which rival nearby Lembeh Strait. Water temperatures are around 84°F (29°C), with a rich diversity of hard corals, reef fish and sea turtles.

Dive trips normally depart at 8:30am each morning on one of Murex Manado’s spacious dive boats, with two four-stroke engines ensuring a quieter and more fuel efficient ride. All boats have toilets onboard, and safety remains a top priority with lifejackets, first aid kits, communication devices and oxygen. Two dives are done in the morning, after which you can either head back to the resort or have lunch on the boat if you want to do a third dive in the afternoon. Night dives are also available, with briefings starting at 6:15pm and the best night dive sites just a short boat ride away. If you want to explore the excellent diving around Bangka Island and Lembeh Strait, 3-tank day trips can also be organized from Murex Manado.

Murex Manado partners with AquaLung and offers a range of well-maintained dive equipment rentals. Both high quality air and Nitrox are available for divers, with tanks and compressors routinely serviced to ensure the highest standards are maintained, while a re-compression chamber is located at nearby Manado General Hospital.

Other Activities

Murex Manado prides itself on being a family resort, and there are plenty of activities to keep non-divers busy that allow you to explore the rich landscapes of Northern Sulawesi. Travel to traditional Minahasa villages, markets, lakes and volcanoes on a highland tour, or take a thrilling white water rafting adventure through the lush forests. You can spot Celebes crested macaques, spectral tarsiers and Sulawesi cuscus in Tangkoko National Park and visit the wildlife rehabilitation center at Tasik Oki.

The house reef at Murex Manado also offers good snorkeling for non-divers and children, and you can take advantage of the onsite babysitting services offered by the local village women.

Murex also has a sister resort on Bangka Island. Click here for more information.

Click here for more information about diving in Indonesia.

Click here for information about our Passport to Paradise Dive Vacation, which combines Bunaken National Park, Bangka Island and Lembeh Strait for an unforgettable dive vacation.