Located in Indonesia’s idyllic Bunaken Island, Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa offers divers and non-divers alike nothing short of the sweetest escape you could possibly imagine. Built on a large five-hectare site with a private seafront, mangrove area and 140-metre private jetty, this gorgeous resort promises the most relaxing, 5-star ‘authentic island experience’, that will leave you yearning for more.
Our entire stay was truly unforgettable, whereby right from the moment we entered, we were greeted with utmost hospitality by the warm Indonesian staff, who offered us welcome drinks and never stopped smiling. Upon being led to our large and charming villa, we fell deeply in love with the simple yet grand oak-wood interior, the state-of-the-art facilities which included a Nespresso coffee maker and Samsung tablet and most definitely, the magnificent view of the sea, which was just inches away from us.
As we dipped our bodies into the alluring free-form infinity pool whilst savouring the pink sunset and sipping cocktails, we immediately felt all our troubles and burdens dissipating away. From our reinvigorating Spa experience to our amazing diving trips in the brand new, purpose-built boats where we were mesmerized by the clear glistening waters and the plethora of sea life, everything was so perfect that it made leaving difficult.
For the most exquisite and magical retreat, Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa certainly distinguishes itself from the rest and redefines luxury. Get ready to be pampered like you’ve never had before!
Nestled amidst the lush greenery and situated just steps from the baby blue sea was our cosy 70 sqm cottage. Donning a wooden interior from ceiling to floor, our room boasted a traditional and rustic experience which we thoroughly enjoyed. As we lazed on our comfortable king-sized canopy bed complete with soft marshmallow-like pillows and fluffy duvet sheets, we felt extremely ecstatic and relaxed! As nightfall approached, the entire room was dimmed and transformed into a romantic space, filled with the golden rays of the sunset. Perfect for couples in need of romantic time!
Occupying a large 90 sqm, this Double Luxury Cottage was the epitome of indisputable comfort. Beautifully furnished with two nicely sized double bedrooms, it was perfect for a group of three or more! We loved how airy and spacious the room was, with a huge modern bathroom attached to it, complete with organic toiletries. With a sizable balcony attached to our villa, we would lie on the comfy recliners to catch magnificent views of the vibrant lavender flowers blooming outside by day; and by night, we would sip wine whilst relishing the last rays of the day. The utmost zen experience!
Boasting of an unbelievable size, the Two-Storey Luxury Cottage completely satisfied every staycation fantasy we had, as we could even cartwheel around! With a separate access and a massive interior, it’s ideal for families with older children or friends travelling together. We marvelled at the traditional triangular ceiling of the cottage and thoroughly enjoyed using all the modern amenities that it was furnished with such as the large seating area, hot and cold water dispenser, mini-fridge, Nespresso coffee machine, bluetooth speaker, super fast Wifi… and more! With the large space, we didn’t even have to step outside to do our morning Yoga and all of us could even fit our mats inside! Perfect for the ultimate homebody looking for a relaxing, tranquil weekend away from the hustle and bustle.
Featuring the first-ever FRESH water swimming pool on the island, your dip in the free-form Infinity Pool will truly be one to be remembered. Stare out and bask in the glory of the spellbinding sunset as you feast your eyes on the waterfall and the glistening sea. For those who enjoy taking photographs or using social media, this is the ultimate place for an Insta-worthy ‘back view’ photograph! However, for those who prefer chilling on land rather than getting wet, simply grab a cocktail from the chill-out cocktail bar next door and head to the plushy sun loungers, and you’re all set for a therapeutic time and the perfect tan.
Feeling a little weary after the adrenaline-filled day of diving and exploring all the hidden gems that Bunaken has to offer? Simply wind down by heading to their award-winning Spa, where you’ll get to be pampered like royalty! With an extensive spa menu ranging from massages and facials to specialist treatment, we were spoilt for choice. We felt our muscles loosen and our tiredness fade away as the staff performed their magic, and we loved how we could choose to have our treatment in their custom-built spa or right in our cottage. An afternoon of sheer indulgence that we would never forget!
With over 90 glorious diving sites within easy access, we had much trouble choosing! As we set off in our brand new, purpose-built diving boat that was thoroughly furnished with freshwater deck showers and event facilities for photographers, we were absolutely blown away by the species of sea life and corals we saw underneath. It was truly a whole new and mystical world down under! We enjoyed the unlimited tea and coffee provided on board and were amazed by how luxurious and seamless the whole diving experience was. With the best equipment and boats provided, we didn’t have to worry about a thing or lift a finger before or after our dives!
With three meals a day all provided, your tastebuds are in for a treat! Bunaken Oasis’ poolside restaurant is truly a one-of-a-kind dining experience, whereby you’ll get to feast your eyes on the fantastic views over the pool, Long House and Celebes Sea as you savour the delectable Asian and Western cuisine whipped up by their award-winning chefs. Our dining experience was taken to a whole new level during golden hour, as we gazed at the brilliant sunset engulfing the sky in golden rays and sipped our sweet glasses of wine. We even managed to take gorgeous selfies and flatlays of our meal, thanks to the beautiful natural lighting present!
More than just a 5-star business, Bunaken Oasis truly cares about the environment and the welfare of others. With a goal of keeping their ecological footprints to a minimum, it also undertakes various philanthropic initiatives such as providing the nearby village with fresh drinking water, providing villagers with medical assistance and emergency medical evacuation, offering work placements and training to the local school as well as supporting all activities of Bunaken Care, a local non-governmental organisation dedicated to preserving the land and marine environment of Bunaken.
Calling all lovebirds AND love birds who love diving! THIS is hands down, your perfect honeymoon spot. Having been deemed by UW360 as one of the 11 Top Romantic Dive Getaways in Asia Pacific, this is the place to be if you’re one who loves watersports or a good adrenaline rush. Immerse yourself in the spectacular clear blue waters of the 40 diving sites that you can easily access during your stay here, with brand new and modern equipment all provided! Even if you’re travelling with a group of friends rather than a lover, this is your ultimate getaway spot.
Having a movie theatre, bowling alley or sports centre in a resort is pretty cool but at the same time, rather common. But a Dive Centre? I don’t know about you, but we were mind-blown as we stepped inside! Designed especially for the underwater photographer in mind, their Dive Centre features an air-conditioned classroom, large camera room with specially designed camera stations, numerous PADI courses ranging from Discover Scuba to Dive Master, a wet and dry storage room, free jetty diving and snorkelling, and so much more! For all you photography enthusiasts, this is the chance to capture mesmerising underwater photographs. Even if you’ve never dived before, you’re sure to be in good hands!
The easiest way to get there is to fly to Singapore (if you’re not there already), then to Manado (Sam Ratulangi International Airport) by Silk Air. From Manado, you will be met at the airport by the resort staff, who will fetch you to the harbour via a private car (approximately 30-40 minutes). There, you will be escorted to one of the resort’s boats for a ride to Bunaken Oasis, which will take approximately 30 minutes.
Flights to Manado are also available from other Indonesian and Southeast Asian cities with other airlines, for guests on a multi-destination trip. All transfers to and from Manado airport from Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa are free of charge to guests.
Located just 0.3km away from the resort is Bunaken National Marine Park, which we found truly unforgettable! Spotting crystal clear waters and pristine beaches, everything about the Marine Park was immaculately unspoilt. Home to more than 390 species of corals, marine creatures and even mammals, snorkelling and diving there was an unbeatable experience. As we went deeper into the sea, we were greeted by a mass of colourful corals, schools of fish, some sea turtles; and we even spotted a dolphin! Despite being rather inexperienced, we weren’t even afraid as the sea remained calm, making the entire trip smooth.
With so much more than just idyllic beaches and a plethora of diving sites, staying in Bunaken is truly a fascinating and diverse experience. If you’re keen on exploring Bunaken, the resort provides a variety of trips such as visiting the Tangkoko Rainforest, the local market or towns and villages on nearby islands. Don’t simply limit yourself to what you know and explore beyond that! Our visit to the local market proved to be a fruitful one whereby we were enthralled by the beautiful sights we saw, the locals we interacted with and the vibrant and colourful local environment. We even got to try an array of mouth-watering local dishes and street snacks, which were not commonly found elsewhere.
