Bunaken, Marine national park in North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Bunaken is a marine national park in North Sulawesi that covers several islands with coral reefs and warm water. The reefs form steep walls that drop into deep blue, while the water is so clear you can see schools of fish and the surface of the corals from many meters away.
The park was created in the early nineties when the government decided to protect the coast and the reef. Since then, fishing has been restricted in most zones to preserve the ecosystem.
The name comes from the word "bunak", which refers to a type of canoe fishermen once carved from single trees that grew along the shoreline. Today you still see wooden boats pulled onto the sand near the villages, though most now use fiberglass hulls and outboard motors.
Most visitors stay on the main island and book diving or snorkeling trips directly with local operators. The water is calm and warm, the current stays moderate in most areas, so beginners can swim without trouble.
In some bays you can watch large sea turtles swimming slowly between the corals, grazing algae off the rocks. Some come so close to the surface that snorkelers can drift next to them and watch them feed.
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