Skill Level: Intermediate

Coral Eye Marine Outpost and Siladen Resort & Spa

Trip Leader: Kelly Dananay

Shaped by simplicity and respect for nature, Coral Eye unfolds along the shoreline, where sea, jungle, and architecture blend together to offer comfort without excess. Bangka Island lies in the heart of the Coral Triangle and is recognized for its exceptional marine biodiversity and scenic diving opportunities. The waters surrounding Coral Eye feature colorful sloping reefs dominated by hard corals and dramatic volcanic pinnacles draped in soft corals, home to an extraordinary variety of marine life. In contrast, several dive sites around the island are defined by sandy bottoms rich in macro life. Some of these areas have black volcanic sand, reminiscent of the muck diving conditions in the Lembeh Strait, and offer excellent opportunities to spot rare and cryptic species. Mangrove areas provide a very different habitat, where juvenile fish and small invertebrates thrive among the roots. Just offshore, seagrass beds create feeding grounds for species such as dugongs and add to the island’s overall ecological diversity.

Siladen Resort & Spa is an exclusive boutique dive resort on Pulau Siladen, a lush tropical island in the heart of Bunaken National Marine Park. This protected area is celebrated worldwide as a hotspot of marine biodiversity. The resort boasts a 600m stretch of white sandy beach, a colorful fringing reef, and sweeping views of Manado Tua volcano—perfect for enjoying spectacular sunsets year-round. Bunaken Marine Park covers roughly 890 square kilometers at the very center of the Coral Triangle, the global epicenter of marine life. Within its waters thrive more than 390 species of reef-building coral, thousands of reef fish, and a dazzling variety of invertebrates. These extraordinary ecosystems, combined with a growing emphasis on eco-tourism, make Bunaken one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling.