Bunaken Bubble Coral Shrimp
Posted on December 2nd, 2019 by News DroidBlowing bubbles around Bunaken is our favourite thing to do, especially when we see amazing critters on the walls and in the blue. One of the many tiny macro creatures we like to find for our guests is the Bunaken Bubble Coral Shrimp. The bubble coral is easy to spot, then the challenge begins to…
Divemaster Training in Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi
Posted on November 29th, 2019 by News DroidHey there, it’s me, Conny again ? My 3rd week started and I’m finishing up my Divemaster training in Lembeh. I really like Two Fish Lembeh Resort and I already fell in love with the tiny aquatic organisms from the Lembeh Strait – it’s a crazy little world underwater here! The pages of my logbook…
Divemaster Training Week 3 – Diving Bunaken
Posted on November 29th, 2019 by News DroidHere’s Conny – Divemaster Training week 3. Finally arrived at Two Fish Divers Bunaken Resort after my stay in Lembeh. And Pow! – The vibrant underwater environment in Bunaken really hits you. It is definitely the opposite of Lembeh. Huge coral walls and filled with 1000’s of different fish, colorful animals, rays, sharks, frogfish, crocodile-fish,…
Clown Triggerfish in Bunaken, North Sulawesi
Posted on November 25th, 2019 by News DroidAt Two Fish Divers Bunaken our dive sites are packed with a multitude of tropical reef fish species – we are spoiled for choice! The Clown Triggerfish has some of the most amazing patterns and colours which make them very recognizable against other triggerfish in Bunaken Marine Park. The top half of its body is…
PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty in Lembeh Strait
Posted on November 22nd, 2019 by News DroidThe PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty People protect what they care about and care about what they know and understand. Learning about the underwater world not only creates new ocean ambassadors who can raise their voices for the ocean, but will also add fulfillment to your dives. Lembeh is a perfect location to take the PADI…
Bunaken Divemaster Trainee: Writing from a beautiful island
Posted on November 20th, 2019 by News DroidHello! It’s Bunaken Divemaster Trainee Dario again, this time writing from the beautiful island of Bunaken. I came just right after a VISA-run to Singapore and couldn’t wait to get back to the Divemaster course, wonderful nature and smiley people in Indonesia! Life as a Bunaken Divemaster Trainee is definitely different compared to Nusa Lembongan…
Diving Bunaken on a Passport to Paradise
Posted on November 14th, 2019 by News DroidChoosing where to go on your next scuba diving vacation is not always easy but with a Passport to Paradise in North Sulawesi, you don’t need to choose! Explore all of North Sulawesi’s best diving locations in one phenomenal trip: Manado Bay and Bunaken, Bangka Island and the Lembeh Strait. Explore everything from walls, to
Striped Eel Catfish in Bunaken
Posted on November 13th, 2019 by News DroidJuvenile Striped Eel Catfish are common to see in large schools because it protects them against predators (to appear bigger than they actually are). As they grow older striped eel catfish can get up to 32 cm long and tend to be solitary or in smaller groups of 10 to 20 fish. During the day…
Choose a PADI IDC in Indonesia for 2020
Posted on November 13th, 2019 by News DroidWhy a PADI IDC in Indonesia? “PADI IDC in Indonesia”, these four words alone are enough for divers to daydream. If tropical weather, being around friendly people and logging spectacular dives tick all your boxes in search for an IDC, then keep reading. Particularly, North Sulawesi and the Bunaken National Marine Park in the Coral
Family Summer Specials
Posted on November 11th, 2019 by News DroidChildren (and Big Kids) Half Price Summer Special Are you planning your next family holiday? Are you trying to find good value for money? Take a look at our summer special for families traveling to North Sulawesi! We aim to cater to all families not just those with small children, so as long as your
Blue Ring Octopus in Lembeh Strait
Posted on November 8th, 2019 by News DroidBlue Ring Octopus Blue ring octopus (Hapalochlaena sp.) are one of the most commonly requested critters to see here in Lembeh! Rumoured to be Beyonce’s favourite animal (she likes them very much…) their rareness and unique beauty combined makes the blue ring octopus a very special animal to find in the water. Armed with suckers…
Meet Matteo
Posted on November 7th, 2019 by News DroidOne of the things we are very proud of at Siladen Resort & Spa is the food that we provide our guests. For us, food is more than just the fuel required to fill our days with diving and snorkelling, and we think most of you would agree with us there! We are lucky to
Spotted Eagle Rays a special treat in Bunaken
Posted on November 5th, 2019 by News DroidDivers come to Bunaken to see the macro life, healthy and diverse coral walls and of course the resident turtles. The region is not so famous for its ‘bigger fish and rays’ especially not in the quantity and variety as other locations in Indonesia. That being said you might be surprised on the walls as…
Critters of Lembeh Strait: The Napoleon Snake Eel
Posted on November 1st, 2019 by News DroidThe Napoleon Snake Eel (Ophichthus bonaparti) is typical of the ambush predators that patiently lie in wait for their dinner. Have you ever stopped to consider what may be lurking in the sand beneath you? A variety of worms, eels and cephalods will hide out during the day waiting for the cover of darkness and…
Fun diving and frogfish in Bunaken Marine Park, North Sulawesi
Posted on October 28th, 2019 by News DroidFinding Frogfish in Bunaken Indonesia is famous for its frogfish encounters and Bunaken has its fair share of these camouflaged critters, especially giant frogfish which were spotted on a new site this week. Guide Geraldo got a tip-off that there were 2 new frogfish at the dive site Muka 2, right in front of Two…
Bobtail Squid in Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi
Posted on October 25th, 2019 by News DroidBobtail Squid The Bobtail squid (pictured: Euprymna berryi) features on many divers’ tick lists for its sheer beauty. Shrouded in an ethereal cloak of sparkling colours you will need to plan a night dive to find this tiny cephalopod. Often the first thing you will notice is a small ink cloud in your torchlight and…
Scuba Diving Tips For Beginners
Posted on October 21st, 2019 by News DroidSo you just earned your PADI license, congratulations! But where do you go from here? Moreover, how do you improve as a diver? This is why I put together a few scuba diving tips that will help you become the best diver you can be. But what does that mean, being a good diver? In
Buoyancy like a Boxfish is Best in Bunaken
Posted on October 21st, 2019 by News DroidBoxfish in Bunaken The Boxfish, family ostraciidae, is a strange-looking fish but it is a master of buoyancy control. Being square and rigid, you will be surprised how maneuverable they are and jealous of their seemingly effortless ability to glide and turn, in and around the coral reef, with just a flick of their flimsy-looking fins.…
Harlequin
Posted on October 20th, 2019 by News DroidFor our latest marine blog, we will be focussing on one of the most flamboyant, interesting, and rarest crustaceans that grace the waters of Bunaken Marine Park. With psychedelic spots and unusual (perhaps slightly cruel) dietary habits, we can only be talking about the Harlequin Shrimp. What are Harlequin Shrimp? Scientifically known as Hymenocera picta,
Going Solo in Indonesia
Posted on October 19th, 2019 by News DroidThere are many benefits of traveling alone, especially to a country as mesmerizing as Indonesia. However, there may be things that concern solo travelers planning to visit this wonderful country. Before being discouraged to travel on your own, read our guide to traveling solo in Indonesia… Guide for Solo Travelers in Indonesia Arriving in Indonesia When
Anemone Eating Nudibranch in Lembeh
Posted on October 18th, 2019 by News DroidNudibranch in Lembeh We have sea slugs galore in Lembeh Strait and to celebrate their incredible diversity we’d like to introduce this week’s featured nudibranch: the Anemone-eating Nudibranch (Baeolidia moebii). Anemones are predatory animals belonging to the phylum Cnidaria which means they contain stinging cells called nematocysts (same as with hydroids and jellyfish). Does this…
Crinoid Squat Lobster in Bunaken – The Heart of the Coral Triangle
Posted on October 15th, 2019 by News DroidThe Bunaken Marine Park is located right at the heart of the coral triangle and this is the centre of diversity for squat lobsters. These “lobster-like” crustaceans are found hiding amongst the coral and feather stars on the walls of Bunaken and take a keen eye to spot. Our guides are very good at spotting…
The Importance of White Balance and Underwater Photography
Posted on October 14th, 2019 by News DroidMost of us have heard the term “white balance” but do you know what it is and how it affects your underwater photography? White balance, more importantly, having the correct white balance, is an essential element of capturing great underwater images. Are your underwater images always tinged with blue? Are the colors portrayed in your
The Bobbit Worm in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
Posted on October 11th, 2019 by News DroidHigh up on the ‘arguments against nude diving’ list is the Bobbit worm (Eunice aphroditois). Its common name is allegedly a nod to the infamous John and Lorena Bobbit case in the USA (if you don’t know what we mean then Google is your friend). As an ambush predator, nature saw fit to endow this…
Green Gold Award 2019
Posted on October 9th, 2019 by News DroidWe are very happy to let you all know that Siladen Resort & Spa has received the Green Gold Award from the ‘Indonesia Sustainable Tourism Awards (ISTA) 2019. These awards are given to resorts, operations, and destinations throughout Indonesia, to show recognition for their hard work to pursue sustainable tourism and environmental practices. From the
DUIKEN – Manado & Bunaken
Posted on October 7th, 2019 by News DroidThis article originally appeared in scuba diving website and magazine Duiken (which means “diving” in Dutch). This piece focuses on diving Bunaken, Manado and the Bunaken Marine Park. Because the original articles are in Dutch, I translated them and posted them here for our English readers. The first article was all about Lembeh. This time,
The Sulawesi Bear Cuscus at Murex Bangka Resort
Posted on October 7th, 2019 by News DroidDid you know that at Murex Bangka Resort we have been having sightings of the Sulawesi Bear Cuscus (Ailurops ursinus) in the trees near the dive and snorkeling center? In fact, in one day we spotted FOUR cuscuses together in the treetops!!! Did you know that the Sulawesi Bear Cuscus is actually a marsupial and
Ribbontail Rays in Bunaken are Seen Night and Day
Posted on October 7th, 2019 by News DroidThis week we have been lucky enough to see stingrays on a few of our favourite dive sites. During the day they are mostly taking shelter and hiding from predators under coral shelves or in sandy patches beneath the rocks but we can sometimes see them peeking out of their hidey-hole. At night they are…
Flatworms and Muck Diving in Lembeh
Posted on October 4th, 2019 by News DroidMuck Diving in Lembeh Strait Flatworms are the evolutionary result of generations of worms being squished by larger fish. That’s why they’re often brightly coloured; to avoid being crushed entirely into a 2-dimensional plane. Ok, this isn’t true….. But sometimes the truth is even stranger when you are muck diving in Lembeh. Flatworms have no…
Christmas in North Sulawesi, You’re Invited!
Posted on October 4th, 2019 by News DroidFor many divers, including singles (more on that later), Christmas is the perfect excuse to get away from the cold holiday season. Instead, why not spend Christmas in North Sulawesi? Swim in warm, tropical water, meet like-minded people and enjoy some fantastic diving. Celebrating Christmas in North Sulawesi North Sulawesi is mostly Christian, which is