Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Spa

We had an unbelievably beautiful stay from beginning to end. We spent 12 nights at Oasis and honestly would have loved to stay longer! Even before we checked in, the team already impressed us. While we were still in Manado, they helped us organize a tour to the National Park and even rearranged our transfer. Fantastic service! From the first moment, we were warmly greeted by name and felt very personally cared for. Thanks to the excellent internal communication, the staff always seemed to know where we were and what was happening during the day. For example, shortly after lying down by the pool, we received a complimentary iced tea, during dinner we were asked about the shark sightings from our dive, and after a lunchtime chat with the staff we were even invited by the managers to go jogging the next morning. We have never experienced such thoughtful and personal attention on any holiday. It truly goes far beyond “normal hospitality” and turns the stay into a real luxury experience. The resort itself is simply a dream. With only 12 cottages (something we really appreciated), it feels very private and exclusive. Everything is perfectly maintained by a team of almost 100 staff members. The cottages are spacious, the paths and pool area immaculate, and the gardens are beautifully kept with stunning views of the sea and Manado. The food was another highlight – varied, creative, and always delicious. The kitchen adapted dishes to our wishes, prepared local specialties like Gado Gado, and even created unique dishes such as a tempeh burger. Little touches like changing napkin folds, staff remembering our preferences, and their genuine interest in chatting with us made every meal special. We also had the chance to enjoy a tasting menu, which was phenomenal. Diving was pure luxury as well. Often we had the boat all to ourselves, and at most shared it with one other cottage. We had the same dive guide throughout our stay and could decide every day where to go next. The variety was incredible – from night dives to wrecks to Turtle City. The corals and biodiversity were breathtaking. PADI courses can be booked easily too, and successful participants even receive a little gift from the hotel. A huge thank you to managers Simon and Kelly for making our stay so memorable, including the 6 a.m. jog in 30 degrees Celsius! And of course to the amazing staff: Susi & Poolboy for the wonderful singing, Gusti, Morten, Angga, Susi, Leni, Raldy and all the service staff for their hospitality, Sandy and Mei with the entire boat crew for unforgettable dives, and André, Chika, Mel and the reception team for their quick and caring responses. And not to forget everyone behind the scenes in housekeeping and gardening – you all contributed to making this stay so special. We felt completely at home at Oasis. You can be truly proud of what you achieve here every single day and what you offer to your guests. Thank you for everything – we will never forget this holiday!

My wife and I had the most wonderful time here - it really is a five star service - from the wonderful resort managers Kelly and Simon to the plentiful and ever friendly local staff, every detail is taken care of with charm and warmth. The individual cottages are outstanding. The professionalism of the diving team is striking led by UK diving vet Peter. And they even have a resident world photographer of the year Jacob who there to help with any video or photography requests. We also loved the margaritas in the very cool rooftop bar. Plus the care the resort took over staff and environmental impact. Brilliant.

My daughter and I did our open water dive course at Bunaken Oasis. It was a splendid experience and one we’ll cherish. Simon and Kelly run an exceptional dive resort in the middle of an amazing coral kingdom. The warm hospitality started from the time we stepped out of the airport and the entire staff looked after us throughout our stay. Special shout out to a few who went that extra mile. * Didi our instructor was encouraging and made our dives personal and special. Jet Li made sure our dives and boat times were cozy and comfortable. They helped us navigate “Turtle city” with some stunning photo ops as well! * Gusti was always warm and welcoming at our meal times * Gusty always had a smile and taught my daughter “local” origami * Lidya at reception was always on hand for every small detail The restaurant is exceptional and catered to our every need. All in all, highly recommend Bunaken Oasis if you are ever considering diving in this diverse region.

From the moment we arrived at Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort, we were warmly welcomed by the management team, Simon and Kelly, Dee Dee and May whose genuine hospitality set the tone for an unforgettable stay. Their personal meet-and-greet made us feel more like old friends than guests, and this personal touch continued throughout our time at the resort. The accommodations are simply stunning—individual villas nestled among immaculately maintained tropical gardens, designed in the traditional local style with timber construction, thatched roofs, and the comfort of air conditioning. Each villa is a peaceful retreat, offering both privacy and luxury in equal measure. The dining experience was exceptional, with delicious meals included in our stay. The local staff were not only attentive and professional, but also incredibly friendly and warm-hearted. On our final evening, we were serenaded in the restaurant—a magical and heartfelt moment—followed by a surprise presentation of a beautifully decorated cake, which was the perfect ending to a perfect stay. As divers, we were equally impressed by the highly professional dive operation. Our group of five was provided with our own private dive boat and crew for the duration of our stay, a level of service that exceeded all expectations. The dive team, led by our two outstanding dive masters, Feibe and Mata, were not only expert instructors but also passionate marine guides. Their deep knowledge of the local dive sites and marine life enriched every dive, and their warm, enthusiastic approach made every underwater experience safe, fun, and educational. They were especially kind and patient with my daughter, gently calming her nerves on her very first ocean dive—a moment she'll never forget. The resort also offers a wide range of diving courses, catering to all experience levels, which speaks to their commitment to safety and excellence. Every element of our stay—from the personalized service to the world-class diving—was exceptional. We left with full hearts, lasting memories, and a strong desire to return. Rating: 10/10 – A true paradise for divers and non-divers alike!

We just spent 7 glorious days snorkelling at Bunaken Oasis. The resort is immaculate, the food excellent and the personalised service from time of booking to leaving outstanding. The infinity lap pool is spectacular and great for lap swimming and a great refresher after a day spent in the ocean. But the snorkelling ! Wow ! Simply spectacular. The resort is small and boutique allowing for very personalised service. All the happy staff were local and clearly passionate about working at the resort. We just loved it !

Top notch diving resort. The DMs were very knowledgeable and experienced, Matahari was the best! Dive boats were exceptional and some of the most comfortable I have ever been on, and the dive sites were stunning and had a ton of variety to suit any diver’s fancy!! All of the staff were extremely friendly and attentive. They were definitely focused on their customer’s needs and checked in often to ensure they were being met. I also had one of the most excellent massages ever with Ella. Highly recommend if you want a fantastic diving experience.