Visitors to Manado can do a variety of interesting things such as diving in Bunaken and the Lembeh Strait, take Liveaboard diving trips or a city tour or a Trans-Suawesi tour, among others. Indonesia is a land of volcanoes and this area is especially full of them. Behind the city of Manado lie rows and rows of rising green hills. The city also faces the volcanic islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua and Siladen. Volcanoes produce very fertile soil that is rich in nutrients and this is quite clear from the lush green hillsides and the huge quantities of fresh vegetables and fruits that are part of the local cuisine.

Manado is the port of entry for most people visiting North Sulawesi, especially those who intend to dive in Bangka, Bunaken or Lembeh Strait.

Our Manado Destination Guide below tells you all the highlights of a visit to this beautiful region of Indonesia. Taking a locally run Manado tour is the ideal way of exploring all that Manado has to offer. Also check out our Indonesia Destination Guide for more general information about travelling throughout Indonesia.

Things to See & Do in Manado

Ban Hin Kiong Chinese Temple
Bunaken and Siladen Island
Manado Golf Course
Japanese Cave (Kiawa Village)
Lake Linow Colour
Lembeh Strait
Ranopaso Hot Springs
Tangkoko Nature Reserve
The Provincial Museum
Tomohon (The City Of Flowers)
Volcano Trekking near Manado
Volcanoes Lokon and Mahawu (Rurukan Village)
Waruga (Stone Graves)
Watu Pinabetengan
White Water Rafting near Manado

Ban Hin Kiong Chinese Temple

The Ban Hin Kiong Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Panjaitan, a busy area in downtown Manado. It is the oldest temple in Eastern Indonesia. During the Toa Peh Kong period in February, an attractive annual festival is celebrated around the temple.

Several traditional Chinese religious and cultural activities are organised during the festival. A few interesting attractions are the Locia Horse Parade, the cars decorated with unique ornaments and colourful flowers, and the little girls dressed in traditional Chinese costumes sitting atop cars that have been made to resemble dragons, horses and water lilies.

Bunaken and Siladen Island

Like the Manado coastline, Bunaken is characterised by clear waters, beaches and stunning drop-offs. The Bunaken National Marine Park has very deep water bodies. The depth is 1,566 m in Manado Bay and the clear waters afford a visibility of 35 to 40 metres. The temperature here is a mild 27 ° C to 29 ° C. One of the most remarkable dive sites in the world is the Bunaken Coral Reef.

The Siladen Island is located to the right of Bunaken Island and is surrounded by picturesque white sandy beaches filled with shells. It offers great diving for experienced divers and snorkelling for non-divers.

Hotels on Bunaken Island:

Manado Golf Course

Located in Kayuwatu, which is about 7 km from downtown Manado, the Wenang Golf Course can be seen on the road to the Sam Ratulangi International Airport. It is spread over an area of 1,800 square metres and has a great view of Mount Klabat. To reach the golf course from Manado, take a Microlet or an Oplet to the Paal Dua terminal and cover the remaining distance by the Perum or the Lapangan Microlet.

Japanese Cave (Kiawa Village)

Built during World War II by the Japanese, these caves are located between the two charming countryside villages of Kawangkoan and Kiawa. The caves were mostly used to store supplies during the war.

Lake Linow Colour

Located near Tomohon, Lake Linow is a beautiful but rather strange lake. It can change colours! The waters of the lake sometimes look blue, sometimes green, and sometimes red. The lakeside is a lovely place to relax.

Lembeh Strait

The Lembeh Strait is popular both for its macro fishes as well as the many unexplored shipwrecks it contains. It is a paradise for muck diving enthusiasts. Professional and experienced photographers and videographers love to film these unusual critters. In fact, views and discoveries that are rare and strange in most parts of the world are just part of an ordinary day of diving in Lembeh Strait. The most commonly seen sea fauna are cockatoo waspfish, emperor shrimp, hairy frogfish, mandarin fish, ornate ghost pipefish, octopus, pygme seahorse and many other rare and unusual creatures. Visitors to North Sulawesi cannot forget their scuba diving experiences in Bunaken and Lembeh Strait.

Ranopaso Hot Springs

Rice fields surround the Ranopaso Hot Springs, where you can take a hot water soak in one of the bathrooms. They are specially designed to supply thermal water obtained from one of the hot springs in the area.

Tangkoko Nature Reserve

The Tangkoko Nature Reserve is located on the slopes of Mount Dua Saudara. It is situated to the north of Bitung and is a few hours away from Manado. The lush green hills and valleys that make up the landscape of the nature reserve offer some exceptionally beautiful views. This ancient rainforest is packed with striking fauna and flora. Some of the more common fauna found here include anoa, black apes, cuscus, hornbill, maleo, pig deer, tarsius, and many more.

The Provincial Museum

Those interested in art, history and culture must visit the Provincial Museum. It is a place of interest for students as well. The museum houses historical, cultural and other artefacts from several Indonesian ethnic groups. It also displays artefacts from the Chinese, Dutch, Japanese, Portuguese and Swedish cultures.

Tomohon (The City Of Flowers)

The town of Tomohon lies about 24 km from Manado and is at an altitude of about 700 metres above sea level. It is located between Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu, and has a very cool temperature of about 20 °C. It is a great place to cool off after the warm air of Manado. The land surrounding the village is flower bedecked.

Volcano Trekking near Manado

One activity that must not be missed during a stay at Tomohon is a trek to the craters of Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu. The view from the top and a view of the steaming crater lakes are awe inspiring. Treks should be started early in the morning or in the afternoon so that the heat of the day can be avoided. For those who prefer more challenging treks, Mount Soputan or Mount Klabat, the highest peak in North Sulawesi, are two good options.

Volcanoes Lokon and Mahawu (Rurukan Village)

Both Mount Mahawu, at 1.311 metres, and Mount Lokon, at 1.580 metres, have beautiful crater lakes. The smoking lakes are duck-egg blue in colour. Mount Lokon is often described as the more beautiful volcano but since the local government has issued a warning, it is not safe to visit Lokon. Mount Mahawu is quite beautiful too and visitors usually walk to it from Rurukan Village.

Waruga (Stone Graves)

Located about 24 km from Manado, the Sawangan village near Airmadidi houses 144 beautiful and fascinating stone graves or sarcophagi of Minahasan ancestors. The graves date back to the Megalithic Age. The local guide at the small museum there will inform you about what was found in the tombs.

Watu Pinabetengan

Watu Pinabetengan means “the stone of discussion about the division”. Historically, this megalithic stone is the spot where the Minahasa ancestors divided the land amongst the people for the first time. The division was made to ensure a life of peace and harmony amongst the Minahasa people. The land was divided into the seven areas of Pasan Ratahan, Ponosakan, Tombulu, Tonsawang, Tonsea, Tontemboan and Toulour.

Watu Pinabetengan is situated about 45 km from Manado, in Tompasa. The surface of the stone is covered with rough and unexplained live drawings and scripts that have never been deciphered.

White Water Rafting near Manado

White water rafting is one of the most spectacular and exciting adventure sports in North Sulawesi. The journey along the river takes about 90 minutes and will leave you wanting more.

Manado Destination Guide