Bunaken national park locates west of Manado. It splits into two regions, the northern and the southern. Meanwhile, this park locates in the coral triangle. It becomes home for 390 species of corals. Apart of coral, there are also many species of fishes, molluscs, sea mammals and reptiles. Bunaken national park represents the marine ecosystem of Indonesia.

The government established Bunaken as national park in 1991. It consists of an area 890.65 hectares big. 97 percent of this national park is sea. While 3 percent is terrestrial area. The terrestrial area splits into 7 islands. 5 island are among the northern group. And the other two belongs to southern region. The northern islands are Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage. While the southern islands are Didike and Tatapahan. People only settle in northern islands. While, the southern islands are empty.

Flora and Fauna of Bunaken National Park

Bunaken national park has very rich coral reefs. As mentioned above, there are 390 species of corals. The species of algae here are caulerpa, halimeda and padina. While the species of sea weeds are pacific turtlegrass (thalassia hempricii), enhalus and thalassaodendron ciliatum. Bunaken national park also has various species of fishes, marine mammals, reptiles, birds, molluscs and mangrove. About 90 percent of fish species stays in this region.

The terrestrial area is rich with palm trees. It includes coconut, sago, fan palms and corypha or buri palm. Besides marine animals, people can find timor deer, cuscus, tarsius, black crested macaque, many species of birds and snakes. These animals appear in terrestrial area of the national Park.

Tourism Activities

Bunaken national park is famous for tourist. The government blows up the popularity of this park. Therefore, many visitors compete to visit this park. Government and private companies have been developing tourism infrastructures in this national park. Hence, visitor can easily find accommodation and transportation service around Bunaken National Park. Meanwhile, diving and snorkeling are most famous activity when visiting this park. Besides, some tour operators and resorts offer dolphin watching tour. Apart of vacation, people also come to Bunaken national park for research purpose. It turns out that there still many things need to be discovered in this park.