Dive Review of Siladen Resort & Spa in
Indonesia/North Sulawesi

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Siladen Resort & Spa: "Concierge bottom time meets pampered time topside", Jun, 2018, by Paul Selden, MI, US ( Contributor 16 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 10738.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Siladen Resort & Spa recently won first place in The Best Dive Centres and Resorts in the World category, DIVE Travel Awards 2018, by DIVE (a UK-based publication). The resort has an international clientele, ranging from Asia to European to US during the week we were there. I can see why. As to diving, it is located in the Bunaken National Marine Park area, which has walls covered in healthy coral, macro photo ops like flatworms, nudibranch, hairy squat lobster, hairy shrimp plus larger fish such as bumphead parrotfish and Napoleon (humphead) wrasse, and the some of the most abundant species of Pacific clams (the largest I've ever seen) plus green sea and hawksbill turtles (again, the largest I've ever seen. The resort is on a flat strip of beach with lots of tropical shade and foliage, which makes it very easy for people who don't want to walk up and down a lot of stairs. The view from their shore looks out over Bunaken Island and a 1000+ foot volcano, making for beautiful sunsets. Our bungalow was spacious and attractive, with a jug of "instant-hot" (or cold) purified water and instant coffees, cocoa, and teas, and a little veranda. The meals were prepared by a combination of local and European gourmets--the best food (including desserts--so many mousses!) I've had at a dive resort anywhere. Staff was especially friendly and courteous, and the resort supports the local village with social programs and electricity. Shore dives are off a local pier, which is a bit of a walk, but the underwater life there was wonderful. I might have rated the small critters higher, but I was too lazy to take the dives they could arrange off Manado. They can also arrange a day trip to nearby Bangka Island, or, if you are going to Lembeh Resort (which is one of their sister resorts), they can arrange a transfer by boat where you can dive a couple of dives at Bangka Island. At Bangka Island I saw a blue ring octopus, hairy shrimp, pygmy pipehorse, harlequin and orangutan crabs, and a black ribbon eel. It wasn't part of the main resort offerings, or I might have rated the smaller critters a "5;" just make sure you get to Bangka Island and do some muck (critter) dives if you go to Siladen. Beginning divers take note -- during our stay we watched as a student first took pool lessons, and graduated to open water dives, all with a very patient and nice instructor. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this resort to anyone, whether a beginner or expert, or to someone just interested in some great meals and downtime lounging around their beautiful, sculptured (with a mini-island) pool or cozy bar (with a pool table and plenty of books). A massage at the spa was included in our package, which my wife and I enjoyed. Siladen Resort & Spa was great!
Websites	Siladen Resort & Spa
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	FL Keys, Bonaire, W Palm Beach, Vanc. I., Thetis I., CA, Saba, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Galapagos, Cozumel, Grand/Lil Cayman, Utila, Roatan, Andros, Turneffe Is., Palm I., Playa d Carmen, Ceyn-Akumal, Dominica, Holbox, Curacao, Union I., St. Eust., Providencia, Philippines, Borneo, Fiji, Indonesia
Closest Airport	Manado	Getting There	Manado is a modern airport - no problems. Staff handled all our luggage. We rode in the resort's air conditioned van. Tranport to/from the tiny island of Siladen is handled by the resort's boats and staff. All pleasant and efficient.
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, rainy, cloudy	Seas	calm
Water Temp	79-84°F / 26-29°C	Wetsuit Thickness	5
Water Visibility	30-70 Ft/ 9-21 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	They wanted nominal buddies, but could more or less dive in a loose group once they got to know you. Bottom times were in the 60-70 minute range.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	Boats were very roomy. The staff and crew are used to taking care of underwater photographers very well, and their facilities were great. The rinse tank water was always fresh and I liked the high-pressure nozzle right next to the camera rinse tanks to blow things a bit drier. I always trusted my guide to carry my heavy underwater camera gear to and from the boat. They served nice treats, cocoa, coffee and tea between dives.

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Dive Review of Siladen Resort & Spa in Indonesia/North Sulawesi

Siladen Resort & Spa: "Concierge bottom time meets pampered time topside", Jun, 2018,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Siladen Resort & Spa in
Indonesia/North Sulawesi