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S. Utara, Indonesia

Stay in Bunaken: see the trip Its beds, the way there and every spot near it.

Also within 20 km of Bunaken

All 21 on Bunaken's map

About S. Utara

A drift dive. It goes down to 40 m. You get in from a boat. It suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it. The coast faces N: swell from the N reaches it, and wind from the S blows out to sea. 1 dive centre or shop within 10 km, the nearest 4.3 km away. The sea is about 29°C in January, its coldest month (rash vest or 1 to 2 mm), and 30°C in May, its warmest (rash vest or 1 to 2 mm). For Advanced divers the best months are usually January, February, March and April, with about 7 good days in 7. From the weather of past years. The town to stay in is Bunaken. Within 5 km we also list 8 dive sites.

  • What it is Drift.
  • How deep Down to 40 m.
  • Getting in From a boat.
  • Who it suits Suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it.
  • Dive centres 1 dive centre or shop within 10 km, the nearest 4.3 km away.

Facts: verified.

Dive centres nearby

  • Panorama Dive Center 4.3 km

  • Murex Dive 21 km

The nearest named dive centres and shops within 25 km, in a straight line; training agencies where the map states them. Listings, not a recommendation. Dive centres: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Credits

Water about 30°C: rash vest or 1 to 2 mm. Typical sea temperature for the time of year, not a forecast.

What is under the water (visibility, current, life) no free forecast gives. Ask a dive centre before you book.

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From Chicago: about 34 h 35 door to door, one way. An estimate; the journey never changes the score.

  1. Fly. ORD to MDC, changing at HKG and SIN.

    See flights ORD → MDC · Skyscanner from about £785 returnAd

  2. Getting there. 55 min from the airport to S. Utara.

    Car hire · Discover CarsAd

  3. Accommodation.

    Stay in BunakenAd

    Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote.

    Room photos are examples, not these hotels (credits).

    See all places to stay on Booking.com →

    Closest towns to stay in

    Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote. Distances are straight lines unless a drive is given: a site out at sea is reached by boat.

  4. Hire and lessons.

    Dives and courses in Bunaken · GetYourGuideAdDive gear hire in Bunaken · GetYourGuideAd

Everything else for the trip

Where it is

S. Utara on Google Maps · Directions

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One finger scrolls the page; two fingers move the map. Pins are our own positions. Map OpenFreeMap, © OpenMapTiles, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Forecast

Best on Sun 18: Sea: flat. Wind 1 kn gusting 6.

The score for Advanced divers, coloured as on the area pages:GoodFairPoor

DayScoreSeaWindGusts
Sun 18Oct800.1 mflat1 kn6kn
Mon 19Oct800.1 mflat5 kn8kn
Tue 20Oct800.1 mflat4 kn7kn
Wed 21Oct800.1 mflat2 kn6kn
Thu 22Oct800.1 mflat1 kn8kn
Fri 23Oct800.1 mflat1 kn8kn
Sat 24Oct800.1 mflat2 kn8kn
Sun 25Oct800.1 mflat2 kn8kn
Mon 26Oct800.1 mflat5 kn8kn
Tue 27Oct800.1 mflat2 kn8kn
Wed 28Oct0–––

Day scores are the conditions out of 80, from the two best daylight readings: a morning and an afternoon dive. Sea is the open water's waves near the site, in metres. Wind and gusts are in knots (10 kn is about 19 km/h); "boats in" marks gusts that keep dive boats in. What is under the water (visibility, current, life) no free forecast gives.

The season

Good diving days in a typical week, each month, for Advanced divers, from 2016 on (ERA5 history scored the same way).

  1. Jan7of 7
  2. Feb7of 7
  3. Mar7of 7
  4. Apr7of 7
  5. May7of 7
  6. Jun7of 7
  7. Jul7of 7
  8. Aug7of 7
  9. Sep7of 7
  10. Oct7of 7
  11. Nov7of 7
  12. Dec7of 7

Typical, not a forecast: the sea and the mean wind of each day, with no gusts or rain in the history.

Rough cost

About £1,020–£2,045 each for 6 nights, 2 people sharing. A guide from typical prices, not a quote. Dives are not priced yet: we have no sourced price for a guided dive, so they are not in it.

  • Flights £785–£1,635
  • To the UK airport £35–£65
  • Hire car £35–£60
  • Stay £85–£140
  • Food £80–£145

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Where to stayAd

Places to stay · Booking.com

In the waterAd

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