Passport to Paradise

North Sulawesi, Indonesia: Bunaken/Manado, Bangka, Lembeh Strait
7 - 23 August 2027

A world-class, first-class sensory overload dive adventure. 

Walls, Reefs and Muck!

Discover North Sulawesi’s breathtaking underwater worlds with our Passport to Paradise—a one-of-a-kind dive journey spanning three unique destinations, Manado/Bunaken ->Bangka->Lembeh. With 150+ dive sites to explore and seamless resort-to-resort boat transfers, there’s no gear packing, no wasted time—just dive, relax, and repeat. This thoughtfully designed package combines North Sulawesi’s unmatched marine diversity with friendly-luxury service, ensuring a fun, flexible, and stress-free experience. Are you ready to dive into paradise?

Trip Itinerary

7 August | Arrival Day Our staff will welcome and escort you to our resort. The car journey time is between 45 minutes to 1 hour. Upon arrival at Murex Manado you’ll be greeted with a welcome drink & snack. We will show you to your room for a quick refresh before a welcome briefing. Dinner is served at 6.30 PM. 

8 August | First Day of Diving Coffee is available from 6:30 AM, and breakfast begins at 7 AM. To ensure everyone has plenty of time to prepare, we recommend departing at 8:00 AM for two dives in the stunning Bunaken National Park. Explore breathtaking walls and meet our resident sea turtles. Light refreshments will be served on the boat between dives, and we’ll return to the resort for lunch. Optional afternoon, night, and blackwater dives are also available.

9-10 August | Diving Days The boats depart at 8:00 AM, taking you back to Bunaken for two morning dives. Lunch will be served at the resort. In the afternoon, you can opt for more diving adventures, including afternoon dives or night dives like Blackwater and Bonfire dives.

11 August | Non-Diving Day Today is your non-diving day – no dives scheduled, but can be added at your discretion. Breakfast will begin at 7AM. You have the option to relax by the pool, explore Manado on a city tour, or join one of our other tours and activities (see below). Lunch and dinner will be served at normal hours.

12 August | Manado to Bangka This morning you’ll make your first Passport to Paradise boat transfer from Murex Manado to Murex Bangka Resort. During the boat transfer, you’ll enjoy two dives at unique sites that are not often accessed by other resorts.

13 August | First Day Diving Bangka Boats depart at 8.15 AM and we’ll make two reef dives around Bangka Island. Lunch is served at the resort. Options for afternoon, night and blackwater dives are available. Alternatively you can choose to simply relax in a hammock and enjoy the white sand beach. Or you may prefer kayaking through the mangroves which is extremely peaceful.

14-16 August | Diving Bangka We plan 2 morning dives and return to the resort for lunch. Options for afternoon, night and blackwater dives are available. Or you can take our popular guided trek to our local village of Lihunu which showcases the local way of life and cultural aspects of North Sulawesi. (The Lihunu tour is in addition to your package however kayaking is included)

17 August | Non-Diving Day Today is your non-diving day – no dives scheduled, but can be added at your discretion. Breakfast will begin at 7AM. You have the option to relax by the pool, or explore one of our other tours and activities (see below). Lunch and dinner will be served at normal hours.

18 August | Bangka to Lembeh Your second Passport to Paradise boat transfer from Murex Bangka to Lembeh Resort. Once again you’ll make 2 dives at remote dive sites along the way.

19-22 August | Diving Lembeh Strait   Start your day with a delicious breakfast served at 7 AM before our boat departs at 8 AM for the first dive of the day. After an unforgettable underwater experience, return to the resort at 10 AM for coffee and snacks. At 10:45 AM, head out again for the second morning dive. Explore the captivating world of muck diving, where you’ll spot some of the ocean’s most fascinating critters, such as the Hairy Frogfish, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Blue Ring Octopus, Hairy Shrimp, Mimic Octopus, and more! After a buffet lunch at 2:30 PM, join us for an afternoon dive, followed by the chance to experience a Mandarin dive in the late afternoon. Optional blackwater or bonfire dives are also available for those eager to explore the ocean’s nocturnal world.

23 August | Farewell You may want to complete your stay with a relaxing full body massage before you pack to go home. According to your flight time, we’ll transfer you back to the airport and wish you a fond farewell and safe travels!

Diving North Sulawesi

Murex Manado / Bunaken: Stunning walls and hard corals. Lose count of the number of turtles in a single dive (on our last trip we saw 33 turtles on one dive, 30 on another). Look out for reef sharks, schooling fish, sea snakes, passing eagle rays, sting rays, abundant critters and macro life, and resident dolphin and pilot whale pods alongside the boat.

Murex Bangka: Bangka dive sites are a sensory overload where the pristine reefs are teeming with life. Pelagics and critters, Bangka has it all! Unique species include dolphins and pilot whales, several species of pygmy seahorse, harlequin and tiger shrimps, blue ring, mimic, reef and wonderpus octopus, ghost pipefish, Ambon scorpionfish, frogfish, turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays, tuna, great barracuda, schooling fish including snappers, fusiliers, cardinals and mackerel.

Lembeh Resort The Critter Capital of the World, a Muck Diving Mecca and the Twilight Zone are just a few of the names that have been given to Lembeh Strait over the years due to the high density, and diversity, of rare and unusual marine life. Diving in Lembeh is unlike diving anywhere else as every dive reveals countless species of critters which have made their homes here. Lembeh isn’t just home to frogfish, it’s home to 8 different species of frogfish, 12 species of octopus, 3 species of pygmy seahorse.

Additional Activities (extra-cost, not included in the package price)

Minahasa Highland Tour
Our Minahasa Highland Tour is the perfect way to explore the area and learn about the local culture and history of the region. We can tailor the tour to take in the sights that are of most interest to you.

Highlights of the area include:

• Tomohon Traditional Markets – The highland climates are perfect for growing a variety of plants, flowers, spices, fruits and vegetables.
• Lake Linow – The colors of this lake change due to the high sulphur content in the surrounding rock and the changing light.
• Mahawu Volcano - There are steps that lead to the crater’s edge where you can enjoy amazing views of Bunaken and Manado Tua Islands. If you choose you can also take the circular trek around the crater rim.
• Lake Tondano – The largest lake in North Sulawesi and the second largest in Indonesia. We usually enjoy lunch here overlooking the lake.

Tangkoko National Park is an ideal tour for nature lovers and photographers.
• Based at the foot of the Dua Saudara Mountain in North Sulawesi the area is a mixture of rolling hills and valleys which we walk through in search of numerous wildlife species.
• Highlights include black crested macaques, the world’s smallest primate – the tarsier monkey, hornbills, cuscus bears and Maleo birds.

Paragliding Tour is a perfect way to discover the Manado coastline and islands of the Bunaken Marine Park from the air. This is a thrilling and exciting experience not to be missed. Take to the skies and enjoy the stunning views unfolding below. Paragliding tours are subject to weather conditions and availability.

Whitewater Rafting  for the adventurous who are looking for something more active and exciting? Enjoy the thrills and spills of white-water rafting. Your adrenaline will start pumping as you race down the river through the rainforest with an experienced guide. The calm river sections are an opportunity to spot wildlife and soak up the stunning scenery and natural beauty.

Manado City Tour  Take a tour of Manado City and visit the Chinese temples, churches or the local markets.

Packages:

Standard - $4283.00 – Deluxe Cottage at Manado, Premium Hillside Villa at Bangka, Premium Luxury at Lembeh

Deluxe - $5256.00 – Premium Deluxe Cottage at Manado, Premium Oceanfront Villa at Bangka, Premium Luxury at Lembeh

What’s Included and What’s Not Included in All Packages

INCLUDED IN PACKAGES

● 5 Nights at Murex Manado
● 6 Nights at Murex Bangka Resort
● 5 Nights at Lembeh Resort
● Escorted airport transfers
● All meals & snacks, unlimited drinking water, coffee and tea
● 22 Guided boat dives
● 2 Passport to Paradise transfers (each with 2 dives)*
● Unlimited Complimentary Self-guided House Reef Dives (the first dive will be guided at each resort)
● NITROX

NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGES

● Airfare/hotels when in transit
● Rental Gear
● Additional boat dives
● Dive Surcharges for night, bonfire & blackwater dives
● Soft drinks or alcoholic beverages
● Additional snacks or specialty coffees
● Private Guide Services
● Bunaken National Park Entrance fee IDR 150,000 (approximately US$10.00)
● Bangka Conservation Fund Donation (optional)
● Lembeh Foundation Donation (optional)
● Additional Tours (see above)
● Spa treatments

*Please Note: While dive packages are flexible at each resort, the dives included during Passport to Paradise boat transfers (2 dives per transfer) are scheduled as part of the transfer and cannot be rescheduled or carried over if unused.

Pricing

Standard Room Package:  $4283.00 per diver
Premium Room Package:  $5256.00 per diver

All pricing is Double Occupancy.
Please contact us for pricing for single supplement.

$500.00 deposit holds your spot.

50% of balance due by 7 January 2027

Balance due by 7 April 2027

Due to the nature of this trip, deposits are non-refundable after 7 November 2026, though we will make every attempt to help you to find another diver to fill your spot should you have to cancel.  Other payments are non-refundable once paid, but, again, we will do our best to help you find a replacement diver.

At our sole discretion, we may provide full or
partial store credit depending on the circumstances.

PLEASE DO NOT USE SHOP PAY FOR ANY TRIP PAYMENTS.  SHOP PAY CHARGES THE INCURRED INTEREST TO US AND WITH TRIPS BEING LOW MARGIN ITEMS, THE INTEREST PAYMENTS CREATE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE A PAYMENT PLAN TO MAKE DEPOSITS AND/OR FOLLOW-UP PAYMENTS, PLEASE REACH OUT DIRECTLY TO BEN OR STEVE AT BEN@PARAGONDIVE.COM OR STEVE@PARAGONDIVE.COM.  WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO CREATE A PAYMENT PLAN THAT FITS INTO YOUR BUDGET WHILE MAKING SURE YOU HIT THE PAYMENT MILESTONES REQUIRED OF THE TRIP. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU DO USE SHOP PAY, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THE ORDER. 

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS.