When to go

North Sulawesi has a typical equatorial climate with a dry and a rainy season. Starting in November the wet season lasts till about March, whereas the dry season runs from April till October. Temperatures along the coast range from 26 to 30ºC with an average humidity of 80% and you will find that water temperatures are around 27ºC all year round.

Getting there

There are daily flights from London to Singapore and three flights a week from Singapore to Manado on Silk Air. The flight to Singapore takes about 12 hours and on to Manado you are looking at another 3 hours. All three resorts provide airport transfers and you are looking at a transfer of about 45 minutes by car to the Tasik Ria and Lumbalumba Diving, 1.5 hours to Pulisan, 1.5 hours to Kungkungan Bay and 45 minutes by car followed by 45 minutes by boat to Gangga Island.

Entry Requirements

Most European community nationals require a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity from the date of arrival, a return ticket and a tourist visa, which you will get at the port of entry. The visa can be bought for US$15 at the airport in Manado. (make sure you have crisp, new notes with you to avoid any problems!) 

Local Airport Tax

RP 75.000, payable upon your departure in Manado.

Baggage Allowance 20kg but we can request additional 10kg per person for dive equipment, if required

Language

Even though "Bahasa Indonesia" is spoken as a national language, people of four tribes inhabit this region, distinguished mainly by language or dialect according to their background.

However, provided you are patient and speak slowly with the locals, you will get by quite well with English or alternatively with your hands and feet!

Money

Banks with 24-hour ATMs are readily available throughout North Sulawesi in all major population centres. In Manado you can withdraw money or to get a cash advance on your credit card at most banks and foreign currency. Travelers cheques can only be cashed in the bank by the owner of the cheque. US Dollars in cash should be in large notes and crispy brand new, otherwise you will find difficulty to get them exchanged.

However, since the resorts you will be staying at are quite a way outside of Manado, make sure you take care of money issues either in Singapore or upon your arrival at the airport in Manado. At Manado airport you will find an ATM machine as well as a Money Exchange counter, where the exchange rate is not a good as in Manado town, but usually better than in Singapore.

Health

There are no vaccinations required to enter Indonesia, but inoculations for Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis-A are recommended. Manado is said to be free of malaria and if you are travelling only to main cities and tourist areas the risk is basically non-existent.

Indonesia is a tropical country with low levels of sanitation and little education on hygienic issues. The biggest hazards come from contaminated food and water, whereas there is nothing for you to worry about if you are staying and eating in the tourist resorts. The food and drinking water at the resorts is absolutely safe, but you should avoid ice cubes in your drink if you are planning to have a drink in any of the local restaurants along the road.

The biggest risks run by tourists are dehydration and sunburn, so make sure you take a bottle of water with you wherever you go and keep the sun-block lotion handy.