At the Northeastern tip of Sulawesi, the deep green of the large and small islands forms a strong contrast to the turquoise of the sea of ​​the “Celebes Sea”. This is how they call this marginal sea of ​​the Pacific, a rather calm part of the giant.

One of the islands is called Bunaken, it is located in the “underwater national park”. In other words: around 750 square kilometres of protected habitat for over 300 corals and 3,000 species of fish, including sharks and giant manta rays. Whales and whale sharks sometimes wander by, the sea here is rich in nutrients and very, very deep. A great area for diving.

The multi-award-winning “Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Spa” is located on the island, where many things are handled more calmly and with a smile on the faces. Before dinner and after an often exciting day of diving, tradition is maintained here: guests, management, employees, diving guides – everyone who feels like it goes on board of a motorised catamaran and drifts into these gigantic, glowing red sunsets between the neighbouring islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage and Nain … This is the “sunset cruise”.

Drinks and snacks come with the ride, as well as good conversations. Because the tour is the opportunity to get to know other guests better, if you want to.

And there is music. Which, however, does not play from loudspeakers like elsewhere, but is mainly performed by the employees of the “Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Spa”. Of course internet and television are available too. With the setting sun, however, the young people here prefer to perform hits from all over the world and music pieces with a distinct local flavour to the guitar and tea box themselves. The musicians are good, the drinks delicious and the sight of a fiery red sun eating its way into the horizon is unforgettable.

Then someone starts up the rumbling machines, and gradually it goes back to the resort under a starry sky. And for dinner in the restaurant, which is rightly known far beyond the island.

So ends a day at the “Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Spa”.