Just arrived again in Manado
@atlantis , brought three dive crazy Danes with me this time
We have a few meetings with Dinas energi, PLN, Bappeda, etc. But as soon as we have a fixed schedule I'll let you know? In the mean time we'll try those other places
If your friend are into diving I advise them to contact
Murex. They have (had?) the best dive guides and a very high standard of service for anything related to diving. They have a resort in Kalasey, but also in Pulau Bangka and operate Critters@Lembeh, the diving center of
Lembeh Resort too so with them your friends can dive the three main place of interest in the region, Bunaken/Bangka/Selat Lembeh.
Many of the resorts are closed but a few still operate and have special offers which may be of Interest.
Blue Bay Divers, on a private island near Bangka has a dirt cheap package at the moment (I think they charge 1 jt for accommodation, full board and 2 dives, though at that price it is perhaps house reef dives only).
Coral Eye on Pulau Bangka is a small, mid range place I like. Not super fancy but the Italian owner is a great guy and offer I believe a very fair deal for his guests, offering quality food and lodging for the price paid.
In the upper range of accomodation, the best place on Manado/Bunaken/Siladen is
Siladen resort on Pulau Siladen but they are closed. They were offering (and will offer again) GREAT Italian and western food, with an Italian Chef, They have been elected "Best Dive Resort in the World" by the worldwide readers of Dive Magazine and to be honest, it didn't come as a surprise.
On the other side, on Pulau Lembeh, the best place is
Lembeh Resort that I quickly mentioned earlier.
Dive into Lembeh, which is located in Makawide on the main land of the Lembeh Strait, is just in front of Hairball dive site which offers some of the finest muck diving in the world. If you have only short time to dive Lembeh during your visit, consider them.
I'll PM you my WA number.