We are plaining a holiday in August and was wondering what the diving is like on Pulau Weh at that time of year. or if there is a better place for diving in indonesia at the time. We also want to combine some jungle trekking so any advise would be appreciated.
thanks
koowee1
1
msscubadiver
Ramadan runs from 20 July to 18 Aug (more or less). Eid is on Aug 18-19 so expect travel to be packed from Aug 15-Aug 25 (everything sold out for weeks ahead of time). During Ramadan there will be no food available during the day- especially in Aceh so plan accordingly. During Eid many places are closed as the owners travel to home villages for family gatherings.
The diving on Weh is really good but has strong currents- not for newbies. Lots of big fish and interesting formations. There is rarely diving on Friday (sabbath). I am not sure about Eid- you might want to confirm before you arrive.
2
koowee1
thanks for the heads up on ramadan as we didn't consider this. another option is Palau Bunaken on Sulawesi. what is the diving there like in August? also is this part of indo going to be easer to travel during ramadan.
thanks
3
nautilus
Bunaken has pretty good wall dives and lots of dive operators there. I've never been during Ramadan but would guess that because it's well set up for tourism there would be no problem getting food during the day there, certainly at the dive resorts anyway. Not sure about Manado but again, I'm guessing a tourist hotel restaurant would always have food available.
I would email a few dive operators in Bunaken and ask them to confirm the above and that they have vacancies during that time. You can also ask them how the diving conditions are then compared to at other times of the year.
4
quero
The entire Manado area is predominantly Christian, so there isn't the same degree of abstinence in food and drink as in areas with mainly Muslim populations. There's no need to worry too much about Ramadan in North Sulawesi.
5
kenko
Nautilus- The diving in Bunaken is excellent in August. Manado- the city on the mainland is 75 percent
Christian so Ramadan won't close much of this city- just need to stay away from the airports/
bus stations at the end of Ramadan. Bunaken has AWESOME diving- both skin and scuba
Try to stay on the Pangsalaing Beach side of the island for better beaches. If you want to
do some hiking in a rain forest- there's a National Park about 50 miles away from Manado
which has tarsiers and some other exotic asian mammals. Also outside of Manado is the
recently-active volcano toward the town of Tomohon.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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