Accommodation options on Bangka (North Sulawesi)?

Hi,

Is there any accommodation on Bangka apart from the few dive resorts I found on the internet (Murex, Mimpi Indah, any other?).
My girlfriend snorkels only, so it looks like it would be preferable for us to arrange diving (for me) and accomodation seperately. Are there any more modest lodgings, homestays, etc... on the island?
Is there a part of the island which is more recommended for snorkeling (preferably right from the beach), and what else is it possible to do on Bangka outside of water based activities: walks, jungle, ...?
I've decided to pass on Bunaken because it seems to cater too exclusively for divers (and with european prices too), and I've heard the diving isn't that exceptional after all (also going to Alor and Komodo later). I'm definitely going to Lembeh Island too (probably Sea Dive Quest), but I still fancy a few days on a classic white sand beach with good coral nearby: will I find something on Bangka that I won't be able to on Lembeh?

TIA

Lembeh doesn't have white sand beaches (well there is one, but in general it's black sand and pebbles). Bangka has lovely white sand beaches and very pretty coral indeed. There is quite a cheap, basic resort there, run by a German woman (blue sea divers or something like that, sorry, frazzled brain poor recall) which is right on the beach.
Don't completely discount diving at Bunaken. Every destination is very different. Lembeh is almost exclusively muck diving, Komodo is very strong currents, as is Alor (though I've not dived Alor myself). Bangka and Bunaken are cruisy coral viewing, although sometimes currents occur.

Bunaken is not exclusively for divers. It's just that some resorts charge a little more for non-divers. This is understandable, since their profit comes from diving primarily. European prices? Depends on the resort. Bunaken Cha Cha is probably the most expensive resort on Bunaken, but Daniel's Homestay costs between 150.000 Rp and 250.000 Rp per person. This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Bunaken doesn't have nice beaches (mangrove trees), but the diving is very good. I obviously don't know how experienced you are as a diver, but I thought diving at Bunaken was great. Dive sites Lekuan 1, 2 and 3 were excellent, I thought.

Thanks to both of you.
I've found this resort run by a german woman, blue bay divers, but it's still 100€/person (dives included), and there's no separate accomodation/diving pricing, looks like it's gone a bit upmarket since.
I've got a mail back from Murex (they've forgoten to attach their price list) and they said they're almost fully booked, so I might reconsider Bunaken.

Have a look at this place http://www.twofishdivers.com/
I stayed there about 3 years ago. At that time the accomodation was fine but the food a bit iffy. The diving crew knew what they were doing. Great diving.

Thanks air_con_boy,
Looks reasonable. I'm now thinking of maybe going first to the Perhentians and skipping Bunaken altogether (but not Lembeh!), as I'll be accessing the region from KL, and maybe just concentrate on the snorkeling there.

I agree that you can skip Bunaken, the diving is nothing really exceptional but I'd say it would be a pity to skip Bangka too, I did fantastic dives there. An option might be to do a day trip from Lembeh to Bangka, most of the dive operators in Lembeh are offering them.
Just coming to my mind - did you check out Pulisan Jungle Resort , it's in between Bangka and Lembeh, on the mainland. Not only for diving activities.
Enjoy your trip!!

Thanks fox,

Yes I had considered Pulisan, it looks quite attractive, but considering that I want to stay on Lembeh itself later anyway, and then spend a couple of days in Tangkoko, Pulisan would be like a half-way solution, entailing costly trips each time I want to go to one or the other. How is Pulisan itself? Does it offer enough (good snorkeling, walks nearby) for a few days without having to move further out? Basically I'm looking for a quiet place to unwind after a long plane trip, with good snorkeling. Bunaken still sounds too busy, and past the point where resorts start taking advantage (everything priced in €).
As you suggest, I could dive to Bangka from Lembeh.
I'm arriving in KL, so as I said at the moment I'm quite tempted by the Perhentians first thing, or maybe Bira if I acces Sulawesi from Makassar instead of Manado (information thin on the ground). I guess I can still justify going to north Sulawesi for Lembeh-Minahasa Highlands-Tangkoko alone.

#1 yep, Blue Bay Divers. Pretty new and as quiet as a resort can get. Bathroom with mandi and lil balcony and fine snorkelling off the(white) beach. I hear, there was struggeling about the land and the owners are not excepted in the neighborhood "warmhearted". However I just reached the shore as a snorkeller/guest and was welcomed nicely. There are black seahorses in the sea-grass there.

Blue Bay Divers looks very nice, but costs 190 euro per room (=$300)
For that money, I would go to www.wakatobi.com (3 dives a day included)

I have another idea: next to Bunaken is a small island called Siladen. Siladen has a nice beach (not spotlessly white, but nice) and coral right in front. Good for snorkeling and diving. On Siladen are about 5 different accomodations. Only two of them are in the LP (wrong pricing, though). I stayed two nights in Siladen Resort & Spa. Nice but expensive.

Thanks Tonseng,
I had a look at Siladen, but couldn't find much info on accom, apart from Martha's homestay and Murex resort, plus the Siladen resort and spa you mentioned. Murex is still expensive, Martha's sounds like what I'm looking for, but I have no contact number. What are the chances I show up there early august and find cheapish accomodation on the island? Very slim?

Sorry, made a mistake, Murex is on Bangka, I meant Onong resort on Siladen, but that one's also 70 euros/person full board excluding dives

I'm sorry, I don't know what Indonesia is like in August. I've been there twice in low season (May-June).
When I was on Siladen (beginning of June 2008) it was very quiet. Onong resort was empty, no guests at all. Most people go to Bunaken, I guess. If I were you, I would just show up and find a place to stay. If Siladen is full (unlikely, I think), you can always go to Bunaken (a 15 min. boatride) or go back to the mainland.

When I was on Siladen, I had a look at all accomodations. Martha's Homestay is the most basic accomodation, Siladen Resort & Spa is the most expensive and luxurious. Onong is very nice too, the cottages on the beach are (almost) new. They have good beds, nice bathrooms and AC. I think the price was 1 million Rp. There is one resort that I don't know the name of, but it is between Martha's and Siladen Resort & Spa. It's just a little more comfortable than Martha's and it's around 150.000 Rp per person. I would say good value for money.

Drawing: Siladen Resort & Spa - - - anonymous homestay - - - Martha's Homestay - - - Onong Resort

The sunset is the best at Siladen Resort, because Bunaken is out of the way. You can see Manado Tua (volcano) in the distance. Quite romantic when you lie on those comfortable cocktail beds :-)

hi tongseng,
your information regarding the pricing of blue bay divers are not 100% correct. its 95 EUR - 85 EUR (depends how long is the stay) per person (there are also single accommodations) and accommodation, 2 Boat dives , breakfast, lunch, dinner , transfer from and to airport and all softdrinks are included in that price.
sorry to correct you
never mind and regards
anke
managing director Blue Bay Divers

Hi Anke, I was talking about the price per room. Nicolas1970i and his girlfriend are two people, so the room would be 95x2=190 euro, am I correct?

hi tongseng, thats correct. but again: thats the price for one day bluebaydivers, including 2 boatdives, accommodation, all the food and all softdrinks.
we are aware, that thats not budget-accommodation and not budget-diving. thats not our target. we dive with 2 divers for one dive guide, no time-limit diving and max 2 dive groups on one boat.
hope that make all clear now.
thanks again
anke

That certainly is an interesting offer for divers, considering that one dive usually costs around 30 euro.

But what is the price for non-divers? I can't find it on your website. Some people are afraid of diving or they can't dive because of health problems. Do they have to pay 95 euro too?

We are a small DIVE Resort. we accommodate max. 12-14 guests at our island. 6 bungalows. for that reason we ONLY accept divers. if there is a couple interest to stay with us, one is diver and one is non diver, it will depends from the season and the booking situation we have for that time requested.

Thank you for clearing that up.

I would recommend Gangga Island Resort for non-divers up to full flavour, if you can afford it- it`s really heaven and worth its rates. great standart. esp if you love execellent food, starters, mains, desserts to choose from. same surroundings(this forum is a base for travellers, so I do NOT consider if operators like each other). find me in the guestbook several times :-)

That resort is much more expensive. If a mixed couple (one diver one snorkeler) would stay there, and the diver would do 2 dives a day, the price would be 195+19595=485 dollars a day (323 euro A DAY). That is very, very expensive for Indonesia. It's almost 5 million rupiah. In one day!

Hi Alex,

Thanks very much for all the great info on this thread, I've just looked through all the new posts (just back from Lembeh!). That "anonymous" resort on Siladen sounded quite nice and very good value, but in the end I didn't take the risk of turning up without anything booked, so I spent a week in the Perhentians instead, before coming to Sulawesi. I suppose the internet does give the impression the choice of accomodation is smaller than it actually is, too bad, should have started the thread earlier, but I keep that in mind for the next time.
Thanks again.
Nick

if that should be Onong Resort its pretty reliable and quite good value, I think. Youre probably the only visitor, but the handling is professionelly done from Manado.

#21 Gangga is NOT expensive for its value at all for a single/couple snorkeller, esp if you compare it to Bunaken(including ALL coverings, boat trips, marine park fares) and extra fares for non-divers, I think. A good 100 Dollars for a real pretty bungalow on a white deserted beach, 3 delicious meals a day with starters, mains, desserts and a 1st-class-service, adorable staff carrying your equipment to the boat..? Nah, I myself can`t compare it to hardly any place in SEA if I add up all extra costs. I have been there 3times so far for a reason..

Hi Anke

I just sent a message via your website....basically the same situation as posted previously here: I am a diver, my girlfriend is not. Looking for accomodation and diving April 11,12, and 13. Please get in touch with me.

Regards,

Michael

hi michael,
i hope i answered your email. i am not checking the lonely planet forum always, but i try answering my emails every day.
just contact me on info@bluebaydivers.de or via web page http://www.blue-bay-divers.de

thanks anke
sahaung/bangka