Panorama Dive Resort — Hotel in Manado

We spent 12 days of a family holiday at Panorama Diving resort, expertly led by Sven, a highly experienced diver and excellent dive instructor. He and his crew of guides, first of all Yobel, know the pristine walls around Bunaken like their back pockets. They have eagle eyes to spot even the minutest, rarest and most delicate creatures (some less than 2 mm in size), the most gorgeous nudibranchs on the planet. I am a zoologist and could now see for the first time the animals I have been teaching about for 2 decades - and Sven and Yobel opened my eyes for the entirely unexpected: they do know their animals like few others. Sven is a brilliant, relaxed teacher and highly recommended to any diving novice such as myself. The food was superb, excellent fish dishes with local ingredients at lunchtime, slightly more 'western' food in the evenings. The staff really do care for every person and every customer. The quality of the rooms is very good and even if you do not want to dive the house-reef is enormously rich even for snorkellers. The night dive with Yobel is outstanding - we did ours two days after full moon and the corals were spawning. With their lights and their macrocamera they open your eyes to a world that is normally entirely invisible. They feel - and behave like the responsible guardians of a very very special place. Some people came from Raja Ampat and were very impressed by the richness of the Bunaken sites, particularly Liqun3 and Mandolin have the nicest walls to dive along. They do take care of their guests very well in a relaxed atmosphere. Most highly recommended. Do communicate with Sven by email beforehand to work out payment modalities and we recommend to take charging bricks to guard against island-wide exlectricity outages that can happen. Sven and his staff also helped us with transfers to Manado and Tangkoko, all seemlessly organized locally by them - a great help. We will definitely come back in years to come: this is a place where one can feel at home very far away from home. ||Prof...

I completed my PADI Open Water certification at Panorama’s Dive Resort, and it was an exceptional experience.

My instructor, Ronny, was absolutely outstanding. From the very first session, he made me feel comfortable and motivated. He is extremely friendly and approachable, and at the same time very professional. His English is excellent, and he explained both the theory and the practical skills in a clear and easy-to-understand way. What stood out most was his patience and empathy—he always took the time to answer questions, repeated explanations if necessary, and never made me feel pressured. Before every dive, he gave a thorough briefing that covered not only the skills but also what to expect underwater, which made me feel well prepared and confident. During the dives, he was attentive and reassuring, constantly checking in to make sure I was safe and relaxed. Thanks to his teaching style, I was able to progress step by step and really enjoy the whole learning process.

The course itself was well structured: three theory sessions, six dives, and the final exam, spread over four days. The equipment was top quality, and the whole crew was extremely helpful and professional, creating a fun and supportive environment around every dive.

The marine life around Bunaken is extraordinary. I saw countless turtles, several reef sharks, and many other surprises on every dive.

I especially appreciated the small groups, which meant personal attention and great guidance throughout the course. On top of that, the price-performance ratio is excellent.

Getting certified here was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I would highly recommend this dive center—and especially Ronny as an instructor—to anyone interested in diving or getting...

The dive resort in Bunaken was an outstanding choice for both diving/snorkeling enthusiasts like us and those in need of some relaxation. The diving experience was exceptional, with numerous sites teeming with an impressive array of marine life. I was able to explore underwater walls stretching endlessly, capped with vibrant coral gardens in the shallows, allowing for prolonged dives of an hour or more. This setup was perfect for spotting smaller sea creatures like nudibranchs, crabs, and shrimps. The night dives were particularly remarkable, offering sightings of unique marine life that I had never seen before. Snorkeling was also a delight, especially around the well-appointed house reef.

Our accommodation ensured a comfortable stay with a spacious, air-conditioned room and an extra bed for our child. Although the room could get slightly warm at midday and lacked hot water, these were minor inconveniences compared to the overall quality of my stay.

The all-inclusive dining option provided a variety of well-prepared, delicious meals every day, ensuring that all dietary preferences and needs were met with ease. The resort featured a clean, private beach that became exceptionally beautiful at sunset, creating a perfect setting for relaxation.

The diving team at the resort was highly professional and adept at ensuring I could find the most intriguing spots. The diving equipment provided was well-maintained and reliable. Special thanks to Sven and Yobel.

Overall, this resort offered a perfect blend of thrilling underwater adventure and serene relaxation, making it a top choice for a memorable...