Introduction
Murex Manado, Home Away From Home
Murex Manado Resort is set amid mature, tropical water gardens situated on the seafront in a small village outside of Manado.
From the moment you arrive at Murex Manado Resort our warm-hearted staff will make you feel like part of the family. This is the start of a fantastic holiday.
Murex’s casual yet classic vibe makes it your home away from home in North Sulawesi. Choose to dive, explore or just take it easy and relax with friends and family – whatever you decide, exceptional service is guaranteed.
Facilities
- Designated camera room with personal preparation areas, plug sockets, bright lighting, and air conditioning
- Oceanview infinity pool with sun loungers and pool towels
- Onsite “Nature Spa” where you can enjoy a relaxing massage or pamper yourself with a range of other treatments
- Indoor and outdoor dining spaces
- Flat-screen television for viewing marine life presentations and underwater videography
- Kayaks
- Complete range of land tours available
Environmental Commitment
At Murex Manado we are committed to environmental conservation, marine protection and managing our operations in the most sustainable way possible.
We minimize the use of single-use plastic wherever possible and we have numerous ongoing environmental initiatives. As well as our Dive Guides collecting plastic they find underwater, we regularly clean our beach area and we invite youth groups to join us and learn about the dangers of plastic pollution. In an effort to prevent plastics from entering the ocean, we clean the river that flows through the resort. We work with a local temple that rescues sea turtles and releases them from our beach. Our house reef is home to artificial reef structures and we have a small coral farm nearby.
Packages
We are running photo workshops
Book your next dive vacation in some of the world’s most impressive spots for macro photography. Lembeh and Bangka are a photographer’s dream, featuring incredibly healthy reefs, diverse marine life, and a spectacular national park perfect for hiking and other top-side activities. As Margo Peyton puts it, “This is the most luxurious diving paradise Indonesia has to offer.” For detailed information, please get in touch with Margo or Tom Peyton.
2028 Photo Intensive Workshop with Alex Mustard: September 13th-23rd (Who is Mr. Mustard?)
Dr Alexander Mustard MBE, at 50 years old, is a photographer from the UK who has been recognized as one of the world’s leading underwater photographers for the past 25 years. He began taking underwater photographs at the age of 9 and has been a full-time underwater photographer since 2004. In 2018, he received national recognition as he was appointed an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his ‘services to underwater photography.’ He holds a PhD in marine ecology, which greatly informs his work. He dives, teaches workshops, and captures stunning underwater images around the globe.
Contact Margo Peyton for more details: +1 803-419-2556.
Accommodations
Oceanfront Villa
Oceanfront Villa Inclusions
- 24 hour electricity and hot water
- En-suite ocean view bathrooms with bathtub
- Air conditioning and ceiling fans
- King size or twin beds
- Extra single bed
- Dressing table
- Desk area
- Water dispenser with hot and cold water
- Tea and coffee station
- Minibar
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- Ample wall sockets for charging accessories
- Ample storage
- Wifi available in the room
Premium Deluxe Cottage
Premium Deluxe Cottage Inclusions
- 24 hour electricity and hot water
- En-suite bathrooms
- Air Conditioning and ceiling fans
- King size or twin beds
- Complimentary drinking water
- Private garden location
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- USB charging facility
- Ample wall sockets for charging accessories
Deluxe Cottage
Deluxe Cottage Inclusions
- 24 hour electricity and hot water
- En-suite bathrooms
- Air Conditioning and ceiling fans
- King size or twin beds
- Complimentary drinking water
- Private garden location
- Indoor and outdoor seating
- USB charging facility
- Ample wall sockets for charging accessories
Diving / Diving Site(s)
The best diving in the Caribbean!
The next level of diving is Indonesia
Diving Manado and Bangka: Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, comprising over 17,000 individual islands. For divers, Indonesia is a paradise, the ultimate destination for diving. However, with so many islands and options available, how do you choose the best places to dive?
North Sulawesi is one of Indonesia’s most famous diving regions, known for its spectacular marine life and diverse underwater topographies. It is the perfect location for those looking to experience the richness of Indonesia’s underwater environment.
Bunaken National Marine Park is truly a breathtaking destination! Get ready for exhilarating wall dives where stunning drop-offs showcase vibrant hard corals and a bustling underwater community. You’ll likely encounter graceful turtles gliding by, and keep your eyes peeled for majestic reef sharks, giant trevally, and schools of colorful fish swirling around. If you’re a macro lover, you’re in for a treat with plenty of hidden critters waiting to be discovered. Plus, between dives, take a moment to enjoy the surface—you might be fortunate enough to spot playful dolphins or even a pod of resident pilot whales. It’s an unforgettable experience just waiting for you!
Manado Bay is a truly exciting destination that beautifully blends muck diving with vibrant reef exploration, all just a short distance from shore! At first glance, the black sand slopes and rubble beds might not seem remarkable, but take a moment to dive in, and you’ll uncover an astonishing underwater world. Here, you can encounter a delightful variety of marine life, including mesmerizing mimic octopuses, colorful flamboyant cuttlefish, ornate ghost pipefish, elusive frogfish, and even rare nudibranchs.
Beyond the macro wonders, the area also boasts stunning coral reefs and the chance to spot pelagic species, making every dive a thrilling adventure. With its incredible biodiversity and easy access, Manado Bay is a hidden gem in North Sulawesi’s diving community—perfect for photographers, critter lovers, and anyone eager to explore the wonders beneath the waves!
Night Dive Experience: Everyone should try night diving at least once! Don’t miss the extraordinary night dives in North Sulawesi, where you have a fantastic opportunity to explore this magical diving destination. Night diving in Sulawesi is an experience you won’t forget! As the sun sets, the underwater world comes alive with breathtaking sights. Prepare for a remarkable adventure!
Dining / Restaurant(s)
Manado dining
The Beach Club at Murex Manado serves modern cuisine that combines an exciting blend of international and Asian flavors, all prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy a diverse set menu served three times a day, and are welcome to enhance their dining experience by adding more options to their packages. The team of Western-trained chefs is also able to accommodate special dietary requirements upon request.
Activities
Tangkoko Nature Reserve
This tour is an absolute must for any nature lovers! The Tangkoko Nature Reserve is an area of dense forestry, based at the foot of the Dua Suadara Mountain.
As we take a walk through the park, not only will you be able to see troops of the endemic Sulawesi Black Crested Macaque in the wild, cuscus and the Tarsier monkeys (the world’s smallest primate) which become active in the late afternoon.
Ornithologists will be in their element as we often spot Hornbills, Lori birds and other tropic and native species.
Paragliding
Take to the skies and see North Sulawesi from the air. You’ll take an incredible tandem paragliding flight with a professional instructor and see the landscape of the mainland and the islands of the Bunaken Marine Park from a birds-eye view.
This is a phenomenal opportunity that we are extremely excited to be able to offer at Murex Resorts – now you really can combine land, sea, and air in one trip!
Paragliding tours operate out of Tumpa, which is a 30-45 minute car journey from Murex Manado. Surcharges apply for transfers from Murex Bangka Resort.
Whitewater Rafting
Experience the thrills and spills of white water rafting in North Sulawesi.
As you travel down the river you’ll find adrenaline pumping rapids as well as calm stretches where you can admire the stunning rural scenery and tropical jungle which you pass through.
The tour includes full instruction, life vests and helmets and is an exciting adventure for all ages.
Cooking Classes
Discover the secrets behind the flavors of Asia with a cookery class while you are here. Learn about the different herbs and spices which are used in both traditional Indonesian and Manadonese classic dishes and make them with the guidance of an experienced teacher.
Many of the spices are grown here in North Sulawesi and form part of Manado’s rich history as a trading point where merchants from the west would come to buy these exotic culinary rarities.
You’ll make a selection of dishes – and of course, you’ll enjoy tasting them afterwards. For foodies and those who like hands-on activities, this is a must!
Minahasan Highland Tour
If you want to experience the nature, culture, traditions, people, and the daily way of life in North Sulawesi, a tour of the highlands is a must. There are numerous places to visit and we can tailor your day trip around what you would like to see most. Highlights of the area include:
Tomohon Traditional Markets – The highland climates are perfect for growing a variety of plants, flowers, spices, fruits, and vegetables. Visit both the traditional flower, fruits, and vegetable market where the local ladies cook traditional sweet treats according to age-old methods. You’ll also find vendors selling dried fish, herbs, spices, and a variety of traditional ingredients.
Woloan & Pulutan Villages – Visit the local villages where specialized industries are booming. See traditional Minahasan houses being built and traditional pottery being made.
Lake Linow – The colors of this lake change due to the high sulphur content in the surrounding rock and the changing light. Many bird species make this area their home. Watch out for bubbling mud holes as you walk around. This is a lovely spot to enjoy a cold drink and soak up the views.
Mahawu Volcano – The journey to Mahawu Volcano takes you through the beautiful Minahasan Highlands to the town of Tomohon. Arriving at the Ranger Station at the base of Mount Mahawu there are steps that lead to the crater’s edge where you can enjoy amazing views of Bunaken and Manado Tua Islands. If you choose you can also take the circular trek around the crater’s edge. After working up an appetite we stop for lunch at either Lake Tondano or a local restaurant that serves traditional Minahasan cuisine. This tour can also be integrated into our Minahasan highland tour.
Lake Tondano – The largest lake in the region and the second largest in Indonesia. The flat land surrounding the lakes is perfect for growing rice, one of the main livelihoods in this area. We usually enjoy lunch in one of the small restaurants on stilts overlooking the lake.
Waruga – These are historical Minahasan stone graves. Listen to the local caretaker tell you the history of this fascinating tradition. The journey to and from Tondano to this location is absolutely stunning with sweeping vistas of coconut and spice trees.
Know Before You Go
Manado bound
If you’re dreaming of diving off the shores of the vibrant city of Manado, you’re in for a treat! Most international travelers connect through major Indonesian hubs, such as Jakarta or Bali, but there are also some fantastic direct flight options available from various global destinations. Plan for at least two days of travel to get to Manado and at least one full day back to the US, if that is your home. Upon arrival in Manado, transfers will be waiting to take you to your Manado resort. The Bangka Resort is but a short boat ride across the bay.
Connecting Through Jakarta (CGK): Your most dependable choice is to land at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK). From there, you’ll find a wealth of daily domestic flights to Manado with top airlines such as Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, and Batik Air. It’s a seamless journey!
Connecting Through Singapore (SIN): Another exciting route is via Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN), where carriers like Singapore Airlines and its regional partner Scoot make it easy to hop over to Manado.
Connecting Through Bali (DPS): If Bali is on your itinerary, you can fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar and continue your adventure to Manado with a quick domestic flight.
Airlines to Manado: Once you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC), which is serviced by both domestic airlines, such as Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air, as well as international carriers like China Southern and Scoot. Your journey to paradise is just a flight away!