Manado Highlands & Bunaken Short Tour
Head up to the Tomohon Highlands from Manado to see volcanic lakes, then visit Bunaken Island for snorkeling or diving.
A weekend short route at the gateway of North Sulawesi: spend the first two days exploring the volcanoes, sulfur lakes, and traditional markets of the Tomohon Highlands, and the last two days staying on Bunaken Island to see the coral walls. With short travel distances and a relaxed pace, it is perfect for first-time visitors or those with limited vacation time. Tangkoko and Lembeh Strait are excluded; you will need to add days if you wish to see tarsiers.
Sea conditions and visibility are better from May–Oct; winds and waves are strong from Jan–Feb.
Day by day
Day 1 · Head to Tomohon Highlands for Volcanoes
North Sulawesi (Manado)（Mount Mahawu Crater、Lake Linow）
Drive about 1 hour from the airport to Tomohon, then make short round trips between Mount Mahawu and Lake Linow in the afternoon.
Mount Mahawu was closed in August 2026 due to forest fire prevention; confirm if it is open before departing.
Stay: Tomohon
Day 2 · Highland Market to Bunaken Island
North Sulawesi (Manado)（Tomohon Traditional Market、Lake Tondano、Christ Blessing Statue）
Explore the market and lake area in the morning, drive down the mountain for about 1.5 hours, then take a resort boat to the island (approx. 45 minutes).
Tomohon Market features wild meat butchery stalls; skip it if you are sensitive to this.
Stay: Bunaken Island
Day 3 · Bunaken Coral Wall Day Trip
North Sulawesi (Manado)（Bunaken National Marine Park、Siladen Island）
Spend the day snorkeling or diving around Bunaken and Siladen by small boat (15–30 minutes one way).
Marine park entrance fees are mostly collected in cash; prepare Indonesian Rupiah in advance.
Stay: Bunaken Island
Day 4 · Return to Manado & Depart
North Sulawesi (Manado)（Manado Boulevard & Megamas、Ban Hin Kiong Temple）
Take a boat back to Manado in the morning (approx. 45 minutes), take a short stroll in the city, and drive to the airport (approx. 40 minutes).
Sea conditions may affect boat schedules; try to choose an afternoon flight.