Open Trip, Six Stops — Bunaken, Nain, Siladen

The boat leaves Megamas pier at eight in the morning and does not dock again until late afternoon. In between are six stops: the Bunaken waters that put Manado on every diver’s map, the Nain sandbar that surfaces only at low tide, Siladen beach, and New Bunaken.

This is an open trip — you join other travellers on a two-deck boat rather than chartering one for your own group. That is what makes it far lighter on the wallet than a private trip, and also what makes the day sociable: usually a mix, some couples, some office groups. The crew serves lunch on board, and photography is included — no handing your phone to a stranger for one usable picture.