13 Best Things to Do in Manado
Manado sits on the northern tip of Sulawesi in Indonesia, and it surprised me by being both a gateway to world-class diving and a city with its own strong character. The food, the markets, and the water all pulled me in. Here is my working list.
1. Dive or Snorkel at Bunaken Marine Park
The drop-offs off Bunaken island are famous among divers for a reason: the reef wall falls away into deep blue and the fish life is endless. I did two dives a day there and the wall, the corals, and the turtles kept delivering. Snorkelers get plenty of joy too, near the surface.
2. Ride the Glass-Bottom Boat or Local Pump Boat
The long motorized boats that run visitors out to the islands move fast across the open water. I took one at dawn and watched the coast’s volcano and the horizon wake up together. Settle the return time with your captain clearly, because the islands are a boat ride from town.
3. Eat at the Night Market
The waterfront market turns on in the evening with grilled fish, skewers, and the land food of the region cooked over charcoal. I ate the mild fish in banana leaf, sea snails, and a sweet sticky rice dessert, all from small stalls. Follow what the locals are queuing for.
4. See the Waruga Stone Tombs at Sawangan
Near Airmadidi, the ancient Minahasa ancestors left behind hundreds of carved stone sarcophagi with roof-shaped lids. I walked the grassy field of them and read the panels about the old burial customs. It is a quiet, unusual stop that shows a different side of the island’s history.
5. Visit the Clifftop Waruga Sites and Lookout
Beyond the main field, hillside viewpoints overlook the green valleys and the rice terraces of the Minahasa highlands. I drove up one evening for the view and the cool air. Pair it with the local mountain food and you have a full day loop away from the coast.
6. Swim at Bunaken’s Beaches
The calm coves on the inhabited side of the island are where you actually swim and rest between dives. I stayed a couple of nights in a simple guesthouse, swam off the quiet sand, and watched the sun drop over the water. Budget time to go slow.
7. Tour the Old Town and Pasar Bersehati
The older streets near the harbor hold trading-era buildings and the daily market rhythm. I wandered the Pasar Bersehati in the morning, where the produce, the spices, and the fish all arrive before the heat peaks. It is the most direct look at how the city feeds itself.
8. Visit Mahawu and Lokon, the Twin Volcanoes
Two active peaks rise just inland, and the short trail up Mahawu reaches the crater rim with a view over the smoking vent. I walked the easy path and stood looking into the crater on a clear morning. Volcanic bowling on Lokon’s slope is famous too, though I only looked from below.
9. Walk the Waterfront Promenade
The boulevard along the bay is where Manado breathes in the evenings, with food carts, families, and the sea on one side. I walked it most nights after eating, watching the fishing boats bob against the glow of the town. A simple way to know a place.
10. Eat Minahasa Cuisine
The local food can be intense: high chile, stink beans, and rich coconut gravy. I loved the mild coconut chicken cooked in the regional style and the spiced fish. Ask for a smaller heat level if you are new to it, and always order the fried banana for dessert.
11. Take a Day Trip to Tangkoko National Park
Rainforest at the eastern tip of the peninsula holds black macaques, tarsiers, and hornbills. I joined an early walk with local guides and saw the tiny tarsiers by daylight. The tarsier is barely the size of a fist, and one of the most endearing animals I have met.
12. Buy Local Coffee and Cloves
The highlands around Manado grow fragrant coffee and the cloves that built the region’s spice trade. I bought a bag of roasted beans and a pouch of cloves from a market stall to take home. Ask for the Toraja-grown beans too, since the quality is excellent.
13. Watch the Sun Rise Over the Bay
My favorite free activity was simply standing on the waterfront as the sky turned over the island-studded bay. I did it twice, once alone and once with coffee in hand. The morning light over the water can be the whole reason a place gets into your blood.
Final Thoughts
Manado is a city that works best as a base and as a destination at the same time. Split your days between the reef and the hills, eat everything the market offers, and save a morning for the bay. I came for the water and left charmed by the whole place.
