reef

Log This Dive

Siladen 1

Siladen 1 is one of those sites we always try to hit when we're in Bunaken. It’s a slope, really, dropping down pretty gradually, which makes it feel less like you’re plummeting into the blue and more like you’re gliding over a massive, living canvas. You’ll spot an impressive amount of staghorn coral here, forming these intricate, branching structures that shelter all sorts of small critters. We love drifting along, keeping an eye out for pygmy seahorses, which are surprisingly common if you know where to look. They’re tiny, of course, blending right into the gorgonians, so a good guide really helps here. We've spent entire dives just slowly exploring the corals, finding wasp pygmy gobies tucked away, and watching bristled-toothed surgeonfish graze. The sheer number of recorded species, over 200, gives you an idea of the density of life. It’s a great site for photographers, especially macro, given the incredible variety of small finds. While the currents can pick up a bit, it’s generally a pretty mellow dive, suitable for anyone comfortable with a gentle drift. Come in the morning for the best light, casting these beautiful rays through the water column onto the reef.