Janji Laut Resort

We spent eight days here in April 2019, finishing our trip around Sulawesi, and my girlfriend, who is also my dive buddy, and I would happily come back to Janji Laut. We did about three dives a day. Bunaken NP was incredible: huge walls at Lekuan 3, 2, and 1, lots of big, unshy sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, and an easy current for relaxed drift dives. The local sites had healthy soft and hard corals, plenty of fish, and some lovely muck diving with unusual creatures. I especially liked the Janji Laut house reef, where I did three dives. The guides and instructors were friendly and very experienced. The setting is beautiful, up on the hillside with a striking volcano view and lovely natural surroundings. Our room was clean and comfortable, with a good bed and bathroom. The pool looks out over the ocean, and the garden is well kept. We also enjoyed the restaurant's varied daily dishes and excellent service. Thanks to the Janji Laut Team for a holiday we won't forget. Greetings from Rich& Eva in Belanda.

The manager gave us helpful advice about diving and other sea activities, and we really enjoyed the snorkeling. Still, the kids seemed to be a problem for him, even though our booking was clear and we'd told him beforehand. We were four adults and six children, ages 2 to 12, staying with friends for a week, and we didn't feel welcomed. The “Kids friendly” label on this page should be removed, which would be better for everyone. It's a beautiful place surrounded by lovely nature, but several basic services were often missing. Ice cream and fresh coconut weren't always available, and there was no pool service. Managing the resort seemed to bother the manager a lot. It could be wonderful for people planning to dive every day, but it didn't work well for a family with young children. The snorkeling and diving trips seemed designed for divers, with little attention to snorkelers.

The place feels quiet and cozy, almost like being out in the countryside, and there's a nice pool. I took my open water diving course with Janji Laut. Rachel was a helpful, caring instructor, and I'd definitely recommend her.

Our second snorkeling trip to Bunaken was even better than the first: no garbage in the water, just beautiful fish, coral, and lots of turtles. On the first visit there was quite a bit of trash, though that's not Janji Laut Dive Resort's fault. Stefan explained how the rain patterns bring it in, and said he'd written to the Bunaken National Park administration about collecting fees while neglecting to keep Bunaken clean. We appreciated his effort and commitment to a cleaner Bunaken. Stefan and his staff took great care of us on both trips. He's a clear communicator and kept us updated about trip conditions, which I understand can depend on the weather and sea conditions, especially on trips to Bunaken. He also explained all the details of our day trip clearly. The grounds at Janji Laut are beautifully maintained. Thanks to Stefan and the team for a great experience.