Murex Dive Resort Reviews

We did the Passport to Paradise with 4 days each in Manado, Bangka, and Lembeh. Our Scoot flight arrived in Manado 2 hours late so it was good to see the smiling face of our driver Billy welcoming us and taking care of everything. The drive from the airport to the resort took over an hour with Saturday night traffic and a short stop at the supermarket. We had hoped to get a sim card and some money changed but that window had passed. We stayed in a premium deluxe cottage which was very lovely and spacious, with beautiful oceanfront views over the pool area, and lots of room for everything. The bed is two singles together (or could be twin) so a king size and was comfortable. Our aircon worked well, there is a water dispenser (hot/regular/cold) and coffee (with plungers) and tea, and a small drinks fridge (drinks in the fridge are charged extra). The bathroom was large with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner supplied. There was a lot of power points, mostly all with international fittings so great for charging/using devices. We had no Wi-Fi for the first day so it wasn’t possible to stay in touch with family and to use the resort’s online drinks and food menus but once fixed it worked well. All our meals were included in our package (mostly buffet style) but drinks including soft-drink and machine coffees were an additional charge. They have a spa offering massages and manicure/pedicure so we took advantage of an offer for a 90-minute massage for the price of 60 minutes (IDR 400k), that was really nice. The grounds of the resort are very tranquil and lush with lots of seating everywhere so you can relax in the lounge/bar or dining areas, or in a sun bed at the waterfront. The dive operation is well organised, and we had our dive guide Reinhart for all 3 destinations. They do two morning dives and then come back for lunch, then there is the option of an afternoon dive or to dive the house reef which is definitely worthwhile. The boats are well set-up and equipped, stable and comfortable, all with excellent skippers and crew. Rein had great knowledge, including scientific names of all the critters and we had a lot of laughs as well as enjoyable dives, he looked after us well. The staff were lovely and very attentive to all our needs, making a special effort to get to know the guests and their preferences. Our transfer to Bangka was by boat including two morning dives along the way, with the bags going by road and waiting in our room on arrival.

The staff are amazing, the grounds and accommodation is excellent the food is awesome and the diving even though the weather was not the best was simply amazing. Our dive guide and the boat team were brilliant. Alvian went out of his way to make our dive experience memorable and fascinating. The day trip to the village and volcano with Chandra as our guide was simply a must do. So informative, interesting and fun.

Our trip diving with MUREX MANADO was one of our most wonderful dive trips ever. The resort lies in a lovely tropical setting with a view of Manado Tua, the volcano off in the distance. Our accommodation was spacious, open, airy and clean. The restaurant served wonderful meals, many with themes, and the chefs worked diligently to prepare delicious and varied meals. The restaurant staff made us feel like family. We simply did not want for anything. The dive staff was superb taking great care for the safety of all divers and diligently pointing out the various creatures, coral and fish throughout the dives. Our dive guide wrote out on a tablet everything we saw on each dive. It was actually like a Dive Dream - the best kind. Of course, we want to return. My log book barely had enough room to list everything we saw on the dives. MUREX is very customer oriented in a personal way. We never felt like we were on the diving conveyor belt such as we have felt in other places. A true testament of an excellent and rewarding experience is the fact that we want to return. We are so very appreciative of our MUREX adventure.

Good diving, good food. Always a great experience at Murex Manado! I will definitely be coming again with the family. The kids love the pool and playing in the ocean. The house reef diving is excellent.

Our visit to Murex Manado in July 2025 was a repeat visit and it was every bit as amazing as it was the last time. The accommodation is of the highest standard and the setting is absolutely beautiful. The staff are fantastic, so friendly and always available to help. The diving was spectacular! The diving team is superb and everything is so well run. We were a school group of 19 teenagers and each one had the absolute time of their lives. Thank you so much to everyone at Murex Manado, we cannot wait to come back!

My son and I had the most wonderful experience staying here and diving with the wonderful Sandro and team . The staff are incredible and treated us just like family . Nothing was too much trouble for the staff in looking after us . The accommodation was stunning and the resort lovely .

We had a really amazing 5 night stay at Manado, followed by 2 nights in Bangka. Murex really embodied hospitality. The staff remember what your names and make you feel very welcome. They know when you leave the room and when they can do the housekeeping. They are always aware of your movements so they can cater to your needs. The rooms are beautiful and clean, truly spotless. The toilets are luxuriously big. For diving, you can see how careful the dive staff are. And there are so many staff needed to maintain safety of your dives! I felt comfortable and reassured. The sealife at both manado and Bangka was amazing. We saw everything we wanted. And the turtles are everywhere! We saw the dolphins and pilot whales twice too! The food is excellent and reasonably priced, whether you choose alacarte or the buffet. Can’t wait to go back again!

2nd visit and the experience just gets better. Being the first guests to stay at their Premium Deluxe Cottages was great. Rooms still smell fresh and the space was big. Big enough to put my 4 luggage and dive bag, with even more space to walk around! Despite the resort running full house, the team was still able to cater to our dietary needs by preparing a family set dinner for us. Not forgetting the birthday surprises on land and underwater. Never expect those but they were done great. A special shout out to the dive boat crew - Benya, Olland and Bernard for ensuring the dive trips were safe and comfortable.

12 avid snorkelers/freedivers just returned from the Passport to Paradise trip offered by Murex Manado/Bangka and Lembeh Resort. From start to finish Murex Manado staff were so welcoming, accomodating, flexible and open to allowing us alot of water time & being involved with snorkel site selection. How kind to make a banner for us! Julia was receptive to talking to me, upon arrival, about how best they could meet our snorkeling needs. The cottages, food ( thank you Chef Joe!), service and staff/guides were fantastic. We really enjoyed the continuity of having the same 3 guides, Tian, Carter and Alvian (for 12 of us) follow us through all 3 resorts and the ease of transfer via boat with 2 snorkels enroute. This was so efficient and made it alot of fun. There was so much site diversity, too, and the opportunity for land tours, spa services, bars offered more variety. And it was so affordable! The bed was a bit too firm for my preference but the a/c was nice and cool and the rooms were spotless. When we struggled with walking on the large stones on the beach to enter the house reef during low tide, they placed a platform down for us and raked the stony beach, how thoughtful! We will be back! Terima Kasih!

We had such a wonderful stay with Murex Resorts at both Manado and Bangka. The diving was really lovely! Healthy reefs, lots of turtles and wonderful critters to find. What stood out at both resorts was the super tasty food; lovely and very comfortable accommodations and the fun and friendly nature of all the staff. Both resorts are undergoing a transformation with new villas and restaurant areas and once completed they will be at an even higher level than the great experience they already offer. We would highly recommend both resorts for a relaxed, fun and friendly diving holiday!

We did a custom Passport to Paradise option with 3 nights at Murex Manado, 3 nights at Murex Bangka, and 6 nights at Lembeh Resort. Custom because we booked Lembeh Resort first and then added Murex. Manado with the dives at Bunaken was a great start. The combination of the three resorts works well because all three offer different types of diving experiences. The pickup at the airport went well, the food was amazing, our cottage was very nice, the dive operation was well organised and the massages were great, too. The house reef is not amazing, but it is worth exploring at least once. The Sunday BBQ was the best food of our whole trip. The resort is not noisy, but you can hear the city buzz, and Bangka is a lot more quiet. The staff looked after us very well, and our custom transfer between Bangka and Lembeh was smooth. Which speaks for both Murex and Lembeh resort. All three resorts had options for different power plugs.

I discovered Murex at the Asia Dive Expo in Singapore, and only found out after I booked that a lot of my friends have been to Murex. They said it’s the best resort in North Sulawesi, and I couldn’t agree more. What I love about the resort is its cleanliness, and hospitality. The rooms are spacious, and well thought about for divers who have plenty of gadgets (photographers). Aside from that, their staff are so attentive to the guests needs. In fact, I was surprised they’ve already remembered my name on the first day. It gives a personal touch. Aside from my love for Indonesian food, which the kitchen cooks perfectly, the chef and the waiting staff paid attention to my dietary restrictions and even makes sure I get my breakfast takeaway in the dive boat. I don’t think I need to comment on the quality of diving in Bunaken, bec it’s simply one of the best in Indonesia… but I do have to comment on how systematic the dive team operates. All the guides are very familiar with the fish species. As an avid diver, there were times I thought it’s no longer necessary to identify the common fishes, but they’re only doing their job (and doing it very well). Of course some other (new) divers may appreciate the extra service. I only have good words on the dive team’s professionalism and skill/training underwater. Bonus point that the boats are big and comfortable. Overall, I would recommend (any) Murex resort if you come to North Sulawesi. The experience is fantastic, I know I will be coming back!

We did the Paradise to Passport . Starting in Manado. The cottage was clean and comfortable and overlooked water gardens. The staff made us feel so welcome. They were so friendly and couldn’t do enough to ensure we had the best time. The food was fantastic. We enjoyed working our way through the Indonesian choices on the menu. The diving off Bunaken island was wall diving and it was great, we lost count of the amount of turtles we saw. Reynald was the perfect dive guide. We had cameras and he gave us plenty of time to photograph the things he pointed out to us. The boat crew were always there to help with dive kit and snacks after the dive, and the captain ensured he was always there waiting when we surfaced from our dives. After four nights we had a boat transfer to Bangka to continue our Passport to Paradise (See Murex Bangka review) doing two dives on the way. Fantastic first leg of our trip.

This resort is beautiful, amazing staff that create beautiful community where I felt heard, loved, taking care of, and where I could rest and enjoy beautiful diving. Food was great, diving places gorgeous, wonderful.Totally recommend.