Saronde Island Dive Resort

Let's go Bonfire - I'm one of the many repeat offenders on Saronde.
I would like to join the many very positive reviews of all the offers on Saronde. It's just a DREAM ISLAND.... read more />
But I would like to mention one thing in particular, the sensational Bonfire dives.
They are dives that are carried out on the anchor buoy of the Sunshine. With the help of 6-8 dive lamps with about 10,000 lumens each, some of the macro animals are attracted.
This dive is not comparable to a night dive.
You can see Bobtail Squid, Sepien and Shrimp .
I was lucky enough to encounter a bluering octopus about 2 cm small, the flying fish, even about 2 cm, I have never seen underwater during my more than 2000 dives.

Just try it once.

Especially at this point I want to thank Boa and Kevin for their great mocking.

Beautiful diving holiday on Dream Island and KLM Sunshine - We were now on the dream island of Saronde once again. It's like coming home for us. After perfectly organized arrival, you will be warmly welcomed at the jetty. In... read more addition to the great people, the resort is also super nice and lovingly upgraded with many details. And already we have arrived in holiday mode. We are always enthusiastic about what the kitchen here at the end of the world conjures up for us. The dive sites are getting better and better. There are always new dive sites added and what you get shown here by the dive guide underwater in the macro area is incredible. During our three-week vacation we were a good week on a diving safari with the KLM Sunshine this time. Again, we were accompanied by a mega team. In addition to the great underwater world, it has also been a brilliant overall concept for us. We had another wonderful time on the Sunshine before ending our holiday on Saronde. Many thanks to Anke, Lando and Lani as well as to the entire team. We will definitely come back to our little paradise

From the secret of how to spend a really great holiday - Take:
- a suitcase with a few T-shirts, shorts and scuba diving
- a flight to Gorontalo
- a beautiful island in the Coral Triangle
- Villas built and furnished... read more with love and taste on the sandy beach
- a perfectly well-rehearsed team of wonderful people who will give you
Read every wish from the eyes.
- dear fellow holidaymakers for great conversations over a cool drink

One refrains from:
- Stress
- Shoes
- Alarm clock, TV, mobile phone
- petty, typically European complaints habits about nothing

It's actually easier than frying a fried egg. Luckily don't know
all this secret, otherwise we would no longer have a place on Saronde in 2026
I got it. Oopsssss did we reveal too much?

Dear Anke, Lando and Dream Team, we remain loyal to you. Where should we
Anywhere else?

Dream holiday on dream island - We, two adults and our two children, spent three wonderful weeks on Saronde again this year.

We flew from Dusseldorf via Dubai to Jakarta. Stayed there in a very... read more good airport hotel right at the terminal and flew on from there to Gorontalo. This has equalized the long journey somewhat and we arrived relaxed in Saronde. From airport transfer to the crossing to the island, everything is perfectly adapted to your own schedule and the staff await you on the beach as a welcome. For us, who have been flying to Indonesia for 20 years to see Anke and her wonderful team, it is always like coming home.

Both the beach villas and the garden bungalows are equipped with everything you need to feel comfortable. From the open bathrooms, the water dispenser, the bed linen to the pictures on the walls, everything is chosen with love so that you feel comfortable from the first second.

But what is most important for us about holidays on Saronde are the people who work there and read every wish from your eyes. Whether at meals, with a massage, while diving or anything else, everything is as individual as you could wish for. Here is a big praise to the team. There is no place in this world where our children feel more comfortable (and we do, of course 😉).

Already two years ago our 13-year-old got her diving license here and this year she has done many wonderful dives with her favorite dive guides. Our eight-year-old didn’t want to be inferior to this, of course, and was allowed to Enterprise his first attempts at diving snorkeling just below the surface with a small diving bottle. There was also a lot for him to see, especially the dives on the jetty are worth mentioning here.

For us adult divers there are dive sites galore. If you love macro, you are definitely in the right place. Even after 20 years we have discovered new snails and crustaceans again. The diving itself is very relaxed, the boats very comfortable in entry and exit, the visibility mostly very good. Also on board Very good food and a great boat crew.

For next year we have reserved again Then it is time for us to go home to Indonesia ☀️

Inseljuwel fernab von Massentourismus - Our first Indonesian holiday took us straight to Saronde. This was the perfect way to get to know a corner of Sulawesi that has hardly been developed for tourism. Far... read more from mass tourism, there is the small island of Saronde. A caring team spoiled us around the clock.

For this we thank you Anke, Lando and the whole Saronde team for letting us spend 2 weeks with you in paradise. Anke's passion for organizing the resort can always be felt in detail. It starts on arrival with a warm welcome on the jetty.

We stayed in one of the now 3 new garden villas. 

The villas are two storeys, perfectly divided and very spacious for a holiday for three. Everything is very clean and you can feel the attention to detail. Worth mentioning is also the ingenious water dispenser in the villas. Fresh drinking water is available at all times, whether cold or hot, even for the preparation of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.  

The always freshly prepared meals are very versatile, vitamin-rich, varied and just delicious.

Even for breakfast you already have a wealth of opportunities to start the day stronger.

Our 13-year-old daughter had only obtained her diving license last year. During the dives on Saronde she was always in experienced, responsible hands and after now 20 dives at a wide variety of dive sites, she has become an abolute fan of macro diving. We explored the house reef while snorkeling on all sides. The further out we are, the more beautiful the underwater world became. The reefs are covered with large coral sticks and soft corals. There are all kinds of coral fish and other marine life there. Compared to other diving / snorkeling areas, everything is still largely intact and untouched.

Our holiday for the coming year is already planned, Saronde 2026!!

A True Five-Star Diving Resort! - We spent 10 wonderful days at Blue Bay Saronde and can only leave a 5-star review!

The island is breathtaking, with soft white coral sand, turquoise waters, and... read more a calm lagoon perfect even for small children.

The Balinese-style Beach Villas are spotless, beautifully designed, and fully equipped with every comfort. Cleanliness is outstanding.

The food was excellent, varied every day, and always well-prepared, with options for vegetarians, meat, and seafood lovers.

For divers, this place is a hidden paradise for macro diving, still untouched by mass tourism, with the option to explore different dive spots in North Sulawesi.

But what really makes this resort unique is the staff—owners, waiters, maintenance, and dive guides—all incredibly professional, warm, and kind. You feel like part of a big family, treated like royalty.

Traveling with our 5-year-old daughter with celiac disease, we were amazed by the care: upon arrival they had gluten-free products ready for us, and throughout our stay meals were prepared separately, safe, and always varied. A huge thank you to the chef and the whole team for their dedication!

In short: a true 5-star Diving Resort. We will definitely be back soon!

Perfect Island with top service - We, a family of four, spent 10 wonderfully relaxing days on Saronde Island. The island is similar to the Maldives, but with fewer tourists, very personal and individual service that... read more leaves nothing to be desired, and very friendly and helpful staff. A stunning white sandy beach invites you to swim and relax. There are plenty of shady spots. We stayed in a garden bungalow, which was perfect for us and offered plenty of space. The food was delicious and varied. We didn't miss anything. The diving was very relaxed, and we didn't have to worry about anything.
Anke, Lando, and their staff are always there for you and organize excursions and other activities as desired. Anke also assists her guests with onward travel and other needs.
Many thanks to Anke, Lando, and their staff – we really enjoyed it!

Fantastic dive resort with superb staff - We had a fantastic stay at Saronde Blue Bay. The Saronde-team is absolutely superb, their service and hospitality is top notch. The organization The bungalow is awesome, especially with the... read more great view. Very comfy bed, shower, and lost of space. At the beach we had a hammock, 2 single beach beds, and a double bed. The dogs and cats were all lovely and add to the home-feel for us. The diving was very well organized and we saw many critters we had never seen before. The drive guide we had was great. We also did the whale shark tour, which was another new experience for us. It was a pleasure being on the boat with occasionally live music during the intervals. The restaurant and bar were a great place to meet up before dinner and to share the dive experiences of the day. The food at Saronde was absolutely delicious, a great mix of Indonesian kitchen and some international touches. Cocktails from the bar, yummy. Saronde stands out for their unique style, hospitality and comfort level. We truly enjoyed our stay, every minute of it. We just loved it all and will return some day.

Little paradise with heart - Saronde Island is a true gem in northern Sulawesi. The island is not only fantastically beautiful, but has been designed with incredible attention to detail.

The entire team on... read more site is exceptionally friendly and attentive. You feel welcome from the very first minute and are spoiled all around – be it with delicious food, loving little gestures or the always open ear of the staff. I would also like to mention Anke in particular, who organizes everything perfectly with great commitment and passion. Whether excursions, transfers or individual requests – she takes care with impressive dedication to make every stay unforgettable.

Saronde is the perfect place to unwind, enjoy and refuel. If you are looking for nature, peace, crystal clear waters and honest hospitality, you will feel very comfortable here.

The Magic of Saronde - A green-blue paradise on earth called " Saronde", a gem for individualists, diving enthusiasts and those seeking peace and quiet who appreciate the simple elegance, the very special flair, the... read more traditional restraint of the people and high comfort.
Indonesian cuisine with European and international delicacies complete the feel-good experience.
A very special thank you to the team of the island, who can read wishes from the eyes and the boat crew, the dive guides, who take into account the individual experiences of the guests and open a gate to the beautiful macro world of Sulawesi.
Thank you for the spell of "Saronde"
Claudi

I have been a repeat visitor of Anke's first resort in Sahaung/North Sulawesi, so I was very keen to see what she and her crew managed to put up in... read more the middle of nowhere. 😉

And I was not disappointed - this new resort is really awesome and top-notch, without losing its familial and informal atmosphere her first resort offers. The spacious Balinese style villas are built with passion for detail - from the comfy bed to the huge bath room with open air shower or the terrace to watch the sun rise from the ocean right in front of you with a coffee in your hand. ..

In between or after the dives which can be very much scheduled to your needs, you have the agony of choice between sunbeds, a hammock or a canopy bed. Since there is no other resort around, you have the dive spots all to yourself! The macro life is awesome and the guides are eagle-eyed. Since the resort is so new, I'm pretty sure there are many more dive spots to be discovered, especially the outer reefs with wide angle opportunities.

Food is fantastic - every day you get a whole choice of local delicacies and your dinner is accompanied with live music. You can also enjoy the sunset at the beach with a Gin Tonic.

Even for non-divers Saronde offers a lot to do - you can go snorkeling, kayaking, SUPing, island hopping or do excursions to the market on the mainland, to waterfalls or see the whalesharks of Gorontalo as a day trip. Highly recommended even if you're not a diver!

If you are an avid diver, you could combine both resorts or even add Anke's beautiful liveaboard "Sunshine" to the mix. There is a plethora of different routes and in season you can also do the transfer between the resorts with diving on the way.

Well... I'll be back for sure! 😉

Saronde Tauchparadies Blue Bay Divers - Gute Anreisemöglichkeit über den Flughafen Gorontalo auf Sulawesi und dann mit dem Boot zur "Privatinsel". Abholung und Transfer sind perfekt organisiert.
In oder vor den komfortablen Strandvillen im balinesischen Stil... read more kann der Sonnenaufgang beobachtet werden.

Beim Abendessen genießt man vom Restaurant aus auf der anderen Inselseite den Sonnenuntergang.

Herzlichen Dank an Panji und sein Team für den ausgezeichneten Service und das professionelle Housekeeping.
Das gesamte Personal ist sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend.

Unserer besonderer Dank gilt den Managern Juliane und Sascha. Sie sind auch exzellente Tauchlehrer und vermittelten uns sehr schöne Erlebnisse - insbesondere mit den Walhaien.

Die Möglichkeit zu tollen Ausflüge in die Umgebung runden den Urlaub ab.

Chapeau, Anke! Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Start und weiterhin viel Erfolg und stets eine glückliche Hand bei dem Erhalt der Tauchparadiese Blue Bay Drivers.

We loved staying at Saronde! Great dives (night dive was fantastic), great crew ad dicveguidrses who play also music, very nice guests and the cutest puppy ever

Dinner on... read more the beach, kayaking in the afternoon, great food (very good breakfast!) and special sunsets.
Very big villa with warm shower an western toilet.

Chance to see whale sharkes on a one day trip!

If you appreciate secluded beaches, uninhabited islands, absolute privacy away from any tourism, Saronde Island is the place to be. After a warm welcome by the operator Anke from Blue... read more Bay Divers and her staff, a generously designed Balinese-style bungalow on the beach awaited us. Each bungalow has a beautiful terrace, a large garden and its own dive centre.
Loungers and a hammock are available for relaxing. If you want to explore the island from the water, no problem. Each bungalow has 2 paddle boats at your free disposal.
The centre of the bungalow is a huge comfortable bed, which invites to great dreams and with a little luck, you can admire the sunrise from the bed.
The walk-in wardrobe offers enough space and the open bathroom with 2 rain showers and 2 washbasins is very nicely designed.
There is a water dispenser for hot and cold water in the bungalow, so that you can prepare a coffee or tea at any time. The minibar contains soft drinks, wine and beer. Cocktails can also be ordered.
Currently, meals are taken on the beach in front of your own bungalow. The quality of the food is very good, as fresh ingredients from the market are used and the chef and his crew know their trade.
The macro fans among the divers will get their money's worth here. Those who appreciate individual diving in a small group are in the right place. You have all the dive sites to yourself and we usually spent our surface interval on lonely white dream beaches on uninhabited islands. Even non-divers get their money's worth here. There is the possibility to make excursions into the mangroves or to visit a market or a waterfall on the mainland. Those who value privacy, individuality and tranquillity should not miss Saronde Island

Saronde was our second destination while we were in northern Gorontalo, our first being an island marooning survival experience.

It was a very last minute booking for us as... read more our initial planned destination cancelled our booking a week before we were due to travel - step in Anke and the team at Saronde. Turns out that some clouds really do have a silver lining. When we arrived at Saronde it was everything we had hoped for, and so much more.

We have to pass on our praises to the entire team - we were truly spoilt rotten which was just what we needed after our survival experience. Despite not being fully up and running we didn't even notice, and not having a menu to mull over and just get surprised with dinner each night was (in our opinion) a most wonderful experience - the team didn't even bat an eyelid when I told them about my fish allergy - the food was amazing, as was everything else;

The villa accommodation (we didn't need to sleep in a jungle for a week to appreciate the home comforts, but having done so it only amplified the luxury even further), the large comfortable bed, the outside showers, having our own dive centre out the back, the large deck out the front with sofas etc., the day bed, the well stocked fridge, drinking water, the thought to have USB ports in handy places inside the villa, the list goes on and on.

The island itself (although only small) is stunning and can easily be walked or kayaked around (yes, you get kayaks and SUP's with your villa). We free dive, and the reefs close to the island provided everything we needed, and it's great to see the coral in the area obviously making a great recovery.

If you're looking for pounding music and crowds of people, this is not the place for you.

If you're looking for a little piece of paradise where nothing is ever too much to ask for, with fantastic diving (free or scuba) and snorkelling, amazing local food, and sun sets that will mesmerise you, then get yourself booked up. It may take a little longer to get to than some of the more commercial destinations in Indonesia, but it's worth every minute that it takes.

We're already missing the opportunity to sit with a cold beer and contemplate the world around us while watching the sun set. Keep safe and well - now we know where you are, we shall definitely return in the coming years.

We spent with our two daughters 5 days in this newly built resort.
The spacious villa was well thought through with a marvelous open-air bathroom and a splendid sea... read more view from the bed. It includes many details like an own coffee machine, cool drinking water, snacks and a proper working area. Compared to other resorts, where we have been, it has an own dive center attached to the villa, which is really convenient.
The staff are very attentive. We always ate in front of our villa on the beach. The food was diverse and of high quality.
Two of us achieved the Padi open water diving licence there. The trainer was taking the time needed. She took well care of us in the water and explained very clearly in advance what is expected by us, when we are in the water. It was a super experience and we got the required routine.
There are several beautiful reefs around the island to explore. Impressive was also our diving trip to the whale sharks.
You can also use the kayaks or SUPs for a trip to one of the other islands, which are close by.
The island itself is tiny, you can easily walk around in 30 mins.
The sunsets are truely amazing, especially with a nice cocktail or freshly made fruit juice.
It was also an interesting experience to visit the village on the opposite island, as we had the feeling, that tourists hadn't been there before.
We as a family had a great relaxing time there and look forward to coming back.