Manado's main draw is underwater. Bunaken National Marine Park, a short boat ride from the city, is consistently ranked among the world's top dive sites — wall dives dropping hundreds of metres, dense coral gardens and an extraordinary range of reef fish and marine life. The park covers five islands; most divers base themselves in Manado or on Bunaken island itself.
Beyond diving, the Minahasa highlands south of the city offer waterfalls, volcanic lakes and traditional villages. Tomohon, about 25 km inland, sits between two active volcanoes and is a pleasant half-day trip.