Oasis Explorers

Situated in the North Sulawesi region of Indonesia, Oasis Explorers operates out of the Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Spa. The centre is positioned to serve divers looking to move beyond the standard recreational depths of the Bunaken Marine Park, providing a gateway to the deeper, less explored reaches of the park's five islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage, and Nain.

The marine park is defined by its dramatic vertical walls and volcanic origins, which create unique underwater ridges and valleys. Because much of the human activity in this area is concentrated on the reef flats, there is significant potential for exploration at depth. The upwelling of nutrients from the deep waters helps to stabilise visibility and supports a thriving ecosystem far below the typical recreational limits.

As a multi-agency technical training centre, Oasis Explorers is affiliated with both PADI and TDI. The team is composed of experienced technical instructors capable of guiding divers through complex decompression profiles and advanced gas management.

The centre maintains a high standard of safety and professionalism, with staff regularly trained in technical-specific emergency procedures. For those looking to advance their skills, the instructors provide support for both planned team dives and formal training programmes.

The course catalogue is extensive, catering to everyone from those taking their first breaths underwater to advanced technical divers. Recreational training includes PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and various specialties such as Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck Diver, and Deep Diver.

Technical training is a core focus, with a wide range of PADI Tec and TDI certifications available. This includes PADI Tec 40, 45, and 50, as well as TDI courses such as Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, Extended Range, and Trimix. The centre also offers specialised instruction for rebreather divers, including PADI Rebreather Diver and Advanced Rebreather Diver on the Poseidon Se7en system.

Specialised skills training is also available, covering topics such as Dry Suit Diver, Drift Diver, Diver Propulsion Vehicle, and Underwater Navigator.

The centre's technical capabilities are supported by a sophisticated gas blending station. This includes BAUER Mariner 250-E compressors and a Coltri membrane compressor system for oxygen blending up to 40%. For high-pressure requirements, an MPS C2X booster pump is used to manage gas mixes.

Technical divers will find a well-equipped kit selection, including aluminium Luxfer cylinders in various sizes (S40, S63, S80, and S100) that are oxygen cleaned. Regulator sets are provided by Apeks, and BCD configurations include backplates, harnesses, and wings in both 40lb and 60lb weights. For dive planning, the centre utilises Shearwater Perdix computers, V Planner software, and manual decompression tables.

For rebreather divers, Poseidon Se7en CCR units are available for hire. The centre also provides full rental equipment for those not travelling with their own kit.

The Bunaken Marine Park is renowned for its lush coral reefs and diverse macro life. The vertical walls are covered in vibrant coral formations that support a vast array of marine species.

Macro enthusiasts will find a wealth of life to observe, including various species of nudibranchs, seahorses, and crustaceans. The area is particularly noted for its biodiversity, offering many opportunities for close-up photography of smaller organisms.

The waters of the Bunaken Marine Park typically experience gentle to moderate currents. These currents are often influenced by the deep-sea upwellings that bring nutrients to the reef, helping to maintain a stable environment for the local marine life.