Lotus Gangga Island

Lotus Gangga Island — formerly known as Gangga Island Resort & Spa, and part of the Lotus Journey group — sits on the tip of a small island north of Manado in North Sulawesi. Its wooden bungalows are set discreetly along a long stretch of white sand beach, shaded by coconut trees. The resort serves as a base for diving three distinct regions: the Bangka Archipelago, Bunaken National Marine Park, and the muck diving sites of the Lembeh Strait.

Facilities & Meals

Tuturuga Restaurant sits at the centre of the property, serving a mix of international and Indonesian dishes made from local ingredients, with special dietary needs catered for; weather permitting, dining moves outside beside the pool under the coconut trees. The Coconut Bar operates throughout the day, with a selection of Australian wines, beers and cocktails. A large saltwater infinity pool sits at the ocean’s edge, lined with deck chairs. Pasung Spa offers massage, reflexology and aromatherapy treatments, along with a small boutique selling regional souvenirs.

Activities

Non-diving options include visits to local villages, mainland day trips, and volcano climbs in the Minahasa Highlands. The Tangkoko Nature Reserve, home to the world’s smallest primate species and Birds of Paradise, is also within reach. Local day tours can be arranged through hotel reception.

Staying Connected

Complimentary WiFi internet access is available at the resort lobby and in the guest rooms. There is also a computer for guests use. Telephone service and IDD calls are available from reception (charges apply).

We think…

Ideal for single travelers, couples, families and everyone who enjoys diving and snorkeling from a secluded and friendly island resort.

Gangga Island Resort & Spa lies on the tip of the small island of Gangga north of Manado in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Transfers

The transfer from Manado International Airport takes approximately 90 minutes all up. The first leg is by car for around 70 minutes, followed by a 20-minute boat ride to the resort.

All rooms are fitted with satellite TV, a safety deposit box, mosquito net, bathroom with hot and cold water shower, hairdryer, air conditioning and ceiling fan, mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities, purified drinking water and complimentary Wi-Fi. Rooms are available with a king bed, twin beds, a king with an extra twin, or three twin beds, to suit different group configurations. Each room has a spacious veranda facing the ocean.

Minahasa Superior Room

A beachfront bungalow room offering the resort’s standard comfortable furnishings and ocean-facing veranda.

Minahasa Deluxe Room

A step up from the Superior category, offering the same core features in a slightly more spacious setting.

Diving Location Features

More than 30 dive sites surround Gangga Island, offering a mix of rare species and pristine reef within reach of three distinct dive regions. An active underwater volcano north of Bangka Island, Manhangetang, offers striking diving suited to confident beginners and advanced divers, with occasional stronger currents.

Dive Service

Diving is run through the resort’s PADI Five Star Dive Centre, now operating under the group-wide name Lotus Divers, staffed by international dive instructors and guides qualified to Divemaster and Instructor level. The diver-to-guide ratio is capped at 4:1. The dive fleet includes four wooden boats and one fibreglass boat, all custom-built with higher ceilings than typical boats in the region — two wooden boats carrying 8 to 12 divers, two smaller wooden boats carrying 4 to 8 divers, and the fibreglass boat carrying 12 to 15. The three larger boats have onboard toilets, and all boats carry safety equipment including radio, life jackets, a first aid kit and DAN Jumbo Oxygen twin tanks, along with towels, freshwater tanks for rinsing cameras, drinking water, and hot drinks and snacks.

The dive shop provides individual equipment storage racks and hot-water shower facilities. Well-maintained rental equipment is available, along with 12L and 15L aluminium tanks fitted with INT and DIN valves. Nitrox (32%) is free for certified divers. A camera room with a rinse sink, personal lockers and charging outlets (220V/110V) is also available, alongside a range of PADI courses. Snorkellers can join dedicated boat excursions for an additional charge, with a guide assisting both on board and in the water.

Dive Sites

Some of Sulawesi’s best diving is found right next to Gangga Island and neighbouring Bangka Islands.

An active underwater volcano to the north of Bangka Island, Manhangetang, provides some spectacular dive sites nearby. Diving is recommended for confident beginners and advanced divers as some stronger currents might be experienced on those sites at times.

Two-tank morning dives are offered to dive sites within the Gangga and Bangka Island groups, with one additional afternoon dive on request.

Once a week, special day trips are scheduled to the world-famous coral walls of Bunaken National Park, and also critter diving on the volcanic sands of Lembeh Strait. The boat travel time is approx 90 minutes each way and but three dives are offered and packed lunch is provided.

Conservation

As a member of the North Sulawesi Watersports Association (NSWA), Gangga Island Resort is committed to protecting the local reefs and is involved in conservation and development projects aimed at helping the local communities create sustainable tourism activities.

You should know

The resort accepts cash IDR, USD and Euro to pay for extras, bar bill, incidentals, as well as credit card, MC or VISA. Please note that a 3% bank surcharge will be added to your credit card bill.

Pricing for Gangga Island Resort & Spa