December 22, 2025 | 12:21 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa, a luxury resort on Bunaken Island, North Sulawesi, has been crowned the World's Leading Dive Resort at the World Travel Awards 2025. This prestigious accolade recognizes the resort as the premier diving destination globally, marking a landmark achievement for Indonesia’s underwater tourism and celebrating the region’s rich marine biodiversity.
Elaine Wallace, the owner of Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort & Spa, shared her pride and excitement following the announcement. "We've just won the world's leading dive resort, which we're really, really, really happy about," she remarked during an interview released by the World Travel Awards on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Wallace added that the award means a lot to her. "For us, it's huge. We're a small, independent resort," the British businesswoman stated.
Bunaken Oasis beat global rivals through its focus on green habits and marine care in Bunaken National Park. This park is one of the most beautiful diving zones on earth. The resort gives guests direct access to over 90 dive sites. Bunaken offers many diving styles. Divers can explore vertical walls that drop 1,500 meters deep, sandy slopes, coral peaks, or "muck" diving sites near the mainland.
Along with world-class diving, the resort is known for high-end accommodations and personal service. Guests stay in large villas and suites with sea views. They can also use the spa and enjoy fine meals served to high standards.
Bunaken Oasis runs as a luxury ecotourism resort with a small ecological footprint. It uses its own wells and treats seawater with UV light for drinking. The resort bans plastic bottles and manages all waste. Beyond diving, guests can enjoy yoga, spa treatments, and local culture. Thousands of residents still live on the island, offering a glimpse into local life.
Looking ahead, Elaine Wallace said the main goal remains sustainability. "We will keep going, getting better and better and better. We are small. We are not intending to do much expansion. All we intend to do is keep preserving, keep maintaining, and also keep improving the whole industry."
This global recognition reinforces Indonesia’s status as a top-tier destination for international divers while serving as a blueprint for the future of sustainable, high-end tourism.
PUTRI AZ ZAHRA SUHERMAN
Read: Bali Once Again Named Asia's Most Romantic Destination
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