Cocotinos Manado a Boutique Dive Resort

We travelled with a group of 15 divers. The dive crew as very attentive and kind. We were very interested in a Blackwater dive. It turned out it was NOT a Blackwater Dive but rather a nightdive, with significant trash in the water. Imagine my surprise when the bottom appeared at 75 feet, when a blackwater dive is held over the abyss. Bottom line is the resort should NOT bill this as a Blackwater Dive. To be fair, the resort refunded our money.

Very beautiful, quiet place by the sea Comfortable rooms Pool and good cocktails

Good place. Our room was large, clean, and nice and had super AC. Good bathroom with bathtub (deluxe 2-person room with sea view), lots of hot water. The room was ready, even though we arrived early (we didn't pay extra for that). 2 good beds, shelving system, and space to hang clothes, minibar (empty, but good for cooling water), water dispenser in the room was mega nice! Wifi was okay. There were no sunflowers by the pool - which was also a bit difficult to get into, as the stairs were strange. Okay mad in the restaurant - but quite expensive, like the drinks were expensive too (top tip: skip the "long island ice tea" they have no idea what they are making), we ordered a bottle of white wine, drank 2 glasses and had the rest saved for the next day - good service. There were signs with names at each table - I was a little sad that we never got a table out towards the pier, that could have been nice. The staff were nice and always greeted, very willing to help. At departure at 3:30 there was also someone ready to help with the luggage - however, he did not come to the room as agreed, but was in the reception area. The dive center was expensive (double the price compared to the other places we had been), but the boat was good and the guides were great at leading the dives and there was a warm towel after the dives. I asked for a specific nudibranch, and they knew exactly where they could find it (local dive site - near Cocotinos - not Bunaken); they not only found it but also several other rare nudibranchs that I had never seen. Fantastic. Our only problem was the monotonous music by the pool and the noise from the neighboring village. Friday morning/forenoon/evening there was really loud music playing and unfortunately our room was at the very edge of the resort - close to the village. Not much, they could do something about it and it's not their fault, but it's annoying anyway.