The Pioneering History of Murex Dive Resorts
Murex Dive Resorts was founded in 1988 by Dr. Hanny and his wife, Ineke Batuna. As the first scuba diver in North Sulawesi, Dr. Batuna pioneered many of the dive sites we dive today including our most popular sites at Bangka, Manado, Bunaken, Lembeh and others in between! He was instrumental in providing the only recompression chamber in Manado and he was the first conservationist in the area. At ADEX 2014, Dr. Batuna was inducted as a board member to the Historical Diving Society.
Dr. Hanny Batuna & his wife Ineke
“Dr. Batuna leaves behind a vision in motion, and a world of friends, employees, and grateful divers who experience the results of his life’s work every day.” – Lia Barrett – UW photographer & DPG editor.
Today Angelique and her husband Danny Charlton, both avid divers and marine conservationist’s, now manage both Murex Manado and Murex Bangka. Danny and Angelique also founded critters@Lembeh Resort, the dive operation located at the luxurious Lembeh Resort. Along with their dedicated staff they are responsible for what it are today, three world class dive centers.
The current Murex Dive Resort team in Manado
Dr. & Mrs. Batuna launched one of Indonesia’s first live-aboards, the Serenade. Aboard the Serenade, the Batuna family continued pioneering dive sites throughout the entire North Sulawesi region and Sangihe islands. After 20 years of cruising, the Serenade discontinued service, but the family’s adventurous spirit has continued. In 2002 they opened Murex Bangka, our beautiful resort which is set on a stunning white sand beach on the south western tip of Bangka Island.
Beautiful Bangka Island with its white sandy beach
As Dive Resort owners, Danny and Angelique aim to share their passion for diving in North Sulawesi with divers around the world. Passport to Paradise is now Murex’s flagship package which allows divers to discover 3 distinct dive destinations in one trip: Bunaken, Bangka and Lembeh. You’ll have 150 dive sites to choose from and with seamless boat diving transfers from resort to resort there’s no gear packing, no wasted transfer days, just relax, enjoy and dive, dive, dive.
Passport to Paradise – Explore three distinct diving destinations – Bunaken -> Bangka -> Lembeh
Danny and Angelique’s children have been brought up within the family business and love diving and snorkeling too. With a family feel, exceptional service and easy, calm sea conditions, North Sulawesi is the perfect place to visit with children. If they are not divers, there is incredible, year round snorkeling and a range of land tours to see some of the highlights of this fascinating region.
If you’d like to join us here in North Sulawesi and explore this phenomenal region contact us on: reservations@murexdive.com
We are looking forward to welcoming you to one of our resorts very soon.
