Celebrating 38 Years of Exploration: The Murex Resorts Story
On 5 March 1988, the very first guests checked into what was then just a small dive resort on the shores of North Sulawesi. That moment marked the beginning of a journey that would span almost four decades to the present day; along the way, that resort would help put one of Indonesia’s most iconic diving regions on the map.
Now, 38 years later, Murex Resorts has grown into one of the region’s most respected dive operators, connecting divers from around the world to some of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth – from the coral walls of Bunaken to the critter-packed Lembeh Strait and the vibrant reefs of Bangka Island.
Despite many years of growth, the spirit of Murex remains unchanged: a family-centric passion for the ocean, exploration, and sharing North Sulawesi with the world.
A Vision Born in North Sulawesi
Murex Resorts was founded by Dr. Hanny “Hansie” Batuna, a pioneering diver, physician, and conservation advocate who recognized the extraordinary potential of North Sulawesi’s reefs long before the region came to fame in later years.
In the late 1980s, the dive sector in Indonesia was only just dipping its toes in the water. But Dr. Batuna had a clear vision for the future: Pristine reefs, dazzling biodiversity, and a location that would showcase the myriad wonders of the Coral Triangle.
With the opening of Murex Manado Resort in 1988, that vision came into focus. Just a few years later, another milestone would reinforce the importance of protecting these waters.
Protecting a Marine Treasure
In 1991, the Indonesian government officially established Bunaken National Marine Park, securing protection for a vast marine ecosystem of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows just offshore from our flagship resort in Manado.
Dr. Batuna and other local dive pioneers played an active role in advocating for the park’s creation, understanding early on that the long-term success of dive tourism depended on protection of the reefs themselves. Today, Bunaken remains one of the world’s most celebrated wall-diving destinations and a cornerstone of the North Sulawesi dive experience.
Building a Sustainable Dive Community
As diving in the region grew, collaboration became increasingly important. In 1998, Murex helped establish the North Sulawesi Watersports Association (NSWA) together with other resorts and marine scientists, including renowned conservationist Dr. Mark Erdmann.
The association was formed to promote responsible dive tourism, protect marine ecosystems, and foster cooperation between dive operators, local communities, and government authorities. It helped ensure the rapid growth of diving in the region remained firmly aligned with the principles of conservation and sustainability.
Expanding the North Sulawesi Dive Experience
As North Sulawesi’s reputation continued to grow, so too did Murex’s role and presence in the region. In 2001, operations began at the Critters@Lembeh dive center at Lembeh Resort, under the management of Murex’s co-owners, Angelique Batuna and Danny Charlton.
The next chapter in our story came with the development of Murex Bangka Resort, which introduced divers to a completely different underwater landscape; a wonderland of colorful soft corals reefs and dramatic pinnacles, bustling with marine biodiversity.
Together, these three locations offered divers an extraordinary range of underwater experiences within a single region.
Passport to Paradise: Three Worlds, One Trip
Recognizing the unique diversity and complementary potential of these three dive locations, Murex brought them together in a single, seamless dive adventure. We called it Passport to Paradise. On this unique, multi-destination dive program, Murex guests can explore three distinct marine environments, traveling between resorts by boat while diving along the way.
The tour allows divers to experience more than 150 dive sites and get a more comprehensive experience of North Sulawesi, from vertical coral walls and vibrant reefs to world-class muck diving; from cruising turtles and pelagics to corals and macro critters. Over the years, Passport to Paradise has become one of the most distinctive dive itineraries available anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Recognition for a Lifetime of Contribution
In 2014, Dr. Hanny Batuna passed away at the age of 76. Later that year, in recognition for his many contributions to diving and conservation in North Sulawesi, he was posthumously inducted into the Historical Diving Society during the Asian Dive Expo (ADEX).
Four years later, in 2018, Dr. Batuna was honored again with induction into the prestigious International Scuba Divers Hall of Fame, paying tribute to his pioneering role in introducing the world to North Sulawesi’s underwater wonders, and protecting them for future generations to explore and enjoy.
Expanding Conservation Partnerships
In recent years, we have continued to honor the wishes of our founding father, and keep his legacy alive, by deepening Murex’s commitment to marine conservation and community engagement. This dedication is reflected in our partnerships with organizations such as Ocean Gardener, which enables us to support coral propagation initiatives and the development of coral nurseries aimed at restoring damaged reef areas.
And this commitment is ongoing. Just last year, Murex also teamed up with the No Trash Triangle Initiative (NTTI) to help clean up North Sulawesi’s reefs and prevent land-based pollution from entering the ocean. Through our partnership with Child Aid Papua, we are also helping to broaden horizons, provide opportunities, and nurture the next generation of ocean protectors, evidenced through our ongoing Hospitality Internship Program.
Celebrating 38 Years of the Murex Family
Thirty-eight years after those first guests arrived in 1988, Murex Resorts has grown, developed and evolved into one of the premier dive operators in North Sulawesi. But despite all the changes, our core principles remain unchanged: Commitment to family, care for the community, and a shared love for the ocean. And it’s these characteristics that, over all these years, keep guests coming back for more at Murex.
As long as the reefs of North Sulawesi continue to inspire divers from around the world, new chapters to the Murex Resorts story will continue to be written — one dive at a time.
Want to add your own adventure to the Murex resorts story? Please get in touch to inquire about availability and begin planning your own personalized diving vacation in North Sulawesi, and make memories that will last for at least another 38 years!
