Bunaken, Indonesia: vitamin D, best months and travel guide
Marine park off North Sulawesi with sheer coral walls. Best for: divers, snorkellers.
The best months for vitamin D in Bunaken are May, July, September, October, when a full dose takes about 6 minutes at midday. Rainy or stormy in June and in August and from November to April.
Bunaken month by month
| Month | Rating | Sun window | Peak UV | Full dose, age 30 | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Bad weather | 7.1 h | 7.5 | 7 min | 28°C | 28/30 |
| February | Bad weather | 8.2 h | 8.9 | 6 min | 29°C | 26/30 |
| March | Bad weather | 8.3 h | 8.8 | 6 min | 29°C | 21/30 |
| April | Bad weather | 7.9 h | 8.5 | 6 min | 29°C | 20/30 |
| May | Excellent | 7.8 h | 8.0 | 7 min | 29°C | 16/30 |
| June | Bad weather | 6.7 h | 6.7 | 8 min | 29°C | 24/30 |
| July | Excellent | 6.8 h | 7.2 | 7 min | 29°C | 15/30 |
| August | Bad weather | 7.4 h | 7.7 | 7 min | 29°C | 19/30 |
| September | Excellent | 8.0 h | 8.6 | 6 min | 30°C | 6/30 |
| October | Excellent | 7.9 h | 8.5 | 6 min | 29°C | 15/30 |
| November | Bad weather | 8.0 h | 8.3 | 6 min | 29°C | 28/30 |
| December | Bad weather | 7.3 h | 7.8 | 7 min | 29°C | 29/30 |
Sun window is the number of hours a day with UV Index 2.5 or higher. Full dose is the minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm out of 30.
What to expect in Bunaken
Marine park off North Sulawesi with sheer coral walls. A dry season from April to October in Bali and Lombok, and a wet season of heavy showers from November to March. Roads are busy, and boat crossings can be rough in the rainy months.
In Bunaken afternoon highs average from 28°C in January to 30°C in September. The wettest month is December (about 29 rainy days out of 30) and the driest is September (6). Midday UV peaks at 8.9 in February, which is very strong, so protect your skin.
One of the best scuba diving destinations in Indonesia, if not the world (Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0)
More about Indonesia · Indonesia in September · Best places in September
Questions about Bunaken
When is the best time to visit Bunaken for vitamin D?
The best months for vitamin D in Bunaken are May, July, September, October, when a full dose takes about 6 minutes at midday.
What is the weather like in Bunaken?
Afternoon highs average from 28°C in January to 30°C in September. The wettest month is December, with about 29 rainy days out of 30.
Which months should I avoid in Bunaken?
For a beach stay, avoid the months when it is rainy or stormy in June and in August and from November to April.