lembeh dive trip

Diving Lembeh

WATER TEMPERATURE

Consistently 28 – 29 degrees. Cooler around September

On average 5-15m. Up to 25m at reef sites

Black sand muck diving with some combination and reef dive sites

Generally easy conditions with some currents/drifts at reef sites

TRAVEL TIME

5 – 15 minutes for muck dive sites from Lembeh Resort

CONSERVATION

Coral nurseries and reef restoration projects

DIVE GUIDE RATIO

Personal service and dedicated guides

KNOWLEDGABLE TEAM

Marine biology and underwater photography trained guides

Diving with Lembeh Resort

The Lembeh Strait’s sheer abundance of biodiversity and rare critters has led to it being named the “Critter Capital of the World” where every dive reveals countless unique marine species. If you want to see the weird and wonderful, and dive on the best muck diving sites in the world, then the Lembeh Strait needs to be on your bucket list.

Murex’s operations include the dive center at Lembeh Resort known as Critters at Lembeh. Lembeh Resort is a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort and on-site we offer highly trained, experienced Dive Guides, PADI Instructors, full-time Marine Biologists, and a Photo Pro available for consultations, advice, and photography courses.  Lembeh Resort is home to our Backscatter Authorized Photo Center and a spacious camera room. Private Guide and Private Boat services are also available.

Dive Schedule & Logistics

Day Trips from Murex Bangka : A day trip to Lembeh is a wonderful way to combine Bangka’s stunning reefs with Lembeh’s world-class muck dive sites. We offer full-day, 3 dive boat trips to the Lembeh Strait which includes lunch served on the boat, or at Lembeh Resort.

Day Trips from Murex Manado : A full day trip including transfer by road to Bitung on the banks of the Lembeh Strait (approx. 1.5hours) where you will join your dive boat. Make three dives in the Lembeh Strait with lunch at Lembeh Resort, before returning to Bitung to meet your driver and transfer back to Murex Manado.

Staying at Lembeh Resort: Stay in luxury at Lembeh Resort and dive the Lembeh Strait every day. We recommend combining a stay at Lembeh Resort with a stay at Murex Manado or Murex Bangka to ensure you see more of this stunning region and its underwater diversity. Take a Passport to Paradise and stay in all three locations with boat diving transfers and no wasted travel days or car journeys!

Highlights of Lembeh

Highlights of Lembeh dive sites include 8 different species of frogfish, 12 species of octopus, numerous crustacean species that cannot be found anywhere else on earth, 3 species of pygmy seahorse, countless nudibranch species and new discoveries are continuously being made. Some of Lembeh’s most iconic species include the hairy frogfish, Pontohi pygmy seahorse, wonderpus and mimic octopus, mandarinfish, rhinopias scorpionfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, blue ring octopus, Banggai cardinalfish and the list goes on.

Lembeh’s classic muck sites feature gentle slopes of volcanic sand scattered with bits of debris, sponge, algae or rubble. Lembeh will convince you that the most beautiful animals are sometimes seen in the strangest habitats!

Lembeh also offers many combination sites which are a mix of muck and reef diving but if muck is not your thing don’t worry because Lembeh also has stunning reefs, vibrant corals and intriguing topographies.

Night, Bonfire and Blackwater dives are highlights not be missed!!

Dive Boats in Lembeh

Murex dive boats are purpose-built for your comfort, safety and to deliver a smooth ride. With 7 boats in our fleet, which range in size, we are able to offer flexible schedules and cater for private boat options as well as for larger groups of families and friends.

All boats are operated by experienced captains and deckhands. For photographers, there is plenty of space for cameras and our crew are used to handling photography equipment.

Long ladders make exiting the water easier, if you prefer to take your equipment off in the water, our crew are ready to assist.

Facilities onboard include

• Shaded areas and sundeck
• Toilet onboard
• Long ladder and non-slip steps
• Individual tank racks & gear space
• Freshwater box for cameras
• Hot & cold refreshments
• Personal towels for guests
• First aid kit & oxygen
• Spare equipment & comms devices
• Life jackets

Lembeh Strait Dive Sites

Lembeh Resort House Reef

Access: Shore | Dive Type: Muck & Reef | Depth: 25 meters | Current: Mild to Medium | Visibility: 5-15 meters

The beautiful Lembeh Resort House Reef is just a step off the small beach in front of the resort and you’ll immediately be amazed by the underwater diversity. From black sand to bommies, reef and marine biology structures there is no shortage of things to look at. Marine species are also incredibly diverse here and constantly changing throughout the year. Nudibranch are common all year round along with pipefish, ribbon eels, crustaceans and batfish. Seasonally you can expect to see frogfish and cephalopods. Night dives here are not to be missed!

Access: Boat | Dive Type: Reef, Wall & Rubble | Depth: 25 meters | Current: None to Medium | Visibility: 10-20 meters

One of the most popular sites in the Strait, Nudi Falls gets its name from a story of divers’ bubbles causing nudibranchs to fall off the wall above and drift down. It consists of a beautiful sheer wall with a rocky slope below, then a sandy slope, leveling out into the main channel of rubble sprouting a deep forest of large soft corals. Scenically, this site is unlike any other in the Strait. Look out for: Goniobranchus kuniei, Nembrotha rutilans, Nembrotha kubaryana, Thecacera picta, Giant frogfish, Cowrie shells and Pinnate batfish

Access: Boat | Dive Type: Muck | Depth: 30 meters | Current: Very mild | Visibility: 15 meters

As you listen to the briefing for this Lembeh dive and look at the site map you may feel a sense of déjà vu. The muck diving site has a gentle slope, black sand, patches of rubble, a few sunken logs. Hairball, however, often emerges as a king among kings in the Lembeh Strait.

Commonly spotted species include: Hairy frogfish, Lembeh hairy frogfish, Common seahorse, Roughsnout ghost pipefish, Carrying crab, Wunderpus octopus, Napoleon and snake eels.

Retak Larry

Access: Boat | Dive Type: Muck | Depth: 30 meters | Current: None to Mild | Visibility: 5-15 meters

This is one of the lesser-known sites in the Lembeh Strait, but it is one of our favorites! A black sand site with a small stand of healthy coral in the shallows. It was named after one of the first divers to explore the site, Larry Smith. Some of the most frequently spotted critters here are Common seahorses, Coconut octopus, Rough box crab, Broadclub Cuttlefish, Malibe sp (nudibranch) and Roughsnout ghost pipefish.

TK 1, 2 & 3

Access: Boat | Dive Type: Muck | Depth: 22 meters | Current: Mild | Visibility: 5-15 meters

TK 1, 2 and 3 are short for Teluk Kembahu. “Teluk” means bay and Kembahu is the name of the nearby village. It’s an excellent muck site with a sandy slope that starts at 5 meters and continues down to about 22 meters. Patches of rope-sponges attract a variety of marine life as well as some small coral heads in the shallows.

Mimic octopus are a highlight here, along with Wunderpus octopus, Coconut octopus, Ornate ghost pipefish and Cockatoo waspfish.

Angel’s Window

Access: Boat | Dive Type: Reef & Drop Off | Depth: 25 meters | Current: Mild to Medium | Visibility: 15-20 meters

A twin-peaked coral pinnacle comes within a meter of the surface. A large cave offers a swim-through for divers on the deep end of the pinnacle. This site got its name from the sunlight that shines through the cave opening in the early morning. One side is a coral slope leveling out onto a plateau at 15 meters and on the other side is drop off with a swim through (the window) at 22 meters.

Highlights include Tuberculatus Xeno crab, Pygmy seahorse bargibanti, Pontohi Pygmy seahorse, Twin-spot lionfish, Robust ghost pipefish, Green shrimp and Hairy shrimps.

Are you ready for the diving trip of a lifetime?

KEEP IN TOUCH

Dive, Snorkel and Explore More with us in beautiful North Sulawesi.

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Lembeh Resort

Destination: Indonesia

North lembeh, pintukota, lembeh utara, kota bitung, sulawesi utara 95500 | full-board + 2 dives from $266/ppn.

Lembeh Resort Quick Pitch

Lembeh Resort is nestled away in a private cove with a wealth of exotic flora and fauna in a central part of Lembeh Island. The secluded location of the resort ensures a quiet and tranquil experience, while the warmhearted team offers service with a smile to make certain that your experience of Lembeh will be the best that it possibly can be. The cottages are charming, spacious, and comfortable with a wealth of modern amenities. Lembeh Resort is committed to delivering North Sulawesi hospitality at its best and making guests' stay enjoyable and memorable both above and below the water.

Quick Information 

• No of Rooms: 20
• Dive Center: On-site
• Amenities: AC, ensuite bathrooms, restaurant, bar, pool, spa, on-site photo pro, stocked mini-bar, Nitrox
• WiFi: Yes, free
• Nearest International Airport: Sam Ratulangi International Airport
• Airport shuttle: Yes, surcharge

Accommodations - Resort Facilities - Packages & Rates

Dive Information - Dive Center Facilities  -  Other Information - Underwater Gallery

How to Get There

To get to North Sulawesi, fly into Manado International airport which is serviced four times per week by Silk Air, (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat) direct from Singapore. There are also several daily non-stop flights from Jakarta and services from Bali. Once arrived, guests are picked up and transferred to Lembeh Resort are carried out using the resort’s comfortable air-conditioned vehicles. Transfers from Manado Airport take approximately 90 minutes by road, followed by a short 10-minute boat journey to the resort. For guests staying at another location in North Sulawesi before visiting Lembeh Resort, a point-to-point transfer will be arranged by the resort.

Dive Overview

The Lembeh Strait is widely recognized by marine biologists as having the Worlds highest concentration of rare and unusual marine life. The practice of Muck-Diving, also known as Critter-Diving, began in Lembeh Strait in the mid-nineties when marine biologists started to explore the black sand slopes of Lembeh Strait to identify the amazing diversity of animals that inhabit the underwater realm of Lembeh Strait. Today, 20 years later, divers who enjoy both macro as well as wide-angle underwater photography travel from all over the world to experience this magical place in North Sulawesi.

[Read More: Lembeh Dive Travel Guide ]

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Accommodations

Types of rooms, amenities and photos, lembeh resort accommodation overview.

Guests of Lembeh Resort have a choice of 3 different categories of accommodations, Deluxe Ocean View Cottages, Garden View Rooms, and Cliffside Villa. Due to Lembeh Resorts' remote tropical island location, accommodations come with a full board meal plan – 3 sumptuous meals daily, along with snacks, coffee, & tea. Rooms are equipped with:

• 24 hours electricity
• Air-condition
• Complimentary tea, coffee & mineral water
• Complimentary refillable aluminum water bottle
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• King Size bed (all rooms can be set as a double or twin)
• Resort information folder

Cliffside Villa

The fully air-conditioned one-bedroom villa offers a spacious lounge with an espresso machine, minibar, flatscreen TV, and a comfortable desk. The bedroom has floor-to-ceiling windows, a kingsize canopy bed and is through sliding doors connected to an elegantly decorated bathroom with two sinks, one indoor shower as well as one Balinese style open-air shower from which one can directly access one of the pool-side sundecks. The two sundecks and one covered veranda offer privacy and 180° panoramic views of volcanoes, sunsets, and the calm waters of Lembeh Strait. The large 27m2 infinity pool offers the best spot in the resort to enjoy a leisurely swim or a chilled sundowner cocktail with a loved one.

The Cliffside Villa offers the “Standard room features” plus the following features:

• Private infinity pool (3x9m)
• 1 bedroom, 1 living room, 1 bathroom, 1 sun deck, 1 patio, 1 balcony
• 1 outside shower
• 1 inside shower
• Air conditioning & ceiling fan
• Flat-screen TV and Blue Tooth Speaker
• Nespresso machine & French press
• Cookies, tea, 1 complimentary bottle of wine
• First fully stocked minibar is complimentary
• Butler service
• Room service
• Room-to-Room telephone

Luxury Cottages

These beautiful cottages provide a slice of tropical living with their semi-open-air bathrooms and modern amenities. Our cottages are designed to ensure that you experience Lembeh with a touch of luxury. All cottages offer stunning sea views and offer spacious living with large double beds, sofas, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Enjoy the dramatic sunsets over the Strait from your verandah after a day of diving.

The Luxury Cottages offer the “Standard room features” plus the following features:

• Ocean Views
• Ceiling fan
• Semi open-air bathrooms
• All Luxury Cottages can hold an extra bed, four are suite-style and suitable for quad-share

Garden View Rooms

Constructed in 2012, the Garden View Rooms are located close to the restaurant and Dive Center and are nestled in lush tropical gardens. Wander along the groomed walkways or just sit back and relax on the verandah and enjoy the tropical sounds, local fauna, and flora that the Garden View Rooms offer. These rooms are perfect for single travelers or those guests with a smaller budget.

The Garden View Rooms offer the “Standard room features” plus the following features:

• Fully enclosed bathrooms
• Garden views
• Note: Garden View Rooms can hold maximum 2 guests

Resort Facilities

Restaurant & Bar

Pool & Spa

Lembeh Resort Features

• Restaurant & bar
• Dive center
• Photo center

Lembeh Resort Food & Drinks

All-inclusive meals featuring international and local cuisine. 

Lembeh Resort Activities

• Cooking class
• Land excursions & tour  

Packages & Rates

Lembeh resort rates.

accommodation rates

All rates are in USD and per person. Valid from April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025.

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diving RATES

accommodation & DIVING RATES

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• Roundtrip airport transfers
• Breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Morning & afternoon snacks
• Free-flow mineral water
• Free-flow brewed coffee & tea
• Wi-Fi throughout the property
• Welcome drink & fruits
• All taxes & fees
• 1 free unguided house reef dive per day

RATES & AVAILABILITY 

For information on rates, availability and to book, drop us an email at [email protected] or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation! 

Dive Information

The resort follows a policy of “Dive as You Like”. Guests can take three boat dives one day, and two morning dives on the house reef plus a night dive the next. Lembeh offers a flexible dive schedule determined by their guests. The dive center has an optimal location in the middle of Lembeh Strait and there are about 35 sites are accessible by boat in 15 minutes or less. Lembeh Resort’s dive center offers a variety of dive opportunities every day:

• Guided house reef dives any time early morning until late night
• Guided boat dives at 08:00 / 10:45 / 14:30
• Guided Mandarin Fish boat dive at 16:45
• Guided night dive at 18:30
• A guided late-night dive (after 20:00)
• Self-guided house reef dives are available any time

Muck Diving in Lembeh

The “Critter Capital of the World”, a “Muck Diving Mecca”, and the “Twilight Zone” are just a few of the names that have been given to Lembeh over the years – but is it really that good? Absolutely. Lembeh is famous for having the world’s best macro and critter diving for good reason and Lembeh “muck” is probably the most famous “muck” in the world!

Lembeh isn’t just home to frogfish, it’s home to 8 different species of frogfish, 12 species of octopus, numerous crustacean species that cannot be found anywhere else on earth, 3 species of pygmy seahorse, countless numbers of nudibranch species, and new finds and discoveries are continuously being made. Some of Lembeh’s most iconic species include the Hairy Frogfish, Pontohi Pygmy Seahorse, Wunderpus, Mandarin Fish, Mimic Octopus, Rhinopias Scorpionfish, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Blue Ring Octopus, and the list goes on – take a look at our Critter Log to see the weird, wonderful, and bizarre species that await you.

Muck diving is at its best in Lembeh, where the sheer abundance of biodiversity and unique critters is greater than it is anywhere else; every dive reveals countless “special finds!” The particular excitement in muck diving lies in finding rare, camouflaged, and breathtakingly beautiful critters in the strangest of places. For beginners, the marine life found by your guide is simply intriguing, unique, and downright weird all at once. For more experienced divers, the exhilaration of making “special finds” for yourself gives a rush of adrenaline that can’t be matched. And for underwater photographers, a great photograph speaks many millions of words.

Muck diving offers something for everyone and it develops unparalleled attention to detail like no other style of diving can: With nothing to distract, the smallest of details begin to surface. That’s why when we muck dive we go at a slow pace and look to find the most camouflaged and often smallest of critters. Slow and relaxed diving also offers you the opportunity to observe and photograph the wondrous marine life that our expert-trained dive guides are so adept at finding.

Going slowly also allows us to witness fascinating and often quite hilarious behavior, such as an irate blue-ring octopus flashing its rings at a sand-perch that has just landed on an octopus’ head or a flamboyant cuttlefish stalking, catching, and eating its shrimp prey.

Lembeh’s classic muck sites feature gentle slopes of volcanic sand scattered with bits of debris, sponge, algae or rubble. If you aren’t already in the know, Lembeh will convince you that the most beautiful animals are sometimes seen in the strangest habitats!

We also have many combination dive sites within minutes of the resort that offer the best of muck diving together with lovely corals in the shallows, perfect for enjoying a leisurely safety stop

We spend quite a lot of time between 18-22 meters (60-75 feet), so Nitrox is ideal, and Enriched Air Nitrox courses are also available on-site.

Due to Lembeh’s protected location, diving is good year-round, seas are always calm and most dives have little to no current. Lembeh diving is suitable for all levels; from beginner to the most experienced diver, you will certainly see something you have never seen before!

Wide-Angle Diving

Although we often return to the dive center in between the two-morning dives to offer maximum flexibility and convenience for our divers, we also offer some double-dive morning excursions that depart at 8:00 and return at lunchtime. These excursions allow us to explore a little further afield and sample some of Lembeh’s stunning coral reefs. The Lembeh Strait sits in the heart of the Coral Triangle – this area boasts the widest range of marine species and coral diversity of anywhere else on Earth. It is no wonder that some of our favorite reef sites such as California Dreaming, Angel’s Window, and Batu Kapal are just as famous as our muck diving slopes! Lembeh’s reef dive sites boast healthy coral, blue water, and a host of different critters to those found on the black sand sites.

Pygmy seahorses decorate the fans, allied cowries are nestled on the soft corals and you’ll find a host of different nudibranchs and flatworms.

If you want to focus on bigger fish and reef scapes, then these sites also offer excellent wide-angle photography opportunities. During surface intervals, depending on the location chosen, you can enjoy cruising through mangroves or just relaxing with a hot beverage, fresh fruit, and snacks.

Passport to Paradise

Passport to Paradise is a unique diving experience that allows you to explore three distinct diving destinations in one trip. 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. North Sulawesi is a diver’s paradise situated in the heart of the coral triangle. Imagine 500 species of coral, more than 3,000 species of fish, 6 out of the 7 world turtle species, a migratory route for over 30 species of marine mammals, and home to more than one-third of all whale and dolphin species.

You’ll explore Bunaken Marine Park which is home to some of Indonesia’s best wall diving sites, Bangka Island which offers such an explosion of color it will leave you spellbound and the Lembeh Strait which has the undisputed best muck diving in the world.

Dive Center Information

Dive Boat (LEFT) & Camera Room (RIGHT)  

Lembeh Resort Dive Center Overview

The resort’s dive center – Critters@LembehResort – is a fully operating facility. Each diver has its own spacious, personal locker area with drying pegs for boots and hangers for suits and BCs. There are long benches for kitting-up and a briefing area with big whiteboards to help you plan your diving program and keep an eye on the day’s events.

Dive Center Features

Before your first dive of the day, your gear will be loaded onto the boat and assembled ready to use. After your last dive of the day, dive valets will see that your equipment is carried, rinsed with fresh water, and properly stored. Wetsuits are washed in special soap every two or three days or on request, and after the last dive of your trip. There are dedicated rinse tanks for cameras, dive gear, and wetsuits.

A full range of high-quality dive equipment (AquaLung, Suunto, Intova, and others) is available for rent. Additionally, you can rent a torch/flashlight for a night dive, or a special U/V light for viewing luminescent critters and coral – a must-try if you have never seen this before!

The Genus Bar is located just next to the Dive Center where you can relax in or out of your wetsuit, enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee, and peruse our library of dive magazines and identification books. A great place to chat with fellow divers as well as Lembeh’s professional guides and marine biologists who can help identify those critters captured in pixels.

All resort dive boats are custom-built with divers’ comfort and convenience in mind. There are amply padded areas for your camera and hooks and storage areas for dive accessories. All boats are covered for protection from the sun and have a toilet, emergency oxygen, first-aid kits, and lifejackets. Lembeh staff is trained every year in CPR, first aid, and emergency rescue procedures.

All boats are fully equipped with spare tanks and spare dive equipment as well as towels, drinking water, fresh fruit, and candies. Dive boats are also equipped with hot water for coffee or tea as well as snacks and biscuits.

Lembeh Strait is the premier muck diving destination in Indonesia for divers who love not only critter diving, but also underwater photography, macro photography, and wide-angle photography. Cameras@Lembeh Resort is the first and only dedicated photo & video center in Lembeh Strait with full-time on-site photo professionals.

The photo center was started in 2010 by renowned Photo Pro Steve Fish and is currently operated by Sascha Janson. An expert in all types of underwater photography, Sascha has years of experience and can provide instruction and equipment repairs in all areas. He is originally from Germany but has worked and lived in Indonesia for nearly 10 years. Sascha is available for critiques, photo coaching to help you solve problems with your photo equipment or improve your technique to capture unforgettable images from your macro diving adventures in Lembeh Strait.

A wide range of underwater photography and video equipment is available for rent at the photo center. If you have a problem with a balky piece of gear, repairs are available onsite. Small parts can even be fabricated with our 3D printer to replace broken, lost, or forgotten pieces.

Other Information

Practical information.

• Electricity: 220 V
• Time zone: UTC+8
• Languages: Indonesian, English, Spanish, German, Japanese, Italian & French
• Accept Credit Cards?: Yes, VISA, MasterCard & American Express

GOT QUESTIONS? READY TO BOOK?

Call us today at +1-310-915-6677 or email us  [email protected]

And let us book your dream vacation!

Underwater Gallery

Reviews (8)

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Lembeh Resort has it all! Access to great muck diving, a first class dive operation, beautiful rooms, a courteous staff in the resort, and the kitchen, and terrific food. We stayed in a well appointed Hillside villa, and enjoyed beautiful sunsets every evening. Beds in the room were very comfortable, and everything was tastefully decorated. The food was a great combination of Indonesian and western food, with lots of choices for vegetables and fruits, and a good vegetarian selection every day. I took a cooking class with Rusyani and April, and this was a lot of fun. I learned to make three Indonesian specialties. I also did a massage and pedicure, and these were great, but their spa is closed for renovation, so it was done in the room. I think this service will be great when they can move back into the spa facility. The dive operation might actually be separate, but it is the resort dive operation, so I will review it as well. We had one of the best dive masters, David, I have ever had in my years of diving. He had a terrific eye for finding the small stuff, and his knowledge of the scientific name of every, single creature we encountered was astounding. He filled a small plastic slate with the names of the creatures every dive. Great photography opportunities here. Every day we saw frogfish, octopus, and lots of nudibranchs, pipefish, and shrimp. We did see the pygmy seahorse as well. The boats were good, with plenty of room, and the diving teams, divers to guide ratio was very good. Usually 2-4 divers per guide. We were a bit disappointed in the house reef, and only did one dive there, but the boat dives were terrific. Very nice place, with a lot to offer divers wanting to see the little stuff.

I have visited Lembeh Resort a few times and each time it did not disappoint. When you arrive after a long day of travel, you are greeted by friendly staff offering cold water and cold wet towels to cool down and freshen up prior to the boat crossing. The accommodations, diving, food, camera room-with plenty of clean towels to service your gear, are all anyone could ask for in order to have a great dive vacation. Don't forget to do a few night dives as you get to see even more variety of critters.

• Top Reviewer

Lembeh Resort is a beautiful, high-end resort for divers. It is designed with respect for nature in mind and the rooms are built around the trees and vegetation. The practices are eco-friendly, with no plastic bottles on the premises and minimal waste. Rooms are comfortable and clean. The staff is very friendly and well trained. The food is plentiful but I thought it was so so.

The dive operation, Critters@Lembeh , is professionally run and is a high quality operation. The dive guides are truly excellent – they are very knowledgeable about the local species, try hard to find good subjects, and are passionate about what they do. The boats all run smoothly and you don’t have to worry about carrying anything yourself or setting up your own gear as they do that all for you. The camera room is great, with individual table space for each photographer. There is plenty of room for gear, accessories, and battery charging. Between the dive operation and camera room, Lembeh Resort takes care of all of a serious underwater photographer’s needs. But perhaps the most differentiated aspect of the resort for photographers is the fact that they have a photo pro, Sascha Janson, based there full-time. I found him invaluable for his advice, local knowledge, and resourcefulness in dealing with camera issues.

Marine life in the Lembeh strait is legendary. There is an incredible abundance and diversity of critters living among the lush reefs and black sands. This includes all types of reef fish, cephalopods, crustaceans, sea slugs, etc. It is a good place to search for rare critters such as the blue ring octopus, rhinopias, stargazer, frogfish, etc. Most of the marine life in Lembeh is small. It is rare to see large fish or pelagics.

Excellent resort and dive operation. Seperate companies so will get two bills at the end. All the dive sites were within 15 minutes of the resort. Had dives at 8, 10 ish and 2:30 ish after Lunch about 1 pm or so. Breakfast and Lunch buffets were great and dinner was ordering off a menu that changed daily. Foot was always great. Night diving on request at about 6:30 pm. Went twice & was easily the best night dives I have ever done. Was very impressed with the dive guides and the dive operations. Have 5 boats that can handle about 10 divers each but had much less when I was there.

House reef was a good option if hanging around resort or trying out camera equipment. Lots of Nudi's there.

Macro critters at all the dive sites were fabulous and plentiful. All kinds of Nudibranchs, flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish of all types, pygmy seahorses, ghostpipefish---you name it & chances are they have it all!

Ana and Miguel were great hosts and managers of this resort. Pickup and transfers from the airport and the other resort at Bunnaken were punctual and no hassles. I am already planning a return trip back.

Rooms very nice on the hill. Bit of a hike with a great view as reward or ask for a room not far up the hill. the dives at 8 am were a great civil time---not so early. Sacha and the photo shop there was great & he can fashion many parts using his custom 3-D printer.

Overall a very nice resort and a very professional dive operation.

When we finally arrived in Manado at nearly midnight, we were greeted by Roy, who handed us bottles of water and cold towels to refresh ourselves us with. When we got to the resort around 1am, they had put together some sandwiches and fruit for us. This level of attention to detail was only the beginning of a fantastic stay. The next morning the staff greeted us by name, and the dive staff got our equipment ready for our 8am dive. And what a dive it was….I know we were lucky, but two hairy frog fish on our first dive! Amazing! This was just the start of a series of amazing dives and service from our new friends at Critters @ Lembeh. The personal touches here are just amazing. Once the staff knew how I liked my coffee, I never had to ask again! Our dive guides asked what kind of critters we were interested in, so we targeted particular sites. We also got to meet the management of the resort and dive center, and I am glad that we did. What a great group of people, incredibly helpful and dedicated to making our stay fantastic! I was really impressed with this organization on so many levels, the friendliness of all of the staff, their dedication to the environment, their dedication to allowing all of the employees learn to dive, and letting their employees grow within the organization. This is really a top-notch place. What can I say, the diving is fantastic, the people are fantastic, and most likely, if you are like me, you will leave with an entire group of incredibly awesome new friends! I cannot wait to come back!

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Dive Into Lembeh

Muck Diving Heaven

“DIVE INTO LEMBEH” i s nestled in Kasawari bay and has its own resort, located on the main land of the Lembeh strait, Indonesia - a true macro photographer’s paradise- just off the north east coast of Sulawesi and is famous for its “ muck diving ” on black volcanic sand critter infested coral reefs. The resort is located at the northern end of the strait out of sight of Bitung harbor in the south, offering unspoiled views of Lembeh island.

Muck diving is all about spotting weird and wonderful underwater critters, species that you would normally not find during a regular dive.

Diving in the Lembeh strait means you are diving with a guide who is trained to show you species such as frog fish, hairy frog fish, mimic octopus, blue ringed octopus, banded sea snake, mandarin fish, orangutan crabs, mantis shrimps and many other critters that are hiding on the black volcanic sand, amongst patches of rubble and coral.

“Dive into Lembeh” has nine sea view private bungalows -all in the same category.

All of our rooms are equipped with tv, air conditioning, ceiling fan, mini bar, safe and a five gallon water dispenser for hot and cold water. We are also the only resort in Sulawesi where every cottage comes with ac private Japanese style stone hot tub and the best thing is, we have two of the most famous dive sites in Lembeh (called “Hairball and Aw Shucks”) as a house reef!

We also have an open air restaurant and fully stocked bar offer great views of Lembeh Strait. We also have a beach side fire pit area where our guests can hang out and swap diving stories in the evenings. Our swimming pool is fresh water. Our fully equipped Dive Center has Lembeh's largest camera room. 

Come Lembeh

Lembeh info.

Manado airport, the international gateway to North Sulawesi is called Sam Ratulangi airport (code MDC) and is situated an approximate 90 minute drive from our resort at Dive into Lembeh.

MDC airport is reachable by direct flight from Singapore, Jakarta, Bali, Makassar and Sorong (the gateway to Raja Ampat).

Our recommended route is to use Singapore Airlines ( www.singaporeair.com ) and its regional carrier Silk Air. Singapore Airlines offers an extra 10 kg for diving equipment and this courtesy is also extended on Silk Air. Silk Air flies 4 times a week to MDC (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday).

Flights arriving from Europe and the USA arrive early enough in Singapore to allow you to connect direct with the Silk Air flight. Singapore Air offers great stopover deals in Singapore if you would like to break up your trip. Check out the link here:  http://singaporeair.com/en_UK/special-offers/singapore-stopover-holiday/

The other reliable option is to come via Jakarta. Garuda and Batik airlines both offer several direct daily flights to Manado. For booking internal Indonesian flight we can recommend using the flight portal www.nusatrip.com . If you need more advice on booking internal flights then please contact us on info [at] diveintolembeh [dot] com .

Quiet, spacious and all on one level, the perfect gateway to all Lembeh has to offer

Incredible Diving

Muck Diving Heaven in the Capital of Macro Diving

Delightful Resort

Great food, lovely rooms, AC, Beautiful Pool, By the Sea, Hot Tubs and lovely and quiet

Nature resort on Lembeh Island

Macro life paradise

Located on the most beautiful part of Lembeh Island, Divers Lodge Lembeh Resort is a haven for divers. Our resort is ideally situated between the Lembeh Strait and Sulawesi Sea, surrounded by a protected forest. Just an hour and fifteen minutes away from the Manado Airport, Divers Lodge Lembeh offers a unique and unforgettable diving experience.

A Diver’s Dream Within All Budgets

At Divers Lodge Lembeh Resort, we’ve been making diver’s dreams come true since 2002 . Our founders, Linda and Rob, along with their children Adrian and Indah, and their two pet dogs Cantik and Ganteng, live permanently at the resort. They warmly welcome you as their personal guests. Each and every bungalow and the restaurant offer a great view at the sea, forest and mountains . Our experienced guides are happy to help you to spot the most amazing critters, and our private guides and unlimited dive time guarantees you can take all the time you want. Our custom-built boats are spacious and have everything you need – towels, water, tea, coffee, snacks, and safety equipment.

Diving In Lembeh Strait

Lembeh Strait is known for its unique diving spots, featuring volcanic sandy bottoms, coral gardens, walls, and even shipwrecks. Our strategic location provides easy access to over fifty dive sites, each offering a unique glimpse into the underwater world.

Distinguished for its abundance of unique macro critters. This includes an extraordinary range of nudibranchs, hairy frogfish, ghost pipefish, and rare species such as the blue-ringed octopus. These critters provide an exceptional experience for divers, especially those interested in macro photography.

You can find out more in our diving page: Diving Lembeh Strait

Dive Guides

Every diver at Divers Lodge Lembeh, whether solo or in a buddy team of two, is provided with a guide at no additional cost.

For extra personalized attention, divers can opt for additional guides at a reasonable surcharge. This flexibility is ideal for solo divers who prefer two guides or groups wanting a lower diver-to-guide ratio.

Furthermore, every guide in Divers Lodge Lembeh has made at least 500 dives and gained extensive experience working with underwater photographers.

Below is a short movie made by Marcelo Johan Ogata during his time at Divers Lodge Lembeh. We thank him for this footage! Enjoy.

Private Boat, Always

Our boats are designed by divers and built for diving. We offer private boats for all guests, whether you come alone, with your spouse, buddy, or group of friends. You can create your own schedule, decide when and where to dive, and dive without time limits, as long as it is within the safety standards of no decompression diving.

If you meet new friends and want to share the boat and costs, we will adjust the schedule accordingly. The cost for this unique service is IDR 1,200,000 per day, per boat, in addition to the number of dives you make. Our rates are lower than any other dive resorts you will find.

For more information about our dive boats, please visit our Dive Boats page.

Culture & Nature Exploration

Our resort provides expertly guided day trips to interesting destinations in North Sulawesi. Explore the natural beauty and cultural richness of Tangkoko National Park and the Minahassa Highlands, and local villages on Lembeh Island. For a more leisurely experience, we also offer stable kayaks for personal use at the bay of Walenekoko.

You can find out more in our North Sulawesi Tours pages: Tangkoko National Park , Batu Angus , Minahasa Highlands and more.

Experience Beautiful Nature, Privacy & Comfortable Living

Divers Lodge Lembeh is surrounded by 25 hectares of tropical nature reserve and only 4 percent of it, is used by the resort itself. The resort is a true butterfly paradise and over the years more and more birds made it their home. Tarsier Spectrum (very small primates), Civets and Monitor lizards are permanent residents here.

Our bungalows are well-spaced, ensuring plenty of privacy and each with a private balcony that offers spectacular sea views of Lembeh Strait and Walenekoko Bay. The neat and spacious rooms have western-style bathrooms, excellent beds, hot showers, and free laundry service, ensuring you have a comfortable stay. Air conditioning is installed in a few of our larger bungalows, although we believe it’s unnecessary. All of our Bungalows features Wi-Fi coverage upon request via network extenders. Prices start from IDR 875,000 per night, per person, on a full board basis.

The photos below were taken from Bungalow Soa-Soa and Bungalow Musang.  Detailed descriptions and photos of each bungalow can be found in our Bungalows page.

Restaurant & Lounge

The kitchen of Divers Lodge Lembeh is keeping up her reputation of freshly prepared, tasty and healthy meals. The Indonesian dishes really taste Indonesian, without being too spicy. Instead of the traditional frying of the vegetables we also serve them steamed.  There is extra home-made sambal for the guests who like it “very hot”.  Pastas, potatoes and home-made bread  are served to offer an alternative for rice and noodles.  We do not use MSG and palm oil in our kitchen and all food is Halal.  Of course we also cater for vegetarians, vegans and guests with other special dietary requirements . Have a look at our cuisine page to get a taste of our dishes.

Free wireless internet is available (24h) at the restaurant, lounge and open deck area. You also will find a collection books and identification guides here. A high quality OLED screen can be used to watch movies

Starlink & Fast Internet

As of June 2024 we are proud to announce that we now feature a new Wi-Fi network using Starlink. For the convenience of guests who would prefer a consistent and fast network ensuring easy downloading and uploading. In addition our Bungalows also features extenders upon request which use Starlink’s network however there are noticeable packet losses. For the best network speed it is better to connect to Starlink directly at the Restaurant & Lounge.

Divers Lodge Lembeh Resort: Dive Requirements & Rules

To ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests, we have certain rules in place:

-Our restaurant maintains a smoke-free environment, additionally, smoking is prohibited in boat cabins, bungalows, and any area where others may be exposed to secondhand smoke. We prioritize the health and comfort of all our guests.

-Do not touch anything that is alive and do not encourage guides to do this while diving.

-No dives deeper than 30 meters

-No dives which need decompression stops.

-To dive with us, you should be at least 15 years old and have a certificate from an internationally recognized organization. We do not offer courses at Divers Lodge Lembeh.

Divers Lodge Lembeh Resort: Booking

Booking your holidays with Divers Lodge Lembeh is easier than your daily shopping! No deposit, No cancellation fee. Pay when you Check Out . Just send an email to [email protected] . 

Credit cards are not an option to pay at the moment. You can pay cash in Indonesian Rupiah, USD or EUR or by internet banking (by WISE, our account in the Netherlands or Indonesia). If you plan to use the WISE app, we suggest you set up your account before arriving in Indonesia.

Apart from a few high quality travel agencies, we do not cooperate with any online-booking agency.  This is one reason why our rates our lower than at other places. Please let us know if you prefer to make your reservation through an agency and we will advise you accordingly.

Divers Lodge Lembeh Resort: Contact Details

Email: [email protected] Phone: +62 8124433754 (Rob & Linda – English, Nederlands, Deutsch, Bahasa Indonesia)

Sampai jumpa (see you soon)!

We regret to inform you that we had no other option but to close our Weda Resort at Halmahera. The impact on nature from exponentially growing industrial activities has made Eco-tourism in the area unfeasible for the time being. However, our foundation will continue its educational initiatives and kindergarten programs. If you stay with us, you directly contribute to our education and conservation projects.

Watch some of the shows made for Indonesian television by Rob and Linda and their team! Subscribe to YouTube channel Rob Sinke

Website Updated 8 June 2024

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Lembeh Resort

Indonesia ( sulawesi ).

Lembeh Resort in North Sulawesi, is located on secluded Lembeh Island, just a 90 minute drive from Manado plus a 10 minute boat ride.

What began as a small resort in December 2002, with initial three guest cottages overlooking Lembeh Strait, is now one of the premier resorts in the area. Today, the resort boasts 13 deluxe ocean view cottages, 6 garden view rooms and a stunning Cliffside Suite.

Lembeh Resort  in conjunction with Fly & Sea Dive Adventures, is offering a loyalty program for repeat guests! Book your second visit to the resort with us now and you’ll receive a resort credit voucher to use on Nitrox, bar drinks, private guide, spa, night dives, gift shop or even photo courses & camera. The value of the voucher depends on your next dive package.  For example, book a 7 night/17 dive Nitrox package and receive a voucher valued at more than $100! This is our way of saying “Thanks!”

Accommodation

At Lembeh Resort you have a choice of beautifully appointed rooms: Luxury Ocean view Cottages, Garden view rooms or the exclusive  Cliffside Suite.  All guest rooms include 24 hour electricity, free WiFi, en-suite bathroom with hot water, air-conditioning, king-size bed or twin beds, wardrobe, table and chair, dispenser for cold as well as hot drinking water, complimentary tea & coffee, mini-bar and electronic safe.

Luxury Ocean View Cottages The very spacious Luxury Cottages are fully detached and located along the front resort gardens which are directly behind the waterline.  Completely rebuilt, the luxury cottages are project a sense of harmony and balance. While still providing all necessary comforts, such as air conditioning, the cottages draw on solar energy and are thermally insulated to be as energy efficient as possible.  The cottages include a semi open-air bathroom complete with rainfall shower and small palm gardens.  Guests staying in a Luxury Cottage can enjoy the beautiful sea view from the private veranda.  Two cottages are adjoining, making them suitable for families or friends travelling together.

Cliffside Suite The Cliffside Suite is perched on the green hillside and boasts a 180 degree view. It comes with a private swimming pool and butler service. Surrounded by colourful gardens, it is perfect for those wanting a more exclusive experience, such as a private candlelight dinner.

Garden View Rooms The Garden View Rooms are located close to the Restaurant and Dive Center and are surrounded by and enjoy views of the tropical gardens. They have shared verandahs with the rooms next to them. These rooms are perfect for single travelers or those persons with a smaller budget.

Restaurant & Bar

The full day menu ensures you have a wide selection of international & Indonesian cuisine. Breakfast is usually a buffet of fresh tropical fruits and juices; bread, cereals & yogurts; oven-fresh pastries & homemade rolls; and cooked-to-order Western or Indonesian dishes. Lunch is also usually a buffet. Dinner is served a-la-carte, when chefs prepare a wide selection of international & Indonesian cuisine catering to all tastes. The chefs will happily do their utmost to accommodate any special requests and dietary requirements. Morning & afternoon snacks are also served, and tea & coffee are available throughout the day in the dining area. The resort offers regular Indonesian BBQ nights where guests can enjoy a delicious spread of satays and Indonesian dishes while being serenaded by the local Sunday school choir. Guests may enjoy a bottle of wine from their selection, sip a refreshing cocktail or simply have a cold local Bintang beer while sitting at the bar. Staff are more than happy to serve drinks around the pool area as well, so guests can make the most of the beautiful views.

Just meters from the sea, guests can enjoy stunning views across the Lembeh Strait and cool off in the fresh water swimming pool.  Sunbeds and umbrellas around the pool ensure guest comfort, and towels are provided. After a long day diving, guests can treat themselves to a relaxing massage at the Spa. Choose from a range of treatments from a simple 30 minute reflexology session to a 2.5 hour pampering session. Other facilities include a library, satellite TV with international channels, an internet room and gift shop.

The diving in Lembeh Strait is commonly referred to as “Muck Diving” or “Critter Hunting”.  This unique type of diving generally revolves around the search for small unique “critters” that inhabit the black sand slopes of the area.  The majority of the diving is done in the calm bays or along the lush coastline of both mainland Sulawesi and Lembeh Island.  The body of water that separates the two is known as the Lembeh Strait and is less than 3 kilometers wide at it’s widest point.

Lembeh Resort is ideally situated at the midpoint of Lembeh Island, giving divers easy access to the majority of dive sites in under 15 minutes using the custom dive boats. The dive operation, known as Critters@Lembeh   makes safety its priority; all staff are trained in rescue and emergency procedures. The professional dive guides have an unmatched knowledge of the area, with a combined 60,000+ dives in Lembeh Strait alone.  With guests divided into small groups, divers are ensured personal service. Upon arrival, each guest submits a “wish-list” of the animals they would like to see during their stay, which the dive staff then use to tailor the dive site program. Nitrox is available, as are smaller or larger tank sizes.

There is also a full-time Marine Biologist on staff to help guests identify all their “critter photos”, and will give regular presentations about the unique marine life of Lembeh Strait . Rental equipment from Aqualung and Apeks is available, as are LED torches for Night Dives and UV torches for Fluorescence Dive.

The newest addition to the dive experiences available at Lembeh Resort is Bonfire and Blackwater Diving. Life in our oceans depends on plankton and both bonfire and blackwater diving rely on strong lights to attract microscopic plankton, which in turn, attracts an abundance of weird and bizarre looking larvae stage critters. This is a must for underwater photographers. Bonfire diving involves the lights being placed on a sandy slope whereas during blackwater dives, the lights are suspended from the boat over deep, open water. No previous experience of blackwater or bonfire diving is required.

Critters@Lembeh divers are brought to the dive sites in comfort via one of seven custom twin-engine Dive Boats.  Each boat is fully covered with plenty of padded camera & accessory storage.  The boats are operated by licensed captains and have all the necessary safety equipment such as oxygen and first aid.  Fresh drinking water and fruit is provided on board.  Divers’ gear is brought to the boat and assembled by the Dive Staff then, after diving, it is removed, rinsed in freshwater, and stored in the Guest’s gear locker each night.  Private boat service is available for those who wish to have longer dive times, or dive at different times.

Additional Optional Diving Day Trips

The onsite dive shop, Critters@Lembeh, also offers 3-tank Day Trips to Bangka Island.  Rich reefs and fish filled blue water awaits divers after a short one hour boat ride north.  Lunch is served on board or at a local white sand beach.  Bangka diving is a good break for those who wish to do more than muck diving while in Lembeh.

Bangka Island is also part of the popular  Passport to Paradise   program, where Lembeh Resort typically is the last stop.

Camera Room & Photo Pro

Critters@Lembeh provides guests with a spacious Camera Room.  This large room provides individual workstations with 100/220V voltage-stabilized power sources.  Towels are provided, as is a compressed air blower.  The camera room, located just steps from the dive area, is locked each evening.

There is a full time Photo Pro onsite to answer your questions, give guidance, and ensure you’re shooting your best images possible.

In addition to the camera room, there are also three large freshwater camera rinse tanks, reserved specifically for cameras.

At the Photo Center, you will find rental cameras and accessories, or sign up for a photo course.  They offer assistance, in case you need spare parts – even with a 3D printer!

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PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS & CONDITIONS

EXPERIENCE LEMBEH

A boutique and exclusive experience awaits you at lembeh resort., join us for world famous muck diving with a touch of luxury in the lembeh strait..

HEALTHY DINING

We aim to deliver an exquisite dining experience here in Lembeh. Our experienced chefs use only the freshest of ingredients which are locally sourced and wherever possible, organically produced. A variety of  traditional Indonesian dishes, combined with tastes from home, guarantee a taste for every palate.

Explore more

DIVING IN LEMBEH

The Lembeh Strait is world famous for it’s abundance of rare and unusual marine life. At Lembeh Resort our in-house marine biologists and underwater photography trained dive guides are passionate about sharing the critters of this unique area. Dive the Lembeh Strait with us and experience the Lembeh Strait to its full potential.

THE LEMBEH FOUNDATION

Ensuring the future of our local communities is of paramount importance to us. Through innovative projects, the Lembeh Foundation strives to ensure a healthy, plastic free and environmentally sustainable community in Lembeh.

NATURE AND CULTURE TOURS

Experience stunning scenery from ancient volcanoes through to lush national parks which are home to a host of species of wildlife and birds. Take a tour with one of our experienced Guides and learn more about the rich, local culture and traditions of North Sulawesi.

NEWS FROM LEMBEH

We regularly post Blogs to keep you up to date on news from Lembeh. We’ll keep you posted whether it’s a world class underwater photography pro who’s visiting us, a workshop, a critter species, a conservation initiative or something else entirely.

View All News

Find The Best Dive Lights For Lembeh Diving

The Importance of Sea Turtles in North Sulawesi

What is the Wallace Line in Indonesia?

Upcoming events.

Lembeh Resort is proud to host underwater photography, marine life, diving and conservation workshops throughout the year. We regularly welcome world class underwater photography professionals and marine life experts to share their knowledge and experience with us.

View All Upcoming Events

Macro Underwater Photography Workshop with Scott Gutsy Tuason

Capturing Critters in Lembeh UW Photography Workshop 2025

Capturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2023 Round Up

Thank you for your interest in our usd rates., thank you for your interest in our euro rates..

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Lembeh Strait Travel Tips

Lembeh Strait is situated in North Sulawesi in Indonesia. It is easy to reach from all the major cities in South East Asia and divers from all over the world come here to experience the amazing biodiversity of the area.

Table of contents

• Lembeh Strait travel

Where to stay?

• Activies and Excursions

Health and Safety

• Where is Lembeh Strait?
• Getting there
• Getting around
• Photos Lembeh Strait
• Best dive spots

Scuba diving

I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Lembeh Strait as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates.

Accommodation around Lembeh Strait is limited to a few diving resorts most of the time luxurious. They all offer various dive packages with transfers to Manado Airport, full board accommodation and 3 dives a day.

Activities and excursions in Lembeh Strait

Lembeh Strait is a 100% diving destination. Apart from the wonders underwater, there is not much to see. However, from the city of Bitung, you could rent a car and explore the area:

• Explore the Tangkoko National Park. It is located about 2 hours by car from Bitung. It is home of the smallest primate in the world called “Tarsius”.
• Visit the Bitung Zoo to see the “Tarsius”.

These two excursions can easily be arranged for you by your diving resort.

If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Lembeh Strait, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Where is Lembeh Strait located in the world?

The Lembeh Strait is located in Indonesia on the Northeast part of Sulawesi Island. It is often combined in the same trip to the nearby famous diving destination of Bunaken Island .

See the map below.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chikawatanabe/4084645260/

How to get to Lembeh Strait?

The best way to reach the Lembeh Strait is to fly to Manado. This International airport has direct flights to Singapore (3 hours 20 min flight) with Singapore Airlines or Silk Air.

Many flights have a stopover in Makassar, the biggest city of Sulawesi island. You can also go to Manado from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia or from Jakarta and Bali if you are already in Indonesia.

From Manado airport , your diving resort will normally arrange your transfer to Lembeh. First it will take about 2 hours by car to reach the city of Bitung. Then if your diving resort is on Lembeh Island, you will have to take the ferry for 10 minutes in beautiful scenery.

Lots of divers dive first in Bunaken National Park for Superb Coral, great visibility and pelagic fishes and then head to Lembeh Strait for amazing Muck diving.

Do I need a visa for Lembeh Strait?

If you arrive via an International flight, it is possible to get a visa on arrival in Sam Ratulangi, the Manado Airport.

Getting Around

Lembeh Strait is all about diving and you will normally spend your days underwater. There are not so many attractions for visitors apart from diving. If you’d still like to explore, you can get around by renting a car with a driver (about 450000 rupiah per day), or by motorbike or take local buses.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/silkebaron/3777554968/

Lembeh Strait Photos

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You will find all information about sea life, best time to visit, top dive spots, etc. in our review: Lembeh Strait Diving

Diving Reviews for this region

Best Muck Diving in the World! One of the Best spot in the World for Macro Underwater Photography. Amazing Biodiversity!

Lembeh Strait Diving Review

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Cruise ship Reviews in Lembeh Strait

4 dive logs in “lembeh strait”.

i have 1 question: when is the best time (season) to travel to Lembeh strait? I mean about the weather conditions? I’m interested to go there for X-mas and Newyeas, but i’m affraid to come in the raining season or some realy bad weather.

Thank you for ur help.

We are staying in Sanur Bali but want to dive the Lembeh Strait – What’s the easiest way to get there?

@Katarina : We went there last year in the month of December, just a week before Christmas. Weather conditions were awesome. We were warned up front that weather might not be that great, but we only had a few minor rain showers, and it didn’t affect diving. Visibility in Lembeh Strait isn’t that great anyway, clouds and rain do not affect diving conditions that much. This contrary to diving at Bunaken; where you want optimal conditions (though we were lucky there too with no rain at all for 5 days).

That said; Lembeh/Sulawesi is located near the equator. It’s a tropical climate which means it can rain daily, sometimes only a few minutes, but also a whole day.

@Beth : Easiest way is to catch a flight from Denpasar. You should check if there are direct flights from Denpasar to Manado. If not then you have two choices: check for flights from Denpasar to Jakarta, then from Jakarta to Manado, or check for flights from Denpasar to Makassar (Southern Sulawesi) and then from Makassar to Manado. From Manado Airport it is a 2 hour drive to Bitung. As an alternative you could consider the more expensive Wakatobi Marine Park in Southern Sulawesi. I read recently that there now is a direct flight from Denpasar to Wakatobi (muck diving is best at Lembeh though).

We dove at Lembeh for a few days and it was awesome. It really raised the bar for us when it comes to diving. We discovered we really love muck diving over all other types. I would not pass up a chance to visit Lembeh.

Although I haven’t actually been to Lembeh Strait myself I have heard nothing but good reviews from people who have been there when I have picked them up from the airport. Seeing more good reviews and the pictures of this place really makes me want to take a trip so I think I may have to put this on my to do list! Great review.

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Diving Lembeh Strait

Diving in Lembeh Strait

Divezone has complete information about scuba diving and snorkelling in Lembeh Strait. For information about the best time to dive, list of fishes spotted in these waters, please check our Lembeh Strait Diving Review.

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