Lembeh

The Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi is world famous for its wonderful, photogenic underwater critters. In fact, the Strait is only a long and narrow strip that separates the mainland from the Lembeh Island. But look closer and dive into its blue waters and discover a completely different world filled with fascinating and most colorful tropical underwater life that is loved for its wide range of small critters.

Administratively part of the municipality of Bitung, the harbor town of Manado, capital of the province of North Sulawesi, the Lembeh Strait stretches 16 km long and is only 1.2 kilometers wide, yet in these narrow waters no less than 88 diving spots have been discovered. Although Lembeh Strait is not as world renowned as the Bunaken National Park, one should in no way underestimate its outstanding beauty.

Dive sites here go to a depth of of between 15 to 25 meters. There are hardly any currents, and throughout the year the waters temperature is between 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. Visibility range from between 5 meters to 20 meters.

Strangely enough this area is habitat to giant fish that are found almost nowhere else on earth. But among professional divers, the Lembeh Strait is better known as “The Best muck-diving site in the world”.

Its unique ecosystem has made this the home of nudibranch, flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, furry frog fish and more. Their exceptional beauty have made these creatures rare subjects for underwater photographers. For this reason marine photographers the Lembeh Strait is also known as “The Mecca of Macro Photography”.

Aside from this natural wonder, from its surface the Lembeh Strait remains used as a harbor for local transport, fishery, marine industry, tourism and as a natural laboratory.

A typical diving day at Lembeh goes as follows: You will wake up around 7 or 8 in the morning. After breakfast you get to the boat that is already loaded, prepared and ready to depart. The boats usually leave between 8 and 9 in the morning, unless you made different arrangements. Depending on the first dive location it is a 5 to 45 minute boat ride. After the first dive you will have a light snack and some coffee, tea or water. The boat men will most likely have already relocate to the next dive spot. After the surface interval has passed, it is time to suit up for the 2nd dive of the day. After this dive lunch will be served on the boat or you will go back to the resort for lunch. If you have three consecutive dives planned, you will have your 3rd dive after lunch. It is also possible to do 2 morning dives and do a mandarin or night dive later that day.