Lembeh Strait

Lembeh Strait

If you ask where in Indonesia you should go for a muck diving, we would recommend Bali, Lembeh, Wakatobi, Ambon, or Alor. Depends on how you set up your agenda, these destination can be pieced altogether and you can have them all in one go. Given a limited budget and time availability, you can narrow down your options between Bali or Lembeh (or maybe both!) Anyway, let’s talk more about Lembeh.

Lembeh-Strait-Diving

How to Reach Lembeh

Lembeh is an island in north Sulawesi, located across the town of Bitung. The strait that forms between Lembeh island and Bitung is a haven to many critters hence it famously known as Lembeh Strait.

To get here, normally you can choose to fly to Manado through Singapore or you can go via Jakarta or Bali with a domestic flights. If an airport transfer is inclusive in your purchased package, your resort would pick you up straight from Manado airport, land transport you to Bitung and cross over to Lembeh island with a boat if the resort is in the island. There are also several resort that are located in Bitung and you might only need to get on the boat in your diving days.

Lembeh-Sea-Dragon

Diving in Lembeh

September to October is known to be the most popular time of visit. Whilst December to February is rainy season, it does not pour much in Lembeh compared to other regions in Indonesia – visibility is not bad either and that it does not affect the diving much. Currents are typically mild to zero so you would expect a relaxed dive trip.

One of the dive sites is known as Nudi Falls. As it name indicates, the site is a home to a variety of Nudibranches. Sightings here also includes striped eel catfish and features a black-saddled toby, whiteface waspfish, plumstriped waspfish, painted anglerfish (frogfish), banded pipefish, bartail moray, princely volute, leaf scorpionfish, decorator crab, anemone hermit crab, nudibranchs, pygmy seahorse, hornnosed boxfish, crocodilefish, anemone crab, saddleback anemonefish, starry night octopus, reef octopus, dwarf cuttlefish and squid. If you are lucky, you may also encounter Lembeh Sea Dragon in this site.

There are several dive centres that may be able to accommodate your requests and they are also varies in terms of budget and facilities. You may email our Dive Travel Consultant the details that you are looking for and they would be more than happy to recomend/arrange something for you.

Lembeh-Strait-Nudibranch

Non-diving Day in Lembeh

If you prefer to be more adventurous on your non-diving days, you can visit the Tangkoko Nature reserve in Bitung. In here you may encounter the tarsiers, the black macaque monkeys, maleo birds, cuscus and the hornbills.

You can choose to go the extra miles for Minahasa Highland tour to get to know the local culture: From weaving factory, pottery, the macabre local market, the color-changing lake, Chinese temples, and although visiting a cemetery is not everyone’s afternoon tea, Minahasan Ancient Cemetery holds a great historical value that may satiated your curiousity.

Are you ready for both in-land and underwater adventure?

Group Diving in Bali

Diving/Non-diving Group Scuba Diving in Bali

The combination of diverse dive sites and topside activities makes Bali the perfect holiday destination for Group Scuba Diving in Bali for both divers and non-divers. Your group can experience the diversity of the “Island of the Gods” – visiting smaller communities around the island as you dive, then take the opportunity to enjoy the variety of activities available “topside”. Hotel and resort accommodation is chosen based on your preferences and budget, and giving (those that want it!) ample time to relax and unwind.

At AquaMarine Diving – Bali we are proud to have set the “4 to 1” ratio for divers to dive guide that is now used as the acceptable ratio by other reputable dive companies in Bali. The minimum pro-level of your AMD-B dive guide is PADI Divemaster; over 80% of our dive staff are PADI OWSI or above.

In addition to that low ratio, and due to our reputation for outstanding customer service, AquaMarine has become the favoured Bali dive company for Group Scuba Diving in Bali. We have Dive Travel Consultants who specialise in looking after enquiries/bookings for 5+ guests (a “group” in AquaMarine’s terms).

You will still receive the same high standard of personalised service that you expect from us, and will be consulting with people who have experience organising trips for Group Scuba Diving in Bali (that’s groups of any size), whatever your interests.

Group-Diving-in-Bali-Mola-Mola-Season

Bring Your Group Scuba Diving in Bali

Whether you are a member of a dive club, u/w photography club or a group of friends or family travelling together, AquaMarine will develop a programme to suit all members of your group irrespective of age, experience, needs, divers and/or non-divers. We have a vast amount of experience meeting the needs of every specialist group that comes diving with us.

For example: If you’re a photography group, we will assign you our best spotters; Groups of school children will be taught by instructors experienced in working with young people; Only interested in wrecks, corals, clams or nudibranchs? – just let us know!

Group-Diving-in-Bali

Bunaken Marine Park

Bunaken Marine Park

Located to the north of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi, Bunaken National Park includes Bunaken, Siladen, Manado Tua, Montehage and Nain Islands.

The area has outstanding marine biodiversity with bright blue waters, abundant marinelife, healthy reefs, great macro life, and a wide variety of fishes.

Bunaken-Marine-Park-Colourful-Anthias

Diving in Bunaken Marine Park

The reef is good all the way around Bunaken Island, with 13 main dive sites. This is the centerpiece of the reserve and – with careful observation – around this one island, you could probably see the majority of coral reef fishes found in Indonesia.

All the dive sites have similar features: Steep coral-covered walls with many small caves, all buzzing with small and medium reef fish. Due to the clarity of the water, good coral growth extends quite deep; on the deeper parts of the walls, you can often see sharks, large rays, and Napoleon wrasse. Currents are usually gentle, perfect for a slow drift that allows you to stop whenever you want.

Bunaken Diving Seasons

Diving is good year-round with average visibility of 20-35 meters; however, the best conditions are from April to October. November to late February can be windy and rainy meaning less-than-great surface conditions. Sharks are most often seen in June.

Bunaken-Marine-Park-Turtle

How to Reach Bunaken

There are domestic flights from Jakarta and Bali to Manado, and then by boat if not staying on the mainland.

For more info on diving Bunaken Marine Park, and to start your planning, please make sure your AMD-B Travel Consultant is aware of your needs. As always, they will be more than happy to offer recommendations and make arrangements to suit your preferences. Contact us on Tours@AquaMarineDiving.com today!