Resort Review: Dive Into Lembeh

Situated on the mainland along the shores of Lembeh Strait in Indonesia, Dive Into Lembeh offers a haven for diving enthusiasts. Owned and managed by Miranda and Steve Coverdale, this boutique resort introduces guests to the captivating muck diving of North Sulawesi.

Exploring the Resort

Miranda, hailing from Holland, and Steve, a Brit, have crafted Dive Into Lembeh with a focus on comfort and relaxation. Located in Kasawari Bay, the resort features nine sea-view private bungalows with modern amenities like TV, air conditioning, and a five-gallon water dispenser for hot and cold refreshment. Each bungalow also boasts a unique Japanese-style stone hot tub, perfect for unwinding (and warming up) after a day of diving. There is also a larger suite with similar amenities to the sea-view bungalows and for those who prefer an inexpensive option, a little further up the hill from the water are 3 longhouse rooms which are more simple yet still very comfortable.

Surrounded by lush greenery, the resort boasts a spacious restaurant and bar area. The expansive room features buffet-style dining along one wall, offering a variety of both western and Indonesia style dishes. Adjacent to the bar, guests will find a cozy seating area furnished with comfortable couches, perfect for casual conversations about the day's dives or perusing critter identification books from the day's underwater adventures.

The Diving

Renowned for its muck diving, Lembeh Strait is Dive Into Lembeh's main attraction. With its own house reef showcasing dive sites like Hairball and Aw Shucks, the resort provides unparalleled access to Lembeh's underwater wonders.

Guests can enjoy up to three daily dives aboard twin-engine fiberglass boats, exploring over 60 dive spots in the strait. For those who want more, the resort also offers a dusk mandarin dive and night dives along with unlimited shore diving. Whether observing elusive frogfish or photographing mimic octopus, each dive promises an encounter with Lembeh's diverse marine life.

The resort's dive center, equipped with Lembeh's largest camera room, caters to photographers of all levels. The room has plenty of outlets and power strips for all of your charging needs. Just in front of the camera room are two large camera rinse tanks as well as a drying station with air hoses. In this same area near the rinse tanks is a large board showing the days diving schedule. Your name will appear on the boat that you are assigned to along with the dive sites that are planned for your boat.

Experienced dive guides accompany guests at a ratio of one guide for every two guests. The guides are experts on finding subjects and take pleasure not only in finding unique subjects but ensuring you have captured the photo you want to get.

Schedule

A typical day’s diving starts at 6:30am with a light breakfast of coffee/tea, toast and cereal options. At 7am, it’s time to get your tanks analyzed for the day (for those diving Nitrox). Everyone boards their respective boats at 7:30am ready to head out for the first dive. Guests usually are back at the resort by 9am where a big breakfast is served. Besides the usually buffet selection of bacon, sausage and local porridge, there is also an egg station where you can order eggs any style.

Relax a bit or fiddle with your camera after breakfast and then prepare for the second dive which begins at 10:45am. Following the second dive, lunch is served. If you are late for lunch (say, getting carried away working on photos in your room), staff will come by and gently remind you that lunch is ready.

After lunch you have a bit more time to relax before the third dive of the day at 2:30pm.

If you have signed up for the mandarin dive, you have a bit of time but not too much since it leaves at 4:30pm. Night dives typically leave around 5:30pm. Following your last dive, your guide will take care of rinsing your dive gear and hang it back up in the dive locker ready for your next day of diving.

Dinner is a chance to relax and chat with others about the days diving. After dinner, you’ll find several guests wander over to the bar area where the bar tender not only chats with guests but also is a very good singer and ukulele player.

Choosing the Ideal Season

While diving in Lembeh is possible year-round, understanding North Sulawesi's climate can enhance your dive adventure. The region experiences two distinct seasons: the rainy season from November to March and the dry season from April to October.

During the rainy season, nutrient-rich waters nourish Lembeh's marine life, making it an ideal time for critter enthusiasts to encounter rare species. Conversely, the dry season offers clear skies and calm seas, providing optimal visibility for exploring Lembeh's dive sites.

Planning Your Visit

Accessing Lembeh is convenient, with direct flights to Manado from Singapore via Scoot Airways or from Jakarta via Garuda Airways. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by resort staff who escort them to the resort along the newly built toll road, roughly an hour away.

Conclusion

Dive Into Lembeh offers a blend of luxury accommodation and world-class diving experiences. Whether you're an experienced photographer or a beginner, Lembeh welcomes you to explore its underwater wonders year-round. So, pack your gear, embrace the adventure, and immerse yourself in the underwater paradise of Dive Into Lembeh.