 The dive sites of Lembeh Strait are an absolute treasure trove of unusual marine species. The area has around 35 dive sites, hiding all manner of strange species.
Mimic Octopus, Wunderpus, Pygmy Seahorses, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Giant Frogfish, Hairy Frogfish, Clown Frogfish, Giant Nudibranch’s, Stargazers and numerous Shrimps & Crabs all inhabit these black sandy slopes. Think of a strange marine critter, and chances are you will find it here.
Muck-diving sites are not usually beautiful in the traditional sense - colourful, healthy reef-scapes are often conspicuous by their absence - but if you are a fan of all things weird and wonderful, or a phorographer, they are absolutely fascinating.
Hairball, Teluk Kembahu, Nudi Falls & Police Pier are just a few of the great muck-diving sites to visit. If you fancy a change, the area has a few shipwrecks as well. Bimoli & Mawali are both large Japanese WWII wrecks that are now host to a wealth of marine life, while Kapal Indah, meaning beautiful ship, is a smaller wreck carpeted in lovely coral.
To the northern end of the strait, the visibility improves and there are some more traditional dive sites too, such as the beautiful Angel’s Window & California Dreamin'. Here, healthy populations of more common Indo-Pacific species can be found, in addition to many of Lembeh’s other stars. Also in the north, Batu Angus is a great dive to make at dusk to see mating Mandarinfish. Blue-ringed octopus can be seen here too.
Certain sites here can only be visited on certain tides as water can move fast through the strait. There is always somewhere interesting to dive though and those with a curious nature will find this area fascinating.
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There are quite a few resorts on the shores of the Lembeh Strait, providing easy access to all the dive sites. The Strait is also frequently visited by Liveaboards.
The area can be dived all year round. The latter half of the year is probably the better time, although visibility can be lower than usual around August. |
 
Lembeh Strait has become world-famous in recent years as the world's top muck-diving destination. As a result, many dive resorts have sprung up along its shores.
There are many dive operators here, both on Lembeh Island and on the mainland across the Strait. All of them are just a short distance from the top dive spots and many dives are made each day. They tend to be attached to resorts, some of which are quite upmarket and have excellent facilities. Certain operators can also arrange overnight trips to Bangka & Sanghige to the north.
The closest town to Lembeh Strait is Bitung. If you have arranged your trip in advance, your resort will normally meet you here. To get to Bitung, take a bus or taxi from Manado. Manado has a well-connected airport with flights from many spots in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia & the Philippines.
Diving & accommodation are usually sold together as a package. Accommodation is usually in comfortable bungalows or chalets. There are very few budget accommodation options here.
Aside from the diving, there is little else to do here. The resorts are well spread out and often all inclusive, so most guests are unlikely to leave the resort except to go diving. Back on the mainland around Manado, there are many activities, ranging from shopping & golf to trekking.
Manado is the major city and port in the north of Sulawesi and the major hub for divers wishing to visit Bunaken & Lembeh, as well as Liveaboards cruising northern Sulawesi.
There are around 15 dive centres around Manado that offer day trips to a few local dive sites and Bunaken National Park. Many of them can also arrange dive packages or Liveaboard trips, including trips to Lembeh and even Bangka & Sanghige to the north.
Manado has an airport with flights to Makassar in the south of Sulawesi and also Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya & Balikpapan. There are now a few international flights aswell, linking Manado to Singapore, Malaysia & the Philippines.
As Manado is a large city, there is a huge range of accommodation, from budget hostels to 5 star hotels. Mid-range hotels offer by far the widest choice. The majority of the choices are inner city hotels as opposed to rustic, beach-side accommodation.
As well as many accommodation options, Mandado has plenty to do when you are not diving. Options include shopping & golf, trekking in the surrounding countryside, visiting volcanoes and immersing yourself in the history & culture of the area.
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| The beauty of Bunaken lies in its combination of variety & great diving conditions. Visibility is normally excellent, there are both easy & challenging dive sites and the nutrient-rich waters result in vibrant and healthy reef eco-systems, with a huge level of diversity... |
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South-east Asia is blessed with the most diverse collection of marine life on earth.
So if you are fascinated by the weird & wonderful, you need our guide to Asia's Muck Diving Meccas... |
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