Diving Holidays to Lembeh, Indonesia: An Introduction

A 12 km long canal divides the coast from the Island of Lembeh , and due to particular current movements and sediment rich in nutrients, it is home to strange and numerous marine creatures.

North Sulawesi offers unparalleled marine biodiversity, with a wide range of dive experience options. But for divers interested in searching out encounters with bizarre and beautiful critters, Lembeh Strait, located near the port town of Bitung, hosts the best muck diving on the planet. And besides the sand, divers can take the plunge on pinnacles, walls and slopes of extravagant hard and soft coral gardens as well as a number of wrecks, some dating from WWII. Diversity is the operative word here.

Lembeh is considered a paradise for macro-photography, plankton rich water creates nutrients for some small and rare creatures. Often the plankton means that visibility is reduced, and the sea-bed is formed from volcanic sand, alternating with coral formations in mainly soft coral, which create perfect hiding places for the marine life. These unusual dives, which are often considered muck dives, offer the photographer the best chance to meet some mysterious creatures like Pigmy seahorse, frog fish, hairy frogfish, Cockatoo wasp-fish, blue ribbon eel, mandarin fish, leaf scorpion fish, nudibranchs and some rarity like the mimic octopus.

Discovered only few years ago, it is also known as one of the best dive sites in the world amongst world photographers and marine biologist.

Lembeh Diving centre

Padi 5 star Gold Palm IDC facility, offers the highest level of experience and service.

Lembeh Resort

Lembeh Resort offers comfortable and spacious accommodation for visitors in  an idyllic location overlooking Lembeh Strait while the diving operators are the pioneers of Bunaken, Bangka and liveaboard diving in North Sulawesi, having guided divers from more than 15 years. Spacious verandas overlooking the strait, perfect for viewing glorious North Sulawesi sunsets fully air-conditioned bedrooms with attached Balinese-style (open-air) bathrooms, mini bar & personal safe.

Swimming pool, restaurant & bar, library/video viewing room with satellite TV, gift shop, massage service, internet access & laundry service.

Lembeh Resort offers comfortable accommodations set in beautifully landscaped tropical gardens overlooking Lembeh Strait.

For a truly exceptional experience in a relaxed and professional atmosphere, Lembeh Resort is the obvious choice.

 · 14 cottages with spacious verandahs overlooking the Strait, perfect for viewing glorious North Sulawesi sunsets

·  Fully air-conditioned bedrooms with attached Balinese-style (open-air) bathrooms, mini bar & personal safe

·  Swimming pool, restaurant & bar, library/video viewing room with satellite TV, gift shop, massage service, internet access & laundry service.

Accommodation in Lembeh: KUNGKUNGAN BAY RESORT

The resort comprises 8 deluxe beachfront Cottage Suites, 4 deluxe Traditional Houses, 4 new Traditional Hauses. The cottages are all 1 bedroom suites, large sitting room , veranda and great ocean view. The traditional Houses offer ocean view, the room is laid out in an L shape giving privacy for each bed, this is the perfect room for non-couples. Three of them are junior suites with 2 Queen beds and the 4 th is a 2 bedroom family suite with one King bed and 2 twin bed.

All kind of rooms have bathroom with shower.

The Resort has over the water restaurant, to enjoy the view, open 24 hours a day and features western menu as well as local Indonesian items.

A swimming pool has been recently opened.

Programme in Lembeh

First /Second Day:
Departure from London Heathrow or Manchester to Singapore, arrival in Singapore the day after, early morning and immediate connecting flight to Manado.On arrival, transfer with private minibus and boat will be provided to the Kungkungan Bay Resort. Welcome cocktail and accommodation in your reserved roomDinner and Overnight

Third to Eighth Day:
Full board basis. Entire days dedicated to diving activities, 3 boat dives per day for 6 days, complementary house reef diving. Non-divers activities include free use of the swimming pool. Choice of excursion programme can be booked at the resort reception.

Ninth Day:
After breakfast, the resort will provide transfer with private boat and minibus to Manado airport. Departure to Singapore, arrival and connecting flight to London or Manchester, overnight on board.

Tenth Day:
Early morning arrival at your final destination- End of all our services. The basic travel programme can be extended or amended

Prices for diving in Lembeh

PRICE LIST LEMBEH RESORT Per person 01 APRIL 2008 to 31 MARCH 2009:

Supplements:

LEMBEH RESORT NITROX PACKAGE from £ 1520 per person

Includes: Flights, 7 nights full board accommodations with breakfast, lunch, morning & afternoon snack, dinner, unlimited tea, coffee and water, 17 guided boat dives with NITROX for all dives, unlimited self guided house reef, round trip airport transfers, all taxes and resort service charge. Not included – alcohol, soft drinks, massage and tips.

PRICE LIST KUNGKUNGAN BAY RESORT Per person March 2008 to November 2008:

Supplements:

High Season flight supplements: 23/31 Mar £ 95.00 - 01Jul/31Aug. £125.00 - 20 Dec 2008 / 10 Jan 2009 from £ 165. Please call for further information.