Frogfish - Antennaridae
Lembeh Strait
Lembeh Strait
Lembeh Strait separates little Lembeh island from the north-eastern shores of Sulawesi. It is famed for its exceptional muck diving.
The coastline either side of the Lembeh Strait has a rugged beauty, but it is the action below the waves that draws divers here.
Lembeh
Dive
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.
Stay
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.
Travel
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.
Do
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.
Moray Eel - Muraenidae
Moray eels are a favourite for divers, especially the more colourful and flamboyant family members.
Manado
Dive
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.
Stay
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.
Travel
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.
Do
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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