DIVING the LEMBEH STRAITS

The Lembeh Strait’s have become a ‘given’ for marine biology enthusiasts and underwater photographers. We first dived here a decade ago when it was an unknown dive destination. And we have to credit the area as being the instigator of our interest in marine biology.

The straights are volcanic, with Sulawesi to the west and Lembeh Island on the east. The narrow channel between them is riddled with dive sites fed by the rich coastal nutrients.

Diving in Lembeh is easy. The resorts' dive masters have spent the last 10 years watching their guests and know just what to supply. You don’t get in the water and expect to have to look for something - just keep your eye on the leader and wait for them to point out yet another marvellous critter. They know where they live, track their movements on a daily basis and compare notes on what happens on dive sites.

It’s after dusk when the Straits really come into their own. On night dives, descend to just five or so metres to spot cockatoo waspfish, the eggs of a flamboyant cuttlefish, a mimic octopus, juvenile scorpions, tiny stonefish, a thorny sea horse, mating crabs and even snake eels free swimming.

Lembeh isn’t just about small and whacky creatures. The channel has always been a busy shipping lane and just a few minutes away is the Mawali Wreck, a World War II Japanese steel cargo ship is sitting in about 35 metres. To the north there are steep walls and channels that drops to about 40 metres. The corals are impressive, particularly all the different colours of soft coral trees. There are some pristine hard corals, large fans and plenty of fish swimming off the wall, even the occasional manta ray.