Diving the Lembeh Straits, Indonesia
western dive sites | Bitung | Sulawesi

Lembeh scuba diving features

Banggai cardinalfish
Mimic octopus Rhinopias
hairy frogfish

LEMBEH'S WEST COAST TOP DIVE SITE: Jahir

DESTINATION OVERVIEW
The Lembeh Straits have become a given for scuba divers who are marine biology enthusiasts and underwater photographers. With Sulawesi to the west and Lembeh Island on the east, the narrow channel between these two volcanic land masses is fed by rich coastal nutrients supporting incredible numbers of rare and unusual marine creatures.

Most divers would regard the Straits as a single destination – and indeed diving here is never restricted to one side or another – yet the narrow channel between Sulawesi and Lembeh Island divides the Straits into two zones with some noticeable differences.

LEMBEH STRAITS: WESTERN DIVES SITES
On the Sulawesi side of the Straits, the slopes of Mount Dua Saudara drop from 1350 metres into the Tangkoko Rainforest Nature Reserve, then into the small cliffs and bays of the coast. Underwater, the dark seabed reflects the volcanic geography above. The dive sites are generally less than pretty but this side of the Straits is not about lush corals reefs, rather the weird and wonderful animals that live on the rubble strewn sand. After dusk, the bays really come into their own. Descend to just five or so metres to spot cockatoo waspfish, the eggs of a flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, tiny stonefish, thorny seahorses, mating crabs and even snake eels free swimming.

Lembeh isn’t just about the small and wacky creatures so to explore the dives that are more typical of a tropical reef with soft corals and bigger schools of fish, pop over to eastern side of the Straits. Sites along Lembeh island's western shores are the ones more likely to have that.

Seasons
Year round
Visibility:
10 – 25 metres
Water temperature:
23 – 29º C.
Deco chambers:
Manado

Flight to Manado then 1.5-2 hours transfer

Accommodation
There are fewer dive resort options on the western side of the Straits. The very first was Kungkungan Bay but a couple of others have now sprung up.

A few Lembeh operators also have resorts on The Manado side of Sulawesi so you can easily do a twin-centre. EcoDivers (right) are also based at Kima Bajo Resort near Manado.

PROS AND CONS
For anyone with a deep interest in marine biology or underwater photography this is THE place to come. Since the Lembeh Straits were first discovered, they have become quite busy – there are now many new resorts of varying standards, which makes the area more affordable. Most operators cooperate with each other so if you never went in the early days you won't find it crowded, but for those of us who went before it became popular, the Straits seem rather lively.

SCUBA DIVING
Divemasters have spent the last 10 years watching their guests and know just what to supply. Don’t get in the water and expect to have to look for something – just keep your eye on the leaders 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. Visibility is never brilliant and there can be currents and rough water but this is just about the best muck diving you will find and seeing all or most of the unusual animals that live here is pretty much guaranteed.

OPINION
We first dived the Lembeh Straits well over a decade ago when it was an unknown dive destination – and we have to credit the area (and the great Larry Smith) as being the instigator of our interest in marine biology. Choosing between staying on the mainland coast or on Lembeh Island can only be a personal thing. The views from Lembeh looking west can be stunning, but sunrise from the mainland isn't half bad either.