Crazy Critter Heaven
Mention Lembeh to anyone who has been and their eyes go all misty. Diving here, whether from a dive resort or a liveaboard, is like nowhere else on earth. An hour from Manado airport lies the strait of water that separates the mainland from Lembeh Island.
Under the calm surface, there is more going on than even the wildest imagination could envisage. On a floor of dark sand scuttle a mind-boggling array of unusual and rare critters – mandarinfish, hairy frogfish, mimic octopus, Ambon scorpionfish, stargazers, pegasus, flamboyant cuttlefish, dragonets to name just a few. A photographers’ dream and a total eye-opener for anyone with even a passing interest in the smaller things in the ocean.
There are also wrecks and more traditional reefs to explore which only adds to Lembeh’s claim to be a unique and special diving destination.
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Lembeh / Manado Diving Season
You can dive in Lembeh all year but the conditions do vary. January to June sees variable (but still fine) conditions and less divers. August sees the poorest visibility but the richest numbers of critters. September to October are probably the best two months overall.
Liveaboard season in the Lembeh Strait diving area runs year round.
Lembeh Strait Diving – Reef Basics
Great for: Small animals, underwater photography and advanced divers
Not so great for: Large animals, wall diving, drift dives and non-diving activities
Depth: 5 – 30m
Visibility: 10 – 25m
Currents: Gentle
Surface Conditions: Calm
Water Temperature: 26 – 29°C
Experience Level: Beginner – advanced
Number of dive sites: >30
Distance: ~45 km east of Manado (1½ hours)
Access: Manado diving and Lembeh resorts and liveaboards
Recommended length of stay: 5 – 10 days
Dive Sites
More detailed information on the Lembeh Strait dive sites:
• Angel’s Window | • Hairball | |
• Mawali Wreck | • Nudi Falls | |
• Police Pier | • Teluk Kambahu |
Dive The World Recommendations: Angel’s Window, TK 1 and Hairball.
Other Manado diving sites that you can visit together with Lembeh:
• Bunaken | • Bangka | |
• Sangihe Archipelago |
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