Snorkelling and diving in Lembeh Strait
We just spent a week underwater in the remarkable Lembeh Strait (plus a great land trip to Tangkoko National Park). We run trips that are for both divers and snorkelers. Though I think we may have been the first to do any organised group including snorkellers in Lembeh Strait! For what it’s worth, our group of reef-experienced snorkellers thought it was among the best they had ever seen. As for the divers, there is almost nowhere in the world that compares. Most people come to dive on the black sand, which looks barren but is extraordinarily rich with all the strangest and most wonderful creatures. However, for the same reasons the sand is brimming with life, the reefs are too. The diversity of coral and the sheer abundance of critters like colourful nudibranchs made this a very special trip indeed.
Read the full Lembeh Snorkel / dive trip report
For more info on underwater photography, call our friends at Underwater.com.au
Dive into remarkable Lembeh Resort
I have a number of strict requirements for trips. The most important are: 1) if it’s land-based there has to be a ‘house reef’ attached to the resort; and 2) there must be a boat and guides dedicating to snorkelling only. This allows snorkellers to head in different directions when necessary. This is why I chose Dive into Lembeh. This time of year can be windy, and though our weather was mostly calm, when it did blow, it came from the south. This means it’s sheltered behind Lembeh Island and clearer water than other seasons. Having a boat meant snorkelers could get behind Lembeh Island into the completely calm water.
The staff were simply amazing. We had a group of 16 people with ages ranging from late teens to mid-80s. Age doesn’t matter. Wildlife is a real leveller and the guides excelled in looking after everyone. The resort itself is beautiful, with a lovely pool, lush gardens with abundant birdlife, wonderful meals and open-air bar. The hot Japanese Onsen baths on every balcony were a luxury, especially after an afternoon swim.
Nudibranchs with Agus
Resident biologist Agus talked about nudibranchs (sea slugs) early on the trip and that triggered an interest that resulted in lots of nudibranchs being seen by all!
Lembeh Strait Snorkelling Scenery and Wildlife
The range of different reef types and creatures was amazing. The reef walls were popular, with their soft corals. The house reef on black sand was fields full of anemones and clownfish everywhere. Then there were the white sand areas and reefs along the edge of Lembeh Island, with Black-tipped Reef Sharks, Crocodile Flatfish, several species of Lionfish, numerous species of eel, including Banded Snake Eel, Broadclub Cuttlefish, Banded Sea Kraits, Bangai Cardinalfish and Day Octopus. With some time over the black sand, snorkellers also got to see Common Seahorse and weird butterfly like Flying Gurnard fish.
Critter Diving Underwater in Lembeh
For the divers it was as ridiculous as it was impressive. There is nowhere in the world as rich with creatures as Lembeh. There’s too much to list here … you’ll need to read the trip report (above). Suffice to say, you see more amazing animals in one dive here than you get to see in two weeks on most dive trips! Among the highlights were several species of Frogfish (Ocellated, Painted, Hairy, Warty), Ghost Pipefish, Nudibranchs, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Harlequin Shrimp, Bobbit Worm, Mantis Shrimps, several species of Octopus including Mimic, Wonderpus, Long-armed, Algae, Blue-ringed and Coconut.
Tangkoko National Park
To cap the trip off with a visit to Tangkoko National Park was lovely. The family that guided us were able to show and interpret our sightings of the rare Spectral Tarsiers, Bear Cuscus and Black Macaques. Along with the underwater world, Sulawesi represents the boundary between some of the greatest wildlife areas of the world.
The company we keep
As always, our trips were full of great friends, genuine enthusiasm, camaraderie and good humour. It was even better to share this with the staff at Dive into Lembeh and enjoy a wonderful party with dancing and music at the end of a wonderful trip underwater in the remarkable Lembeh Strait.
