If you have dived in Lembeh Strait before, please share your experiences: Dive spots you would recommend, which Dive Center you used, Fishes & Diving, Visibility, Currents, etc. Please post your comments in the section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next trip
Lembeh Strait, beside Bitung in North Sulawesi, is a destination for muck diving and underwater macro photography. As Julien put it in the original guide, diving here is like jumping into a world of tiny, strange creatures. The fun often lies in discovering that the apparently unremarkable patch of sand beside you is very much occupied.
What is muck diving?
Muck diving means looking for marine life among sand, rubble and small patches of reef. It does not require bad visibility, and murkier water does not automatically mean more animals. A slow pace, careful buoyancy and a guide familiar with the site make the small details easier to appreciate.
Lembeh can suit newer divers on an appropriate profile; it is curiosity and control near the bottom, rather than a long logbook alone, that make the experience rewarding. Coral sites offer a change of scenery.
In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in Lembeh Strait.
Table of contents
Best Dive Review
Volcanic black sand can provide a striking photographic background. Sponges, algae, rubble and small coral patches create shelter, while wrecks and coral pinnacles add variety beyond the classic muck slopes.
Hairball: the classic muck search
The attraction is the patient search along sand and algae. Lembeh Resort’s Hairball description notes that its point location is influenced by currents, a useful reminder that “muck dive” does not mean motionless water.
Nudi Falls: wall and sand together
A small wall, sponges and the sandy bottom create several habitats in one dive. Nudibranchs give the site its name, but a slow look can reveal much more than a single favourite creature.
Angel’s Window: a coral contrast
The twin-peaked pinnacle brings reef scenery and a deeper profile. The swim-through is optional and requires an appropriate briefing and experience. The operator’s site description gives depths extending beyond 18 metres, so the intended profile needs to match the diver’s qualification and experience.
Lembeh dive-site references
These geographic references distinguish three parts of the strait. Hairball and Police Pier use historical survey locations, not current entry instructions. They are for holiday planning, not underwater navigation or a guaranteed dive route.
- Nudi Falls: Mini-wall and sandy-bottom reference. Location source
- Hairball reference area: Historic 2009 geographic reference for the muck-diving area; not an entry waypoint. Location source
- Police Pier reference area: Historic 2009 geographic reference; access and the actual entry need local confirmation. Location source
How to dive Lembeh Strait?
A resort base gives repeated access to the strait and time to return to productive sites. Island properties add a boat crossing to the arrival day; mainland properties can simplify road excursions. A regional liveaboard is a different choice, whose dated route must actually include Lembeh.
What does a diving day cost?
Two Fish lists two morning dives at IDR 1,650,000 per person, with boat, guide, tanks and refreshments. Equipment is extra: IDR 250,000/day for a full set and IDR 125,000/day for a computer. That example totals IDR 2,025,000 before other charges. Published rates.
Lembeh Resort lists guided boat dives at €57 on air or €63 on Nitrox, and full equipment with a computer at €21/day. Two air dives plus that rental total €135 before accommodation and other extras. A €3-per-dive supplement applies from 24 December to 5 January. Rates valid 1 April 2026–31 March 2027. Both examples checked 12 November 2026.
For cruises, KLM Sunshine’s dated schedule and the Indonesia liveaboard guide help distinguish a Lembeh stop from an itinerary simply departing nearby Bitung.
Where to stay?
I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Lembeh Strait as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates.
Best time to dive in Lembeh Strait
Lembeh is dived year-round. The protected strait often offers manageable conditions, while exposed reef sites respond differently to wind and swell. Rain can last longer than a brief afternoon shower; flexibility is useful for boat and land outings.
Lembeh Resort’s seasonal account places water broadly around 26–29°C, with cooler conditions in some months. Repetitive slow dives can feel chilly even in tropical water. The creatures found at a site change over time, which is a good reason to follow recent local observations rather than a fixed month-by-month wish list.
Top liveaboards in Lembeh Strait according to divers reviews
Dive courses
Buoyancy and photography coaching are particularly relevant here. Lembeh Resort offers training at several levels and specialist photography support. Availability is operator-specific: Two Fish does not currently offer Discover Scuba Diving, Rescue or specialty courses in Lembeh. Current course availability.
Scuba Diving conditions
Many muck dives begin on gently sloping ground, but the strait also has deeper reefs, wrecks and exposed sites. Current, depth and surge depend on the chosen location. The local depth guide distinguishes profiles within Open Water limits from sites better suited to additional training and experience.
Fine sediment is easily stirred up. Keeping fins clear of the bottom protects small animals and the next photographer’s view, while a little space around each subject avoids a queue of cameras crowding it. A useful briefing covers the route, depth, hand signals and how the group handles a subject found by the guide.
Snorkelling in Lembeh Strait
Lembeh does offer guided snorkelling. A deeper muck site is not the same experience as a shallow reef, so site choice matters. Lembeh Resort lists guided boat snorkelling at €36 per person/trip with own or rented equipment; rental is separate. Snorkelling price list.
For a mixed diving party, the useful booking details are the guide, swimming ability, equipment, boat space and whether the snorkeller has a separate suitable site. The travel guide also covers land outings and resort time for non-divers.
Fishes and Coral
Ghost pipefish, seahorses and frogfish share the stage with flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopuses, nudibranchs and small crustaceans. The six cards below show fish; the invertebrates are another important part of the story. None of these animals is a guaranteed sighting.
Seahorses
Their shape becomes easier to recognise once a guide points out the first one.
Photo: Agnes Tjandranegara
Frogfish
Camouflage makes these patient hunters a highlight of the muck search.
Photo: Jihye Lee; representative Bali photo
Lionfish
Elaborate fins make a striking outline, best admired with space around the animal.
Photo: Agnes Tjandranegara
Scorpionfish
A resting fish can blend remarkably well into the surrounding rubble.
Photo: Jihye Lee
Gobies
Small subjects reward a quiet pause and careful focus.
Photo: Jihye Lee
Mandarinfish
A dedicated dusk outing offers a different rhythm from a daytime muck dive.
Photo: Jenny, CC BY 2.0; representative photo
Mandarinfish: Jenny / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
The Critters of Lembeh
Joel Penner / Newmediasoup’s film combines aerial views and underwater life from a stay at Lembeh Resort. It illustrates the destination, not current conditions.
Diving Safety
If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Lembeh Strait, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Questions about Lembeh
Is Lembeh only for experienced photographers?
No. A suitable profile can work for newer divers, while good buoyancy and an interest in small animals matter more than owning a camera.
Is every dive shallow and current-free?
No. Sites vary, and some reefs, wrecks or exposed locations require additional experience or different conditions.
Does poor visibility mean more critters?
No. It is not a dependable rule. Recent local observations and habitat are more useful than visibility alone.
Can a non-diver snorkel here?
Yes. Operators offer guided reef outings, but the site and supervision need to suit the participant.
Do I need a liveaboard?
No. Resort diving is a practical way to explore the strait repeatedly; a cruise serves a broader route.
Original guide by Julien; updated 12 November 2026. Hero photo: diverslog.
Photos Lembeh Strait
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Yellow Seahorse in Lembeh StraitPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Blue Nudibranch in Lembeh StraitPhoto by Rich Guest -
Lion Fish swimming in crystal clear waterPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Surreal LifePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Night White Fish Looking For Food In Sandy BottomPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Cute FishPhoto by Jihye Lee -
CowfishPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Stonefish At NightPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Yellow CreaturePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Pipefish Lembeh StraitPhoto by Jihye Lee
Travel Guide
Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Check out our Lembeh Strait Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more.
Diving Reviews for this region
Dive spots reviews in Lembeh Strait
Liveaboard Reviews in Lembeh Strait
KLM Sea Safari VI
Indonesia · A smaller phinisi with a changing island programme
KLM Sunshine
The 30 meters KLM Sunshine is a liveaboard vessel sailing in Indonesia. Indeed, the member of the Blue Bay Divers Fleet offers itineraries in North Sulawesi, Halmahera and the Sangihe Islands. The vessel was built in 2011 and refreshed in 2014, upholdi
SMY ONDINA
SMY Ondina is a 32-metre Indonesian phinisi for up to 16 guests in eight cabins. Its appeal lies in the combination of a small dive group, traditional wooden surroundings and voyages reaching well beyond a single island group.
Muck Diving Paradise! If you like taking underwater pictures, this is THE place!!!
As I commented in the Bunaken section, I spent a week on Wallacea boat (the Paisubatu II) on a cruise. We spent quite a lot of time in Lembeh as there is really a lot to see. I strongly recommend this place as there is a lot of rare species. the flamboyant, the mimic octopus or the boxer crab are amazing. I brought back pictures and videos but also great memories! my favorite place for muck diving for sure!!!
My wife and I dove at KBR in the straits 2 yrs ago in September and it was the trip of our life! The KBR resort was outstanding, food, service, diving, room ect. We like to dive differnt places but we are thinking of going back this year. I have reccomended this place to anyone, and if they went I am sure they wouldn’t be disipointed. We stayed for 12 days of diving.
D
Theres not much to add to whats already been said,the guy sounded like he owned a resort there.
We dove there start of nov huge rain for the first day 8hrs but i was told its been vary dry there and that the rain was welcome .We stayed @ Lembeh Resort Nice setting ,great food the resort is set up for serious photographers there camera room had at any one time $500,000 -$750,000 of gear. But the resort wasn’t pretentious which I was happy about.
Nothing worse than a resort catering to a bunch of north Americans how came from 50 degrees or less having to put on a tie or long pants in 90 with rh of 75-100 percent.
The diving a lembeh resort was with lembeh critters.
they own the boats and are out of Manado,they allso have a place on Bangka ,just north of Lembeh By 2 hours called Murex..Bangka
Boats always left on time not too many on the boats and we had a guide for every two divers ,,, or you can pay extra 75$ per day for your own .
And if you find a really good one it can make the difference that one that you have missed in the
past
And he will take you away from the group.They seem to follow each other with space in between , they know the dive spots like the back of there hand ,,There was a blue ring with eggs in 80 feet this guy swam down to it in 20 vis and found it in less than 3 min,,, in total sand Wow
The critters that are there strange & cool if your a photographer and haven’t been put it on your bucket list and it easy diving shallow with little currant.in black sand so no reflection like white sand makes ,,,,,,,,,bad photographers look good,, and good photographers look great .
…
Now the bad
t
Theres trash every were piles in the ocean some times over a foot thick 100s of yards wide ,long.We were diving the police pier area ,garbage on the bottom every were
but you know the fish didn,t seem to mind ?
But really how can you tell ,we also dove a place call nudie falls great dive
lots of stuff .but on surfacing as we are getting on our boat there was what we thought was a white trash bag,,,floating about 30 yards away, but it was a dead bloated white dog ! During our time there 6 of the 8 on our boat G.I issues 3 with ear infections .And it wasn’t the food or everyone at the resort would have got it or a lot more than did..
I didn’t But i spent over 1500 in shots & pills but just let me say our trip was for 6 months in different places .
There are things like dukaral and other to help you ,,,,,,talk to a travel clinic before going .
Would i go back yes
also Lembeh Resort tried there best for everyone,,,, nice people fantastic grounds ,nice pool, camera room ,dive shop, restaurant ,photo shop,ect the older rooms
are get a little old in need of better lighting & get rid of the brown walls but the rooms are large apx 800-900 sq feet with a great out door shower.& what a view
Hope this helps any one traveling there
All in & diving for a week was apx 4,000 for two i think
Absolutely fantastic diving, If you are interested in macro this is a must do! We also dived with Lembeh Resort, what a fantastic place! Our guide Opo Kecil was amazing, he showed us all of the animals on our wishlist (they actually offer you to fill in a wishlist of the animals you would like to see and try to plan the dives accordingly!!). we saw hairy frogfish, seahorses, blue ring octopus, mimic octopus, mandarinfish and so many more fantastic things, Lembeh is a 5/5 for us!
Dived 14 days this month and found the resort very accomadating and dive guides excellent,
Not sure where the rubbish issue on previous reviews came from as yes, we dived bianca, police pier and nudi falls a few times and found them excellent- ok there is a lot of plastic and rubbish but most resorts try to keep it clean.
Lembeh was a good base and yes we thought the food was just average and often just warm, but management are on the case.
We are fussy Brits and say what we think and I’m sure new management will sort.
Critters dive shop were excellent in every way and a week after returning we will go back we have decided.
Dived almost 50 dives and found over 100 species of nudis and numerous critters…bliss.
Its a shame divers with huge cameras have not bothered to do a bouncy course!
I’m gratufel you made the post. It’s cleared the air for me.
One of my Best Muck diving experience till date. Have never seen and clicked so many species in one trip earlier. Would be back there very soon
Incredible! Ambon was excellent for muck too! Must go back.