Diving In Lembeh Strait and South Lembeh

At Divers Lodge Lembeh, we have 24 years of experience diving in Lembeh. Lembeh is famous worldwide for the weird and otherwise rare marine critters, that are prized by macro photographers, muck divers alike. Lembeh also offers more than only muck-diving, with the often-overlooked sites of South Lembeh (Only accessible November – April) that features incredible underwater visibility of 30-40 meters. Large schools of fish and healthy reefs are always present. Even sharks, dolphins, turtles, and eagle rays can be found.

Photo by Faycal Chabini at Immersedlens Photography

We guarantee a 2-1 diver-to-guide ratio. Every guide has made at least 500 dives in Lembeh Strait alone, and gained extensive experience working with underwater photographers. Each guest or group gets their own dive boat and guide. This allows you to:

• Dive without time limits (within safety standards and no decompression dives)
• Set your own dive schedule and departure time (Maximum 5 dives in one day, from 07:30-20:00)
• Choose your own dive-sites at anytime. You’ll always have the freedom to decide where to go. We dive in all the dive-sites on our Dive-Map below. If you’re looking for something specific be it Seahorses, Octopuses, Nudibranchs, or simply colorful reefs, then our crew will choose the best sites for you.

Our unique approach allows you to explore Lembeh at your own pace and choice.

Lembeh Island: With Bitung City, Lembeh Strait and the Southern side of Lembeh

Below you can find:

1. How is the diving in Lembeh organized, and what is the cost?
2. Diving in Lembeh Strait
3. Diving in South Lembeh
4. Dive site diversity of Lembeh
5. Map of Dives Sites
6. The House Reef and Mandarinfish
7. Dive Requirements & Rules
8. Dives Rates
9. Rental Diving Equipment 

How is the diving in Lembeh organized, and what is the cost?

The dive-boats departing from the resort

If you’re staying with us at Divers Lodge Lembeh, then you’ll only have to inform us the night before the dive, and we’ll organize everything according to your preferences! Your departure time, number of dives, rental equipment if required, dive-sites, and any other diving preferences.

Alternatively we also offer daytrips for guests who aren’t staying at the resort. For this we’ll arrange a transfer in the morning from the harbor of Ruko Pateten to Divers Lodge Lembeh. At the resort you’ll be able to test rental equipment (If you decide to use them of course), and you’ll have to fill-out some paperwork before any diving takes place. (Which is unfortunately a bit boring, but really necessary.) If you decide to do book a diving daytrip with us, just send an Email or Whatsapp. (Ideally the earlier you’ll inform us of your plans the better, as boat availability varies day-to-day.)

We manage all aspects of your diving logistics. Our staff will transport your dive and camera equipment from your accommodation to our dive boats. All members of our crew and dive-guides never smoke on-board.

If other guests are available and agree to share a boat, the cost is split equally among all persons on that boat. However we cannot guarantee that others will be available or willing to share. This applies to all divers, whether alone, with a buddy, or in a group.

You’ll only be charged for the dives you really did during your stay or daytrip. For example if you would rather skip a dive on any day, due to an ear infection, or any other reason at all, that is completely fine and it will not be billed. Payment only at check-out or at the end of your daytrip.

There is no additional surcharge for dives at any of the dive sites. We dive everywhere in Lembeh.

Our Dive-Boats facing Lembeh Strait

Diving in Lembeh Strait

Lembeh Strait is famous and referred to as the Critter Capital of the World, for its abundance of unique macro critters. This includes an extraordinary range of macro life, such as a vast variety of octopuses, nudibranchs, cuttlefish, seahorses, crustaceans and much more. We maintain an on-going visual record of all photographed marine species on our Lembeh Underwater Gallery! With 648 photographs and 226 species documented so far. These underwater critters provide an exceptional experience for divers, especially those interested in macro photography.

Photos by Thomas Gerlinger

Most of the dive-sites at Lembeh Strait are quite shallow, with some sites having an average dive depth of 8-15 meters. With the deeper sites at Lembeh Strait being between 25-30 meters. Combined with Nitrox, larger dive-tanks and our unlimited dive-time, you’ll be able to extend your dive time for a very significant amount of time.

Quite often the critters of Lembeh Strait move between dive-sites, as such every year the activity underwater shifts, former busy dive-sites become quiet, with other sites suddenly becoming exceptionally dense with underwater life. Our dive-guides are best informed with the changes taking place underwater, and we’ll bring you to the best sites depending on anything specific you’d like to find.

Diving in South Lembeh

Aerial Photos of the Reefs of the dive-sites at South Lembeh – Jiko, Coral Kobong, and Pulau Dua

While most diving in Lembeh focuses on the Strait’s famous muck diving sites, the southern side of Lembeh Island (accessible from November to April) offers a different experience entirely – with extensive coral walls, gardens, and large schools of fish. The diving conditions here are comparable to those found in Bangka and Bunaken, with excellent visibility and rich coral diversity. Sharks, dolphins, turtles, and eagle rays can be found here aswell.

Sites such as Pulau Dua (Two Islands) at South-Lembeh island faces the open-ocean, with reefs encircling the island, and 4km further from the reef in the direction of the Moluccan sea the depth drops to 1.3km deep. Quite recently too, Pulau Dua was declared a no-fishing zone designated for tourism by the Ministry of Sea & Fishery. Then there are also the many other sites such as Tanjung Kuning (Yellow Coast), Jiko, Koral Kobong (Coral Garden), Pulau Susulina (Susulina’s Island), and Batu Bunyan (Bunyan’s Rock).

Photos by Markus Hoch & Stephanie Hoch, and Andreas Ahrens

Dive Site Diversity of Lembeh

The dives sites in Lembeh ranges from volcanic sandy bottoms to coral gardens, walls, and even shipwrecks!

Generally Lembeh Strait has a reputation for the muckiest kind of diving (such as finding two moray eels in a sunken tire). With the famous dive-sites such Teluk Kambahu, Bianca, and Hairball to name a few that is most certainly the case. However! Contrary to that reputation, sites such as Tanjung Kusu-Kusu, Serena Island, and Nudi-Falls in Lembeh Strait offers shallow colorful reefs! That are a delight for snorkelers too.

There is three shipwrecks in Lembeh Strait. However, only Kapal Indah & Mawali Wreck is accessible. As the Bimoli Wreck has been restricted due to the presence of live ammunition.

Map of Dives Sites

Quite often critters move between dive sites and as such the underwater life of the dive site changes. Our dive guides are best informed and will know which dive site is the best depending on what you’d like to find and your preferences. We can dive in all the dives sites below.

We also have an interactive dive map available on our Map of Lembeh Dive Sites page!

For Scale: Lembeh Strait is 22 kilometers / 13.6 miles long. It takes 15-30 minutes to reach the most famous dive sites at the center and Northwest tip of Lembeh.

The House Reef and Mandarinfish

Our House Reef is a highlight, since the implementation of a strict no-fishing policy in 2007, the reef has become a home for a diverse range of species such as the Blue Ringed Octopus, Wonderpus, Hairy Squat Lobster, Tiger Shrimp, Hairy Octopus, and Ghost Pipefish, including the Mandarin fish. 

Four-minute video of the highlights of our House Reef by Ocean Storyteller

The dive depth of the reef varies between 2 and 30 meters, accommodating a range of diving experiences. The reef itself is a mix of coral formations and sandy slopes, interspersed with coral bommies and rubble. Patches of sea grass can be found in the shallower areas.

The reef begins at a shallow depth, suitable for snorkeling during calm weather. In certain areas, the reef extends to depths of 30-35 meters, where divers can observe schools of fish, including mackerel, triggerfish, and trevallies.

Trio of Mandarinfishes – Photographed by Markus Roth in the House Reef

Dive Requirements & Rules

Diving is fun! And it is even more fun (and safer) if our guests oblige to the following dive rules.

• You have to be at least 16 years old and certified for scuba diving by a recognized organization.
• You will be asked to sign a “Standards of Safe Diving Statement” and a Medical Statement, before you start diving with us.
• You will need your dive certification and dive log. If you have any medical problems that may affect diving, you will need written confirmation from your doctor that you are able to dive.
• We offer unlimited dive times, but we ask that you do not exceed decompression limits. We do not allow decompression dives or dives deeper than 30 meters.
• You are expected to dive according to the buddy principle.
• You must dive with a dive computer, because it is likely you will be diving more than once a day and on consecutive days.
• Do not to touch anything underwater, not only for the protection of the underwater environment, but also for your safety as many poisonous creatures inhabit these waters. If you are going to rest any part of your body on the sand, first make sure that it is safe to do so. Beware of spiny poisonous creatures, such as the devil fish, hiding in the sand! Wearing gloves is not forbidden.
• Please do not ask the guides to manipulate the animals in any way. Observe the underwater environment from a reasonable distance and do not frighten the creatures.
• We have an agreement with other dive centers that there is a limit of 15 divers, including the dive guides, in the same dive site underwater.
• Take nothing but good memories. Leave nothing but bubbles.

Dives Rates

Below are our rates for diving! Also available in our Rates and Booking page (which includes a more detailed calculator)

Please note: All our prices are based in Euros (EUR). The USD and IDR prices provided are approximate and may fluctuate with changes in exchange rates. 

For payments in USD or IDR, the final amount will be calculated based on the exchange rate at the time of payment.

Private boat service: €95 / $109.25 / IDR 1.936.000 per day, per boat, in addition to the cost of dives/snorkeling. If other guests are available and agree to share a boat, the cost is split equally among all persons on that boat. However we cannot guarantee that others will be available or willing to share. This fee applies to all divers, whether alone, with a buddy, or in a group.

All dives must be conducted between 07:30 and 20:00, with a maximum of 5 dives per day. Nitrox is available in mixes from 28% to 35%; 32% is our standard fill, and other blends can be arranged on request. Dive without time limits, as long as it is within the safety standards of no decompression diving.

Rental Diving Equipment 

We provide top-quality rental equipment, including tanks with Int valves and a range of sizes, including Nitrox 32%. Divers using DIN regulators should bring their own adapters. The water temperature in Lembeh Strait is typically pleasant with temperature of 27°C-29°C, however we would recommend a 3mm or 5mm full-length wetsuit based on individual comfort and seasonal variations.

Serena Island at the center of Lembeh Strait

Thank you for reading! If you’d like to learn more about us, a few useful links below:

• Our Homepage: Divers Lodge Lembeh | Nature Resort & Dive Centre
• Dive Guides, Captains and Crew: The Team
• Snorkeling / Freediving : Snorkeling & Free-diving In Lembeh
• Land tours/excursions: North Sulawesi Tours
• Accommodations: Bungalows
• Our Location & Nature Preserve: Nature Preserve | Our Location, Beaches, Wildlife, and Kayaking
• Our Foundation & Recognition: Our Vision on Eco Tourism

Page last updated August 9, 2026