Snorkeling & Free-diving in Lembeh
In addition to scuba-diving, we also offer Snorkeling & Free-diving trips at Lembeh! While Lembeh Strait is famous for macro-photography and muck-diving, there’s also a very vibrant and colorful side of Lembeh with extensive coral walls, gardens, and large schools of fish at South Lembeh, and also some of the dive-sites of Lembeh Strait; being a delight for Snorkelers and Free-divers alike.
Two-Minute Film by Lay Beng for an impression of what you can see while snorkeling
The following sites below are ideal for snorkeling thanks to their healthy reefs & large schools of fish!
Snorkeling & Free-diving sites at Lembeh Strait (Always Accessible) :
The Snorkeling sites at Lembeh Strait: Serena Island, Tanjung Kusu-Kusu, Nudi-falls and Betting Pasir
- Nudi-falls: A famous scuba-diving site, but also quite exceptional for snorkeling as nudibranchs can be often found near the shallower areas, and the coral walls here are very appealing too. Seahorses and Octopuses are commonly found even at the shallower areas
- Nudi-retreat: Quite similar to Nudi-falls, featuring a combination of coral walls, schools of fish, nudibranchs, and seahorses.
- Tanjung Kusu-Kusu: This is a large shallow reef located near to Serena Island, notably while Snorkeling seahorses, moray eels, and clownfishes can be seen here.
- Air Prang: Named after a water well next to the site, this is also another regularly visited area by scuba-divers. On the shallower areas there are plenty of healthy corals and schools of fish to be found.
Snorkeling & Free-diving sites at South Lembeh (Accessible from November to April) :
The Snorkeling sites at South Lembeh: Pulau Dua, Coral Kobong, and Jiko
- Pulau Dua (Two Islands): Is a small island located near the coast of Lembeh Island. This site regularly features 30-40 meters of visibility. Large schools of fish, colorful corals and occasionally white-tip & black-tip reef sharks can be found here.
- Jiko: This site is quite similar and also nearby to Pulau Dua. Featuring different schools of fish. Uniquely though we’ve had sightings of Rhinopias and Denise’s Pygmy Seahorse on this site.
- Tanjung Kuning (Yellow Cape): Located near a very colorful cape, this site features large schools of fish, colorful corals. Visibility can vary at times depending if there was rain recently.
- Coral Kobong (Coral Garden): Named after the coral reefs’ vicinity to a local coconut garden, this is a crescent shaped reef featuring coral cliffs. Similar to Tanjung Kuning as the visibility here can vary at times.
You can view where the snorkeling sites precisely are on our Map of Lembeh Divesites page!
Much like our diving policy, every snorkeler/free-diver whether solo or in a buddy team of two, is provided with a guide at no additional cost. We also offer snorkeling at our house-reef for free if you decide to do it without a guide, and without a private-boat from our beach.
How is a Snorkeling / Free-diving trip organized and what is the cost?
If you’re staying with us at Divers Lodge Lembeh, then you’ll only have to inform us one night in advance, and we’ll organize everything for you!
Alternatively we also offer day-trips for guests who aren’t staying at the resort! Ideally the earlier you’ll inform us of your plans the better, as boat availability varies day-to-day.
We’ll pick the best sites available depending on the weather, underwater visibility, and according to your preferences. For more experienced free-divers we can visit deeper snorkeling sites, or if you prefer to stay at the surface, we’ll go to the sites with shallower reefs.
Just send a Whatsapp or Email to us, and we’ll keep a boat reserved for you. Like all our pricing policies, you’ll only pay at the end of your trip, for the activities you really completed.
If other guests are available and agree to share a boat, the cost is split equally among everyone on that boat. However, we cannot guarantee that others will be available or willing to share. This fee applies to everyone whether alone, with a buddy, or in a group. As a snorkeler/free-diver you can also share a boat with other scuba-divers and you’ll be provided with your own guide.
What does a day of snorkeling cost?
Snorkeling is charged per site, never per hour. Set your group and how many sites you would like to visit, and the per-person price updates live. The boat is €95 for the whole day, split between everyone aboard.
Included with every snorkeling day: your own guide, mask, snorkel and fins, your choice of sites, unlimited time in the water, Breakfast and/or lunch served on the boat, water, tea, coffee and snacks aboard, towels, and safety equipment.
Every snorkeler, alone or in a buddy pair, is given a private guide at no extra cost. The boat is yours from 07:30 to 20:00, so you choose the sites, set the schedule, and stay in the water as long as you like at each one. There is no rush and no waiting on anyone else.
Our house reef is free to snorkel. Walk in from the beach and go at your own pace, without a boat and without a guide.
Planning a full stay? Build your whole trip on the rates page.
Arranging Your Snorkeling
Just send us an email or a WhatsApp message and we will keep a boat reserved for you. There is no deposit, and you only pay at the end of your trip for the activities you actually did.
Full pricing is on our Rates & Booking page, and every site mentioned above is plotted on our Dive Site Map.
Thank you for reading! If you’d like to find more information about us:
- Our Homepage: Divers Lodge Lembeh | Nature Resort & Dive Centre
- Accommodations: Bungalows
- Scuba-diving: Diving in Lembeh
- Land tours/excursions: North Sulawesi Tours
- All our rates: Rates & Booking
