Scuba Diving in Lembeh
The Ultimate Guide
The Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi has become famous as the muck‑diving capital of the world. At first glance its gently sloping seabed of black volcanic sand, rubble and discarded debris looks bleak. Look closer and it is teeming with weird and wonderful life: hairy and painted frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic and blue‑ringed octopuses, ornate ghost pipefish, tiny seahorses, shrimp, crabs and a rainbow of nudibranchs. Most dives are shallow and calm with little current, making it an ideal playground for macro photographers. There are a few colourful reefs for a change of scenery, but Lembeh is all about searching the sand for critter treasures.
Difficulty
Easy
Temperature
24-30°C
Visibility
4-20m
Diving Highlights
Best Months to Dive
Getting to Lembeh for Diving
✈️Transportation
The easiest way to reach Lembeh is to fly to Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) in Manado.
There are regular international flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and daily domestic connections from Jakarta, Makassar and Bali.
From Manado it is a 1½–2‑hour drive to the port of Bitung, where resorts arrange a short boat transfer across the strait to Lembeh Island.
Many dive resorts include airport pick‑ups in their packages, so the journey is seamless.
Country
Indonesia
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah
Electricity
220V, 50Hz，Euro Plug
Cost of a Dive Trip in Lembeh
Dive Resort
Night Dive
Black Water Dive
Best Dive Sites in Lembeh
🐠Hairball 1 & 2
These twin “house‑reef” muck sites are classic Lembeh: gently sloping black sand with patches of rubble and the occasional tyre or coconut. They are home to hairy and painted frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, seahorses, ghost pipefish and often strange octopus such as mimic, coconut and wunderpus. The sandy slope is shallow and protected, making it a great place to start your critter hunt.
🐢Nudi Falls
One of Lembeh’s most famous dives, Nudi Falls combines a mini‑wall, rubble slope and deeper sand patch. Stronger currents at the right tide attract plankton, which in turn draw in nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, blue‑ringed octopus and flamboyant cuttlefish. Look closely for the tiny Lembeh sea dragon and expect to see the flamboyant Spanish dancer during night dives.
🦈Serena Patah
This small island offers a mix of corals in the shallows, a sand slope and rubble terraces further down. Moderate currents can run through the channel, bringing in nutrients and exciting finds such as blue‑ringed octopus, wonderpus, ornate ghost pipefish, ribbon eels and reef octopus.
🐙Jahir
A classic black‑sand muck site with little current, Jahir is loved for its reliable residents. On the shallow buoy line lives a giant frogfish; deeper down you may spot mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, mantis shrimps carrying eggs, seahorses and hairy frogfish. At night keep an eye out for bobtail squid and the elusive starry night octopus.
🐚Nudi Retreat
This site combines a mini‑wall covered in soft corals and sea fans with a rubble and sand slope. Pygmy seahorses hide in the sea fans, while skeleton shrimp, gobies, frogfish, Banggai cardinalfish and Pegasus seamoths prowl the rubble. At night the electric clam can be seen flashing inside its crevice.
🦑Air Bajo 1 & 2
Two sandy bays separated by a patch of mangroves, these sites feature a flat black‑sand slope dotted with rubble. They are protected from currents and are home to coconut, mimic, blue‑ringed and long‑armed octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish, Ambon scorpionfish, garden eels, snake eels and various seahorses. Both sites are excellent for night dives.
🐡Angel’s Window
A volcanic pinnacle rising from deeper water, Angel’s Window has a swim‑through that gives the site its name. Divers descend to the swim‑through then circle the pinnacle, exploring sea fans full of pygmy seahorses, clouds of butterflyfish feeding on damselfish eggs, giant frogfish, reef octopus and xeno crabs. Because of its exposure it is best dived at slack tide.
🦀Critter Hunt
Aptly named, this site starts on coral and slopes down to sand and rubble. In the deeper rubble you might find blue‑ringed octopus and unusually orange hairy frogfish, while the shallows hide nudibranchs, cuttlefish and occasional pygmy seahorses. It’s the perfect spot for patient critter hunters.
What Divers Say About Diving in Lembeh
Yuki Tanaka
Underwater Photographer / Master Scuba DiverLembeh delivers some of the most memorable underwater encounters I’ve ever had. 💎 Instead of colourful reefs, you drift over black sand and rubble, scanning every inch for motion. Suddenly a flamboyant cuttlefish appears, pulsing purple and yellow as it stalks a shrimp. A hairy frogfish the size of your fist ambles along like a tiny shaggy rug, and then a mimic octopus unfurls itself from the sand and transforms into a flatfish before your eyes. The excitement of spotting each critter is addictive – every dive feels like a treasure hunt. Surface intervals are relaxed too: most resorts have quiet gardens and warm hospitality, with fresh coffee always ready. If you love macro photography or simply discovering the ocean’s oddballs, Lembeh should be on your bucket list.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Lembeh
When is the best time to go scuba diving in Lembeh?
Lembeh can be dived year‑round. The dry months from March to October offer warmer water and better visibility, while the rainy months from November to February bring plankton and attract unusual critters. Peak season for rare species is July–August.
What marine life can I see while diving in Lembeh?
The strait is world‑famous for macro species. You can expect hairy and painted frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic and blue‑ringed octopuses, seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, ribbon eels, mantis shrimp and countless nudibranchs. On certain dives you may also see turtles or reef fish on nearby reefs.
Is Lembeh suitable for beginners?
Yes. Most Lembeh dives are shallow (5–20 m) with little or no current, making them ideal for novice divers. A few sites experience stronger currents at certain tides, so always follow your dive guide’s advice.
How many dive sites are there in Lembeh Strait?
There are around 30 named sites on both sides of the strait, ranging from classic muck slopes and sandy bays to coral pinnacles and small walls. They are all reached via short boat rides from the resorts.
Can I do night dives in Lembeh?
Night diving is highly recommended here. After dark the sands come alive with bobtail squid, starry night octopus, Spanish dancer nudibranchs and other nocturnal creatures. Most resorts offer night dives on request.
What are the water temperatures and visibility like?
Water temperatures range from about 24 °C during the rainy season to 30 °C in mid‑year. Visibility is typically 4–20 m – it may be murky but that’s when the critters are out in force.
Do I need to join a liveaboard to dive Lembeh?
Not necessarily. Lembeh is best enjoyed from land‑based dive resorts that offer unlimited access to the muck sites. Liveaboards occasionally include the strait as part of a wider North Sulawesi itinerary.