Lembeh Strait

We stayed at Dive Into Lembeh for three weeks during August and September 2026, on a trip booked through Diverse Travel. It was a long enough stay to settle into the resort's rhythm, but we still left feeling that there was much more to find in the strait.

Dive Into Lembeh arranged our transfer from Manado airport. The journey took roughly one hour, beginning on a smooth, modern toll road before the final stretch followed narrower, winding and bumpier local roads.

We stayed in a poolside villa, which was lovely. It felt private and had a pleasant outlook toward the Lembeh Strait, although trees partly screened the view and the massage room was nearby. The private balcony hot tub was one of our favourite features. It was warm rather than extremely hot, making it a comfortable place to warm up gradually after diving. In the evenings we sometimes sat there with a drink after dinner and watched the moon rise through the trees.

The dive operation felt relaxed but was very well organised. The first dive normally left before breakfast, with tea, coffee, fruit juice and biscuits available beforehand, and breakfast served after the first dive. Fast dive boats departed from the beach, and entries could be made by backward roll or giant stride. The helpful boat crew were equally happy for divers to climb the ladder in their equipment or to remove their BCD and weights in the water and pass them up.

The team assembled our dive equipment and carried it to and from the boats each day. Andrew still personally checked his own life-support equipment before every dive, as we would recommend every diver does. During the full three weeks, he did not find a single setup error.

The dedicated camera room was particularly good, with plenty of work space, strong lighting and ample charging points for cameras, strobes and lights. Once an assembled camera system was ready, it could be placed in the camera tank outside for the crew to take to the boat, creating a simple and effective rinse-and-tank workflow.

The diving repeatedly delivered the small subjects we had travelled for. Nudi Falls became one of our favourite sites because there always seemed to be something new to find, including an unforgettable encounter in which we watched two greater blue-ringed octopuses mating.

California Dreaming showed a different side of Lembeh. The coral there looked healthy and attractive, and although we explored it slowly as a macro site, it could also have made an enjoyable reef dive in its own right.

Vegetarian food was excellent during the first two weeks, when several vegetarian and vegan guests were staying and the selection was clearly separated from the meat dishes. During our final week, when Di and I were the only vegetarians, the choice became noticeably more limited. The kitchen prepared alternatives whenever required, so we never went hungry, but those dishes were simpler than the earlier selection. That inconsistency was disappointing at a resort of this quality, and we would like to see the same excellent vegetarian choice maintained regardless of the guest mix, though it did not outweigh the many strengths of our stay.

Overall, the critter diving, guides, camera facilities, boat operation and relaxed atmosphere worked exceptionally well for us. Di considers Dive Into Lembeh her favourite dive resort, and we both intend to return. The resort also organised our onward transfer to Murex Manado, so the travel arrangements at both ends were straightforward.