Blogs
Dive Indonesia : Lembeh Resort Trip Report
The Scuba Place spent January 2023 exploring four different resorts in Indonesia with a group of divers. This is Part One of their Trip Report on Lembeh Resort.
17,504 islands make up the nation of Indonesia, and it has the second largest coastline of any country – nearly 55,000 kilometres. The highest island peak, the youngest population on the planet, the largest volcanic lake, and over 700 languages and dialects are spoken. There are so many things that make Indonesia unique and special, and we spent the month of January exploring four different areas to see for ourselves some of what it can offer our clients.
Spoiler Alert – we bloody loved it!!
This recce was also one of our infamous Come Dive with Us hosted trips. New Year’s Eve was spent in Jakarta airport after having flown from London via Dubai. We watched the clock on the flight announcement board click over in a very quiet airport before boarding our final flight to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi in Indonesia.
Slightly jet-lagged and mostly hot and sweaty, we were met at Manado Airport by the staff from Lembeh Resort, and a very nice air-conditioned mini-bus. We set off for a 40-minute drive across the island. The newly opened road makes this a very easy journey. The last leg of the journey was then a 15-minute boat ride on one of the resort’s dive boats, across the harbour and to the resort – a tiny bit of heaven in the beautiful landscape.
What first struck us was how very small the resort appeared – rooms dotted up and down the hillside, a dive centre with camera room – a PROPER camera room – and a central two-story building with reception downstairs, and the open-air restaurant upstairs. Lembeh Resort has a stellar reputation in the diving and underwater photography communities, so I suppose we can be forgiven for not realising how small and select this place is – with only 20 rooms (8 Premium Luxury Cottages, 5 Hillside Luxury Cottages and 6 Garden Rooms), even when fully occupied this is a very quiet and very special place!
Do the maths – 20 rooms (if full) so 40 people. MAXIMUM! With 5 huge dive boats, that’s 8 divers per boat, and with two to four guides per boat, this means very special, ‘privately guided’ diving! Our group had its own boat and 3 guides, sometimes 4, across the 9 of us. Complete with O2, life jackets, spare tanks and dive equipment, toilets, towels, cold water (and hot with tea and coffee on double tank outings) plus fruit and snacks, there isn’t much more than anyone could want from a dive boat. Easy access from the beach steps and dive centre, and the crew are the warmest and friendliest, and truly expert, people ever!
The dive centre area is well set up – a two-person open wardrobe with shelving and hanging for all things wet and dive related, big benches to sit on whilst kitting up, showers and even more towels – and being a mere waddle to the dive boats – this is some of the most civilised diving ever!
Cameras – it isn’t called Critters@Lembeh for nothing, and photography here is equivalent to F1 at Silverstone, Rugby at Twickenham and Cricket at Lords – this is THE place, so you would expect the facilities to be pretty spot-on, wouldn’t you? Expect a fully-fledged and secure camera room, with shelves above and below each camera desk, individual power supplies with adapters, camera towels and non-slip mats. Separate rinse tanks outside, airguns, together with the resident Backscatter Pro offering support, advice, spare parts and courses.
Our rooms were split across the group, with some in the beautiful Hillside Cottages. These really are on a hillside, and there are a good few steps up to them, but the climb is worth it! Beautiful with plenty of space, super-comfortable beds, lovely bathrooms, lots of storage and hanging space and spectacular views across the bay. Fluffy towels, shower gel and shampoo, conditioner and other such vanity items are provided.
Those of you who know me know that I am just a little bit broken from too many Saturdays spent on the rugby pitch in my younger years – therefore, we opted for a Garden Room. More a jungle than a garden, we were a stone’s throw from the main building, but nestled into the tropical greenery and both private and quiet. All the rooms are air-conditioned and have a fridge with snacks, plus bottled water and tea and coffee.
The open-air restaurant sits above the main reception area, and has huge vaulted ceilings with fans galore, keeping it as cool as possible. The food is fab – absolutely fab, and this comes from a self-confessed foodie!! Breakfast offerings included fresh pastries, fresh fruits, a range of cooked options (beans, mushrooms, bacon, hash browns, nasi goreng, noodles) and plenty of rijsttafel offerings too – Indonesian tapas for the want of a description. Overnight oats, fruit bowls, cold meats and cheeses and much much more – oh, and eggs too – omelettes to order and juices galore!
Lunch is a buffet offering with a huge array of choices. Salads, western style and local style foods, and a fresh ‘made to order’ station offering something different every day. Always a soup, and always a choice of desserts too, enabling you to make it as light as you want, or in my case, not! Dinner is very much an a la carte experience – a four-course menu every evening, offering again a great variety of local and Western choices.
And then there are barbecue evenings, afternoon snacks and some incredibly well-crafted cocktails, good wines and a selection of beers too, available at the Pool Bar or from the Restaurant. And in this day and age, it is important to note that all of the fish served is locally line-caught, vegetables and fruits are locally and organically grown by artisanal farmers, and any dietary requirements can be catered for by the Chefs.
So, in summary – a beautiful place, extremely well set-up, run and managed, lovely rooms with ‘to die-for’ views and some proper gourmet food……..lovely people, and big proper dive boats.
All that remains to tell you about is the diving!
Lembeh is well known as the ‘Critter Capital of the World’ so we went with a bucket list of things to see and tick off. We did a couple of boat dives each morning, and then hit the house reef shore dive in the afternoon – this was plenty for us, but more dives are available, and then there are night and dusk dives too!
We dived some beautiful reefs – typical structure was a plateau of coral reef, a sloping reef and down to a black sand sea bed for a bit of muck and critter-spotting. Both North and East Lembeh offer some stunning reef and pinnacle diving – lots of colourful corals and marine life, including sharks and other pelagics passing through, and we did a few very good dives like these, but, we were there for critters, so critter-hunting we went.
With both black sand and grey sand sites, offering totally different critters, we were spoilt for choice. Currents were gentle at their strongest (expertly selected by the dive boat captain) and the critter-spotting demonstrated by the capable dive guides was second to none. We could almost ‘order a critter’ in the dive briefing, and the guides would find it, although they did struggle with the request for a polar bear!
We saw pretty much everything we set out to see, and being in small groups, were able to relax and concentrate on taking photographs too. The list of critters is pretty endless, so here, we will let our pictures do the talking…
Lembeh is a VERY special place, and we are already planning a return visit. It really is that good!
Key Facts :
- Getting there : Flights with Emirates Airlines to Manado depart from any major UK airport via Dubai and Jakarta or Singapore Airlines via Singapore and Jakarta. On Emirates from London Heathrow it was a 7-hour flight with a quick two-hour layover in Dubai followed by an 8-hour flight to Jakarta. We had a longer layover in Jakarta so we booked a room at FM7 Hotel, a quick 20 minutes from the airport for a much-needed shower and a kip. The comfortable double room was £36 and offers a free shuttle to and from the airport. Our final flight on domestic carrier Garuda to Manado was 3 ½ hours. 30 to 35kg baggage allowance is typical.
- Air temperature : Tropical – average daily temperature throughout the year is 28-30°C, with the humidity at 85-90%. The rainy season is considered to be November to May with peak rainfall in January.
- Water temperature : 26-29°C. A 1-3mm full suit or shorty will suit most.
- Visa requirement : Tourist visa is purchased on arrival for £30 or IDR 500,000.
- Health protocols : When we travelled, visitors were mandated to download an app “Pedulilindungi”. This required us to upload our proof of COVID vaccination and booster and approval was received within 24 hours. Upon arrival, we provided a QR code generated by the app, had our temperature taken and then we were off.
- Currency : Indonesian rupiah, US dollars or Euros on resort. We often find the exchange rate is better at the destination country. ATMs and exchange desks are available at the airport. The resort also accepted credit cards to settle our bill quoted in rupiah.
- Electricity : 230V with European style (round pin) two-prong plugs. Our adaptor worked without issue, and the camera room had extension leads with UK plugs.
- Internet and Wi-Fi : Wi-fi is available at no charge at the resort. The best signal around the resort was at the restaurant.
Price Guide: Expect from £2499 per person based on two sharing a garden view room for a 7-night itinerary with full board and 10 dives. Return flights and transfers are included.
Our Advice: Stay as long as you can! With a long travel time consider at least a week or talk to us about adding on other Indonesian destinations. We travelled to Murex Bangka and Murex Manado Resort on the Passport to Paradise itinerary. Stay tuned for additional reports!! And with numerous routes from the UK to choose from, any duration can easily be arranged.
Extras :
- Tourist Visa : £30 purchased on arrival.
- Food & Drink : Speciality drinks, adult beverages, sodas and snacks at Lembeh Resort. Fancy coffees, milkshakes, sodas, beers, wine, and cocktails were always available and affordable. The mini fridge in the room had a selection of drinks and snacks and was refilled daily.
- Diving Extras : Three boat dives are offered daily along with the option to sign up for mandarin, dusk, night and blackwater boat dives. The house reef is available guided or unguided. We purchased a 2 dives/day package for our time at Lembeh and all options could be used. NITROX was an extra charge.
- Tips : We would suggest a minimum of £15 per day to cover the dive centre and resort staff. Individual tips for special service are up to you!
The Scuba Place designs and builds custom scuba diving holidays. With personal knowledge and experience diving in many of our destinations, there is no one better to help build your dream dive holiday. Come Dive with Us!
Call us at 020 3515 9955 or email at reservations@thescubaplace.co.uk
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Blogs
Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives
Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.
Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface
Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Diving for All Levels
At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Exclusive Diving Offer
To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:
- 35% discount on room rates.
- Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
- Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.
This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Combinable Offers for Even More Value
This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Terms & Conditions
- This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
- The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
- All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.
To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits
If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.
Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Call: +960 650-1515
Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Welcome to Day 5 of Scubaverse.com’s week-long Christmas Gift Guide!
Struggling to find the perfect gift for that special scuba diver in your life? Read on for Team Scubaverse’s pick of this season’s must-have Christmas gifts.
Every day this week, we are publishing a special Christmas Gift Guide full of different gift ideas that are all ideal for divers, so you’re sure to find something that’s perfect. Take a look at today’s selection below…
SlipIns DiveSkins
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DiveSkins are perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, paddling, surfing, and all water sports. It shows up beautifully in pictures under water.
This tight-fitting, tailored lycra suit offers maximum comfort. stretchy, breathable, fast-drying fabric with the world’s best sun and stinger protection.
SlipIns are:
*Ultimate 50+ UPF sun protection
*Abrasion protection.
*Quick dry, breathable, soft fabric
*The ultimate stinging critter protection
Save 10% on your order if you mention you saw this ad in Scubaverse in your order note!
SAVE YOUR SKIN…WEAR OUR SKINS
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Diving Books from Miflex Hoses
sales@miflexhoses.co.uk / www.miflexhoseshop.co.uk / miflexhoseshop.co.uk/acatalog/Diving-Books.html / Miflex Hoses on Facebook
We stock a great range of Diving & Underground book titles, ideal to add to any order or simply buy as a gift for a friend.
Titles we have include:
Shipwrecks of the Dover Straits, Adventures Underground, Pioneers Beneath the Peak, Dive Truk Lagoon, Underwater Potholer, Images Below & many more.
From Authors including:
Stefan Panis, Martyn Farr, Duncan Price, Ron Young, Rod Macdonald, Chris Howes
Visit our website for more details.
sales@miflexhoses.co.uk / www.miflexhoseshop.co.uk / miflexhoseshop.co.uk/acatalog/Diving-Books.html / Miflex Hoses on Facebook
OrcaTorch D710 Dive Light – now available in pink!
sales@sea-sea.com / www.orcatorch.com / OrcaTorch on Facebook / OrcaTorch on X / OrcaTorch on YouTube
Already available in Black, Green, Red and Blue, the D710 Dive Light from Orcatorch is now available in Pink too.
Whether you’re a recreational or a professional diver, you’ll find the OrcaTorch D710 dive light useful in your underwater activities.
With max 3,000 lumens, the D710 is one of the strongest torches in its class. You also have plenty of brightness settings to choose from if you prefer less power.
It runs on one OrcaTorch 21700 5000mAh rechargeable battery with a Type-C charging port, easier for you to charge it anywhere. Now it offers five exterior colour options: Black, Green, Red, Blue, and Pink, to satisfy your diverse needs.
Featuring:
* Uses Luminous LED, max 3000 lumens
* Uses 1 * 21700 Li-ion battery
* 6° beam angle
* Offers four exterior colour options: Black, Red, Green and Blue
* Easy operation with side titanium alloy push-button switch
* Safe lock function, prevents mis-operation
* Intelligent Over-Heat protection
* Battery indicator
* Water pressure resistant construction, depth rated to 150 meters
* Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
* Over-discharge protection function
* Constructed from high-strength A6061-T6 aluminum
* Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized finish for durability and corrosion resistance
* Two sides coated toughened glass with high water pressure resistance under deep water
Sea & Sea is the home of OrcaTorch and other leading diving brands in the UK.
sales@sea-sea.com / www.orcatorch.com / OrcaTorch on Facebook / OrcaTorch on X / OrcaTorch on YouTube
Scubapro Luna 2 AI Dive Computer
Scubapro Europe Website / Scubapro USA Website / Scubapro on Facebook / Scubapro on Instagram / Scubapro on YouTube
SCUBAPRO, the world’s premier manufacturer of high-quality scuba diving equipment, introduces its second generation Luna 2.0, an easy-to-read, intuitive dive computer loaded with easy-to-use features and available in two versions, the Luna 2.0 and Luna 2.0 AI with wireless air integration.
Designed for new and casual recreational divers, the low-profile Luna 2.0 sits comfortably on the wrist. Its oil-filled plastic housing helps ensure reliable performance to depths of 120 meters. A large widescreen display features a high-contrast black and white matrix-segment LCD with full-sized characters for easy reading in all dive conditions. An intuitive menu and simple two-button interface lets the diver navigate the system with ease, aided by clearly marked screen prompts. The LUNA 2.0 offers two algorithms – Predictive Multi-Gas Bühlmann ZH-L16 ADT MB PMG or ZH-L16 + GF PURE, plus 21-50% nitrox compatibility and three selectable gasses for open circuit diving. Three dive modes are available – Scuba, Apnea and Gauge – to suit a range of diving activities.
The Luna 2.0 AI (air integrated) offers the same easy-to-use features and functions as the standard Luna 2.0 plus adds wireless air integration. This not only enables to easily monitor ythe tank pressure, it also provides true remaining bottom time (RBT) and allows the air consumption to be factored into the decompression calculation. Also available with the Luna 2.0 AI is an optional integrated heart rate monitor that lets visually track the heart rate and skin temperature to help staying in the personal target zone.
Both Luna 2.0 models include personalized dive management functions like PDIS (Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops) which calculates an intermediate stop based on N2 loading, current and previous dives and breathing mixes, and Microbubble levels that give the option to adjust the level of conservatism in the algorithm to match the individual experience level, age and physical conditioning for a more enjoyable dive.
The soft silicone arm strap offers a comfortable fit on the wrist, plus bungee mounts on the corners of the housing allow for alternate attachment methods. A Bluetooth Low Energy interface enables the download of the dive data to any iOS or Android device or PC/Mac (firmware can be user-updated), and the CR2450 battery is rated for up to two years or 300 dives.
Scubapro Europe Website / Scubapro USA Website / Scubapro on Facebook / Scubapro on Instagram / Scubapro on YouTube
35% off Red Sea Liveaboard Scuba Scene in Spring 2025
info@oysterdiving.com / www.oysterdiving.com / Oyster Diving Facebook / Oyster Diving Instagram
Embark on the ultimate diving adventure aboard the Scuba Scene, the luxury liveaboard offering an unforgettable Red Sea experience. Known for its exceptional service, safety, comfort, and world-class dive sites, Scuba Scene is the ideal choice for divers of all levels.
Dive into crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant coral reefs, exotic marine life, and awe-inspiring shipwrecks. From the stunning Ras Mohammed National Park to the famous Thistlegorm wreck, Scuba Scene brings you to the heart of the Red Sea’s best sites. With spacious cabins, gourmet dining, and a dedicated crew that ensures every detail is perfect, this liveaboard guarantees relaxation and adventure in equal measure.
Now is the perfect time to book! Save a massive 35% on any sailing between 3rd March and 28th April 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or taking your first plunge, Scuba Scene promises an experience you’ll cherish forever.
Don’t miss this chance to dive the Red Sea in style and at an incredible price. Book your adventure today!
Tel: 0800 699 0243
info@oysterdiving.com / www.oysterdiving.com / Oyster Diving Facebook / Oyster Diving Instagram
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