Lembeh island creates a calm channel, protected from both the north-east and south-west monsoon.
Prevailing currents are also concentrated by the strait, bringing a rich supply of plankton, causing the visibility to range around 10-15 metres.
Water temperatures are generally rather cold for the tropics ranging between 24-27°C. Almost all of the dive sites are in the depth range of 3-25 metres, so combined with the temperatures: 5mm full suites!
Prevailing currents are also concentrated by the strait, bringing a rich supply of plankton, causing the visibility to range around 10-15 metres.
Water temperatures are generally rather cold for the tropics ranging between 24-27°C. Almost all of the dive sites are in the depth range of 3-25 metres, so combined with the temperatures: 5mm full suites!
The more you go to the North and out of the bay the dive sites gradually change into more Coral reef and wall diving sites with better overall visibility.
You can dive in Lembeh all year but the conditions do vary.
January to June sees variable (but still fine) conditions and less divers. August sees the poorest visibility but the richest numbers of critters. September to October are probably the best two months overall.
Around the island there are some small but beautiful Coral reefs and at the Northern tip at Batu Kapal, the currents attract large fish like Mackerels and Sharks.
There are also four beautiful covered wrecks, two of them large and all within limits for recreational diving. Unfortunately, since this area is not a national marine park, the wrecks are still being plundered for metal scrap.
You can dive in Lembeh all year but the conditions do vary.
January to June sees variable (but still fine) conditions and less divers. August sees the poorest visibility but the richest numbers of critters. September to October are probably the best two months overall.
Around the island there are some small but beautiful Coral reefs and at the Northern tip at Batu Kapal, the currents attract large fish like Mackerels and Sharks.
There are also four beautiful covered wrecks, two of them large and all within limits for recreational diving. Unfortunately, since this area is not a national marine park, the wrecks are still being plundered for metal scrap.
AW Shucks - [1]
Next to a pearl farm, this site has a verdant mix of Coral and sponge growth in the shallows with a sand slope below along with a large section of weed/rubble.
The shallows offer such finds as Leaf Scorpionfishes, Cuttlefishes and a good Nudibranch selection, with the sand slope often hosting popular critters such as Hairy Frogfishes, Flamboyant Cuttlefishes, sea horses, Ghost Pipefishes, Seamoths (Pegasisae) and sand Octopus such as the Mimic and Wonderpus species.
The shallows offer such finds as Leaf Scorpionfishes, Cuttlefishes and a good Nudibranch selection, with the sand slope often hosting popular critters such as Hairy Frogfishes, Flamboyant Cuttlefishes, sea horses, Ghost Pipefishes, Seamoths (Pegasisae) and sand Octopus such as the Mimic and Wonderpus species.
Hairball 1 - [2]
This is the most famous of the muck sites and deservedly so. The (only) sand slope here can be exceptionally productive.
The position on a point means that the mix of currents brings more nutrients than on most other nearby sites.
The position on a point means that the mix of currents brings more nutrients than on most other nearby sites.
In the cooler summer season, the shallows can be covered with cotton candy-like Algae, drawing 'hairy' critters such as the Hairy Frogfish, Ambon Scorpionfish and filamented Ghost Pipefish which blend right in.
Other inhabitants such as Cockatoo Waspfishes and Seahorses can also get 'hairy' as the algae grows on them.
Other inhabitants such as Cockatoo Waspfishes and Seahorses can also get 'hairy' as the algae grows on them.
Hairball 2 - [3]
Right around the corner but usually not as rich as Hairball 1, this is very popular as an alternative when Hairball 1 is overcrowded.
This is another sand slope, good for Octopuses, Seahorses and the like. A few Coral bommies in the shallows often harbour Frogfishes.
This is another sand slope, good for Octopuses, Seahorses and the like. A few Coral bommies in the shallows often harbour Frogfishes.
Teluk Kembahu 1 (or TK1) - [4]
Named after the village in the bay is another gentle black sand slope with a great chance of seeing many different critters in shallow, easy conditions.
There are low Coral patches below 12 metres and small bommies in the shallows separated by the sand slope. There are usually giant Frogfishes in residence on the Coral patches. Stargazers are often encountered, even in the daytime.
It is a productive octopus-hunting area and is also the best place in the strait to see a variety of Waspfishes and the special Devilfish in various colour patterns.
There are low Coral patches below 12 metres and small bommies in the shallows separated by the sand slope. There are usually giant Frogfishes in residence on the Coral patches. Stargazers are often encountered, even in the daytime.
It is a productive octopus-hunting area and is also the best place in the strait to see a variety of Waspfishes and the special Devilfish in various colour patterns.
Teluk Kembahu 2 (or TK2) - [5]
This is a continuation of the same terrain and critters as TK1. Some of the dive sites in Lembeh can be hot one month and seem empty the next, but on these two sites there is always happy hunting with plenty to see.
This is prime Weedy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa) territory as well, with yellow, brown and purple specimens in residence for months at a time in recent years.
This is prime Weedy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa) territory as well, with yellow, brown and purple specimens in residence for months at a time in recent years.
Teluk Kembahu 3 (or TK3) - [6]
This is a featureless gradual sand slope that is probably the best location in the strait for the sought-after Mimic Octopus as well hosting a wide variety of other Octopus species including the fabled Blueringed Octopus.
This is also the best site for the rare Ambon Scorpionfish, which is the closest relative to the famous Rhinopias.
The area can seem empty, but though there isn't the density of critters of neighbouring sites, it remains a favorite of many.
This is also the best site for the rare Ambon Scorpionfish, which is the closest relative to the famous Rhinopias.
The area can seem empty, but though there isn't the density of critters of neighbouring sites, it remains a favorite of many.
Retak Larry (Larry's Crack) - [7]
Another sand site, but with a small stand of healthy Coral in the shallows. This popular site along with Hairball 1 and the TK 1/2 area has good variety and number of different species like Frogfish, Ambon Scorpionfish, cockatoo Flounder, Seahorse and the filamented ghost Pipefish (in season).
It is also the site for explosive breeding Nudibranchs (Gymnodoris ceylonica) as well as various Slug species, not reported from other sites in the strait.
It is also the site for explosive breeding Nudibranchs (Gymnodoris ceylonica) as well as various Slug species, not reported from other sites in the strait.
Slow Poke - [8]
A seldom-dived site between the more popular Retak Larry and Magic Crack, this gentle sand slope has some rubble, which can be productive and a single bommie that at times boasts numerous Ornate Ghost Pipefishes. For those who move slowly and are observant, Seahorses, Devilfishes, Mimic Octopuses and other gems can be seen here.
Magic Crack - [9]
A continuance of the gentle sand slope, the highlight of this dive is a Coral and rubble patch stretching from 12-27 metres and is the best place in Lembeh to find Thorny Seahorses.
There is a busy cleaning station, a strong Nudibranch representation, Ribbon Eels, Ghost Pipefish and also a good spot for the Wunderpus.
In the shallows towards the bay is sand, but as an alternative for the safety stop there is a healthy hard Coral garden to the side stretching southward out of the bay.
There is a busy cleaning station, a strong Nudibranch representation, Ribbon Eels, Ghost Pipefish and also a good spot for the Wunderpus.
In the shallows towards the bay is sand, but as an alternative for the safety stop there is a healthy hard Coral garden to the side stretching southward out of the bay.
Magic Rock - [10]
This used to be merely a single bommie with exceptional critter numbers, keeping divers glued on this one rock for an entire dive. But El Niño caused water temperatures to rise which killed or drove off the life on that Coral head, which never recovered.
Now divers head out over a sand plain, gently sloping to a fantastic wall which goes from 21-50 metres in depth. The sand is usually not very productive though Waspfishes, Frogfishes and Wonderpuses are occasionally encountered. In the shallows there is an exceptional hard Coral garden from the coast down to 10 metres in depth which offers fine snorkeling.
This site is sheltered from the SE winds (June - Sept.), but subject to swell at times during the rainy season (Nov. - April).
Now divers head out over a sand plain, gently sloping to a fantastic wall which goes from 21-50 metres in depth. The sand is usually not very productive though Waspfishes, Frogfishes and Wonderpuses are occasionally encountered. In the shallows there is an exceptional hard Coral garden from the coast down to 10 metres in depth which offers fine snorkeling.
This site is sheltered from the SE winds (June - Sept.), but subject to swell at times during the rainy season (Nov. - April).
Nudi Retreat - [11]
The most heavily-dived site in the strait, this is a lovely Coral amphitheater in the shallows.
It turns into a sand slope with encrusted boulders down below and two walls stretching out to either side sporting healthy soft Coral growth right up to only 2 metres in depth.
The prime attraction here are Pygmy Seahorses, cockatoo Waspfishes and Pegasus Seamoths along with the attractive underwater scenery and general variety. Coral Cat Sharks are often seen here on night dives.
It turns into a sand slope with encrusted boulders down below and two walls stretching out to either side sporting healthy soft Coral growth right up to only 2 metres in depth.
The prime attraction here are Pygmy Seahorses, cockatoo Waspfishes and Pegasus Seamoths along with the attractive underwater scenery and general variety. Coral Cat Sharks are often seen here on night dives.
Makawide - [12]
Excellent Coral growth in the shallows spilling down a wall towards the main channel of the strait. On the silty slope below the wall rise a few rocky pinnacles, from 26 up to 15 metres, covered in a rich array of life. This is an excellent site for Pygmy Seahorses and Nudibranchs with very good snorkeling opportunities, though it is subject to strong currents being more exposed than Nudi Retreat.
Jahir - [13]
The most popular muck site along with Hairball 1, this is just another sand and gravel slope with some rope sponge growth and a few Coral outcrops in the shallows.
Highlights here are Frogfish species, especially the fabled Hairy Frogfish (Antennarius striatus), lots of purple heart Urchins, home to the beautiful Zebra Crab, various Cephalopods (including the Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Wonderpus and Mimic Octopus), and a wide variety of venomous fish species.
Excellent for night dives with the opportunity to see the strange Stargazer (Uranoscopidae).
Highlights here are Frogfish species, especially the fabled Hairy Frogfish (Antennarius striatus), lots of purple heart Urchins, home to the beautiful Zebra Crab, various Cephalopods (including the Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Wonderpus and Mimic Octopus), and a wide variety of venomous fish species.
Excellent for night dives with the opportunity to see the strange Stargazer (Uranoscopidae).
Jari-Jari - [14]
A continuation of the more popular Jahir, this is a wide expanse of shallow sand littered with Sponges and small bommies.
This site has a steep sand slope leading down to an excellent cleaning station occupying a single large rock down at 26 metres. Though not as crowded with critters in comparison with Jahir, there are still interesting finds to be had here, such as Stonefishes, various Frogfishes and interesting Pipefishes.
This site has a steep sand slope leading down to an excellent cleaning station occupying a single large rock down at 26 metres. Though not as crowded with critters in comparison with Jahir, there are still interesting finds to be had here, such as Stonefishes, various Frogfishes and interesting Pipefishes.
Air Perang - [15]
The name literally means 'War Water', referring to the jetty offering fresh water from an uphill aquifer, exploited by the Japanese during WW2.
This is an expansive shallow sand slope, more popular for night diving, especially when strong rising tides limit the possible options elsewhere in the middle section of the strait.
Good for Octopus species and recently popular for three Rhinopias found in the rubble sections on the Northern end of the site, but the barren terrain and low density of critters mean that it sees far fewer divers compared to the muck sites to its north. One highlight is the Bobbit Worm, commonly seen on night dives.
This is an expansive shallow sand slope, more popular for night diving, especially when strong rising tides limit the possible options elsewhere in the middle section of the strait.
Good for Octopus species and recently popular for three Rhinopias found in the rubble sections on the Northern end of the site, but the barren terrain and low density of critters mean that it sees far fewer divers compared to the muck sites to its north. One highlight is the Bobbit Worm, commonly seen on night dives.
Nudi Falls - [16]
One of the three most-dived sites (along with Nudi Retreat & Hairball), a colourful sheer miniwall with a rock pile below, then a sand slope, leveling out into the main channel of rubble sprouting a forest of large soft Corals.
Scenically this site is unlike any other in the strait. There is a whole range of attractions here: sightings of rare Eschmeyer's Scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri), Harlequin Shrimp and Boxer Crab happen regularly.
Robust Ghost Pipefishes, Wonderpuses and other muck critters are found on the sand slope.
Frogfishes, Pygmy Seahorses, Ornate Ghost Pipefishes, Batfishes, Comet fishes, File Shells (Ctenoides ales) and Peacock Mantis Shrimps are commonly sighted near, in or on the wall along with Nudibranchs.
This is usually the most Nudibranch-rich site in the strait and along with Jahir, it is the most popular night-diving destination.
Scenically this site is unlike any other in the strait. There is a whole range of attractions here: sightings of rare Eschmeyer's Scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri), Harlequin Shrimp and Boxer Crab happen regularly.
Robust Ghost Pipefishes, Wonderpuses and other muck critters are found on the sand slope.
Frogfishes, Pygmy Seahorses, Ornate Ghost Pipefishes, Batfishes, Comet fishes, File Shells (Ctenoides ales) and Peacock Mantis Shrimps are commonly sighted near, in or on the wall along with Nudibranchs.
This is usually the most Nudibranch-rich site in the strait and along with Jahir, it is the most popular night-diving destination.
Police Pier 1 & 2 - [17]
Like Nudi Falls, photographers keep complaining that the biggest danger on these sites is running out of film or disk space.
This is a rubble slope with small Coral outcroppings, leveling out into a sand flat with Rope Sponge gardens. Banggai Cardinal fishes, Barramundis (Lates calcarifer), Thorny Seahorses, Orange Frogfishes (Antennarius picta), various Nudibranch species and overall variety are the attractions here.
This is also a truly excellent night dive spot. The scenery isn't pristine; there's plenty of trash in the water, but it has always been that way owing to the traffic at the Water Police jetty that the site is named after.
This is a rubble slope with small Coral outcroppings, leveling out into a sand flat with Rope Sponge gardens. Banggai Cardinal fishes, Barramundis (Lates calcarifer), Thorny Seahorses, Orange Frogfishes (Antennarius picta), various Nudibranch species and overall variety are the attractions here.
This is also a truly excellent night dive spot. The scenery isn't pristine; there's plenty of trash in the water, but it has always been that way owing to the traffic at the Water Police jetty that the site is named after.
Pantai Kecil - [18]
Next to the Police Pier site is a small beach, thus the name.
This is a rubble/sand slope with many Coral bommies and is similar to Police Pier in critters found.
This is a rubble/sand slope with many Coral bommies and is similar to Police Pier in critters found.
Rina Wreck - [19]
An upright fishing boat wreck only just over a decade underwater,
it is not very overgrown yet, but offers an attractive dive.
The drawbacks are that it is hard to find and being almost mid-channel, is subjected to strong currents.
it is not very overgrown yet, but offers an attractive dive.
The drawbacks are that it is hard to find and being almost mid-channel, is subjected to strong currents.
Napo Bronsel - [20]
A broad seamound forming a shallow plateau just offshore of the village of Tanduk Rusa (Deer Antler), this site has damage and garbage owing to being in front of an inhabited stretch of coastline. Still, there is a vibrant cleaning station and some good critter-hunting to be done, with various Octopus, Cuttlefish and Frogfish species being frequently on display.
Bimoli Wreck - [21]
This is a Japanese WW2 wreck lying in front of what is now the Bimoli cooking oil factory.
It was at anchor carrying munitions when it was blown up by torpedoes launched by an attacking US submarine (the USS Swordfish), causing the munitions to blow the aft end completely apart, which now is a pile of plating on the deep end of the wreck. The ship lies leaning to one side with the bottom at 32 metres and the highest point on the wreck about 12 metres in depth.
Schools of large Barracuda can be seen at times as well as Potato Cod in the hold, White tip reef Sharks dozing beneath and passing Eagle Rays. The sponge gardens below the bow and to the starboard side present excellent Nudibranch and other critter possibilities.
Visibility here is usually much better than at wrecks further up the strait, though wavy conditions can limit diving here during the height of the June-September SE winds.
It was at anchor carrying munitions when it was blown up by torpedoes launched by an attacking US submarine (the USS Swordfish), causing the munitions to blow the aft end completely apart, which now is a pile of plating on the deep end of the wreck. The ship lies leaning to one side with the bottom at 32 metres and the highest point on the wreck about 12 metres in depth.
Schools of large Barracuda can be seen at times as well as Potato Cod in the hold, White tip reef Sharks dozing beneath and passing Eagle Rays. The sponge gardens below the bow and to the starboard side present excellent Nudibranch and other critter possibilities.
Visibility here is usually much better than at wrecks further up the strait, though wavy conditions can limit diving here during the height of the June-September SE winds.
Madidir - [22]
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