Solitude Lembeh Resort, Lembeh Strait

Diving at Solitude Lembeh Resort

The onsite dive centre normally offers boat dives at 07:30, 10:30 and 13:30, with some flexibility between 07:30 and 16:00. Boats generally return to the resort between dives, giving guests time to rest, change equipment or work on images. Dive groups are limited to two divers per guide, and private guides can be requested. Rental equipment, nitrox, PADI training and sidemount support are available, while mandarinfish, night and blackwater dives can be arranged at an additional cost. The air-conditioned camera room has spacious workstations, universal power points, humidity control, surge protection and air guns, with separate freshwater rinse facilities at the Dive Hut. Appropriate dive insurance is compulsory.

More than 30 dive sites can be reached from the resort, with many lying within around 15 minutes of its jetty. The schedule focuses on Lembeh’s black-sand slopes, rubble fields, reefs, wrecks and sheltered bays, where guides search for mimic and hairy octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish, frogfish, Rhinopias, pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish and unusual nudibranchs. One unguided house-reef dive per day is available from the purpose-built jetty between 10:00 and 17:00 for suitably certified buddy teams. Longer trips to eastern Lembeh’s reefs may also be arranged.

Snorkellers can join the dive boats and explore selected shallow reef areas, allowing diving and non-diving companions to spend the day together. Conditions and site suitability are assessed by the dive team.

Diving in Lembeh Strait

Lembeh Strait is best known for muck diving and macro photography, but its 14-kilometre length also includes coral reefs, rocky pinnacles, seagrass, jetties and shipwrecks. Famous sites such as Hairball, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Aer Prang, Jahir, Police Pier, TK, Angel’s Window and the Mawali Wreck demonstrate the variety found throughout the destination.

Diving is possible year-round, with August to December often considered particularly rewarding. Water temperatures are typically around 28–29°C from October to March and can fall to approximately 25–26°C during July and August. Visibility commonly ranges from five to 15 metres. Many sites are calm and shallow enough for newer divers, although careful buoyancy is essential when searching for small animals over sand and silt.

Learn more about the diving in Lumber Strait on the ZuBlu site here.

ZuBlu’s dive travel experts will help you create the ideal package at Solitude Lembeh Resort, including your preferred room type, diving, excursions, equipment rental, transfers and any special requests. Share your travel dates, group size, diving experience and budget, and we’ll recommend the best options for your trip.

We’ll also help with practical travel planning, including flight routes, arrival timings and resort transfers, making sure your itinerary works as smoothly as possible from start to finish.

Once you’ve finalised your plans, your travel expert will put a complimentary hold on your preferred room and send a final quote that includes accommodation, meals, diving, transfers, rental equipment or excursions. This quote will also show any extras paid in advance or at the resort - there are no hidden fees - as well as a payment schedule and cancellation terms and conditions.

Your booking is confirmed once the required deposit, or full payment when necessary, has been received.

After confirmation, your dedicated guest concierge will take over and assist with flight routes, transfers, any personal information required by the resort, and questions about your reservation. They are there to make the entire process as straightforward as possible.

Getting There

The nearest airport is Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado (MDC). International travellers commonly connect through Singapore, while domestic services link Manado with Jakarta, Makassar, Surabaya and Bali. Flight schedules change, so routing should be checked when planning the trip.

Solitude Lembeh Resort is located near Bitung on the mainland shore of the strait. The resort provides an airport transfer that takes guests directly from the airport to the property by air-conditioned vehicle, normally in around 60-70 minutes. No public ferry or scheduled passenger boat is required.

Late-night transfers, early arrivals and extended check-outs are an additional charge and should be confirmed when booking. 

Other Activities

Traditional Indonesian massages can be arranged in the resort’s dedicated spa, normally with advance notice.

If you’re interested in exploring more of North Sulawesi, full-day excursions visit the Minahasa Highlands, known for volcanic scenery, or Tangkoko National Park, where guides search for spectral tarsiers, crested black macaques and hornbills.

A shorter excursion to Bitung and its fish market can also be organised. Trekking and rafting trips may be available on request.

Snorkelling is offered around suitable shallow dive sites, and non-diving guests can join the dive boats when space and conditions allow.

Good to Know

• WiFi: Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the resort, although speed and reliability may be affected by the weather.
• Mobile coverage: Mobile reception can vary around the resort and Lembeh Strait; WiFi is the best way to stay connected.
• Electricity: Resort sockets operate at 220V and 50Hz; regulated backup power is provided in the camera room.
• Plug type: Indonesia 2 pin plugs are standard in the room. Guests should bring a universal travel adapter.
• Payments at the resort: Indonesian rupiah cash and Visa or Mastercard are accepted; foreign cash and travellers’ cheques are not accepted.
• Currency: Indonesian rupiah, abbreviated as IDR.
• Time zone: Central Indonesia Time, GMT/UTC+8.
• Languages: Indonesian is the local language, with English used by the resort team.
• Dive insurance: Proof of suitable dive insurance is compulsory before diving.
• Marine park fees: Lembeh Strait marine park fees are payable separately at the resort.
• Nitrox: Enriched air is available to suitably certified divers for an additional fee, or can be included in a dive package.
• Families: Babysitting can be arranged subject to availability.
• Seasonality: Diving operates year-round, with more frequent rainfall generally occurring between December and March.