North Sulawesi/Murex 1st time this July!

[splash8]

We are booking our very 1st trip to the Coral Triangle going to N Sulawesi and looking at the Murex Passport; will be there with our teens who have about 60 dives under their belts, so interested in the house reefs as well as the boat dives (kids nitrox certified, but still JR certification). We are staying Monday-2wks-Monday and trying to decide how to divide up resorts. Thinking Manado 5 nights, 5 nights in Bangka, then we have 4 more nights to either move locations from oceanside to hillside in Bangka, back to Manado, or try Lembah pending availability. We love awesome creatures and are excited about beautiful coral but have never been muck diving and aren't sure if we want to try it or not. We want to dive as much as possible but will be doing the Hillside and Tangkoko reserve. Thanks so much for any input!

 

[sharkbear]

I just returned from this exact same trip and it was amazing, one of the best of my life. We did 5 nights Manado and 5 nights Bangka, and also did the Highlands and Tangkoko tours. My friends only stayed at Lembeh for 2 nights but I stayed for 7. Manado has gorgeous walls and sooo many huge and friendly turtles, but the boat rides were typically 30 min each way over to Bunaken. Bangka had the prettiest location - secluded, a nice beach, short boat rides, and not much trash. The diving at Bangka was beautiful - loads of gorgeous coral, very fishy, and some macro as well. We also did the blackwater dive at Bangka. And then on to Lembeh - while we were at first taken aback by the industrial feeling of Lembeh Strait (and all the trash), it was my favorite of the trip. The macro was amazing and if you love awesome critters, then you should really give it a try! The reefs at Lembeh were gorgeous as well. Every day, they ask if you'd like to do sand, rubble, coral, or a mix. Overall an incredible trip that I will definitely repeat!

 

[splash8]

I just returned from this exact same trip and it was amazing, one of the best of my life. We did 5 nights Manado and 5 nights Bangka, and also did the Highlands and Tangkoko tours. My friends only stayed at Lembeh for 2 nights but I stayed for 7. Manado has gorgeous walls and sooo many huge and friendly turtles, but the boat rides were typically 30 min each way over to Bunaken. Bangka had the prettiest location - secluded, a nice beach, short boat rides, and not much trash. The diving at Bangka was beautiful - loads of gorgeous coral, very fishy, and some macro as well. We also did the blackwater dive at Bangka. And then on to Lembeh - while we were at first taken aback by the industrial feeling of Lembeh Strait (and all the trash), it was my favorite of the trip. The macro was amazing and if you love awesome critters, then you should really give it a try! The reefs at Lembeh were gorgeous as well. Every day, they ask if you'd like to do sand, rubble, coral, or a mix. Overall an incredible trip that I will definitely repeat!

Oh my gosh what a helpful reply!! I am SO excited!!! Do you think we should reverse the order/adjust nights at each place? (we have 5 nights in the beginning before beach front on manado available, then it’s available for 7 nights) ? For example, 5 nights lembeh, 6 nights bangka, 3 nights manado? Hillside is available longer in bangka but we like the idea of oceanfront so if teens are tired they are more enticed to join us in the water!

Our teens have mostly done shore diving in Curacao/Bonaire but we did a few boat dives to show them a bit of what it’s like. Thank you!

 

[sharkbear]

Oh my gosh what a helpful reply!! I am SO excited!!! Do you think we should reverse the order/adjust nights at each place? (we have 5 nights in the beginning before beach front on manado available, then it’s available for 7 nights) ? For example, 5 nights lembeh, 6 nights bangka, 3 nights manado? Hillside is available longer in bangka but we like the idea of oceanfront so if teens are tired they are more enticed to join us in the water!

Our teens have mostly done shore diving in Curacao/Bonaire but we did a few boat dives to show them a bit of what it’s like. Thank you!

Absolutely, I think they can adjust the order of locations depending on availability. They will work with you based on availability and your wishes. Another thing I really loved: you have a dedicated dive guide who travels with you to each location. It's a seamless, easy experience!