Indonesia Trip Round 2! This Time North Sulawesi - Opinions Please

[Wingy]

Im female and love muck diving...Almitch has it, the treasure hunt thing. As Pughio mentions there are so many other options from Lembeh that it doesnt have to be a muck trip.....

I fly lion air and book online using their website (just click translate to english its easy) as I generally go to Manado via Denpassar. The only problem with the Lion Air flight is it arrives around 10pm from memory and stops at Makassar where the silk and garuda flights arrive during the daylight hours. Have never had a problem booking my own fares with Lion air anywhere within Indonesia - if Lion Air works for you then dont worry about safety, they are quite good - and literal. Your ticket will say meal status confirmed......yes, confirmed you are not getting one - eat first on Lion Air flights.

 

[krukster86]

Thanks guys.

I got in touch with Blue Bay Divers, it looks like I am booking our diving with them!

 

[EL Pistoffo]

Thanks guys.

I got in touch with Blue Bay Divers, it looks like I am booking our diving with them!

Nice.

I too am planning a trip for 3 of us to Indo next year. My present choice of destination is Nusa Penida and Tulamben in Bali. I am still considering either North Sulawesi or Komodo in some fashion though the costs are what may be prohibitive.

 

[AlMitch]

Thanks guys.

I got in touch with Blue Bay Divers, it looks like I am booking our diving with them!

I'm sure you will absolutely love BBD. It is fairly rustic, definitely not 5 star, but oh so beautiful and fun and happy and the diving is 1st class.

 

[needmynitrogenfix]

another vote here for - Cha Cha Resort on Bunaken! Awesome Awesome Awesome!

 

[Luko]

My personal favorite in Bangka is Murex I am a once a year repeater for 4 years now, the boats might not be the best ones but they have tops guides, the most experienced in the area.
It's a pity that Wingy had a junior guide, most of the guides at Murex are longtimers, 10 even up to 17 years guiding at Murex Bangka : Azwar is the best guide in Bangka, I ask, he shows simple as that.
If money wasn't a problem I would be a Gangga island addict, but it's REALLY expensive compared to other ops.

If you want to have a taste of Bangka, check out my Flickr Bangka gallery, the coral sites are so colorful, I sold one of the pics of Sahaung displayed as a giant background illustrating SportDiver booth at DEMA show in 2012.

 

[Wingy]

As I said Luko, I understand why during such a slow time everything was pretty well on a skeleton staff basis - the other two guests arrived the day before I did and there had been no one there. I found the cabins actually some of my favourite - I have a shot taken from the bed looking out the window that I use as my migraine relief place to go as my screensaver at work. I find throughout the N Sulawesi area some of the long term guides are real gems - I love diving with Supid from Bunaken, not sure where he is now. I found catching the Lion Air flight a stay at Murex Mainland was also enjoyable - beautiful place in a not so beautiful city.

Bumping up the need to get back to Bangka ASAP.

 

[astralmind]

Luko: WOW, beautiful shots, thanks for sharing the link! Can't wait to go there

 

[Wingy]

There was a whale shark in Lembeh about 48 hours ago.....just goes to show you never know what you will find up there!

 

[AlMitch]

There was a whale shark in Lembeh about 48 hours ago.....just goes to show you never know what you will find up there!

And I was the lucky SOB who saw it!!! Well actually my wife spotted it first and I thought she was joking but then it appeared out of the blue! Yes yes I know the rest of you are super jealous!
Bumblebee shrimp followed by a FRIGGEN WHALE SHARK!!! Not a bad dive.