Manado and Lembeh

[Oceansrdeep]

Thinking about a trip to Manado and Lembeh. We are budget travelers. Most places there look expensive or higher end. We like local style resorts. Is there any place that is a little less fancy but still good sevice. We can even stay at a near by place to the dive ooperator. Looking for something more like Roatan splash inn or las rocas.

 

[outofofficebrb]

What is your budget per person and for how many days?

 

[Dan]

You may want to talk to @Indah & check out Welcome at Divers Lodge Lembeh | Diving Lembeh Strait

 

[Centrals]

There used to be some budget operators eg. Bastianos and Sulawesi Dive Quest on Bunaken. But Bastianos has up-graded beyond recognition now and SDQ was not the same when Frank left.
Back in those day a single fan room with full board in Bastianos cost $15.00 per day!!!!!!!

 

[dirtfarmer]

Two Fish has a operation on Bunaken and Lembeh, and they have budget rooms. Well run operation, with excellent guides.
There are probably still homestays on Bunaken, but in Lembeh you pretty much have to stay with your resort.

 

[JRM-TX]

Ditto what OOOBRB says, what is your budget $/person/day, and how long?

+1 on what Dan_T says, for Lembeh drop an email to Rob / @Indah who owns DLL. Visited them several times in late 1990's early 2000's, same owners, same place. Great diving. Go to the link Dan_T posted, it's exactly like that. Prices are posted online.

On Bunaken I always stayed at Froggies. Same location but totally different management, so unable to comment pro or con. Likewise prices are posted online iirc.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[stepfen]

Last year I stayed in Happy Gecko (http://www.happygeckoresort.com/) on Bunaken island. Price was about 700 euros total for 6 nights full board accommodation (single occupancy) + 15 dives with full gear rental + transport from/to the airport + entrance fee etc.
Everything was very good considering the price.
Highly recommended for a budget option

 

[Centrals]

Last year I stayed in Happy Gecko (http://www.happygeckoresort.com/) on Bunaken island. Price was about 700 euros total for 6 nights full board accommodation (single occupancy) + 15 dives with full gear rental + transport from/to the airport + entrance fee etc.
Everything was very good considering the price.
Highly recommended for a budget option

Bargain!
Cheers.

 

[Wingy]

Have used Froggies at Bunaken for quite a few years no complaints at all - Lembeh op is a little more expensive

 

[AlMitch]

NAD, Two Fish, Divers Lodge Lembeh, and Froggies are all good budget-ish resorts.

You could also look at Bangka island instead of Bunaken. Corel Eye, Nomad, and the other resort "Soul" something or other are all budget resorts you could look into.