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

[MA]

Muck diving - I was very nervous but pretty much the people responding here have me the encouragement I needed . On day 1 I was hooked, so hooked I changed plans and stayed an additional week at lembeh! And have since been back to dive Ambon. Don't be surprised if all the ladies live it! The froggish, octopus etc are incredible to watch. Anyway point is, I was converted very quickly!
Give both a go if you can.

 

[highdesert]

As I said in a earlier post in this thread, I am interested in Bangka, and now I am interested in Lembeh Strait as well. I know Lembeh is world renowned for muck diving, which I do want to try, but are there vibrant reef dives in the area to mix things up?

---------- Post added March 13th, 2014 at 07:03 PM ----------

So few divers get to Pulisan, which is halfway between Lembeh and Bangka. There are dives there to satisfy your wish for "vibrant reef dives", and most operators in either Bangka or Lembeh will arrange to dive them.

 

[gekodivebali]

I understand about group requirements. Bangka may be the right place for you (if you go quick!).

As for Lembeh, I'd say give it a try. I was actually surprised at the quality of coral reef and even wreck dives there. Friends of min who operate in Lembeh say there are great coral dives that are almost unexplored since divers there usually want to focus on muck. A flexible op will be able to show you both...

Sure you'll have a great trip anyhow! It's all Indonesia after all...

 

[highdesert]

Lembeh does not sound like it will be fun for the ladies in the group.

I don't understand this statement. The dive population I've seen in Lembeh is pretty well divided between the sexes.

 

[jake11]

Muck diving is awesome and the photo ops are endless!!!!!!! Also, the hunt for all things weird and strange is so much fun!!!!!!!!!!

 

[krukster86]

Highdesert - I could be proven wrong when we actually go for an excursion to Lembeh, but I showed the girls that are going with us some videos and pictures of Lembeh muck diving and they said they had no interest in going.

 

[pughio83]

Show them pictures of diving pulau dua on the backside of lembeh. Can be done as a day trip. It was like diving in gin there, lovely corals and a change from the muck in the straight. And will second the wrecks which are pretty damn good. Plus angels window and California dreaming sites offer excellent corals.

 

[krukster86]

Side question here. I may have my Indo buddy help me book domestic Indonesian flights (Jakarta>Manado, Manado>Bali). From my last time in Indonesia, I was aware of several domestic carriers: Garuda, Lion and Wings. Any recommendations?

Oh and BTW I do know about the "incidents" and "banned from flying in Europe" part

 

[highdesert]

If you can book Garuda, do it. Not sure where it ranks with all the world's airlines, but in Indo, they would be my clear first choice. My Indo diving friends agree. Here's some reading material ...

http://www.airlineratings.com/ratings.php

World Airline Rating | A-Z Airlines

 

[AlMitch]

Show them pictures of diving pulau dua on the backside of lembeh. Can be done as a day trip. It was like diving in gin there, lovely corals and a change from the muck in the straight. And will second the wrecks which are pretty damn good. Plus angels window and California dreaming sites offer excellent corals.

Completely agree with Pug here. Pulau Dua is a brilliant dive, we saw black tip sheef sharks and a turtle, we also did some "exploratory" dives on the east coast of Lembeh and it was really clear water diving with lots and lots of fish. Also the Northern point of Lembeh is a great pinnacle dive. So there really is something for everyone in Lembeh.

Kruk video's of muck diving really does not do it justice at all. It's all about the thrill of the treasure hunt.

If you are heading to Manado fly in to Singapore and then fly Silk Air (Singapore Airline's regional carrier) to Manado.
In fact if you fly with Sing Air then you could check your gear all the way to Manado. Simple and easy and safe and painless and good quality.