Lembeh Dive Op recommendations

[Tauge31]

Hi All,

I am planning to visit Lembeh probably around July along with a few friends.
As we are there primarily for diving and photography, all our other needs are very basic such as accomodation and food.

I have read about NAD, twofish and critters at lembeh/lembeh resort, and all 3 seem to have very good reviews.
So therefore I have a few questions that could help me decide which one to go with.

1) In terms of top notch guides who can help me fulfill my critters list and also an inhouse photo-pro to provide a few photographic tips, which of the 3 resort is better?

2) Which resort is more photographer friendly in terms of service and facilities (both on boat and on land)?

3) Which of them have the best diver to guide ratio and most personalized service?

4) In terms of value, which is the best?

Thank you!

 

[Andreni]

I really loved Lembeh resort last summer. If you like it a bit more confortable and "luxurious" I would go for this option. With Steve Fish you also have a top photographer on site and the guides were excellent (we had Opo sedang and he was really good!). We had one for the two of us and if I remember correctly, maximum is 4 guests per guide. Before Lembeh resort we spent a day at NAD and Simon helped us a lot with settings for the camera. Unfortunately we choose not the best time to stay at this resort (there was that big construction site for the new restaurant and everything was quite chaotic). It was a bit unfortunate that all the divers were brought to the same dive site (still 4 guests per guide) but I hope this was an exception due to the construction. Still if you prefer it a bit more basic, less expensive and more familar I recommend NAD. Haven't dived with twofish, sorry.

 

[MA]

NAD are fantastic. It will depend on time if year but there was usually only 2 of us per guide. That was not park season though. All the guides are fantastic, I'm pretty sure that will apply to any oh those 3 resorts.

 

[Mike Veitch]

To answer your questions:
1) In terms of top notch guides who can help me fulfill my critters list and also an inhouse photo-pro to provide a few photographic tips, which of the 3 resort is better?
NAD would be my suggestion, Steve Fish is no longer at Lembeh Resort, Simon at NAD is a top notch photo pro and is also extremely good at fixing any camera problems you may have, he is a real Mr fixit when it comes to that sort of thing, no one else in Lembeh has that ability. Guides: many of them change from resort to resort quite often, I don't think you will find a big difference from resort to resort.

2) Which resort is more photographer friendly in terms of service and facilities (both on boat and on land)?
They are all photo friendly

3) Which of them have the best diver to guide ratio and most personalized service?
Most have 4:1 ratio

4) In terms of value, which is the best?
NAD would be my opinion here, the cost is much lower than Lembeh Resort, KBR, Kasawari, Lembeh Hills etc and their facilities, boats, and engines easily meet or surpass the higher priced options.

 

[Tauge31]

Thanks everyone who have contributed to this post.
I'd be going with NAD then!

 

[jbb]

I was just at NAD in March and would heartily recommend their operation. Unfortunately I missed Simon as he was on a shopping trip in England? I missed out on some photo know how too. He has a photo feedback offer if you dive there that I wish I could have taken advantage of - for $100 look at some of your camera work, offer advise, you go on a couple of dives and then critique your shots. A good way to make more rapid progress with your photography work. They had two new boats ready for operation, one of which had two new 90hp engines and the other waiting for the same when Simon got back. I don't think the water gets too rough there but I really enjoyed the quick smooth rides to the sites. The guide ratio will vary but as there were not that many divers during my stay it was 2:1 for most dives and they were very knowledgable on where to find any critter at each site. I look forward to a future trip.