Question Lembeh or Tulamben?

[vivyung]

Hi fellow divers!!

Sorry if this topic has been discussed before...I can't seem to find the correct thread.

I've recently returned from a dive trip in Tulamben, mainly for the macro and I was blown away! I'm trying to plan my next trip now and am torn between going back there or trying a new destination, like Lembeh?

The only thing that I found difficult in Tulamben was the current, which made uw macro photography a little difficult to manage (I'm a newbie ^^), many of my photos turned out looking like nudis with messy hair haha.

Would Lembeh Strait have less current as opposed to Tulamben?

Thank you all in advance!!

 

[JustinJRL]

Lembeh for pure critters heaven!

Tulumben and Ahmed have more price options for lodging, restaurants. Although there are coral sites in Lembeh, Tulumben still has more variety when you factor in the wreck and the drop off.

 

[cetacean]

I've only ever seen one and it was at the dugong dive at Bangka, not Lembeh.

Interesting... I've seem many interesting subjects in Bangka, but not a hairy octo.

However, in 5 trips to Lembeh I think we've seen a couple. Once they are found in Lembeh the word tends to get around...

 

[JonnieB]

I've only ever seen one and it was at the dugong dive at Bangka, not Lembeh.

Me too...just this one. I didn't realize how rare it is and one of the holies of holies for UW photographers.

 

[cetacean]

Me too...just this one. I didn't realize how rare it is and one of the holies of holies for UW photographers.

Certainly rare in Asia, not so much in the Red Sea. If you really want to dive (or snorkel) with a dugong to you can almost guarantee it in a week of diving near Marsa Alam. Also fairly common in Shark Bay in Western Australia during the right time of year.

 

[Anish]

I’m just heading home from Anilao on my first macro and UW photo trip. No current to speak of and got some great shots as well. Haven’t been to Lembeh but that’s my next macro trip for sure

 

[Dan]

Certainly rare in Asia, not so much in the Red Sea. If you really want to dive (or snorkel) with a dugong to you can almost guarantee it in a week of diving near Marsa Alam. Also fairly common in Shark Bay in Western Australia during the right time of year.

I think he’s referring to Hairy Octopus, not Dugong. You don’t need to go to Red Sea for Dugong, you can see Mawar, the Alor Dugong in Kalabahi.

 

[JonnieB]

Certainly rare in Asia, not so much in the Red Sea. If you really want to dive (or snorkel) with a dugong to you can almost guarantee it in a week of diving near Marsa Alam. Also fairly common in Shark Bay in Western Australia during the right time of year.

Some good info; as for duggies, there have been regular sightings of small pods of them off Krabi and near shore islands in Thailand the past few years. A few even made regular appearances at the Rawai fishing pier in Phuket last year.

 

[Soloist]

These are also in Tulamben.

Actually I had a very long conversation with that frogfish. He said he has never been to Tulamben.

 

[cetacean]

I think he’s referring to Hairy Octopus, not Dugong. You don’t need to go to Red Sea for Dugong, you can see Mawar, the Alor Dugong in Kalabahi.

@Dan

I was referring to Dugongs not hairy octo's (given the reference to the dive in Bangka)...

As for heading for the Red Sea vs. Alor - you seem be suffering from a bit of geographic bias

It's much farther to travel to for anyone from Europe - where the Red Sea is much closer.

 

[Dan]

As for heading for the Red Sea vs. Alor - you seem be suffering from a bit of geographic bias

The OP, @vivyung lives iin Hong Kong, not in Europe. @JonnieB is from Phuket.