Splitting time on N. Sulawesi?

My wife and I are in the process of finalizing plans for our first trip to Indonesia. We will be on a liveaboard in the Raja Ampat (Empat?) area to start and then flying to Manado. There we have a choice to either stay on the Lembeh side for a week, or split time between the Bunaken and Lembeh areas.

My question to those experienced in diving these areas is this. After a week diving RA is the Bunaken diving sufficiently different to pack up all our gear and miss a dive day transfering between sides of the island? Or after diving RA would you be more inclined to stick to the muck for a week? Like I said, we have never been to Indonesia, and have never been muck diving so it's hard to gauge what it would be like.

I've always been a fan of coral and fish, but after the liveaboard this seems like a nice change. The question is will 4 days be enough or go for the whole week!

Any opinions?

Rick

I'd say go the full week in Lembeh, my last trip was 10 day Lembeh and 6 day Gangga and that was about right.

If you really want to try Bunaken then there is the possibility of doing a one day trip to the Manado side - a bit painful with a 2hr each way car ride though.

You can stay in Lembeh and do boat day trips to either Bangka or East Lembeh if your operator organizes those. Both of those areas offer nice walls and coral diving similar to Bunaken. That way you can have a day or two of reef diving along with the muck diving of Lembeh without having to move your base of operations

You can stay in Lembeh and do boat day trips to either Bangka or East Lembeh if your operator organizes those. Both of those areas offer nice walls and coral diving similar to Bunaken. That way you can have a day or two of reef diving along with the muck diving of Lembeh without having to move your base of operations

I'd read in someone's trip report that there was some wall diving on the Lembeh side, just didn't know if anyone ever did those sights. Thanks for the input.

If you only have a week, then Lembeh would also be my recommendation. There is also a package being offered that combines 4 days at Lembeh, and three at Gangga Island, if cash is no object. If you are into current (smoking) and pelagics, there is one site at the northern tip of Lembeh Island, called Batu Kapal. Not for the faint of heart, though. Take your long fins! If you want to go easier, and see pretty corals and fish, California Dreaming and Angel's Window are really pretty.

Have fun,

Marli

You really can't go wrong with either a split vacation or dedicated time on either side of Suliwesi.

I loved both, can't wait to go back.

Stay for the whole week in Lembeh, The diving is very different to Raja Empat and the Bunaken and you will need a week to get the most out of your trip.

However if you want stunning corals and wall dives stick to Ganga or the Bunaken but IMHO I think you will be missing out on something very special (Lembeh)

Whichever you choose it will be brilliant

Please post a trip report and share your images when you get back home.

Dive safe

Nige Wade

We recently returned from Raja Ampat and did a Bunaken/Lembeh trip several months ago. As others have said I would skip Bunaken as you will have spent a lot of time on reefs and walls in Raja. We had a great time at the Lembeh Resort and are planning on going back in 09. There are trip reports and slide shows for all at our site.

Last year we did 2 weeks at Triton Bay/Raja then 2 weeks at Lembeh.

ECO Divers run both resorts: KBR for muck and Kima Bajo on the other side to dive Bunaken

They will transport you from one to the other resort at no cost and you don't have to break down your dive/camera gear.

I'd recommend 4-5 days at KBR for the muck then 2-3 at Kima.

Kima is an up scale place with normal prices. Use it as an end of trip place to decompress - Two dives in the morning, pool time in afternoon, bath time in out side Bali style private tub, then ........

Also it is quite close to Manado airport.

Stick to the muck. After Raja Ampat you will most probably be disappointed with Bunaken. Kima Bajo, however, is a really good place to unwind, Bali style. Do a dive or two in the morning, then spoil yourself with a spa treatment in the afternoon.

I just returned from the area on saturday, I was writing a story on the area so we split between bunaken and lembeh.

We did 3 1/2 divedays on Kasawari lembeh resort and 4 dive days on Cocotinos beach resort. I was perfect. For transfer day:we did the two morning dives in lembeh, ate lunch and was transfered to cocotinos. the drive took 1 h 15 min. did not have to take apart the camera. The camera and dive gear rode along in baskets.

I will highly recomend Kasawari resort in Lembeh and cocotinos in Bunaken.

http://www.kasawari-lembeh.com/

http://www.cocotinos.com/

Lasse