Kungkungan Bay Resort In April

I don't post much here- more of an avid reader. I've never been to Indonesia before. I've checked through the threads on KBR and am tentatively planning a ten day trip there in late April. Any comments on diving there at that time of year? Is ten days overkill for the muck diving? If so, any recommendations for alternative diving would be appreciated. No liveaboards this trip- I am looking at Raja Ampat later in the year and that would be a liveaboard trip. I'll be flying from Dubai so it appears I can make it there with one stop in Jakarta.

I've just purchased an Aquatica D3 housing; if I do go to KBR is it worthwhile bringing the wide-angle port (I've got the big one!) and lenses along or would I be better off staying with the macro rig? I do enjoy macro work.

Sorry for all the questions, but thank you in advance!

Wendy

I've been at KBR twice, once in October and another time November, so I have no personal experience with April diving in Lembeh Straits. But April is the beginning of the dry season in North Sulawesi, so it should be just fine. I personally don't think ten days of diving in the "muck capital of the world" is overkill, I personally prefer at least ten days with a private guide. KBR's diving is up to four divers per guide which is fine if the other three divers don't stir up the bottom with their fins and will share the photo ops. You do not need a wide angle setup in Lembeh, the critters are 98% macro. With a FX setup I would use a 105 mm or a 70-180 mm lens.

Elmer

Wendy, there are sites with WA if you want to do it, especially on the East side of Pulau Lembeh. However, you'd have to arrange it and I think they do charge extra. It really depends on you. I like to go with a 24-35mm on a mimicus or photogenicus just for a different shot, but I use the 6" dome port for that.

Elmer, Drew-

Thanks for the replies- very helpful. As this is a solo trip, I like the idea of the availability of a private guide. I understand the house reef isn't really dove a lot and I'd like to spend some time on it. I've got the new Nikkor 105 so that's covered. I'll plan on a macro-attack and leave the megadome behind for this trip. I'll look into a 6" dome for not-so-wide lenses as well; the 9.25" I purchased definitely sounds like overkill for this trip.

KBR's pricing-even with a single supplement- appears to be very reasonable and the airfare from Dubai isn't bad either. I'll book the trip and hopefully have some interesting results to show upon return.

Wendy

Wendy,

I think you will have a better photographic and dive experience with a private guide at KBR. You can tell him what you want to see and he will find them for you. Also if you are good on air you are not limited by another diver in your group who sucks through his air.

Elmer

Ask to go to California Dreaming and Angel's Window. Both great for w/a. Also if raging current is your thing, Batu Kapal is smoking! Lots of pelagic action. Bring stiff fins. Please be aware if winds are up, they cannot be done, but April should be ok.

Cheers,

Marli

Marli-

Thanks for the tips- I'll see what's on when I get there. I've a new photo rig; probably best to get a feel for it in something other than ripping currents!

Trip is booked. Air was pretty reasonable out of Dubai with a layover in Jakarta. I'm looking forward to it!

Wendy

Hey guys!

As the Dive Manager at KBR I thought I'd chip-in. I'll try and not turn this into an advertising ploy......

On a DX format I reckon a 60mm works best although there are definitely sites or critters to use 105s. Pygmy sea horses for example.

For WA, there are several sites I recommend: Angel's Window, California Dreamin', Nudi Falls, the KBR House Reef and the wrecks, Kapal Indah and Mawali.

We do indeed offer a private guide. Drop me an email if you'd like more detail: Tim.gurney@divekbr.com. We try very hard indeed to make sure guests see the critters (or sites) they want to see. We normally dive 4 guests to 1 guide - sometimes slightly less depending on how busy we are....

Enough before I start advertising

It's a great resort......