Accom / DC Suggestions in Lembeh

I am working on liveaboard in Komodo and will have time off in January so planning to head up to Lembeh for some macro fun dives with my new camera (Canon 5D). I've looked at the web and found various resorts but would appreciate recommendations from those who have been. Looking for reasonably priced accomm and diving (we are both instructors) and likely something like unlimited dive packages. Any suggestions on good ones? Or even those not to go to!!! How long do you think is good to plan on spending up there, hubby is not photographer - he likes bigger things but he loves diving.

Also, and thoughts on Bunaken, and point going there, have heard very mixed reviews..... Anyone been to Tongean Islands? Or maybe we should think about heading over to Banda Islands instead......

Thanks

You can't go wrong with Diver's Lodge Lembeh. They have an unlimited dive package and you can get your own boat and dive guide. Nitrox available too. A friend and and I were there in October; we had a great trip. A week is enough if your husband isn't much for macro stuff. Break up the week with a day outside the strait to visit the reefs and see bigger stuff.

If your Komodo boat departs from Bali, why not spend some time there. Very good muck diving at Secret Bay, Puri Jati, Tulamben & Seraya. If you're in Manado area anyway then Bunaken might be worth a visit. (I spent a few days there right after a Raja Ampat trip, & was somewhat disappointed in dive sites.) Togian has some great dive sites with bigger stuff but a bit hard to get to with limited time.

One more for Divers Lodge Lembeh. A really excellent service. Ask for Andris as a dive guide. He is a fantastic spotter. National Geographic pick him as a guide for a video production.

I think that is a word!

Regards

Markus

There's also NADs with our own Mike V. See Mike, I plugged your NADs?

Cheers Drew, you are a nice guy

In Lembeh I would stay at Kungkungan Bay Resort (been there five times and will always come back !!!) .... Plan at least one week in Lembeh .... I would skip Bunaken and do a few more muck dives in Manado area .... You can stay at Kima Bajo resort .... I would also advise to dive the North coast overlooking Gangga and Bangka .... I do not remember the name of the resort there, but it's quite near to the airport and they offer diving on the North coastline and on Bangka.

Have fun .... Francesco

Thanks everyone, Divers lodge and NADS were actually the two that I liked the look of from the web and had emailed. I'll let you know Mike if we end up at NADS - do you work there? At the moment I can't confirm my dates as I dont know when the boat will be heading there for sure - this is Indonesia afterall )

Our boat normally operates from Lombok but at the moment we are running out of Lemaun Bajo and doing trips in the Komodo NP. With our month off we wanted to get away a bit as we can dive around Ahmed and Tulemben at a time when we have a shorter period off (if you get what I mean).

Thanks again, am looking forward to using the camera lots that week, the currents are pretty strong down here so not always ideal for my love of small things )

I'm sitting under the stars sipping a stiff G&T outside the bar at Kungkungan Bay Resort as I type this, and can heartily recommend it. Superb affable guides who spot the most camouflaged critters for you, maximum 4 guests to a guide, dedicated camera room, a manager who is an accomplished U/W photographer himself... it's not the cheapest, but it well deserves it's reputation as a classic resort.

They are really looking after me and my camera gear well- you don't have to worry about doing anything other than setting up your camera, measuring your O2 if you're on nitrox, and choosing your day's menu - everything else is seamlessly arranged on your behalf.

Even the area right under the jetty is just astoundingly full of critters and colour. I just love it... and I've got another week here

imho NAD would be more affordable...