Page 77 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Lembeh Strait

ith so many of Lembeh’s most For divers who are hoping to combine
iconic critters having incredible muck diving with reefs and critters
Wcamouflage they will often “hide with fish, the north end of the Strait
in plain site” and will not swim away when offers a selection of coral reef dives
approached. This unusual behavior makes with stunning topographies. The east
Lembeh a world renowned hotspot for coast of Lembeh Island is relatively
underwater photographers who flock to unexplored, apart from by a few
the region hoping to capture their next operators, as those who venture
award winning shot. Despite being dived here do so for the muck. However,
for decades, new species are still being if you can be tempted out of the
discovered in Lembeh Strait which also Strait, Lembeh’s east coast offers
attracts marine biologists and scientists an explosion of colorful soft coral
who study the region and its inhabitants. reefs, schooling fish and even passing
Lembeh Strait is truly a unique diving pelagics.
destination.

Conditions

LEMBEH STRAIT The protected location of Water temperature varies by only a
the Lembeh Strait means
few degrees throughout the year and
that it offers year round, average around 28-29 degrees from
easy conditions. The October to March. April, May, June and
he Lembeh Strait is the body of water which passes through the sites here are among the September are slightly cooler at 26-27
channel between Lembeh Island (Pulau Lembeh) and the mainland calmest in Indonesia and are little affected degrees and the coldest months are
Tof North Sulawesi. The sites within this channel are predominantly by currents. July and August, with average water
volcanic black sand sites and as such, the main attraction here is muck During the wet season, run off from both temperatures between 25-26 degrees.
diving. Lembeh Island and mainland Sulawesi Easy conditions and shallow sandy
causes reduced visibility, particularly in patches make Lembeh an ideal location
Lembeh Strait is world famous for its muck and has been dubbed a the shallows. The fine sediment found at for those learning to dive while the
variety of names, including “A Muck Diving Mecca”, “the Twilight Zone” the dive sites within the Strait is easily unique marine life will impress even
and even “the Critter Capital of the world”, due to the sheer abundance disturbed and visibility (at its best) the most seasoned of divers and
underwater photographers,
averages 15 meters. During rainy or windy
of rare and unusual marine species which are found here. periods, visibility can drop to just 5meters.

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