Page 78 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Lembeh Strait Lembeh Strait

Dive Site and Marine Life Highlights of Lembeh Strait Snorkeling and Freediving Highlights

The list of rare, unusual and highly sought Lembeh’s north and east coast sites offer to the combination sites which have a
after species found in the Lembeh Strait vibrant colors and a plethora of fish, but wider diversity of corals and fish to view
is one of the most extensive on earth, because these sites sit outside of the – Nudifalls and Serena are both good
some of the most iconic critters include: 3 protection afforded by Lembeh Island, options.
species of pygmy seahorses, 8 species of currents can be strong on the surface
frogfish including hairy frogfish, numerous particularly during windy spells. There Batu Angus is a unique snorkeling spot
octopus species (blue ring, coconut,
mimic, wunderpus, long-arm, starry night is no denying that the sites within the where reef and rainforest melt into one.
and hairy), flamboyant cuttlefish, bobtail Lembeh Strait offer exceptional marine While a dense green canopy overhangs
squid, stargazers, endemic Banggai life, however, the somewhat murky waters the water and mangrove roots dominate
cardinalfish, Mandarin fish, rhinopias, a of the Strait mean that snorkelers often the seascape there are also corals and
broad array of shrimps and crustaceans only have a good chance of sightings in numerous juvenile fish species here
(harlequin shrimps, tiger shrimps, the shallow areas, close to the banks. too – this is also a wonderful location for
boxer crabs, zebra crabs), seahorses, spotting some of Lembeh’s bird species
ghost pipefishes, pipefishes, Lembeh The most enjoyable and productive option from the boat.
seadragons, flying gurnards, innumerable for snorkelers in the Strait is to head
species of nudibranch which change
throughout the year and the list really
does go on!
Diving the north end of the Strait and the
east coat reveals patrolling reef sharks,
schools of snappers, occasional rays and divers. The Mawali is a 70m long
even pilot whale and dolphin pods have Japanese cargo ship which was sank by
been spotted from the surface. the US Navy during WWII in 1944. It lies
on its port side but still entirely intact
The most iconic black sand sites of the including the propeller. The top of the
Lembeh Strait include Jahir, TK, Hairball, wreck starts at 16m and hits the sandy
Makawede, Air Bajo and ROJOS. There bottom at around 33m. The Mawali offers
are a number of combination sites that unique opportunities for macro as well as
incorporate reef, sand and rubble, the wide angle photography enthusiasts and
most popular ones being Nudifalls, Nudi of course those who enjoy wreck diving in
Retreat and Serena. Bianca (named after general.
the vessel which is permanently moored
at the site) is a must for Mandarin fish To the North end of the Lembeh Strait,
and if you’d like to try white sand muck iconic reef dives include Angel’s Window,
diving explore Pantai Parigi and Pintu Dante’s Wall and California Dreaming, all
Colada. of which offer vibrant colors and a healthy
diversity of marine life. For those who
Wreck diving in Lembeh Strait is also want to explore Lembeh’s stand out dive
possible and the Mawali Wreck is a sites on the east coast, Fireball, Pantai
favorite among many seasoned Lembeh Jiko, Pulau Mandolang and Pulau Dua
should not be missed.

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