Bastianos Froggies Lembeh Dive Resort is a peaceful retreat on the west coast of Lembeh Island, offering stunning views of the Lembeh Strait—one of the world’s top muck diving destinations. The resort features traditional wooden cottages with Western-style bathrooms and hot water, providing a comfortable stay surrounded by nature.
Lembeh Island sits across from Bitung, Northern Sulawesi’s second-largest city, and is known for its rich marine biodiversity. The Bastianos Divers team, consists of experienced local guides with exceptional skills in spotting Lembeh’s famous critters. Whether you’re an avid diver or simply looking for a quiet getaway, Bastianos Froggies Lembeh offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
The Accommodation
Superior Beachfront or Hillside
This room has options on the hillside or beachfront, featuring a private verandah with breathtaking views. Each accommodation comes with a private bathroom, offering both hot and cold water, a Western-style toilet, and air conditioning to ensure a comfortable stay.
Standard Room Hillside
The Standard Hillside rooms with AC are housed in charming bungalows, each with an en-suite bathroom, a hot shower, and a western-style toilet, providing comfort and convenience for a pleasant stay.
Extraordinary Muck Diving at Bastianos Lembeh Resort
The Muck Diving Capital of the World
Nestled on peaceful Lembeh Island directly across from the port city of Bitung, Bastianos Froggies Lembeh Dive Resort provides privileged access to the legendary Lembeh Strait—widely recognized as the world’s premier muck diving destination. This narrow channel between Lembeh Island and mainland North Sulawesi has gained international acclaim for hosting the planet’s most unusual and photogenic marine creatures, making it a mandatory pilgrimage for underwater photographers and marine life enthusiasts.
The magic of Lembeh lies in its unique underwater topography: dark volcanic sand and sediment that creates the perfect habitat for rare and exotic critters. This distinctive environment was first popularized by diving pioneer Larry Smith in the early 1990s, who introduced the concept of “muck diving” to the diving world and established Lembeh Strait’s reputation as an unparalleled destination for macro marine life encounters.
Diving in Lembeh Strait: A Macro Photographer’s Paradise
Unlike traditional coral reef diving destinations, Lembeh’s allure comes from what hides within its sandy slopes and debris-strewn bottoms. Diving here is characterized by slow, methodical exploration at relatively shallow depths—typically between 5-25 meters—with mild currents and easy conditions that allow divers to focus entirely on spotting and photographing elusive creatures.
The visibility in Lembeh typically ranges from 5-15 meters. While this might seem limited compared to crystal-clear destinations, it’s perfectly adequate for macro photography and actually creates ideal conditions for spotting cryptic species against the dark substrate. The water temperature remains comfortable year-round, averaging 27-29°C (80-84°F).
What truly distinguishes Lembeh diving is the extraordinary diversity and density of rare marine life. On a single dive, you might encounter multiple species of frogfish, ghost pipefish, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, various nudibranchs, seahorses, scorpionfish, and a seemingly endless variety of shrimps and crabs—many of which are found nowhere else or are exceptionally difficult to spot elsewhere.
Beyond Muck: The Complete Lembeh Experience
While famous for its muck diving, Lembeh offers surprising variety beyond the black sand sites. The resort’s strategic location allows access to a range of diverse environments:
- The Other Side: Contrary to popular belief, Lembeh also features beautiful coral reefs on the eastern side of the island, with surprisingly clear visibility and vibrant marine life. These sites offer a refreshing contrast to the typical muck diving experience.
- Wreck Diving: Several fascinating wrecks lie within easy reach, including cargo ships and World War II remnants that have become artificial reefs teeming with life.
- Mandarin Fish Dives: Special late afternoon dives allow guests to witness the mesmerizing mating ritual of Mandarin fish—a spectacle of color and behavior that occurs like clockwork at dusk.
- Night Diving: Lembeh transforms completely after dark, with many creatures becoming more active and visible. Night dives reveal an entirely different ecosystem and are considered essential for the complete Lembeh experience.
Professional Dive Operation
Bastianos Divers, a PADI-affiliated center since 2004 (R-34063), brings decades of collective experience to Lembeh’s waters. The operation prides itself on employing local guides from Manado and surrounding areas who possess an almost supernatural ability to spot well-camouflaged creatures—a skill they refer to as having “magic eyes.”
The resort maintains a structured daily dive schedule:
- Morning: Two dives departing at 8:00 AM with a one-hour surface interval
- Afternoon: Single dive at 2:30 PM
- Special dives: Mandarin fish dive at 4:45 PM or night dive at 5:30 PM
Notably, Lembeh diving follows a slightly different protocol than other locations. Due to the nature of critter hunting and macro photography, the resort permits longer bottom times based on air consumption rather than fixed time limits—recognizing that getting the perfect shot sometimes requires patience and extended observation.
Underwater Photography Focus
Given Lembeh’s status as a photographer’s paradise, Bastianos Froggies Lembeh has developed specialized facilities and services for underwater imaging enthusiasts:
- A purpose-built camera room with workbenches and charging stations
- Fresh water rinse tanks specifically for camera equipment on boats
- Special underwater photography workshops led by resident photographer Barney Seier
- Guides trained specifically in understanding photographers’ needs, including proper positioning and lighting assistance
For beginners looking to capture the incredible marine life, the resort offers entry-level underwater photography classes and equipment rental, making this specialized activity accessible to all guests regardless of experience level.
Learning to Dive in Lembeh
The calm, protected waters of Lembeh Strait create an ideal environment for dive training. Bastianos offers a complete range of PADI courses from introductory experiences to professional-level training:
- Bubble Maker (from age 8) and Discover Scuba Diving provide first-time experiences
- Open Water and Advanced Open Water certification courses
- Specialized courses including Digital Underwater Photography, Enriched Air Nitrox, and Night Diver
- Conservation-focused courses like Coral Reef Conservation and Dive Against Debris
- Professional Divemaster training for those looking to begin a career in diving
The relatively mild conditions, minimal currents, and shallow dive profiles make Lembeh particularly suitable for new divers, while the extraordinary marine life ensures even training dives become memorable wildlife encounters.
Beyond Diving Activities
Understanding that even the most dedicated divers occasionally need a break, Bastianos offers several enriching land-based activities:
- Tangkoko Nature Reserve: Just a short drive away, this protected jungle is home to the endemic spectral tarsier (one of the world’s smallest primates), black macaques, and diverse bird species including the impressive hornbill. Watch our video here
- Minahasa Highlands Tour: Explore volcanic lakes, traditional villages, and ancient stone tombs while experiencing the unique culture of North Sulawesi’s highlands.
- Lembeh Island Exploration: Discover the charming villages and scenic viewpoints of Lembeh Island itself through guided walking tours.
- Indonesian Cooking Classes: Learn to prepare traditional North Sulawesi dishes under the guidance of the resort’s chef.
These activities complement the diving experience and provide a more complete understanding of North Sulawesi’s natural and cultural richness.
