Group tour – North Sulawesi – Bunaken & Lembeh

Discover how beautiful diving in Indonesia is on this group trip to Lembeh & Bunaken. The perfect combination of big & small stuff!

Travel period

April

Features

Boatdiving, Shore diving

Starting at

13 days vanaf US$ 2.695 p.p.

Group tour to Bunaken & Lembeh - Indonesia

Nanneke Boers’ third group trip will take place in 2026! This year another beautiful trip is planned, combining diving with land excursions. The destination? North Sulawesi!

The trip begins with a six-night stay at the charming Lumbalumba Resort, strategically located in Manado. From this resort you can easily dive the waters around Manado as well as the world-famous Bunaken National Park. This park is known for its impressive steep walls, abundance of sea turtles and rich underwater biodiversity. In addition to diving, we also take an excursion from Lumbalumba to the Minahasa Highlands, where you can enjoy lush nature and fascinating Indonesian culture.

The second destination of this trip is scenic Lembeh, a paradise for muck diving and macro photography enthusiasts. Here we will stay at the small-scale D’Lagoon Resort, where almost all rooms directly overlook Lembeh’s serene lagoon. Here we will take a Mandarin Fish Dive, among other things. As icing on the cake, we finish the trip with an excursion to the Tangkoko Nature Reserve. Here you will enter the lush nature and get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna of North Sulawesi.

Pack your bags and dive into this adventure! North Sulawesi is waiting for you!

Best travel time: The best time to dive in Lembeh, Bunaken and Manado is between April and November.
This period is considered the “dry season” in Sulawesi, with the least amount of rainfall and the calmest seas.
Visibility is also at its best during this time, allowing divers to fully appreciate the vibrant coral and varied marine life the area is known for.

April 3 to 15, 2026
Approx. 20 Dives
2 Land excursions (Minahasa & Tangkoko)
Full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Sea turtles, coral reefs and macro

Tour guide: Nanneke Boers

Meet Nanneke Boers, an experienced PADI diving instructor with a passion for diving.
After 15 successful years at Casa de Buceo in La Palma, she is now back in Holland and working with EWDR to guide these great group tours.
With her extensive experience and language skills in German, English and Spanish, she is ready to take divers from all over the world on an unforgettable diving vacation.

Average Temperatures

Wetsuit advice for diving in Bunaken & Lembeh – Indonesia

For diving in North Sulawesi, a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit is recommended, depending on your personal preference and the season. Water temperatures are usually between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius, which is relatively warm. However, because muck diving often requires little movement and you lie still for longer periods of time while spotting macro life, a slightly thicker wetsuit (5 mm) may be more comfortable to avoid heat loss.

What will you experience on this diving vacation?

View itinerary here

April 3 (Day 1) | The trip to Manado in Indonesia

Today begins the journey to Manado in Sulawesi.
Traveling from a airport in europe to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi in Indonesia takes about 20 to 30 hours, depending on the route and airline.

The most common route for travelers to fly to Manado is via Jakarta or Singapore and then a connecting flight to Manado.
Many airlines, including Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways, offer good flights to Manado.

At EWDR, we are of course happy to help you pick the most ideal flights.

April 4 (Day 2) | Arrival in Indonesia

Today you will arrive at the airport in Manado. A Lumbalumba staff member will be waiting for you to take you to the resort. The drive to the resort takes about 40 to 60 minutes.

Once you arrive, it’s just a matter of checking in and settling into your accommodation.
The vacations have really started now.
After such a long journey it is nice to relax for the rest of the day, this can be done very well around the resort pool, among other things.

April 5 to 8 (Days 3 to 6) | Diving in Bunaken & Manado

It’s time to explore Sulawesi underwater.
Diving at Lumbalumba means diving on the fantastic coral reefs of Bunaken N.P. here you will especially meet many sea turtles and a great diversity of fish.

Lumbalumba dives in small groups and works with flexible schedules.
They have a private pier across the resort (just cross the main road) with the dive center.
There are professional and well-trained dive guides employed to take care of everything for you so no lugging your own diving equipment.
Everything is rinsed and dried for you.

A diving day usually begins at 8:30 a.m.
With the boat you sail to the dive sites and make two dives in the morning.
If you wish you can add a 3rd dive to this, then enjoy a delicious lunch on the boat and sail back to the resort after the 3rd dive.

At Lumbalumba during this dive vacation, you have a dive package of 10 boat dives that you can expand on location to suit your needs. Included in the package is one free unguided house reef dive daily, on the days you also do boat dives. A night dive is also possible on the house reef or a nearby reef, accompanied by a dive guide, for an additional fee.

April 9 (Day 7) | Excursion: Minahasa Highland Tour

Today’s program is the impressive Minahasa Highland Tour, an excursion that takes you into the heart of North Sulawesi’s rich nature and culture. On this tour you will discover the beautiful Minahasa Highlands, an area full of lush landscapes, volcanic lakes and authentic villages. You will visit the mysterious Lake Tondano, surrounded by rolling hills, and the smaller but picturesque Lake Linow, known for its changing colors thanks to the sulfur present.

You will also be introduced to local traditions and unique Minahasa architecture in charming villages. Along the way, enjoy the spectacular views from high vantage points, including a panoramic view of the active volcanoes that make this area so special.

April 10 (Day 8) | Transfer to Lembeh & Diving

Today after breakfast you will set out for a new destination: Lembeh! By car you will travel from Manado to Lembeh, a drive of about an hour that gives you the chance to admire even more of Sulawesi’s beautiful landscapes along the way.

Around lunchtime you will arrive at the idyllic D’Lagoon Resort, where you can enjoy a warm welcome and the tranquility of your comfortable bungalow, which directly overlooks Lembeh’s serene lagoon.

After a delicious lunch, relax for a while and then around 3:00 p.m. make your first dive here!

April 11 & 12 (Days 9 & 10) | Macroduiken in Lembeh

The next 2 days are all about diving in Lembeh. Each day you will make two morning dives along the famous black sand bottoms, where you can spot unique critters flamboyant sea moths, hairy frogfish, blue ring octopus & pygmy seahorses. In addition, your dive package also includes one mandarin fish dive & one night dive. Of course it is possible to extend your dive package in advance or on site with for example afternoon dives.

As soon as the sun goes down, an entirely new group of sea creatures comes to life. You can spot rare night creatures such as stargazers, bobtail squid and hairy octopus.

A highlight of Lembeh is the mandarinfish dive. Just after sunset, you can admire these colorful and iconic fish as they perform their mesmerizing mating dance among the coral.

April 13 (Day 11) | Excursion: Tangkoko National Park

Today you will explore the beautiful Tangkoko Nature Reserve, one of the most impressive rainforests in North Sulawesi. This half-day tour offers a unique opportunity to spot some of the region’s most special animals, such as black crested macaques, tarsiers, bear cusk and colorful hornbills. The reserve is a nature lover’s paradise!

To make the most of your visit, leave early in the morning. After a short boat ride and a car ride of about an hour you will arrive at the park, just in time to see the animals in their most active hours. The three-hour walk through the jungle offers a great opportunity to admire the local flora and fauna.

Around noon, as it gets warmer and the animals retreat, you return to the resort. This is a perfect end to your vacation in Lembeh!

April 14 & 15 (Days 12 & 13) | Going home? Or not...?

Today is already the last day of your group trip. Don’t you want to go home yet? Then consider extending your stay at D’Lagoon. The connection between Lembeh and Raja Ampat is also excellent thanks to direct flights from Manado to Sorong. Raja Ampat is known as one of the most biodiverse diving destinations in the world.

The accommodations

The stay and surroundings

Lumbalumba Resort Manado

Lumbalumba Resort is located on a hill overlooking Bunaken volcano.
Despite its small scale, Lumbalumba has a swimming pool and a truly beautifully landscaped 3.5-acre garden that is given great attention.

There are 4 detached chalets (Dolphin, Eagle Ray, Sea Horse, Turtle), each for up to two guests.
All chalets are located on a mountainside with spectacular views.
All cottages have private bathrooms with fixed sink, shower and toilet.
Also, the cottages are equipped with air conditioning or fan.
In the evening, you can enjoy a spectacular sunset from your hammock on the veranda.

There is also a family chalet with 3 rooms (Starfish, Mandarin and Sepia), which can also be used individually.
And there is a new 2-bedroom double chalet at the top of the hill.
These are larger rooms (Frogfish and Napoleon) where a 3rd bed could be added.

The resort has delicious cuisine, cozy bar with restaurant and an infinity pool.
There is free Wifi throughout the resort.

Accommodation is on a full board basis.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are in the restaurant.
Lunch you eat either on the dive boat or in the restaurant.
Mostly Asian dishes are prepared.

The pool is situated 40 meters above sea level.
Made of natural stone and has an overflow (infinity) on all sides.
The pool is 2.5 meters deep.

Ps.
Lumbalumba is located on a hill, which means it is useful to be reasonably fit to climb the hill. But, if desired, you can also be taken from the top to the bottom by car, and vice versa.

D'Lagoon Dive Resort Lembeh

D’Lagoon Dive Resort is located on the west coast of Lembeh Island and can be reached within 5 minutes by boat from Bitung harbor. The resort is tucked away on the beach of a beautiful lagoon, providing a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Thanks to its central location, almost all of Lembeh’s famous dive sites are within easy reach.

The restaurant, built with a high roof for panoramic views, is located right on the beach and offers a beautiful view of the emerald lagoon. Here you can enjoy delicious local dishes prepared by talented chefs.

D’Lagoon Dive Resort features five luxury private cottages, spacious and with breathtaking views of the lagoon. The cottages are equipped with modern conveniences such as air conditioning, a hot/cold water dispenser and a generous bathroom with hot water shower, premium bath amenities and a Western-style toilet. The furnishings, including stone sinks and spacious mirrors, offer a combination of elegance and comfort.

With its quiet location, personalized service and luxurious accommodation, D’Lagoon Dive Resort is an excellent choice for an unforgettable diving vacation in Lembeh.

Travel costs

What is included

This diving vacation to North Sulawesi is available from US$ 2.695 per person based on two people in one room.

It is possible to book a private room, however, there is a surcharge of approx. US$ 363

A number of items are included as standard in this travel package.
All prices quoted are per person unless otherwise stated.
Prices are subject to price changes or changing exchange rates.

EWDR is a specialist in customization. Would you like the trip to be just a little different? More luxurious, shorter, longer? Let us know. In many destinations the diving programs can be extended with round trips or some excursions in between.

Want to know more about this group trip?
Get in touch with us!

Included in this diving trip, from US$ 2.695

6 Nights at Lumbalumba
Accommodation on full board basis
10 Boat dives at Lumbalumba
Bunaken National Park Fee
Daily 1 free shore dive on days 3 to 6
Excursion: Minaha Tour
4 Overnight stays at D'Lagoon
Accommodation on full board basis
7 Dives at D'Lagoon (including Mandarin fish dive & night dive)
Nitrox at D'Lagoon
Excursion: Tangkoko NP
Return transfers
VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee

Excluding

✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.

Optional

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Want to save or share the details of this dive trip with someone? You can do so by emailing the trip.

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Frequently asked questions about Lumbalumba

Diving general

What kind of diving do you do here?

At Lumbalumba, you can do both boat dives and shore dives.

How far are the dive sites?

Bunaken National Park consists of two parts.
The southern part can be reached in just about 10 minutes from the resort; the northern part is a little further by boat about 30 minutes.

The Northern part is the largest and includes the five islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Mantehage and Nain.
All the islands are surrounded by plateau reefs and steep drop-offs for which the park is famous.
This section is also known for the abundance of turtles, with often more than 30 seen during a single dive.

The Southern section is smaller but offers excellent muck diving and is rated higher than Lembeh Strait by many divers.
It also has one of the best coral walls in the park.

Can I do night diving here?

Yes definitely!
And it’s fantastic.
You will encounter the most fascinating critters on a night dive.

A night dive by boat costs €58 p.p. (minimum 2 divers) and a guided night dive on the house reef costs €30 p.p.

Is there a house reef?

Included in this package is standard one unguided house reef dive on the dive days.
The first dive on the house reef is with a guide.
Then you can dive independently with a buddy on the house reef.

Can I take a diving course here?

Yes, the following courses can be booked (in advance):

PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) €125
PADI Open Water Course €480
PADI Advanced Open Water Course €375
PADI Nitrox Course €150

Is the diving school close to the resort?

Yes indeed, on the same site… nice and easy 🙂