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Dive Review of Kasawari Lembeh in
Indonesia/Lembeh Straits

Kasawari Lembeh, Oct, 2012,

by linda rutherford, CA, US (Contributor Contributor 17 reports with 7 Helpful votes). Report 6785.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments We stayed at Kasawari Lembeh Resort for the last two weeks of a six-week dive trip. It was the perfect ending to our trip, making us regret going home. The most endearing element is the personal service. The famous Lembeh guides from many years ago, Nus and Ali, work here and they add their seasoned influence over operations.

We dove with Nus and Ali on the Aqua One live-aboard in 2006 and stayed at Kasawari for two weeks in April 2011. Ali adds so much to the fun. As manager of the dive operation, Ali makes sure that divers see what they come here for. He knows where to find everything. If he can’t find it, then I am at peace that it was not around. I feel a great deal of warmth and affection for him.

Another dive guide, “Rusly,” is also excellent. My husband and I had him as a guide, everyday for two weeks. He constantly searched for critters, and took my desire to photo critters seriously. He begged me to take photos before I had even turned on my camera. He likes to line up two or three of a critter for a photo. He didn’t realize that it is very hard to get the necessary depth of field, for example, for three ornate ghost pipefish. I had to tell him that I only had the skill to get two at a time.

What is interesting about Lembeh is that the creatures differ by the season. This October we saw 5 or 6 blue ring octopuses, even a pair mating. Last March we saw none. This year we saw no crocodile flatheads, last year we in March, we saw many. So this is a spot that you can visit at different times of the year, and see different species.

The new dive boats with double engines and the new extended floating dock, add to the ease of diving from this resort. The boats have shade and use the giant stride method of entry.

Kasawari gave a 10% discount for second time visitors, so that was a pleasant surprise. We stayed in Villa #2 which is slightly large than the regular bungalows, but all bungalows are nice. The air conditioning really works in getting your room cool. When we left it was raining, and we dried our wetsuits in front of our highly effective air conditioner.

We used our reasonably priced mini-bar. There is a phone in the room to call for room service, although the restaurant is not far away. The restaurant menu can be adapted. For example, I requested an avocado and tomato salad, even though these salads are listed separately. Just explain what you want, and they will do it.

There is a large camera room and large camera rinse tanks. They have two large, fast dive boats that come back to the resort after every dive. If you miss a dive because you overslept, then you can catch the next dive. If you request them, there is a Mandarin fish dive at 5 pm and a night dive at 6 pm.

All and all, Kasawari is a very pleasant and comfortable place to visit. Two weeks is a comfortable time and is not too long. There are sufficient dive sites to fill two weeks. If you want to see tiger shrimp, boxer crabs, blue-ring octopus, devilfish, and all the other cool stuff, it is here. The staff is so nice that you will definitely regret going home, no matter how long you have been away.

I can recommend this resort, without worry, because it is virtually assured that you will have a good time. If there was something negative to say, I would have said it.
Websites Kasawari Lembeh   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving various worldwide
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather rainy Seas calm
Water Temp 79-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 15-75 Ft/ 5-23 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions no restrictions other than common sense restrictions
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 1 stars Tropical Fish 2 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities 5 stars
UW Photo Comments It is almost expected that you would have a camera. The camera room is nice and large. There are rinse tanks. Staff wait for you to test your camera in the dunk tank before taking it to the boat. No problems for cameras.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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