Facing Pulau Lembeh (which lies directly across the Strait), the Solitude Lembeh Resort is a boutique dive resort in North Sulawesi. It offers an exclusive and intimate setting for muck diving in this world-renowned dive destination, with villas designed in a traditional Minahasan style scattered throughout its tropical gardens.

Skilled dive guides and “spotters” accompany underwater photographers on daily dive trips, with more than 30 sites within a stone’s throw of this Sulawesi dive resort. An infinity pool and inviting jacuzzi await at the end of the day, together with delicious Minahasan cuisine at the on-site restaurant.

Rooms

There are 10 luxury villas at the Solitude Lembeh Resort, each of which is built in a traditional Minahasan style and nestled amidst lush, tropical gardens.

Deluxe Villas Each of the eight Deluxe Villas feature an air-conditioned bedroom, oversized bathroom, and a private wooden deck, with handmade terrazzo floors throughout. They come with comfortable beds, wardrobes, mini-bars, and safes, as well as coffee and tea-making facilities.

Seafront Villas There are two spacious Seafront Villas that are located near the dive center on the waterfront of Solitude Lembeh Resort. Aside from individually-controlled air-conditioning, they boast private decks and gazebos overlooking Lembeh Strait, as well as a huge bathroom and outdoor shower surrounded by tropical foliage.

Amenities

The Solitude Lembeh Resort centers around an infinity-edge swimming pool and built-in jacuzzi that overlook the jetty and sundeck. Babysitting services are available at this Sulawesi dive resort while Wi-Fi connections are provided in each of the villas and public spaces.

Food

Located on the upper floor of the resort’s main building, the Solitude Lembeh restaurant offers an a la carte menu featuring both local and international cuisine. Buffet meals are also available for divers on the full-board plan and private dining experiences beside the pool can be organized on request. Afternoon tea and snacks are also included in packages while drinks and alcoholic beverages can be purchased for an additional charge.

Diving

Lembeh is renowned as the macro and muck diving capital of the world and home to a plethora of fascinating creatures. But it also boasts stunning reefs teeming with marine life and two diveable wrecks – the Mawali and Kapal Ikan – that are overgrown with beautiful corals. Solitude Lembeh’s dive center is located on the waterfront beside a purpose-built jetty, which is surrounded by a house reef where complimentary unguided shore dives are available from 10 am to 3 pm.

Daily dive trips accompanied by skilled “spotter” dive guides are offered at the Solitude Lembeh Resort to explore the more than 30 sites that are within 20 minutes by boat. There are three custom-designed 12-meter dive boats, each of which can whisk up to six divers and two guides out to the sites. They’re equipped with benches, emergency oxygen supplies, and ladders to ensure easy exits and entries. In between each dive, the boats return to the resort so divers can refresh and relax during their surface interval.

Solitude Lembeh Resort’s dive center features a dedicated camera room that underwater photographers can utilize. It’s equipped with plenty of power sockets and adapters where you can set up underwater camera equipment, charge batteries and rinse your gear.

A selection of PADI dive courses are offered at the resort and taught in the swimming pool and shallow house reef, ranging from Discover Scuba Diving to Divemaster. PADI specialty courses such as Enriched Air Nitrox can also be completed, with Nitrox available for certified divers to use during daily dive trips.

Due to the sheltered nature of Lembeh Strait, the region can be dived throughout the year, with different creatures seen at specific times. Water temperatures hover around 82-84°F (28-29°C) from October until March and drop to around 76-78°F (25-26°C) in July and August, although cool currents can see water temperatures as low as 71°F (22°C). Most divers are comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit but a thin hood and/or an undergarment are recommended for diving at night.

Other Activities

Non-diving family members can embark on full-day excursions to the Tangkoko National Park, with the opportunity to see rare crested black macaques, hornbills and the world’s smallest primate, the spectral tarsier. Alternatively, head to the local fish market and Bitung town to discover the traditional lifestyle or get active while trekking and rafting through the Minahasa Highlands.