Lembeh in December

[matt215]

What are dive conditions like in Lembeh in late December. Cold? Poor viz? Also, are the critters pretty much the same year round, or are certain things not there in late December?

 

[OnTheSpot]

You can go scuba diving in Lembeh all year but the conditions do vary. Water temperatures hit a peak of 28-29°C between October and March. Then they fall to their lowest at 25-26°C in July and August, which coincides with the greatest number of critters. Sightings have more to do with reproductive cycles than the seasonal movement of creatures. The small stuff of Lembeh doesn't travel far. October to December has the best visibility. January and February has the lowest visibility, when the water temperature is at its warmest.

 

[pughio83]

Certain things for certain times of the year but always around, just numbers vary. I went in may and December. I saw more hairy frogfish and ghost pipefish in dec but more shrimp types and octopus in may tho BRO peak in dec jan. water temps similar at both times used a rash only. In may generally saw more than dec but there is so much to see anyway!

 

[LembehR&Critters]

Hi Matt! The water is getting warmer here in Lembeh. It also helps that the sun is out and about (June-Aug this year had seen record rainfall in the area). As mentioned by OnTheSpot, October-December has the best visibility, and the water is warmer. The critters are here all year round, just that some are more in numbers and easier to find during certain times of the year. In December, we see more Cephalopods, Crustaceans, and frogfish. In December last year, we also got to see a lot of Flamboyant Cuttlefish eggs (including them hatching out).

 

[Sorrows]

We were in Lembeh last Christmas. We saw blue-ringed octopus on nearly every dive. Also, the wonderpus, mimic, and coconut. And we did see the flamboyant cuttlefish hatching.

We stayed at Lembeh Resort and loved it. Our DM, Ewan, was absolutely amazing.

 

[rakay]

We went Sept 2011 and December 2012. We saw no blue-ringed octopus in Sept 2011. When we went this past December 2012 early in the month, we saw them on almost every dive. And there were several on each dive.
Yes, the flamboyant cuttlefish were hatching. Seeing that was spectacular. I would prefer to go in December again rather than September. We also stayed at Lembeh Resort both times. Great place and tons of macro creatures. The staff at the resort are wonderful.

 

[LembehR&Critters]

Cool shot rakay!