I’m planning a trip to North Sulawesi in February for around 8 days of diving. It’s a long trek from the upper Midwest US, so I’d like to make the most of the time I have there. I plan to dive Lembeh, Bangka and/or Bunaken. Although I’d like to see some of each location, I am concerned that trying to stay at all 3 might take a significant out of my possible dive time. I have decided against the Passport to Paradise package from Murex primarily because I will be traveling solo. For those that have visited the area, especially solo, I would appreciate your recommendations and trip advise. This is my first trip to Indonesia but I have made several trips to the Philippines and like a poster mentioned in a recent thread, an introduction to muck diving in Anilao led to my interest in Lembeh. I love seeing the smaller critters and corals. Bangka and/or Bunaken are add ons to see something different and break up the trip. I don't think I have the patience for 8 days of muck in Lembeh.
The best airfare and schedule from my location to Manado is via Tokyo and Jakarta. It looks like there are several early morning flights to Manado. This route takes about 36 hours which is about 6 hours less and half the price of going through Singapore. This will be roughly an 11-day trip, but I travel very light and plan to pack everything minus fins into a carry on and backpack that fits under the seat. I may need to check the roller bag for the final domestic leg if Indonesian airlines strictly enforce 7-10kg carry-on limits; not a big deal if it’s only the last flight. Does anyone have advice regarding connections from CGK-MDC? Batik air has an overnight flight that leaves 2 hours after I would arrive from Tokyo. Is 2 hours enough time to clear customs and change terminals at Jakarta? There is a Citilink flight 3 hours later, or I can stay the night near the airport and leave mid morning. Even though I can get solid sleep on a plane, I know fatigue is insidious and have no plans to attempt to dive on my arrival day.
I have read that February is not peak season for this area and several reviews have mentioned that some dive operators may be reluctant go beyond the closest few sites if there are only 1-2 divers on a boat. I’d like the flexibility of going to a variety of sites even if the resort isn’t busy without the threat of surprise private boat fees at the end. I am aware of the single supplement to the room rate, but have any solo travelers experienced surprise charges for diving? I value a 2:1 or maximum 3:1 diver to guide ratio and have a preference towards the Lembeh resorts advertising smaller groups and would like to know if others have been able to do 4 dives per day (2x AM, 1x PM, 1x night). I do plan to dive on nitrox. Does anyone know of resorts that might consider allowing a solo dive on the house reef?
Selecting Bangka, Bunaken, or both is a big variable at the moment. Knowing that a land transfer will take several hours and probably reduce dives by 2 on that day, I am hesitant to try to include overnight stays at 3 locations. How would you split the trip, and in what order would recommend staying? My current thoughts are 4 nights (14 dives) Bangka then 4-5 nights (14 dives) Lembeh. Is the diversity in sites and critters between Bangka and Bunaken worth splitting this to 2/3/3 nights at teach and loosing at least 2-3 dives over the trip? How would you recommend splitting up the trip?
Although many people I know from the midwest consider salt and pepper to be too spicy, I am not one of them. I love fiery pepper sauces and Asian cuisine. I don’t mind rice or noodles for breakfast, but I’m not much for seafood and prefer chicken, beef or pork. Are there any resorts to avoid that might only seafood based meals on the menu?
The tentative flight schedules and gas off time would allow for a late afternoon and the next morning to enjoy the topside. Does anyone recommend seeing anything if I have any energy left on the last day?
The best airfare and schedule from my location to Manado is via Tokyo and Jakarta. It looks like there are several early morning flights to Manado. This route takes about 36 hours which is about 6 hours less and half the price of going through Singapore. This will be roughly an 11-day trip, but I travel very light and plan to pack everything minus fins into a carry on and backpack that fits under the seat. I may need to check the roller bag for the final domestic leg if Indonesian airlines strictly enforce 7-10kg carry-on limits; not a big deal if it’s only the last flight. Does anyone have advice regarding connections from CGK-MDC? Batik air has an overnight flight that leaves 2 hours after I would arrive from Tokyo. Is 2 hours enough time to clear customs and change terminals at Jakarta? There is a Citilink flight 3 hours later, or I can stay the night near the airport and leave mid morning. Even though I can get solid sleep on a plane, I know fatigue is insidious and have no plans to attempt to dive on my arrival day.
I have read that February is not peak season for this area and several reviews have mentioned that some dive operators may be reluctant go beyond the closest few sites if there are only 1-2 divers on a boat. I’d like the flexibility of going to a variety of sites even if the resort isn’t busy without the threat of surprise private boat fees at the end. I am aware of the single supplement to the room rate, but have any solo travelers experienced surprise charges for diving? I value a 2:1 or maximum 3:1 diver to guide ratio and have a preference towards the Lembeh resorts advertising smaller groups and would like to know if others have been able to do 4 dives per day (2x AM, 1x PM, 1x night). I do plan to dive on nitrox. Does anyone know of resorts that might consider allowing a solo dive on the house reef?
Selecting Bangka, Bunaken, or both is a big variable at the moment. Knowing that a land transfer will take several hours and probably reduce dives by 2 on that day, I am hesitant to try to include overnight stays at 3 locations. How would you split the trip, and in what order would recommend staying? My current thoughts are 4 nights (14 dives) Bangka then 4-5 nights (14 dives) Lembeh. Is the diversity in sites and critters between Bangka and Bunaken worth splitting this to 2/3/3 nights at teach and loosing at least 2-3 dives over the trip? How would you recommend splitting up the trip?
Although many people I know from the midwest consider salt and pepper to be too spicy, I am not one of them. I love fiery pepper sauces and Asian cuisine. I don’t mind rice or noodles for breakfast, but I’m not much for seafood and prefer chicken, beef or pork. Are there any resorts to avoid that might only seafood based meals on the menu?
The tentative flight schedules and gas off time would allow for a late afternoon and the next morning to enjoy the topside. Does anyone recommend seeing anything if I have any energy left on the last day?