The Lembeh Strait is home to rare marine species. Its volcanic sands support strange and colorful life. Divers visit the area to see creatures found nowhere else. One of the most unique is the Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus). Its bold pattern and bright colors make it stand out on the sandy floor of Lembeh. What is …
Solitude World’s iNaturalist Projects Turn Guests into Citizen Scientists When you think of diving in Lembeh, Anilao or anywhere in the Coral Triangle, the first thing that comes to mind is often the astonishing diversity of marine life—rare muck critters, cunning octopuses, frolicking mantas, gliding whale sharks, frenzied sharks and dazzling reefscapes. But what if …
Inside this Issue:– What’s in a Name? How Dive Sites Get Their Identity– Beneath the Surface: The Real Challenges Dive Guides Face– Behind the Lens with Jason Isley– Liveaboards vs Resorts: The Great Debate– Current Affairs: Komodo — Diving Komodo’s Epic Waters– Why Ethical Interactions Matter Underwater– Underwater Wonders: Eunice dharastii — The Bobbit Worm– …
Weedy scorpionfish, also known as Rhinopias frondosa, is a slow-moving predator that’s almost too unique to be real. This rare member of the scorpionfish family is notoriously hard to spot unless you’re diving the volcanic black sands of Lembeh Strait, where they’re more commonly encountered. But here’s the twist: this fish doesn’t want to be found. …
Featuring Tips from Solitude Liveaboards & Resorts Dive Regions Understanding Marine Biodiversity: A Diver’s Guide to Species IdentificationFeaturing Tips from Solitude Liveaboards & Resorts Dive Regions For many divers, the magic of being underwater lies not just in the weightless movement through water or the serenity of reefscapes, but in the encounters — fleeting or …
You do not need to dive to enjoy Lembeh. If you are not a diver or if you simply want a break from diving, snorkeling is a great way to explore the ocean here. It is easy, relaxing, and full of interesting marine life. This guide will help you plan your snorkeling experience. You will …
A hidden dive site in Lembeh doesn’t mean that it’s hidden on the map, but it’s just not on most divers’ radar. These are the quiet corners, a little off the usual route, that reward those willing to slow down and take a second look. Whether you’re chasing rare shots, new critters, or just a …
Spotting a frogfish for the first time feels like finding something out of this world. At first, it looks like part of the reef or a clump of sponge. Then it moves, and suddenly you’re face to face with one of the ocean’s most unique creatures. Lembeh Strait is one of the best places in …
Lembeh Strait in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, is world-renowned for muck diving and its rich variety of rare marine life. Also known as the “Critter Capital of the World,” this narrow channel offers a one-of-a-kind diving experience that also calls for eco-friendly diving practices. Because so many of Lembeh’s creatures rely on stillness and camouflage, even …
Imagine gliding over a plain of dark volcanic sand when something odd catches your eye. Was that a lionfish, a sea snake, or… did it just change shape? That’s your first clue you’ve stumbled across one of the ocean’s most unpredictable performers. Meet the Mimic Octopus, a shapeshifting cephalopod that transforms to survive. In this …
Delve into the mysterious world that awakens after dark on Solitude’s dive itineraries. When the sun dips below the horizon and darkness cloaks the ocean, a secret world awakens beneath the waves. Night diving isn’t just scuba diving in low light—it’s an entirely different experience, a realm where the familiar is transformed and the elusive …
Small enough to fit on your fingernail, bright green like a cartoon salad, and sporting tiny “ears” that look like sheep horns, this sea slug is pure underwater joy. Meet Costasiella kuroshimae, affectionately known as the ‘Shaun the Sheep’ nudibranch. There’s something about it that makes you want to know more. What is it? Where does …