Dive Gear You Need for Diving Bunaken and Lembeh
North Sulawesi has two world class dive areas about two hours apart by road: Bunaken National Park, right off Manado, and the Lembeh Strait near Bitung. They could hardly be more different. Bunaken is famous for steep coral walls, blue water and current, while Lembeh is the muck diving capital of the world, with black volcanic sand and rare small critters. Our shop in Manado sits between the two, so we are often asked what gear to bring. Here is the checklist from the Bluering Oktopus Indonesia team.
What diving in Bunaken is like
• Walls: many sites are vertical walls that drop far below recreational limits. Buoyancy and depth control matter.
• Current: from gentle to fairly strong depending on the tide. Many dives are drift dives.
• Visibility: often very good, with clear blue water.
• Water temperature: warm all year, usually around 27 to 30 degrees Celsius, sometimes a little cooler at depth.
What diving in Lembeh is like
• Muck diving: black sand, rubble and seagrass, home to frogfish, mimic octopus, pygmy seahorses and countless nudibranchs.
• Slow, shallow dives: you spend a lot of time close to the bottom, moving very slowly with your guide.
• Water temperature: usually a little cooler than Bunaken, and thermoclines are fairly common. Long, repeated dives make you cold faster.
• Visibility: more variable, sometimes green, but that is where the critters hide.
Basic gear checklist
1. Mask, snorkel and fins. A mask that seals and feels comfortable matters most. For Bunaken, strong open heel fins with boots help in current and when getting on and off boats. For Lembeh, fins that allow controlled frog kicks and back kicks help you avoid stirring up the sand. We carry masks and fins from Mares and Aqualung. See fins and masks (https://www.diveshop-indonesia.com/dive-fins-and-masks).
2. Wetsuit. A 3 mm suit is comfortable for many divers in Bunaken. For Lembeh, or if you do three or four dives a day, many divers choose 5 mm or add a hood and vest. A full suit also protects you from hydroids and small stings. See wetsuits and dive wear (https://www.diveshop-indonesia.com/wetsuits-and-dive-wear).
3. Regulator. A comfortable, well serviced regulator. For muck diving over sand, a sealed first stage and an exhaust tee that sends bubbles sideways help, especially for photographers. Make sure the connection matches your operator's cylinders, or bring an adapter. Mares, Aqualung and Apeks all make regulators that suit both sites. Read How to Choose a Scuba Regulator (https://www.diveshop-indonesia.com/how-to-choose-a-scuba-regulator).
4. BCD. A BCD that fits and is easy to adjust. On the walls of Bunaken you need stable buoyancy at a steady depth. In Lembeh you need to hover very close to the bottom without touching it. Mares, Aqualung and Apeks each offer jacket and wing style BCDs. See scuba BCDs (https://www.diveshop-indonesia.com/scuba-bcd).
5. Dive computer. Essential for repetitive diving. Wall dives in Bunaken can take you deeper than planned without noticing, and long Lembeh dives use up no-decompression time quickly. Choose a computer with nitrox support if your operator offers it. See dive computers (https://www.diveshop-indonesia.com/dive-computers).
Safety gear
SMB (surface marker buoy) and reel or spool. Essential for drift diving in Bunaken. Deploy it during your safety stop so the boat can see where you are, especially if the current has carried you away from the drop point.
Signalling devices. A whistle or audible signal for the surface, plus a signal mirror or bright torch. For operators and boats, rescue systems such as ENOS from NRC help locate divers at the surface.
Small knife or line cutter. For emergencies such as fishing line entanglement, not for touching the reef. Mares and Sanosub knives are compact and easy to mount on a BCD or hose.
Torches and cameras
Primary torch. In Lembeh a torch is almost essential, even in daylight, to see the true colours of small creatures on dark sand and under rubble. In Bunaken a torch helps you look into cracks in the wall. For night dives at either place, bring a primary and a backup torch. See torches in our online store (https://www.diveshop-indonesia.com/online-store-1/Torches-c183406505).
Camera. Many divers come to Lembeh for macro photography. If you bring a camera, remember that good buoyancy matters more than any lens, so you do not damage the habitat.
Diving etiquette in Bunaken and Lembeh
• Do not touch, move or disturb marine life, including for photos.
• Many operators and marine parks discourage gloves for recreational divers. Follow local rules and your guide.
• Keep clear of the reef and the sand, and make sure hoses and gauges are not dangling.
• Follow national park rules and your dive operator's briefing.
Caring for your gear after diving
After diving in tropical salt water, rinse everything in fresh water, especially your regulator, BCD inflator and dive computer. Fine Lembeh sand gets into buttons and buckles, so soak them briefly and work the buttons while rinsing. Dry in the shade. If anything feels wrong, such as a free flowing regulator, bring it to our shop for a check. We service every brand we sell (https://www.diveshop-indonesia.com/dive-gear-spare-parts-service).
Rent or buy?
Most operators in Bunaken and Lembeh offer rental gear. Many divers still prefer their own mask, dive computer, wetsuit and fins for comfort, hygiene and the familiarity of using the same gear on every dive. Your own regulator and BCD are the next step for divers who dive often.
Forgot something?
Our shop is in Manado at Grand Kawanua City Walk Blok B 01, Jl. AA Maramis, Paniki Bawah, Manado 95256, not far from Sam Ratulangi airport. We are open 10:00 to 20:00. If your mask leaks, a fin strap breaks or you need an SMB before heading to Bunaken or Lembeh, drop by or message us on WhatsApp at +62 812-4571-6005. You can also browse everything in our online store (https://www.diveshop-indonesia.com/online-store-1).
Bluering Oktopus Indonesia is an official retailer for Mares, Aqualung, Apeks, Coltri, NRC, ENOS, Sanosub and other brands.