Location
Indonesia is around 15-20 hours flight from the UK and is made up of around 19 000 islands. It is the largest archipelago in the world straddling the Equator, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most travellers will enter Indonesia through Jakarta (CGK), Bali (DPS) or Manado (MDC) airports.
This is the stuff of divers' dreams. This exotic nation is the very definition of bio diversity. Find the big fish in Komodo, Raja Ampat or Kalimantan. Drift lazily along the walls of Bunaken and Wakatobi, watching turtles on coral drenched walls. While away the hours hunting for miniscule macro in Bali, Lembeh or Ambon. Cannot decide? Why not combine two locations into a single trip!
Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here
British Citizens who are entering Indonesia for the following purposes can apply for a visa on arrival at a cost of IDR 500,000:
Tourism;
Official visit or government duties;
Business meeting;
Procurement of goods;
Official meeting;
Transit.
This visa is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once (for a maximum of 30 days) by making an application to an immigration office within Indonesia. Ensure that you extend your visa within the initial 30 days to avoid an overstay fine. Visa on arrival is now available at the following airports:
Soekarno Hatta DKI Jakarta
Ngurah Rai Bali
Kualanamu North Sumatra
Juanda East Java
Hasanuddin South Sulawesi
Sam Ratulangi North Sulawesi
Yogyakarta Yogyakarta
Hang Nadim Batam, Riau Islands
Zainuddin Abdul Majid West Nusa Tenggara
Updated 16 JUN 2023
Weather and Climate
Indonesia is a vast country, and the weather can be hugely variable. The topography means that weather patterns can be very localised. This is the tropics! For Bali, Komodo & Wakatobi the weather is usually best from April - November, with July and August being some of the best months to visit. Between December and March the conditions can be a bit stormy. November to April is also the wettest month to visit Bunaken, Lembeh and Kalimantan but to a lesser degree than in other locations. October to April is historically the most popular time to dive in Raja Ampat.
Travel
Flight options
Our holidays to Indonesia can be quoted with most major airlines. We are however able to book most major airlines. Popular options for Indonesia include Cathay Pacific, Singapore airlines, Qatar, Emirates, Malaysian, KLM and Gaurda.
If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday.
If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Indonesia, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Stopovers
With a huge range of airlines to fly with, you can easily build in a stop over either on your way to or on your way back from Indonesia. Simply talk to your travel consultant about adding a stop over into your itinerary.
Arrange before you go
Regular Entry Requirements
UK Passport holders landing in Jakarta, Bali or Manado are able to obtain a visa on arrival in Jakarta 5000 000 IDR cash. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Immunisations
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here to go to the NHS
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will also be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here for more info on Lounge Pass
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here for holiday extras
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival in your Indonesia destination, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. Some reps are able to meet you airside. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it.
If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
If you have a hotel en route please follow any specific instructions in your travel documents. Where possible, you will be met by a representative who will assist in taking you to your hotel. If using a shuttle service, please arrange your return shuttle time back to the airport at the hotel check in.
Domestic flights are common in Indonesia and run frequently. The major hubs of Jakarta, Bali and Manado all have separate terminals for domestic and international departures. Just follow the signs to move between international and domestic terminals.
The service has improved vastly, but there can still be last minute schedule changes. Please ensure you leave plenty of time for check in or transit between flights (usually 4 hours min). Domestic flights can typically only be booked with a 20kgs hold allowance as standard. Excess baggage must be paid for in Indonesian rupiah and costs around $2-$5 per kg per way.
Due to local traffic and road conditions, land journey times can be difficult to predict. We recommend you take water with you and keep any essentials in your hand baggage to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
Departures
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. As of Feb 2015, the departure tax for all domestic and international flights is built into your flight ticket price.
Info
Tipping
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Currency
Lembeh Resort accepts payments by VISA, MasterCard and American Express as well as Indonesian Rupiah, Euros or US Dollars. However, please be advised that foreign notes should be clean, new and crisp. Indonesian banks and money exchangers will not accept old notes or notes which are damaged in any way. Please be aware you may be charged a surcharge to pay by card transactions in Indonesia and 10% VAT is applied to all local purchases.
Phone coverage
Manado generally has good mobile coverage for phones
Plugs and electricity
All rooms are fitted with 2 Round Pin Plug Sockets (European Standard) and the electricity is 220v. We have ample plug socket adapters and also have power strips that can be lent to guests . You needn't bring your own. The resort has 24 hours electricity. Power cuts are rare, but for this case large backup generators are available to switch on immediately.
The camera room is fitted with international plug points.
Extras
Hire equipment
A full range of scuba and snorkelling equipment is available on site - please ask for a local charge price list
Extras
PADI dive courses can be arranged - please ask for more information about pre-booking
Souvenirs
Extensive souvenir shops in both the dive centre and resort lobby
Nitrox/Gas
Nitrox can either be prebooked as part of your diving package or paid for in resort at the end of your stay
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for a holiday to Lembeh resort is is 30% of your holiday cost, although this will depend on your exact flight option and travel class. Larger deposits may be required for some flight options (eg premium economy/business class).
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX.
All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge.
Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees.
We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel, within 24 months
Lembeh Resort offer repeat customers an in resort credit to put towards your local spend. The exact amount will depend on your prebooked resort/ diving package.
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Our standard package includes 7 nights garden cottage on a full board basis, with all meals, snacks and drinking water (2 people sharing). Wifi is free in resort
You have 17 AIR boat dives with 1 unguided house reef dive per day.
Return Manado airport transfers are included
Excluded
Any additional services in resort (spa, land tours, laundry) are paid for in resort. Alcohol and some soft drinks are an extra charge.
10% Local taxes are applied to all local purchases, with on site extras such as special trips to Bangka or Manado, nitrox, kit hire, private guides and black water dives.
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Please ask for a quote to add international flights from the UK to your holiday. We can book most major scheduled airlines including regional UK departures to Manado.
Lembeh Resort house reef
Skill level: Novice | Ave Depth: 8 | Max Depth: 30The house reef is a shore dive, which can be dived any time. A sand and sea grass bed in the shallows at 2-7 meters leads on to a coral slope from 8-15 meters depth. Maximum depth is 25 meters. At 15 meters there are some artificial reefs which attract additional life. The house reef can be easily self-guided by means of a buoy system, which starts from 2 meters, continues down to 15 meters and brings you right back to shore Here you can be expected to see Pinnate Batfish, Ribbon Eel, Pygmy Sea Dragon and Hairy Goby. With corals also in the shallows, the house reef also offers many discoveries for snorkelers.