Lembeh Photos

[ssra30 0]

When I was in Lembeh last week, I was not quite as impressed with mandarin dive mainly because of the number of people there. There must have been a good 40 odd people in water that day

Although everyone spread out and noone really got into anyone else's way that I could see. The mandarinfish were mating and I saw a few actions but was way too slow with my camera

It would have been great with significantly less people there.

So far however, I would say that the Hills at Puerto Galera, the Philippines had the best mandarin dive that I ever experience just because the seemed to have a lot more mandarinfish spread out over a bigger area (when I was there last year) and they weren't quite as skitish (although there were only about 10 divers rather than a busload of divers like this time). Hmmm, Yap, can I see mandarin fish try to mate with manta?

[MikeVeitch 0]

Anything is possible with Digital...

[mandarinfish 0]

The sargassum frog is very cool; I'd love to see one. I'll have to look for them. Have heard there are blue rings on the house reef too.

 

Any boxer crabs while you were in Lembeh?

[james 0]

Sargassum frogfish are common in Texas waters - so come on down Linda...:-)

 

Cheers

James

[Drew 0]

So to dive the mandrin dive for free, you have to skip the afternoon dive, or pay an additional $30 for the extra 4th dive.  They say it's because of the currents, but I tend to lean to the cash flow side of the argument.  I managed to spend an extra $30 every day for 15 days , so I had $450 in diving extras by the end of the trip. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah the mandarin dive in Lembeh is potluck now.Esp since the guides allow people to dig through the rubble to get the shots. Yes I have seen it on video even. It is a pity about the liveaboards but I suppose that's the nature of the beast. Good thing there are places that beat lembeh now.

The issue of charging extra for dives is actually the problem of the dive travel agent. They are not inclined to tell you about the dive schedule and that you pay extra etc because they make very little off charging you for the dives. But they still make something vs you paying extra at the resort. So I never understand why all these dive travel services never explain to customers about how things work.

[pmooney 6]

Good thing there are places that beat lembeh now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Just wondering what those places may be ????

[james 0]

Hi Guys,

 

I split off the crowding discussion into The Galley to keep things on topic.

 

Cheers

James

[mandarinfish 0]

Sargassum frogfish are common in Texas waters - so come on down Linda...:-)

 

Cheers

James

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I had no idea they were common there. Do you snorkel to see them? I might have to make a trip; they are beautiful froggie!

[Kelpfish 15]

You mean I coulda saved 6k and came there for a few pennies and shot froggies? And drink beer and have texas steak? Man I need to rethink my vacations

 

Joe