Eco Divers News

Luxurious Lembeh Cottages - all inclusive one night + 3 dives just $165

2010-03-10T09:32:21Z

Eco Divers' new Lembeh Cottages are the best for both a luxury stay and fabulous Lembeh diving.

One night all inclusive with up to 3 day dives is just $165! Truly amazing value.

Find out all you need to know, including the mouthwatering menus from your own personal chef right here.

Email Eco Divers today and book your diving break. info@eco-divers.com

Meet Eco Divers at 3 dive shows in March & April

2010-02-25T07:25:35Z

Eco Divers is exhibiting at three upcoming shows where we'll do our best to answer every one of your questions:

12 - 14 March:
DEEP Indonesia in Jakarta.
Manado City Booth - 31A.

26 - 28 March:
Beneath the Sea, Secaucus, New Jersey.
Booth #202.
Meet our US Representatives, Allan & Barbara Jones (pic right).

09 - 11 April:
Asia Dive Expo (ADEX), Singapore.
Booth #IN05.

See you there! Or for more information on the shows and how to get there, just email info@eco-divers.com

New Lembeh boutique Cottages - amazing value

2010-02-21T12:08:35Z

NEW FOR 2010 - Book a fantastic value-for-money 6-night All-Inclusive Dive Package and enjoy five nights in Kima Bajo (3 days diving) and one night in our Lembeh Cottages (2 days diving) and up to six Lembeh day-dives plus a FREE night dive! All for just US$1060 per person, based on twin share.

Each of our two boutique cottages accommodates just six guests in comfort and is the best value available anywhere in Lembeh. Elegantly furnished and air-conditioned throughout, each double bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with western-style toilet, shower and hot and cold running water. The cottage has a cosy living room with large TV and DVD player, a separate dining room and an indoor camera room for photographers. In August we are adding a third Cottage. This will take us to a maximum capacity of 16 guests. The last room is for the live-in Lembeh Cottages Manager, Tania van Aert.

We know how important food is on your holiday. That's why we've spared no expense in ensuring that our cooks provide you with a delicious and varied menu of western and Indonesian specialities. Each Cottage has its own personal chef serving guests with delicious a la carte breakfast and dinner from an extensive menu. A hot buffet lunch will be served on-board the dive boat each day. The 7-day lunch menu is also attached.

When it comes to your diving, it gets even better! Our highly experienced Lembeh guides know every inch of the Strait and will show you where the best critter action can be found. You'll dive off the most comfortable dive boat anywhere in North Sulawesi - Eco Divers own purpose-built vessel fitted with seated dive deck, dive tender/skiff, two toilets, showers, charging racks, sundeck and full safety features. We even serve a hot buffet lunch on your dive boat! Although the boat is able to carry many more divers, the limit will be just twelve guests with a guaranteed maximum guest-to-guide ratio of 4:1. Nitrox is available and we also offer full photo & video support services.

Lembeh Combo Dive Package includes:

5 nights' accommodation at Kima Bajo Resort & Spa in a Longhouse Room
1 night's accommodation at Eco Divers Lembeh Cottages
3 days' boat day-diving in Bunaken National Park (max. 3 dives/day)
2 days' boat day-diving in Lembeh Strait (max. 3 dives/day)
1 FREE night dive in Lembeh Strait
Airport transfers and round trip Lembeh road transfer Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Tax & service

Click here for the full price guide.

Start the ball rolling and book today. Email info@eco-divers.com

Manado's first Annual Fish & Critter Hunt, with Ned & Anna DeLoach, this October

2010-02-19T08:41:39Z

If you love marine life, then there is no better place to spend the week of October 16-23, 2010, than at Kima Bajo with Ned and Anna DeLoach, co-authors and photographers of the best field guides in the business: Reef Fish Identification - Tropical Pacific and, just off the press this coming September, the long-awaited Reef Creature Identification - Tropical Pacific.

The special week will include fact-filled workshops ranging from basic invertebrate and fish identification skills to marine life behaviour made simple, photo and video tips for capturing those perfect fishy portraits, plus plenty of time underwater.

Guests will participate in daily and week-long critter hunts for the most exotic animals inhabiting famous Bunaken Marine Park.

Nothing will enhance your underwater adventures more than knowing the names and nature of the fabulous fishes and critters that surround you on every dive. And there are no better informed or more impassioned experts than Ned and Anna. We guarantee that after spending an energizing week of fun and learning with a group of like-minded friends, diving will never be the same.

The date for your diary is 16 - 23 October. Be sure to book today to get your place!
info@eco-divers.com

New Visa regulations for Indonesia

2010-02-19T08:38:00Z

In a dramatic change to the current immigration rules, starting on January 26, 2010, foreign tourists from countries eligible for 'visa-on-arrival' will now be given a 30 day visa that can be renewed for an additional 30 days. As part of the new changes the 7-day visa at US$10 has been abolished, with the 30-day US$25 visa (renewable for an additional 30 days) being the only visa that can be issued to eligible tourists.

Meet the new Manager of Lembeh Cottages - Tania van Aert

2010-02-18T16:56:26Z

A warm welcome to the newest member of Eco Divers' management team, Tania van Aert. Tania joins us in mid-April as Manager of Lembeh Cottages, taking over that responsibility from Cary. A PADI Instructor (MSDT) with almost 3000 dives under her belt, Tania recently managed the dive centre at Lembeh Resort. Previously she gained work experience in several places around the world from Egypt to the Maldives, Thailand to the Philippines. Belgian by birth, she speaks Dutch/Flemish as her mother tongue but is also fluent in English, German and French.

Before getting into her diving career she worked for eleven years in banking in Luxembourg. Tania's role will be to ensure that the diving service is smooth, safe and organized; that your meals are mouth-watering and that your accommodation is immaculate and comfortable. Most of all, she'll be your host to welcome you to the famous Lembeh Strait and to manage the team so your holiday with Eco Divers is memorable for all the right reasons.

Lovely new boutique accommodation at Lembeh Cottages

2010-02-11T09:16:56Z

Our first two Lembeh Cottages are now fully furnished and ready to accept our first guests. Our third Cottage will be available from August, bringing our capacity from 12 to 16 guests.

As you can see, we've appointed them in 'Indonesia Contemporary' style. Each Cottage accommodates just six guests in great comfort. Air-conditioned throughout but if you don't like air-con in your bedroom, then switch to the ceiling fan. All rooms are en-suite shower, toilet and sink with hot and cold running water.

Each Cottage also has a dining and living room where guests come together for breakfast and dinner and to relax at the end of a great day's diving. The 32" LCD TV has many sport and movie channels and there's free wireless internet for all guests. There is also a dedicated camera room withcharging racks and PC for downloading (PhotoShop installed).

These boutique cottages are something of a first for Lembeh and we look forward to welcoming you to a unique and memorable experience.

Supervising the housekeeping and food service in the Cottages is Merlyn who previously worked as Restaurant Supervisor at Kungkungan Bay Resort.

» Click here for a floor plan of the cottages

» Click here for more information and more fabulous photos

Dive with famous underwater photographer Jason Heller at Kima Bajo, 17-24 May

2010-02-11T09:02:59Z

We're delighted to welcome Jason Heller, founder of the popular underwater photo portal www.divephotoguide.com, to Kima Bajo Resort & Spa. Between 17 & 24 May, Jason will be 'In Residence' with Eco Divers, meaning he'll be available - TO YOU - to give you invaluable tips and advice on how to get that great underwater image you've been hoping for.

Jason is known for his great energy, enthusiasm and experience in the field of taking unique photos that everyone will remember. He doesn't do average! Want to have fun diving with and learning from one of the best? Then book today and let Jason Heller become a part of your dive addiction that you'll remember forever. Jason will be the first Guest Lecturer to be In Residence with us since the opening of The Digital Centre full service photo centre.

Hope to see you there!

Opening soon! The ONLY Digital Photo Centre in North Sulawesi

2010-01-05T07:27:58Z

The Digital Centre North Sulawesi

Opening in April 2010, the Digital Photo & Video Centre will be the only dedicated centre in North Sulawesi for all things photography and videography.

Based at Kima Bajo Resort & Spa, the Centre has been built by photographers for photographers and will be fully equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software, providing an enormous range of photo, video, editing & printing services:

Digital SLR camera and housing rentals
Compact digital camera and housing rentals
Ports, lens and strobes rentals
HD video camera and housing rentals
Photo downloading / editing / printing
Video capture / editing / disc burning
Tailored photo and video courses
Compact digital camera underwater photo courses
Digital SLR camera underwater photo courses
Buoyancy workshops
Underwater video courses
Photo and video workshops
Guest seminars
Photo competitions / Shoot-outs
Sales of photo and video equipment* with after-sales support
Sales of accessories and memory cards
Souvenir and wedding video service
e-postcards

* By pre-order only

Find out more today. Email info@eco-divers.com

Kima Bajo & Lembeh Cottages: 6-night All-Inclusive Dive Package

2009-12-23T10:48:47Z

Merry Christmas from Eco Divers

2009-12-23T10:20:27Z

Everyone at Eco Divers wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2010.

Next year we'll be offering you a great Lembeh Strait diving experience for an amazing price and we're also delighted to announce the opening of North Sulawesi's only dedicated digital photo and video facility at Kima Bajo Resort.

So, when you plan your 2010 dive holiday, look no further than Eco Divers.

And remember, we'd love to hear from you if you have ideas about anything you'd like us to include in future editions. Email us at info@eco-divers.com.

Jim & Cary Yanny

Come and meet us this January in Germany at the BOOT show

2009-12-23T10:11:47Z

Visit Eco Divers team at the BOOT show from 23 - 31 January in Düsseldorf. We're on the WiroDive Stand F69, Hall 03. We will be there ready to tempt you to the delights of clear, warm water diving in the best of both worlds - Bunaken and Lembeh.

Guest lecturer, Jason Heller, May 2010

2009-12-23T10:09:24Z

Be sure to book your space at Kima Bajo as we prepare to host the first guest lecturer in our new digital centre. Jason is the founder of www.divephotoguide.com and a highly respected commercial and wildlife photographer based in New York City. His work is regularly used for advertising and published in scuba, travel and mainstream publications worldwide.

This is your chance to learn from someone who is the master of their skill and really good at putting that across. More information to follow in January so be ready to mark up your diary.

Two great new dive speedboats for Lembeh Cottages

2009-12-23T09:56:11Z

Our diving service, as with all Eco Divers services, is about comfort and safety, which is why we've recently purchased two dive speedboats for our Lembeh Cottage service. Each speedboat can accommodate up to 8 divers in full comfort and is fitted with tank rack, seated dive deck, jump gate and stainless steel ladder. The size of dive groups will be limited to a maximum of 4 guests per guide (as we do at Kima Bajo). Our guides are highly experienced Lembeh guides, with many years experience on the local sites.

Between dives you will be taken by speedboat to Eco Divers' large, comfortable boat, MV Nautica where you can relax in a shaded salon. Facilities include two toilets, showers, tea and coffee facilities and a large sundeck. A hot buffet lunch will be served onboard each day. As we have generators on-board, you can also charge your cameras or bring laptops onto the boat. DAN Oxygen and first aid are also available, as is Nitrox. Since our two Cottages each sleep 6 guests, that means a maximum of just 12 guests on-board, giving each guest a huge amount of personal space and comfort between dives.

Nautica will move up and down the Lembeh Strait with the dive speedboats, so it's always close by when you finish your dive. Our dive program in Lembeh is three guided day-dives per day, on different sites and you can also opt to add a night dive as the fourth dive of the day.

Guests can combine a stay at Kima Bajo Resort & Spa, to dive Bunaken, with a stay at our Lembeh Cottages.

Great reviews on TripAdvisor

2009-11-30T07:22:50Z

TripAdvisor is recognised as one of the best objective sites for giving unbiased holiday reviews, photos and travel advice.

Which is why we are delighted that Kima Bajo and Eco Divers are receiving some top reviews.

Simply Scuba, South Africa, visited us recently so do read their feedback here.

If you've been to Kima Bajo and would like to leave a review - do be our guest!