Lembeh’s New Look: A Deep Dive Into Our New Facilities and Features
Following two months of intensive renovation work, Lembeh Resort has officially reopened its doors with a series of elegant new upgrades. Comprising a brand-new dive center, photo center, camera room, and a range of other improvements, these latest developments elevate our facilities to a new level of comfort and convenience in the world-famous Lembeh Strait.
Lembeh Resort temporarily closed from 2 January to 12 March 2026 to allow our team to focus fully on the renovation project. When guests returned on 13 March, they were welcomed by a property that feels both familiar and newly revitalized, combining improved facilities, smarter design, and enhanced sustainability features at every step.
The unveiling of these new features reflects years of planning and guest feedback, all with one goal in mind: creating an unforgettable guest experience. It is this attention to detail, and our commitment to continuous improvement, which enables us to provide unparalleled diving experiences in North Sulawesi.
A Completely Rebuilt Dive Center
The jewel in the crown of this project is our brand-new dive center, which has been completely reimagined and reconstructed from the ground up. The previous structure was demolished and redesigned—including skylights and improved air circulation for a brighter, more spacious facility, and greater atmospheric control that supports drying and caring for sensitive camera equipment. The new layout makes preparation (and coming back from dives) easier and more efficient than ever before.
The new dive center now follows a logical sequence that guides guests smoothly through the diving routine. Starting at the personalized equipment and cloakroom area—where divers can hang their wetsuits and other gear, and enjoy convenient access to the toilets, showers, and changing rooms—guests can then move naturally through the air gun station, camera room, and photo center, before arriving at the briefing area, dive center reception, and gift shop, all conveniently within reach.
This thoughtful layout improves the overall flow for guests, while also creating more organized spaces for the dive team to support daily operations. Combined with attentive support from our experienced team of experts, the new features provide a diving experience beyond compare in Lembeh.
Designed With Photographers In Mind
The Lembeh Strait is widely regarded as one of the world’s best destinations for underwater photography, and the new dive center has been carefully designed by photographers, with other photographers in mind. The camera room and photo center have both been expanded to provide more working space, and have been fitted with improved air conditioning and fans to keep sensitive camera equipment cool and protected. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide excellent natural lighting, creating a bright and comfortable workspace.
Want to explore the wonders of Lembeh for yourself? Check out this incredible documentary film: Lembeh’s Hidden Magic: A Closer Look at the Hidden Macro Life in the Lembeh Strait
For added convenience, our Photo Center—the only one of its kind in North Sulawesi to be officially authorized by Backscatter—has been relocated right next to the camera room, allowing photographers to set up their cameras in the camera room and then, if they need help (e.g., camera fixes, technical tips, 3D printing of parts, and equipment rental.), can easily find it from our Photo Center team at the Photo Center next door.
These upgrades create a much more efficient environment for photographers—whether they are setting up cameras before a dive or analyzing the incredible images they captured when diving in the Lembeh Strait.
Improved Guest Comfort and Flow
These intuitive improvements extend to areas beyond the Dive Center too. Front-facing spaces such as the pool deck have been redesigned to create smoother pathways, reducing the number of steps and level changes between key areas. Where stairs are necessary, they have been rebuilt according to civil engineering standards and designed to enhance safety and stability.
The result is a resort layout that feels easier to navigate, allowing guests to move comfortably between the equipment area, briefing spaces, jetty, and pool. A new set of guest toilets with warm showers and changing rooms has also been added between the jetty and the equipment area, providing a convenient place to rinse off and change immediately after returning from a dive.
Conveniently located between the resort reception and the dive center reception, our new gift shop is the perfect place to find a few additional amenities during your stay, or pick up some unique souvenirs before heading home. Proceeds from several purchases here support our community outreach projects and environmental protection programs at the Lembeh Foundation.
Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Systems
For all dive resorts—and especially those located on islands like Lembeh—accessing, using and disposing of fresh water sustainably can be a major challenge. With showers, sinks, rinse tanks, and laundry services in operation every day, various man-made chemicals —along with potentially harmful phosphates and nitrates—can easily run off into the ocean, which contributes to algal blooms, harms coral reefs, and degrades coastal ecosystems.
Effective greywater treatment systems provide the solution for this problem, by removing contaminants before they reach the sea. Over the past two months of renovations at Lembeh Resort we’ve upgraded and expanded this infrastructure with the construction of new septic tanks, filtration systems, and a brand-new piping network which connects the Dive Center, kitchen, and housekeeping departments.
Additional improvements to water management include upgraded roof gutter systems, improved drainage infrastructure, and the development of a stormwater detention pond, designed to manage heavy rainfall and reduce water accumulation during storms.
By investing in the highest standard of water management systems at Lembeh Resort, we are able to reduce energy usage, improve water supply, prevent environmental damage, and maintain water quality at dive sites. Most importantly, these new developments demonstrate our steadfast commitment to sustainability; putting the same care and attention into our environmental impact as our guest experience.
Behind-the-Scenes Infrastructure Improvements
While many of the upgrades are immediately visible to guests, several important improvements have also been made behind the scenes to strengthen our operational systems, and ultimately improve the guest experience. These upgrades include the construction of a new IT server room with structured cabling to boost internet reliability across the resort, as well as a new electrical distribution panel room designed to enhance power management and operational stability.
The restaurant has also been rejuvenated, with an extra-large grease trap, attentive roof and flooring repairs, and a fresh coat of paint to improve both durability and appearance. A larger housekeeping facility has also been built to improve operational efficiency, while a new logistics pathway and staff facilities behind the resort help streamline service operations. Together, these improvements help ensure that the guest experience remains smooth, comfortable, and attentive, while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the resort.
A True Team Effort
The renovation project was led by Resort Manager Tarkan Sever and Dive Center Owner Danny Charlton, who combined their many years of experience with a wealth of guest feedback to design the new facilities. But Tarkan and Danny couldn’t do it all alone. Throughout the construction period, the project involved 150 to 200 people working on site each day—a diverse team of skilled contractors, each working on a different aspect of the rebuilding project—with activity continuing around the clock to keep the project on track and moving forward.
Members of the resort, our dive team, and several local villagers were also actively involved, contributing their skills and dedication to the renovation process; for many team members, being part of the transformation created a strong sense of pride in helping shape the future of the resort. Bringing materials, equipment, and construction machinery to the island required extensive logistical planning, but the result is a revitalized resort, ready to welcome divers from around the world.
A Look Ahead
At Lembeh Resort, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to elevate the guest experience and further expand our reputation for incredible getaways. This commitment to constant improvement will continue in the months ahead; as part of an ongoing extension to our existing restaurant, a brand-new rooftop bar will provide an inviting new space for sunset drinks, private events, workshops, group gatherings, and friendly chats with other divers.
Welcome Back to Lembeh
With our completely rebuilt dive center, refreshed gardens, upgraded infrastructure, and improved guest facilities, alongside a wide range of luxurious accommodation, Lembeh Resort is ready to welcome divers back to one of the world’s most iconic diving destinations.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning for another unforgettable trip, the newly enhanced facilities and features have been designed to make every moment—from dive preparations to setting up cameras and relaxing between adventures—more comfortable and enjoyable than ever before.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Lembeh Resort in the months ahead, and writing this exciting new chapter in our story together.
Want to be among the first guests to experience the new facilities and features at Lembeh Resort? Please get in touch to inquire about availability, and to begin crafting your bespoke diving adventure at the region’s premier boutique dive resort. Our team will be delighted to make your next visit a unique and unforgettable experience.
Read More About the Facilities and Features Available at Lembeh Resort
- The Evolution of Lembeh Resort – See how our beloved resort has continued to grow and improve over time
- An Oasis With A Connection to Nature – take a tour of our indulgent new Spa
- Bring the Luxury of Lembeh Home With You – explore our new range of beauty and wellness amenities.
What to Do Between Dives – Refuel, recover, upskill and explore – at Lembeh Resort, incredible diving is just the beginning!
