Scuba Diving Lembeh Strait

Pantai Parigi

Believe it or not, Pantai Parigi is actually the only white sand muck site that you will find scuba diving the Lembeh Strait, an area dominated by black sand. This bay, on Lembeh Island itself, has exceptionally healthy and dense coral cover in the shallows, then a gentle white sand slope. This site is named after the fresh water well in the village and the nearby beach: "Pantai" means 'beach' and "Parigi" means 'well'.

As you start your dive, in the more shallow part of the dive site around 5m, there begins an area of coral blocks on white sand where you can find pipefish, and nudibranchs such as Chromodoris Magnifica and the reddish and splendid Chromodoris Reticulata.

As you proceed into the deeper part of the site, the white sand gives way to the more familiar black. Here you can keep a look out for frogfish and Pegasus sea moths slowly making their way over the substrate. Mimic octopus are not uncommon in this area, particularly at certain times of the year such as April and May.

Pantai Parigi is also a great site for running into some of Lembeh's most sought-after but feared creatures - the blue-ringed octopus. Often no bigger than a thumbnail, with vivid blue rings, these little beauties can cause excruciating pain and even death if they bite. It will certainly hurt like a ´beach´ and you won't be feeling too ´well´.

Pantai Parigi Reef Basics: Coral blocks and white sand slope
Depth: 5 - 30m
Visibility: 15 - 25m
Currents: Gentle
Surface conditions: Calm
Water temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round
Distance: ~3 km from Bitung Harbour. Located on Lembeh Island (15 mins)
Access: Lembeh and Manado resorts and liveaboards

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