Cocotinos Lembeh a Boutique Dive Lodge

This is a small, simple dive lodge, and most guests seem to be there mainly for diving. It’s a narrow brick building running from the back street down to the seafront. Most rooms face sideways along the corridor; their terraces are covered and effectively indoors, under the main roof. Only rooms 1 and 2, beside the pool, have outdoor terraces and a view over the Lembeh Strait. The place was immaculately clean, and the staff were neat in matching uniforms, pleasant, and helpful. We got a welcome snack and drink on arrival, plus a briefing about the facilities. Our room had a shower bathroom, toiletries, safe, air conditioning, ceiling fan, free water, fridge, hairdryer, plenty of hanging space, and a comfortable bed. Breakfast was simple but adequate, and complimentary tea, coffee, and a biscuit were available in the afternoon. There’s also a pool, small garden, and sun loungers. Some reviews mention noise in the rear rooms, and I agree you’d hear locals playing music on outdoor speakers, as they often do in North Sulawesi. There are two churches opposite that start early too. We were nearer the front, and earplugs meant it didn’t bother us. Personally, I think the standard and facilities are better than the hotel’s two-star rating suggests. The on-site restaurant is pricey by Sulawesi standards, though I suppose they have a captive audience. There’s nowhere else to eat in this remote part of Lembeh. Behind the lodge it’s residential, with only two small local shops selling biscuits, crisps, cakes, beer, and noodle pots. You can get into the sea and snorkel straight from the lodge. Bring your own mask and snorkel, and a rash vest helps protect against stinging plankton and jellyfish. There’s plenty of coral and sea life right off the shoreline. My one complaint is the beach in front, which was filthy with rubbish and plastic bottles. It all washes in from the nearby town and keeps coming, but I think the lodge should ask the gardener to check and clean the shore regularly for guests. All in all, we had a very enjoyable stay.

The diving is superb, with great DMs. They rented us a macro camera and gave us free lessons on how to use it. Even if you don’t dive, there’s plenty to enjoy here, including the pool, spa, restaurant, bar, and black sand beach. I had a body scrub and felt great afterward. The staff were simply amazing and helped us celebrate a birthday in a really special way. An excellent resort, highly recommend it, and I’ll be back for more.

A good resort with a good dive center and team. Recommended.

The muck diving is superb, and the resort’s location is unique. The divemasters and dive operation were first class, and everyone made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived. Nothing was too much trouble, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. I’d definitely recommend Cocotinos Lembeh and am already planning another trip. A few minor things: the Wi-Fi can be patchy, and the bedrooms were a little dingy. The room was well equipped, the bed was super comfortable, and the outdoor table in Rm 11 had one leg quite a bit shorter than the other!