Black Sand Dive Retreat

From the moment we were picked by Ramee, our experience was fantastic. Ramee drove safe and was talkative and shared stories and info with us. We were met by the manager, Linda, who provided us with an extensive briefing on the resort, the dining, and the diving operations. She was informative and helpful the entire visit. She went above and beyond when she helped us identify all the critters we saw on the dive. The diving operation was fantastic. Very safe boat operation and captain and our guide, Arvy was the very best. He would spot critters, write down what they were on his underwater slate, then show us. We were able to take pictures of the very full slate so we could refer to the sightings at a later time. All the dive crew were so helpful and assisted us every step of the way. The kitchen staff and hostesses were amazing. The food was the best we had in Indonesia since arriving (a month prior). The unit we had became our personal home. It was very private, had an amazing view, and loved the outdoor bathroom! The water supply, coffee, tea and fruit were nice additions to our stay. The best memory was the three pups that were so friendly and welcoming. They even met the dive boats when we returned after dives. Nothing makes a stay more personal than friendly dogs who love on everybody.

We stayed there as a family with 2 kids (8 and 5 years) and experienced a very friendly and warm atmosphere. Our room was spacious with comfy beds and great views. The food was excellent and Linda even made that little extra step to satisfy those picky kids. Diving was great, special thanks to Etmo who is incredibly talented in finding small critter as well as rare and spectacular animals dwelling in this region.

I stayed at BSDR for 1 week to dive Lembeh for macro. The resort is well run, small, but very private. There are only 7 rooms, well furnished with AC, water dispenser and a large closet with a safe, big comfortable bed, outdoor bathroom, and a balcony overlooking the Lembeh Strait. The swimming pool is a nice luxury for the hot afternoon. The ground is well kept and clean. Dining is individualized from menu with several choices to choose from, with different courses everyday. Food is actually quite good. Service is impeccable. The diving is first class with sound equipments, and the guides are professional and attentive, probably the best I've had diving in Indonesia. Guide ratio is 4:1 but when I was there it was 3:1 and a few days 1:1. This is muck diving at its best but while there are some corals, the bulk is finding the small and weird creatures in the muck. The more days you dive, the more fascinating creatures you will see. Staff is courteous and professional, always aiming to accommodate your needs. The location is secluded and very quiet and makes for a relaxing retreat. All in all, I definitely had an amazing time diving in Lembeh with them and will come back again with better camera and lights.

The overall experience was wonderful!! The food was fantastic for every meal and our accommodations were very clean! All the staff and Manager Linda were awesome! Most importantly our Dive Guide was very experienced and took the time to really cater to things that we wanted to experience and see and find. The travel was easy also.

I recently enjoyed a one-week stay at Black Sand Dive Retreat. BSDR is a gem, beautifully situated in an amazing location for diving Lembeh Strait. The initial planning was promptly and thoughtfully managed by Fung, wherein my questions/concerns were resolved in advance of travel. The diving was terrific! Much credit to Stephan and Romi for overseeing dive logistics. The small groups (maximum 4 divers, and often less) made for memorable dives. Accommodation was very comfortable--nestled in a rainforest of greenery with a gorgeous view of the bay. Meal times were special--delicious food, beautifully presented--a treat for the eye and the tummy. The rotating menu offered varied choices. I have very fond memories of that delicious "mango mousse dessert"; and I looked forward to that wonderful "mango juice" each morning! Linda was terrific in managing day-to-day routines. Thank you for overseeing my transfer arrangements to Bangka Island, and for helping with smaller details like my need for white vinegar, or a switch from diving air to nitrox. Linda gets things done: she is professional, pleasant, and very approachable. This was my first visit to Black Sand Dive Resort--but not my last--and I will stay longer next time!

The Diving: Our dive master, Etmo, was outstanding and was keen to make sure we had a great dive experience. As experienced divers we appreciated the fact we were responsible for our own dive profiles. We were never asked for our remaining air pressure and all dives were over 60 minutes. He was excellent at managing photographers by finding a few critters at a time so as one photographer was busy with one, another photographer was occupied with a different one. He always ensured we were happy with our shot before the next diver moved in. The maximum number of divers was 4 per guide. The boats were pangas with a canopy for shade, motors powerful enough to get us to the dive sites in a timely manner, back roll in entry, and a ladder for getting back onto the boat (climbing up with gear on was optional). The quality of the diving itself exceeded my expectations. Yes, I expected excellent muck diving with a variety of macro subjects but was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful and healthy coral reefs that tended to be in the shallows. Quite often a dive was started with a sandy slope muck dive and finished with cruising through a busy vibrant reef. Talks of the amount of garbage in the waters of Lembeh put me off from diving it sooner, but I decided, based on the wonderful things I heard about it, to give it a try. Yes, there was quite a bit of it but it didn’t detract from the overall experience. The Accomodations: The resort is located in a small private bay and surrounded by lush jungle. It is small and personable with guests accommodated in 7 individual cabins, each with air conditioning, a large ceiling fan, and those unique outdoor washrooms with showers. The cabins were clean, well-maintained, and the beds were comfortable. The Food: For breakfast, we had a choice of continental, full breakfast, or Asian choices. For lunch and dinner, we had a choice between 2 appetizers, 3 main dishes, and 2 desserts. The food itself was delicious and meticulously presented. Vegetarian options were available. The Staff: All the staff were friendly, eager to please, and did their best to accommodate any special requests. Overall I highly recommend this resort, for the diving and for the accommodations. In fact, I’m hoping to return next year!

Black Sand Dive Retreat (BSDR) from Bruce and Fung is one of the few dive resorts we regularly return to because for us it is truly unique in its kind. This was our third visit! As always, the diving was fantastic! With small speedboats of max 4 divers, it takes just a few minutes to get to the dive sites. The dive guide Etmo was incredible, capable of finding the smallest and most special creatures. The local manager Linda is a real gem, and together with her BSDR team, provides a top-notch service, always helpful and kind. The atmosphere and hospitality at BSDR is just second to none, you feel part of a family, we had so much joy and fun. Not surprising that BSDR has a lot of repeaters; this time we found ourselves reunited - without any coordination - with a couple from Germany and a couple from China. The food in the restaurant is of excellent quality and always nicely presented. The seven bungalows have lots of space and an exquisite view on the sea and the lovely garden. Next time we dive at Lembeh Strait, for sure it will be at Black Sand Dive Retreat!

A beautiful resort in an excellent location for diving. The dive team is very professional and incredibly talented at finding all the critters. Their knowledge about the dive sites and animals is incredible. The food is excellent and the restaurant staff are very friendly and kind. As a solo traveller, they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable.