Kungkungan Bay Resort | Scuba Travel

Kungkungan Bay Resort - Far East

  • Guests Tropical paradise for just 40 guests
  • Rooms 17 luxurious, beach side rooms in 4 different styles
  • Restaurants Eat at the KBR restaurant or grab a drink at Capt. Billy's bar
  • Food and Drinks An incredible range of foods, head out their 'Culinary Tour of Indonesia' and taste dishes from all over the country
  • FacilitiesRelax at the Tepi Laut Spa or head out on a trek of north Sulawesi
  • Diving Dive with the KBR dive centre, one of the best places for macro photography
  • Diving Extras All PADI courses available, boat and shore diving, photography specialists, camera hire, nitrox
  • Internet Access WiFi available throughout

Kungkungan Bay Resort

KungKungan Bay Resort (or KBR for short!) is the original dive resort in the macro muck diving mecca that is the Lembeh straits. This small resort is the ideal, secluded getaway, perched on the water's edge of its very own private bay. With an astonishing house reef and 3 boat dives a day, you can explore the mind blowing diving that is right on your doorstep without sacrificing any of the creature comforts that we love about Indonesian resorts.

With only 17 rooms, KBR retains a friendly intimate atmosphere but with all the services you would expect of a larger hotel. The accommodation ranges to suit all budgets yet all have been thoughtfully designed using local materials. All of the rooms are beachfront and have air con (ceiling fans), telephone, free wifi, mini bar and hair dryer. The beachfront cottage suites boast a large bathroom with showers and separate living area. Each cottage is attached to a second beachfront cottage suite and they share a veranda. The 4 beachfront traditional houses are detached and have a living space in between two queen beds, cleverly arranged in an L shape for privacy (ideal if you want to share a room with your dive buddy!). The beachfront villas are larger still with a large veranda - outstanding views over the bay guaranteed! There is 1 hillside villa which, whilst it does not have beachfront access, is a romantic two storey hideaway - ideal for honeymooners. The last room type is the owner's suite. This plus VIP suite has 2 bedrooms, larger bathroom, living area, work space and flat screen.

Alongside the world class muck diving in Lembeh, KBR have paid close attention to those small details that turn a great holiday into an unforgettable experience. The restaurant is open 24 hours and whips up freshly cooked to order international and Indonesian dishes. Tuck into home baked croissants and bread for breakfast with home cured bacon. Once a week there is a pool BBQ so you can get your dancing shoes on! Captain Billy's Bar is a fully stocked cocktail bar with several brands of beer. This is the place to head if you want to catch up with all the day's diving action. Or if you prefer a quieter pace, why not book yourself into the Tepi Laut Spa for a rejuvenating massage.

Beachfront Cottage Suites

These beautiful Coconut Wood cottages that have seen numerous upgrades to keep them fresh and beautiful. These are duplex units that have a large spacious layout, with an Air Conditioned Bedroom and a separate Fan-Cooled Living Room. The large Bathroom is attached to the bedroom and has a big Stone Walk-In Shower. There is a large Waterfront Veranda with chairs that is shared with your neighbour and which has beautiful views of the Bay.

Beachfront Traditional Houses

These rooms are separate units and are 'L shaped' with a Queen-sized Bed at each end of the 'L'. That makes this room perfect for non-couples as this gives each bed some privacy from the other. There is a common sitting area located between the foot of each bed and a wood and stone bathroom with a Walk-In Shower. In addition to the above standard amenities, this room equipped with Satellite TV w/ Movie Channels.

Beachfront Villas

The Beachfront Villas were designed in house as the resorts Luxury Rooms and they were built by the Craftsmen of KBR. The Beachfront Villas are separate units with a large open floor plan that includes a sitting area, a separate work area with desk & chair and a wardrobe for storage. The attached bathroom has a Bathtub and a separate Stone Walk-In Shower. There is a very large Veranda with breathtaking views of the bay.

Hillside Villas

The Hillside Villa is a version of a Tree-House. It is a romantic two story building with an Air Conditioned sitting area on the 1st floor. The 2nd floor is the Air Conditioned bedroom with French Doors that open onto a small balcony that is basically at tree top level and the view is fantastic. The attached bathroom also has separate bathing and shower facilities as above. In addition to the above standard amenities, all Villas are equipped with a Satellite TV w/ Movie Channels.

We would be happy to put together a tailormade booking for you, please fill in your details below and one of our diving holiday experts will be in touch with you to discuss your plans.

Covid Information for Kungkungan Bay Resort

Covid-19 update coming soon: once this destination reopens, we will update you with the in resort requirements

Country Covid Travel Information

View entry requirements here

British Citizens who are entering Indonesia for the following purposes can apply for a visa on arrival at a cost of IDR 500,000:

Tourism;
Official visit or government duties;
Business meeting;
Procurement of goods;
Official meeting;
Transit.

This visa is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once (for a maximum of 30 days) by making an application to an immigration office within Indonesia. Ensure that you extend your visa within the initial 30 days to avoid an overstay fine. Visa on arrival is now available at the following airports:

Soekarno Hatta DKI Jakarta
Ngurah Rai Bali
Kualanamu North Sumatra
Juanda East Java
Hasanuddin South Sulawesi
Sam Ratulangi North Sulawesi
Yogyakarta Yogyakarta
Hang Nadim Batam, Riau Islands
Zainuddin Abdul Majid West Nusa Tenggara

Updated 16 JUN 2023

Jan & Keith Bushe

2013-09-24 10:14:39

Had a fab time – WILL be going back some time). Diving was excellent and I even managed to see the really small stuff. We also got to see the Mandarin fish this time, they were so sweet. The Spa was BLISS – Food was far too SCRUMY – all that dieting and now its all back on so it back to the drawing board re the diet. We were even serenaded as we were leaving as they sang a Goodbye song to us. So sweet. Really loved the place and we all had a great time so many thanks for all the arrangements.

John & Jack

2013-01-30 09:34:36

Absolutely spectacular! Diving wonderful because of all the strange critters. Rooms great. Dive staff & resort staff couldn't be better. And the food is to die for, especially the coconut bread pudding with rum sauce. We all had a great time at KBR. The food was excellent. The rooms were perfect & the diving was world-class. Don't miss the chance to stay at KBR – You'll love it!

Rudy Whitworth & Michael Kennedy

2013-01-30 09:33:36

The diving is super. There are always more special critters to photograph. The staff is wonderful & are always attentive to the guests' needs! The BBQ was great with the children singing. This was my fourth trip to KBR & I look forward to my next visit.

Lesley Macpherson & Mark Evans

2013-01-30 09:33:01

My third visit, and as friendly and welcoming as ever. Great muck diving.

Anthony Holland

2013-01-30 09:32:13

I love KBR! Love the friendly staff, love the food, & marvelously interesting diving with expert guides!

Frequently Asked Questions

Location

Indonesia is around 15-20 hours flight from the UK and is made up of around 19 000 islands. It is the largest archipelago in the world straddling the Equator, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most travellers will enter Indonesia through Jakarta (CGK), Bali (DPS) or Manado (MDC) airports. This is the stuff of divers' dreams. This exotic nation is the very definition of bio diversity. Find the big fish in Komodo, Raja Ampat or Kalimantan. Drift lazily along the walls of Bunaken and Wakatobi, watching turtles on coral drenched walls. While away the hours hunting for miniscule macro in Bali, Lembeh or Ambon. Cannot decide? Why not combine two locations into a single trip!

Covid Travel Information

View entry requirements here

British Citizens who are entering Indonesia for the following purposes can apply for a visa on arrival at a cost of IDR 500,000:

Tourism;
Official visit or government duties;
Business meeting;
Procurement of goods;
Official meeting;
Transit.

This visa is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once (for a maximum of 30 days) by making an application to an immigration office within Indonesia. Ensure that you extend your visa within the initial 30 days to avoid an overstay fine. Visa on arrival is now available at the following airports:

Soekarno Hatta DKI Jakarta
Ngurah Rai Bali
Kualanamu North Sumatra
Juanda East Java
Hasanuddin South Sulawesi
Sam Ratulangi North Sulawesi
Yogyakarta Yogyakarta
Hang Nadim Batam, Riau Islands
Zainuddin Abdul Majid West Nusa Tenggara

Updated 16 JUN 2023

Weather and Climate

Indonesia is a vast country, and the weather can be hugely variable. The topography means that weather patterns can be very localised. This is the tropics! For Bali, Komodo & Wakatobi the weather is usually best from April - November, with July and August being some of the best months to visit. Between December and March the conditions can be a bit stormy. November to April is also the wettest month to visit Bunaken, Lembeh and Kalimantan but to a lesser degree than in other locations. October to April is historically the most popular time to dive in Raja Ampat.

Travel

Flight options

Our holidays to Indonesia can be quoted with most major airlines. We are however able to book most major airlines. Popular options for Indonesia include Cathay Pacific, Singapore airlines, Qatar, Emirates, Malaysian, KLM and Gaurda. If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Indonesia, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.

Stopovers

With a huge range of airlines to fly with, you can easily build in a stop over either on your way to or on your way back from Indonesia. Simply talk to your travel consultant about adding a stop over into your itinerary.

Arrange before you go

Visa requirements

UK Passport holders landing in Jakarta, Bali or Manado are able to obtain a visa on arrival in Jakarta 5000 000 IDR cash. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here

Insurance

Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here

Immunisations

Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here

Preparing to fly

Seating

You will also be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.

Check in

As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.

Lounge

An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here

Parking

Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival in your Indonesia destination, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. Some reps are able to meet you airside. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.

Transfers

If you have a hotel en route please follow any specific instructions in your travel documents. Where possible, you will be met by a representative who will assist in taking you to your hotel. If using a shuttle service, please arrange your return shuttle time back to the airport at the hotel check in. Domestic flights are common in Indonesia and run frequently. The major hubs of Jakarta, Bali and Manado all have separate terminals for domestic and international departures. Just follow the signs to move between international and domestic terminals. The service has improved vastly, but there can still be last minute schedule changes. Please ensure you leave plenty of time for check in or transit between flights (usually 4 hours min). Domestic flights can typically only be booked with a 20kgs hold allowance as standard. Excess baggage must be paid for in Indonesian rupiah and costs around $2-$5 per kg per way. Due to local traffic and road conditions, land journey times can be difficult to predict. We recommend you take water with you and keep any essentials in your hand baggage to make your journey as comfortable as possible.

Departures

At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. As of Feb 2015, the departure tax for all domestic and international flights is built into your flight ticket price.

Info

Tipping

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Currency

If paying in cash, payment should be made in USD. Should you wish to pay in another currency, we also accept Euro, SGD and GBP cash, but will convert from USD at the day’s bank exchange rate. Alternatively, payment can be made by Visa or Mastercard credit card, in Rupiah, converted at the day’s bank exchange rate. Please be aware you may be charged a surcharge to pay by card transactions in Indonesia and 10% VAT is applied to all local purchases.

Phone coverage

Manado generally has good mobile coverage for phones

Plugs and electricity

Power is 220V and the plugs are the European two-prong circular plugs. We have adaptors for US, UK and other countries. At the Dive Center, in our Camera Room, we also have US 110V outlets for those who require them

Extras

Hire equipment

Kit hire can be arranged in resort and is paid for locally- approx $46/day

Extras

PADI dive courses can be arranged - please ask for more information about pre-booking

Souvenirs

The dive centre has a small, limited shop on site

Nitrox/Gas

$10 per dive

Payments

Deposits and Balances

A typical deposit for a holiday to KBR is £400-£800 per person, although this will depend on your exact flight option and travel class. Larger deposits may be required for some flight options (eg premium economy/business class).

Ways to pay

We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge. We do not take AMEX. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.

Group Payments

If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation

Discounts

Repeat Guests

Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers?
Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.

And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.

5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel, within 24 months
5% off plus £100 bonus for repeat customers travelling with 12 months

Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices

Included

Our standard package includes 7 nights beach front cottage on an full board basis - optional room upgrades available.
The popular inclusive diving package includes 6 days of 3 guided day-dives per day by boat, unlimited house reef dives between 8AM and 5PM on diving days.
Return Manado airport transfers are included

Excluded

A 10% VAT is applied to all local purchases. Any additional services in resort (Tips, drinks, equipment rental, land-tours, spa services, telephone calls, laundry service, mini bar purchases) are paid for in resort. Alcohol and some soft drinks are an extra charge.

Nitrox, kit hire, private guides and additional dives (eg Manadarin or night dives) are organised and paid for in resort

Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.

Please ask for a quote to add international flights from the UK to your holiday. We can book most major scheduled airlines including regional UK departures to Manado.

The dive centre at KBR is right in the heart of the Lembeh Straits. There are over 50 dive sites, most within a 15 minute boat ride from the resort jetty. This is resort diving made easy! The exceptional year round weather conditions have created a unique marine environment that will appeal to any diver who wants to see something a bit different in the water. Pegasus sea moths, flying gurnards, star gazers... these are just some of the critters you can expect to find.

  • 50 dive sites in Lembeh within 15mins of the resort
  • 3 boat dives/day and house reef diving as standard
  • Lembeh photography
  • Max 4 divers per guide

Most of the popular dive sites in Lembeh are muck diving sites, characterised by dark sand. But this sandy backdrop is home to all manner of the ocean's strangest and smallest critters. You will find species that are only in this region, making each and every dive different. From the tiniest squat lobsters and pygmy sea horses to colour frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish and even blue ringed octopus, muck diving yields the a veritable wish list of strange sightings. And if you fancy a change, why not visit one of the 3 Second World War wrecks or hard coral gardens.

The standard holiday package to KBR includes 3 boat dives a day and unlimited house reef diving - this is a great choice for anyone keen on getting the most bottom time possible! As dives tend to be shallow and dive groups are kept small at a maximum of 4 divers per guide. Guides are the undeniable spotting experts and with their eagle eyes, you will see species you have only ever dreamed of!

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Diving Rates & Prices

If you pre-book your diving as part of a holiday package with Scuba Travel you can take advantage of our special rates and make considerable savings on your dive package or dive course at Kungkungan Bay Resort.

Island hop your way round Indonesia's big fish hotspots and world class reef dives. We can tailormake a bespoke itinerary for all budgets and seasons, including land based cultural tours. Trust our expertise to craft your dream holiday.

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