Murex Bangka Dive Resort

We've just got back from a 2 week stay at Murex Bangka (12-26 May 2025) and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. I went primarily for the diving, but my non-diving partner enjoyed sunning herself on the uncrowded (empty) beach every day and just chilling out. We bought the Murex organised transfers from/to Manado airport, which were trouble-free, We were met by a resort rep at the airport and taken by minibus to a beach where we transferred to one of their boats (be prepared to get your feet wet!). From there it was about 25 minutes to the island, where we arrived just in time for an orientation briefing and dinner. We stayed in one of the basic beachfront cottages, which was adequate, if a bit tired. We understand this category of cottage is due to be completely replaced by new buildings early in 2026, which will be more in line with the modern rooms up on the hill and the premium beachfront rooms. However the aircon was excellent (whisper quiet) and the shower always delivered plenty of hot water. There was a mozzie net over the bed, but we didn't encounter any in the room (although deet or mozzie spray is a good idea after 5pm outside the room). The restaurant buffet food (we were full board) was varied and tasty, although on a few occasions it wasn't kept as hot in the serving trays as it could have been. Drinks were almost UK prices (about £4 a pint for beer and a fiver for a cocktail). All of the restaurant staff were very helpful and polite, always serving us with a smile. Even the music playing throughout the day in the restaurant area seemed great (well done to Marcel, the resort's 2nd in command, who curated all the playlists!) On to the diving... I was able to fit in 34 dives over the stay, so I got to dive with several of the guides and on most of the resort boats. I have dived in a fair few places and the guides and boat crew here are among the best I've ever had the pleasure to dive with. They help where needed, but leave you alone to do what you want to do for yourself. The briefings were thorough and the guides can spot the macro and big stuff that the guests have little chance of finding for themselves. If you're think of diving unguided - DON'T... you'll almost certainly miss 90% of what's out there. I ended up in the fortunate position of having a guide to myself on several dives, although I wouldn't think that's generally the case. Most of the divers here were in groups, on the 'Passport to Paradise' itinerary that takes in Lembeh, Bangka and Manado. Each group was normally assigned a dedicated boat and guides. One particularly nice touch was that the guides would write down every significant find on their dive slates. After the dive you could take a picture of the slate as a record of what you'd just seen. Even more impressive was that they used the full Latin names for the nudibranches! At the end of each day's diving, the crew would take all of your dive kit to the locker room, rinse it off and hang it in your allocated stall ready for the next day. Every morning it was then put in a crate, carried onto the appropriate boat and assembled for you. There is a big whiteboard in the dive equipment bay showing the next day's schedule, so you can see which boat you're on, which guide you have and who you're diving with. Across every aspect of our stay, the attention to detail and work behind the scenes was very impressive. Little touches help to set this resort apart, like the manager (Chris) coming to our hotel room because they'd spotted a cuscus in a tree outside the restaurant and he knew I was desperate to see one.... and secretly arranging for a couple of guides to help track down a mimic octopus which was also on my wish list. As a very experienced diver himself, Chris understands what a diver looks for in a resort and I found that everything was taken care of, allowing me to just get on with enjoying my dives. Were there any negatives to our stay? Not really. A number of us went down with a bit of stomach trouble, but we don't think it was the resort's fault - it seems that some kind of contact-spread virus had hit all the neighbouring resorts too. It wasn't serious and most of us recovered withing 24 hours ('one and done'). But to minimise the impact, Chris had the kitchens and restaurant areas deep-cleaned and disinfected (even though it wasn't a food-related issue) and implemented a policy of the staff serving you the food rather than self-service, to reduce contact. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would love to return. The resort is up there with the best we've stayed at, the staff were all friendly and welcoming and the customer service was extremely good. Many thanks to all of the staff for looking after us so well.

We had a great diving experience while at Murex Bangka. I took a misstep in the rain and ended up falling and hitting my head on the last night there. So many people jumped up to take care of me. Marcel, the manager had his first day of his planned days there and was fabulous in making me feel cared for and about. We took school supplies to the village where a lot of the staff lives, but unfortunately, it was the week after Easter, so school was closed. However, Ishak, our guide who lives in the village, found the schoolmaster's sister who was given the supplies to pass on. Touring the village was a special experience. I really enjoyed our time on Bangka, the second resort of the three in the Passport to Paradise package. The people on staff are amazingly nice and so sweet. It made me really happy to feel so cared about. Oh yeah, the diving was amazing, too! The coral was so healthy and beautiful. Because it was advised that I not dive on the way to Lembeh, my husband and I were boated to Manado and driven to Bitung, the port city. We got to see a lot of the inside of the island of Manado that we never would have gotten to see. I really enjoyed this resort, the staff and the experience (except for the fall!)

Oh WOW, out of the 3 Murex resorts Bangka is the most remote but has the most superb vibe. ALL Staff brilliant, happy, helpful, knowledgeable, interesting and enjoyable. The diving is the best of muck diving, drift diving and night diving. The house reef is one of the best house reefs I have ever dived at. So easy to access and so many stunning things to see. Food is amazing, accommodation is stunning ( we stayed on the 'hill) the view is superb The walk to the village is an added must do. Its a semi tough walk but well worth the effort. Cannot wait to return

A peaceful dive resort in a tropical paradise, friendly welcoming staff from the minute of booking. Simple but very comfortable chalet accommodation , very clean and well maintained. simple but very tasty food. Dive services are outstanding with short boat rides to stunning reefs . Probably the best dive sites we have been to in over 15 years of diving

Very nice bungalows that are just being expanded and improved, great location, extremely competent dive team, the dive ships are the best you could wish for, the guides really know what is going on underwater, great service both on land and on the boats. We would have liked more Indonesian cuisine, but that's a matter of taste.