I stayed at the Matahari for 2 weeks back in June 2022 and had such a great time that I came back again in August 2023. This time I upgraded my room to Delux as I was with a friend which gave us a little more space.
The purpose of our visit was to scuba dive and do underwater photography.
I did 39 dives (cracked my 1000th dive) and got some great photos - especially macro - in fact having dived many places in the 'Coral Triangle' I really think that when you weigh things up this is one of the best locations you will find anywhere as you have a great variety creatures, the diving is easy, the accommodation is great in every way... in fact staying at the Matahari is like being on a land based live aboard! The visibility underwater was better this time... on a few days we had an honest 30m, most days 20-25 and a couple of dives around 18m. The menu in the restaurant is varied and includes western, Balinese, Chinese, Italian and Indian dishes. The prices are very reasonable and the food is delicious.
The owner of the resort, Suci, takes a great interest in the food at the restaurant and it shows that she cares.
I tried many different dishes and enjoyed everyone. The staff are very helpful and polite, especially the dive guides, Parta and Koming and the guys who look after you at reception... nothing is too much trouble. When I arrived it was great that many of the staff were still there and remembered me from my previous visit. I have booked again to return in 2024!!!

Don’t be put off by first impressions, I think all of the hotels have been hit really hard by covid. Yes the place could do with a lick of paint and some minor repairs, but everyone is really helpful and the dive centre is good. So I think the service warrants a 5.
As the diving is shore based it’s relatively inexpensive. If diving the Liberty I’d recommend getting up early and doing the 6:30 dive. As we were a family group of four, we had our own guide and could dive at the times we wanted.

We moved into the Matahari Resort after we stayed some days in a villa not far away (Matahari Villa).
We spent now our 7thd stay in this outstanding and very familiar leaded resort. The owner have renewed and renovate most of the bungalows and rooms during the close period of corona. We where six people and enjoy the relaxing time. We get diving tanks and where diving on the beach in front of the resort, right side on the drop-off or left handside at the liberty wreak - this was perfect for wide angle fotography and we found a lot of new and spectacular critter and species. The resort was very clean and the service (cleaning rooms and house) was great. We get fresh breakfast wich we enjoy with seaside view in the restaurant. All of the people work with heart and soul since years in the resort and the feeling is like to be at home with friends. They offer the hole day a pick up to a lot of siteseeing places like temples, waterfalls and a lot more. Also they drive you the many nice diving spots not fare away.