Bluewater’s Ultimate Lembeh & Bali Macro Critter Workshop 2024

Bluewater’s Ultimate Lembeh & Bali Macro Critter Workshop

Come with us in September 2024 to experience two of the most popular diving destinations in Indonesia - Lembeh & Bali. Explore vibrant, diverse, and unique underwater ecosystems as you discover a huge variety of macro critters. Plus, we're throwing in FREE daily photo workshops!

Why Join THis Trip?

• Best of Lembeh and Bali, private guide for every pair of divers in Lembeh
• Underwater photo workshops with Erik Lukas
• Bali resort is situated right next to the Liberty Wreck, world’s best shallow wreck dive
• Best macro/critter photography in Lembeh, plus incredible wide-angle opportunities in Bali

Inclusions

• 7 nights accommodation in a double occupancy bungalow at NAD Lembeh (Sept 9 - Sept 16)
• 5 nights accommodation in a double occupancy villa at Alam Batu (Sept 16 - Sept 21)
• Full board meals
• Snacks, water, coffee, tea, chocolate drink, and espresso
• Free daily photo workshops and tutorials
• 4 boat dives/day
• Option for fourth dive to be night, dusk, or blackwater dive at NAD Lembeh (no additional supplement)
• Tanks and weights
• Free Nitrox for nitrox-certified divers
• Round-trip airport transfers (between 7:30am - 4:00pm)

EXCLUSIONS

• International airfare
• Domestic flight between Manado and Bali
• Transfers outside specified time frame
• Soft drinks, beer, and spirits
• Crew gratuities
• Blackwater/night dives at Alam Batu ($30 supplement)
• Effective 14 February 2024, visitors coming to Bali must pay Foreign Tourists Levy of IDR 150,000/person prior to arrival in Bali. It is to be paid only one time per visit. More information: http://lovebali.baliprov.go.id/
• Travel Insurance: click here to learn more about our preferred plan

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ITINERARY

• Sep 9: Arrive at Manado Airport, transfer and check-in to your room at NAD Lembeh
• Sep 10: Photography workshop introduction and diving
• Sep 11: Photography workshop and diving
• Sep 12: Photography workshop and diving
• Sep 13: Photography workshop and diving
• Sep 14: Photography workshop and diving
• Sep 15: Photography workshop with morning dives only, afternoon free to dry equipment
• Sep 16: Check-out from NAD Lembeh, transfer to Manado Airport, fly from Manado to Bali Denpasar, transfer and check-in to your room at Alam Batu
• Sep 17: Photography workshop and diving
• Sep 18: Photography workshop and diving
• Sep 19: Photography workshop and diving
• Sep 20: Photography workshop round-up with morning dives only, afternoon free to dry equipment
• Sep 21: Check-out and departure day from Alam Batu, transfer and fly out from Bali Denpasar

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TRIP TYPE

This trip is a PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP. It will be led by one of our photo instructors and will include daily underwater photography tutorials, in-water photography support, and one-to-one advice and guidance as required.

What to expect from our Photo Workshops

• Daily photo workshops - Your photo instructor will schedule seminars each day on topics including, but not limited to, equipment type and selection, the concept of underwater photography, lighting and composition techniques, and post-processing. They will also include topics relevant to the location and your experience such as the use of snoots & diopters, single vs multi-point light sources, plus daily macro-specific assignments to practice your skills.
• In-water support - Where possible, each dive group will spend time underwater with the photo instructor, receiving in-water support and guidance on their shooting techniques.  Participants can also request in-water assistance during the workshop and the photo instructor will do his or her best to accommodate all requests. 
• Consecutive days of practice & review - Each day you will have the opportunity to practice the techniques and skills learned in the previous day’s tutorials. If you are new to underwater photography you will likely see a vast improvement in just a few days.
• Daily photo image reviews - You are strongly encouraged to bring your laptop, a thumb drive, edit your photos, and submit your shots for review from both the instructor and your peers. These are fun and interactive sessions encouraging you to improve throughout the trip.
• Quality time with fellow photographers - Both new and experienced photographers from past workshops have expressed the advantages of joining a trip with like-minded divers with a passion for underwater photography.
• Suitable for everyone - New and experienced photographers are welcome on all our trips. Gain the necessary skills to start shooting great photos, increase your confidence in finding the best underwater shots, or hone specific skills. We also encourage non-photographers to join, as many of them really enjoy the daily photo reviews, learning about underwater photography, and some have even returned to a photo workshop with an underwater camera setup!

Enjoy free, unlimited access to a wealth of knowledge and advice from your photo instructor.

TRIP SYLLABUS

Be Your Own Spotter - Learn the simple techniques used to find your own subjects

If you have wondered how your guides seem to be able to easily locate small and well hidden subjects, we will discuss the tips and tricks you can use to become your own spotter. Understanding the habitats and food sources are just two methods you can use to locate and identify the amazing subjects of Indonesia. With a small amount of planning you can use this knowledge to help locate subjects anywhere you dive.

Workshop Overview | Underwater Photography Essentials

• Section One: Photographic Concepts - An introduction to the basic concepts of photography, the behavior of light, understanding and controlling exposure.
• Section Two: Equipment Selection - In this section, guests will gain an understanding of the gear and equipment used to create photos in the underwater environment.
• Section Three: Lighting - This section covers a wide range of topics that will help guests understand and control light in the underwater environment. Topics to be covered will include discussions on the tools used to create photography’s essential ingredient, light, and how to use lighting in various settings to achieve the objectives of both correct and creative exposures.
• Section Four: Composition - Guests will learn the ways photographers use composition to create stylized photographs. This will cover both macro and wide angle lighting techniques one may deploy in shooting different types of scenes or subjects.
• Section Five: Bring It All Together - Here we will use examples of images to help guests see how to bring various technical skills together to create images. These discussions will focus on the tools used, and the methods employed to create images in a variety of scenarios one is likely to encounter in the underwater environment. Whether shooting macro, wide angle, animal or human subjects, this section of the course will help guests understand how to bring everything together, before, during and after the dives.
• Section Six: Post Processing and Image Management - One or more sessions will be dedicated to working with your images after the exposure is made. Using Adobe Lightroom Classic, we will cover the process of image import, image management, and image editing to bring out the best in your photos. It is recommended that Workshop guests have a laptop which can run the Lightroom Classic application. Any other image editing applications are welcome, but guests should be competent on the use of those applications before attending the workshop.

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Diving in Lembeh Strait

Lembeh Strait is, without a doubt, the muck-diving capital of the world. Underwater photographers flock here from all over the world to see a myriad of critters, frogfish, pipefish, nudibranchs, sea horses, juvenile fish, and other exotic animals. Don't expect large reefscapes in Lembeh, but very scenic reefs live around nearby islands if you want to extend your trip to get in some reef diving, too.

Learn more about Lembeh Strait Diving

To get a little insight as to what the workshop is like, read about our previous 2022 Lembeh Underwater Photo Workshop

DIVING IN AMED, BALI

Scuba diving in Bali offers incredible diversity, add to that the perfectly warm waters with amazing visibility and you've found the perfect dive location. Divers can spot plethora of animals, including reef sharks, turtles, parrotfish, seahorses, nudibranchs, octopuses, moray eels, sea snakes, the list goes on.

You will also have the opportunity to discover the USAT Liberty Wreck which lies a short swim from the shore and is home to a variety of fish species, including barracudas, jackfish, and surgeonfish.

Learn more about Diving in Bali

ABOUT NAD LEMBEH

Situated on the well-loved Lembeh Strait, this muck diving paradise is alluring to divers worldwide. NAD Lembeh offers knowledgeable dive staff with trained eyes and passion for diving and little critters, comfortable rooms, and excellent photography amenities. NAD prides themselves for having the largest. and some would say the most experienced, dive team in Lembeh today.

NAD LEMBEH FACILITIES

• Open-air restaurant
• Sunbeds
• Small pool
• Jacuzzi
• Big and spacious camera room
• Business center
• Free public WiFi
• Laundry services
• Return airport transfers
• Multilingual staff
• Non-smoking rooms
• Open air bar

Find out more and read the reviews of the NAD-Lembeh Resort here.

ABOUT ALAM BATU RESORT - BALI

Alam Batu is a beautiful and comfortable dive resort in North East Bali. The resort fits perfectly into the landscape, some of the bungalows are near the seashore and others are located in a higher area. The resort consists of 11 generously sized bungalows, 1 single bungalow and 3 villas.

 ALAM BATU RESORT FACILITIES

• Beachfront
• Pool
• Restaurant
• Bar/Lounge
• Spa
• Air Conditioning
• Free WiFi
• Free Parking
• Airport Transportation
• Free Breakfast
• Laundry Service
• Room Service

Find out more and read the reviews of the Alam Batu Resort here.

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ABOUT THE TRIP LEADER

Erik Lukas is an active diver and photographer based in Los Angeles, CA. He is a volunteer scuba diver at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. You can expect to find Erik diving many of the amazing Pacific Ocean sites of Southern California, camera in hand, at any chance he can get.

See more of Erik’s photography at https://www.seeundersea.com or on Instagram @seeundersea. Email Erik at erik@bluewaterdivetravel.com.

"I am passionate about underwater photography in general and have a special love for macro subjects. For me the things that are hardest to spot hold the most interest. Documenting the commensal and symbiotic relationships is for me the most interesting…the smaller and more bizarre the better. I also have a passion for sharing my knowledge with others. My goal with all of my workshops is to ensure each guest leaves with a group of images that they are proud to share."

FLIGHTS

Arrival Into Manado (MDC) - Sept 9

Scoot Airlines flights are operating flights direct from Singapore Changi Airport. Baggage collection at Manado Airport as been remarkably swift. Guests should arrive in Manado on Sept 9.

Visa on Arrival costs IDR 500,000 and needs to be paid for in cash. Immigration will accept the following currencies: IDR, USD, SGD, AUD and EURO (notes must be clean and not creased). There is also an ATM inside the airport terminal for cash IDR withdrawals.

Upon exiting the airport, the NAD Lembeh team will be ready to greet you and, with the new toll road open, the transfer to NAD Lembeh's private jetty is now only 60 minutes!

Domestic Flight Between Manado and Bali - Sept 16.

We recommend booking one of the following flight options: 

• Garuda GA607 departing MDC at 7.50am arriving CGK at 10.05am --> GA408 departing CGK at 11.40am arriving DPS at 2.35pm
• *Note that Garuda flights include a FREE second checked bag for scuba equipment only.
• Lion Air JT743 departing MDC at 11.45am arriving DPS at 3.40pm
• *This flight includes a scheduled stop where you remain on the plane. While the Lion Air flight is more convenient, the majority of our customers have a better experience traveling with Garuda.

Departure from Bali (DPS) - Sept 21. 

Book flights departing Bali (DPS) after lunchtime on September 21.

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PAYMENT SCHEDULE

$1000 deposit to confirm spots

Balance due July 1, 2024

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WANT TO EXTEND YOUR TRIP?

We can help with that! See more of the Bali after your workshop in Bali and Komodo with Bluewater. Flying all that way merits a multi-destination vacation! There are amazing destinations nearby that offer a range of additional unique experiences. Here is an example of a package we can add on to your workshop reservation: 

*Rates are subject to change at any time; please contact us for the most updated pricing. 

5 NIGHTS IN BALI

Prices start at $1,112 per person based upon double occupancy and $1,912 per person based upon single occupancy.

Embark on a captivating journey through Bali, starting in Ubud with visits to cultural gems like Taman Ayun, Jatiluwih, Bedugul, and Tanah Lot. Explore Bali's east coast, including Kusamba Village, Goa Lawah Temple, Tenganan Village, and Tirta Gangga. Enjoy a leisure day in Ubud and a half-day tour to Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak Dance, concluding the trip in Kuta. Throughout the adventure, indulge in comfort at the luxurious Komaneka Bisma.

•  4 Nights stay in hotel in Ubud
• 1 Night stay in hotel in Kuta
• 3.5 days Bali Tour with a professional guide plus 1 free day to explore Ubud at your leisure
• All transfers and daily breakfast

Komaneka Bisma

Bisma Suite

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Photo Gallery 

 

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