Aboard the Liveaboard Arenui: Diving Expedition Experience
Indonesia, a country rich in biodiversity, offers some of the world's most spectacular underwater photography destinations, particularly for those interested in macro photography. Here are the top spots, focusing on exceptional macro opportunities:
Best Underwater Photography Destinations for Macro in Indonesia
1. Raja Ampat
Located in the Coral Triangle, off the northwest tip of the Bird's Head Peninsula in West Papua, Raja Ampat is a haven for underwater photographers. Pygmy seahorses in sea fans, unusual fish species, and vibrant coral reefs provide a wealth of opportunities for macro photography. The best time to dive is from October to April for calmer seas and better visibility. Don't forget to use both macro and wide-angle lenses to capture the diverse marine life and stunning reefscapes.
2. Secret Bay (Gilimanuk, Bali)
In the northwest of Bali, near the ferry terminal connecting Bali with Java, Secret Bay offers shallow dives with an average depth of 3–12 meters. Monkfish, seahorses, ghost pipefish, mimic octopuses, and colorful nudibranchs are just a few of the macro opportunities available. Strong currents can make visibility vary; plan dives around high tide. A macro setup is ideal for capturing the intricate details of these small creatures.
3. Ambon and the Forgotten Islands
Located in the Banda Sea, Southeast Moluccas, Ambon and the Forgotten Islands are home to a plethora of unique macro life. Ambon Scorpion fish, psychedelic frogfish, Halimeda Ghost pipefish, Rhinopias, and many more can be found here. Join liveaboard trips for optimal exploration of these remote and biodiverse areas. A macro lens is essential for capturing the unique marine life, and a wide-angle lens may also be useful for school shots.
4. Alor
Known for encounters with rare creatures like the mola mola and other unique fish species, Alor offers dramatic underwater walls that provide great landscapes and macro opportunities. Combine macro shots with wide-angle photography to capture the stunning underwater landscapes.
Each of these destinations offers a unique set of macro opportunities and a chance to explore some of the world's most biodiverse marine environments.
Underwater Photography Aboard the Arenui
The Arenui, a well-maintained liveaboard vessel, offers world-class macro diving. Equipped with two Macs with large screens, Adobe Photoshop CS5, card readers, and meticulous care for camera housings, the Arenui provides an ideal platform for underwater photographers. The wide-angle diving on the Arenui is rated good to very good, with exceptional fishy dives at Castle Rock.
The Arenui offers 5mm wetsuits, 15L tanks, and Nitrox fills for divers, and gear can be hired if needed due to airline excess luggage fees. Divers on the Arenui have encountered various marine life, such as hawksbill turtles, large schools of jackfish, fusiliers, and cod, white tip reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, dogtooth tuna, and humphead wrasse at Komodo Marine Park.
Dive sites visited on the Arenui include Lawuan Reef, Bima and Sumbawa Islands, Komodo Marine Park, Rinca Island, Torpedo Alley, Cannibal Rock, and Manta Alley. Divers at Rinca Island witnessed Komodo dragons, including a female that was nesting. Manta Alley is a popular site in Komodo for spotting manta rays.
The Arenui Liveaboard is a traditional Phinisi vessel that began its exploration of the Indonesian archipelago in June 2009. The route taken by the Arenui is called "Grand Komodo" and includes stops at various islands such as Lawuan, Sumbawa, Bima, Komodo Marine Park, and Sangeang Volcano, among others. Sangeang Volcano serves as a backdrop for black sand dives, where divers can find small critters such as Nudis, Leaf Scorpionfish, Pygmy Seahorse, Commensal Shrimp, Xeno Crabs, and Zanzibar Shrimp.
Matthew Workowski, the author of this article, placed 1st in the 2010 Ocean Art Photo Contest in the Marine Behavior category and 3rd in Compact Wide-Angle. His work can be viewed at www.redbubble.com/people/matttworkowski. The Arenui offers a crew-to-guest ratio of 22:12 and is praised for its pampering service. It also provides 5 courses a day and ample storage space, with vegetarian options available.
- The biodiversity-rich country of Indonesia offers some of the world's best underwater photography destinations for macro, particularly Raja Ampat.
- Pygmy seahorses, unusual fish species, and vibrant coral reefs can be found in Raja Ampat, making it a haven for underwater photographers.
- Secret Bay in Bali, with its shallow dives and diverse marine life, is another great spot for macro photography, especially during high tide.
- Ambon and the Forgotten Islands, located in the Banda Sea, offer unique macro life, necessitating a macro lens for capturing the intricate details.
- Alor, known for rare encounters and diverse marine life, is an ideal destination for combinations of macro and wide-angle photography.
- Underwater photographers can find world-class diving experiences on the well-maintained liveaboard vessel Arenui.
- Equipped with Adobe Photoshop CS5, a macro lens, and meticulous camera housing care, the Arenui is an ideal platform for underwater photographers.
- Divers on the Arenui have encountered various marine life, such as hawksbill turtles, white tip reef sharks, and manta rays at popular sites like Manta Alley.
- The Arenui Liveaboard visits various destinations, including Lawuan Reef, Bima and Sumbawa Islands, Komodo Marine Park, Rinca Island, and Sangeang Volcano.
- Rinca Island is home to Komodo dragons, including a female that was nesting, and serves as a backdrop for black sand dives with small critters.
- Sangeang Volcano provides opportunities for finding small critters such as Nudis, Leaf Scorpionfish, Pygmy Seahorse, and Zanzibar Shrimp.
- Matthew Workowski, who placed 1st in the 2010 Ocean Art Photo Contest in the Marine Behavior category, recommends the Arenui for underwater photography enthusiasts.
- The Arenui offers a crew-to-guest ratio of 22:12 and is praised for its pampering service.
- The Arenui Liveaboard offers ample storage space, five courses a day, and vegetarian options to cater to different dietary preferences.
- For those interested in home-and-garden, gadgets, sports, or travel-related lifestyles, a smartphone or technology-focused upgrade could enhance their underwater photography experiences aboard the Arenui.
