Discover the best dive sites for underwater photographers in Asia
Asia is blessed with all the ingredients any budding underwater photographer could ever wish for.
It has an enormous variety of dive sites, incredible diversity, an almost limitless choice of subjects and many highly professional dive centres to choose from.
But where are some of the very best spots for underwater photography & video? Our quick guide gives you the lowdown...
Love marine life?
Planning your underwater photography adventure
If you have an underwater camera and housing, you can take photos on any dive and have a lot of fun. If you are looking to progress to the next level though and want to take your underwater photography a little more seriously, there are a few things to consider.
Facilities of your dive center or liveaboard
As an underwater photographer, there are a few additional things you need from your dive center or liveaboard.
If you are diving from a dive center, then check ahead of your visit on their facilities. In an ideal world, they will have a camera room or dedicated area to set up and store your equipment, dedicated rinse tanks for underwater cameras and plenty of charging points. If boat trips are long, then similar facilities on the dive boat are also highly desirable.
If you are planning on heading on a liveaboard adventure, then there is unlikely to be space for a dedicated camera room, but a liveaboard boat that is set up well for underwater photographers will have a table or dedicated area for underwater camera set up, plenty of safe charging points, rinse tanks and good storage options for underwater camera gear.
The right dive site for underwater photography
The subject is everything in photography, be that a wreck, a reef scene or a particular species. On a dive, an element of flexibility is always required as our reefs and oceans are full of surprises, but you should have an idea of what you might see in an area, and on a dive.
If you have a particular subject in mind that you are trying to capture, speak to the local dive operator in advance to find out the best time to photograph your subject to maximise your chances.
As well as your subject, the general conditions play a key role too. Check if there are times when the visibility is likely to be more favourable than others, and when currents or conditions might lend you a hand. As is so often the case, a little planning can take you a long way.
Best dive destinations for underwater photography
There are so many great environments and opportunities for underwater photography in Asia. Much depends on what you want to photograph. Here are some of our favourites, dive spots where you have a great chance to shoot some wonderful photographs of marine life big and small.
Let’s get right into our top destinations for underwater photography in Asia.
Ambon
You might remember Ambon from the extraordinary images of the Psychedelic Frogfish in the news. This enigmatic creature is a rare find indeed, but Ambon has a wealth of other magical species that will keep underwater photographers absorbed dive after dive. Ambon Bay is known for its exceptional muck diving, while to the east there is exceptional coral reef dives as well.
Tara North
Phil North
Kimbe Bay
At Walindi Plantation Resort in Kimbe Bay, they claim that a browse of their guest book reads like a who's who of underwater photography. The reason so many of the top names in the business love this spot so much is the sheer diversity of life and stunning coral gardens. Amazingly, this area can boast 70% of all known Indo-pacific marine species...... which mean more than enough subjects to keep you occupied time and time again.
Tara North
Wakatobi
The Wakatobi region is in a remote part of Sulawesi with outstanding diving. The area has a multitude of underwater environments to from fringing reefs to walls, sea mounts, atolls & even a barrier reef. There is no shortage of subjects either, with pretty much everything from Sharks to Pygmy Seahorses to find. Wakatobi Dive Resort claims to have the world's best house reef, which explodes in colour & life, providing avid photographers with world-class diving just a few steps from their bungalow.
Bali
Bali's eastern coast is a great area for underwater photographers to explore. With great muck-diving, colourful reefs and even a WWII shipwreck, the area has a little bit of everything to enjoy. Seraya & Tulamben are probably the most famous posts. Seraya has shot to fame recently for its superb muck-diving opportunities & rare critters, while Tulamben is home to the Liberty Shipwreck - a WWII wreck lying just a short swim from shore with great wide angle & macro opportunities.
Tara North
Rickard Zerpe
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Muck diving meccas
If you are an avid underwater photographer or a lover of the weird and wonderful, then the seas of Asia hold a treasure trove of delights.
Originally pioneered in Papua New Guinea, muck-diving is now all the rage, and incredibly addictive. As the epicentre of the world's marine biodiversity, there are exceptional opportunities throughout South-east Asia.
Sipadan & Mabul Island
Sipadan is Malaysia’s most famous diving spot. Nearby, Mabul Island offers more excellent diving for smaller marine life, and a good choice of dive resorts.
These nutrient-rich waters attract huge numbers of Turtles, while the area is also home to large number of White-tip Reef Sharks, Bumphead Parrotfish, Trevally and Barracuda.
Dummie's guide to camera kit
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Well, you're not alone. Underwater photography has it's own dictionary of parts, accessories & technical terms and it's tough to sound like an expert.
Bucket list big fish dives
There's no other thrill that quite compares to an encounter with an apex predator or gentle giant. For some, diving with Sharks is the ultimate bucket list experience. For others, it is swimming with Manta Rays.
From Myanmar in the west to PNG in the east, South-east Asia cannot fail to disappoint lovers of majestic pelagic species looking for that ultimate diving encounter.
Best places for beginner divers
Asia has a huge number of dive spots that have perfect conditions for learning to dive. It has so many in fact, that you may be having a hard time choosing where you should go.
Togian Islands
