Lembeh & Bangka Macro & Blackwater Workshop August 2027

Lembeh & Bangka Macro & Blackwater Workshop August 2027

Join Bluewater’s 12-night Macro and Blackwater Photography Workshop in Lembeh and Bangka, designed for photographers who want to elevate their skills while exploring two of Indonesia’s most diverse and rewarding underwater environments.

Why Join This Trip

• Dive and shoot in two of the world's best macro destinations, with free photo workshops included
• Experience 2 blackwater dives and a bonfire dive as part of the trip package
• Nitrox is included for all EANx certified guests
• Diver to Guide ratio is 2:1 at NAD Lembeh and 4:1 at Murex Bangka
• 25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
• Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure

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Trip Overview

Bluewater’s 12-night Macro and Blackwater Photography Workshop in Lembeh and Bangka is designed for divers and photographers who want to elevate their skills while exploring two of Indonesia’s most diverse and rewarding underwater environments.

The journey begins in the world-famous Lembeh Strait, widely regarded as the global epicenter of macro diving. Here, you’ll spend 7 days immersed in critter-rich black sand slopes, searching for some of the ocean’s most fascinating and elusive subjects, from flamboyant cuttlefish and mimic octopus to hairy frogfish and rare nudibranchs.

As the sun sets, the focus shifts offshore for blackwater dives, one of the most exciting frontiers in underwater photography. Suspended in the open ocean at night, you’ll photograph a surreal parade of larval and pelagic creatures as they rise from the depths. These encounters offer completely different challenges and rewards, pushing your creativity and technical skills in a truly unique environment.

The second half of the trip takes you to Bangka Island for 5 nights, where vibrant reefs and soft corals provide a colorful contrast to Lembeh’s muck diving. Here, you’ll continue honing your macro techniques while also having the opportunity to experiment with wider compositions, including a bonfire dive experience.

To learn more about diving in the area, check out our latest Lembeh Trip Report.

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Sample Itinerary

• Aug 28: Guests arrive at Manado Airport and transfer to NAD Lembeh
• Aug 29 - Sep 3: 3 dives per day (except for 2 dives on Sep 3) plus 2 blackwater dives = 19 dives total
• Sep 4: Transfer from Lembeh to Bangka, check in to Murex Bangka
• Sep 5 - 8: 3 dives per day (except 2 dives on Sep 8) plus 1 bonfire dive = 12 dives total
• Sep 9: Guests check out from Murex and transfer to Manado Airport

Guests have the option to add additional night or blackwater dives to their booking.

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Daily Schedule

Guests can arrive any time on August 28 and leave any time on September 9. Here's the typical daily schedule for this 12-night trip:

• 6.30 Breakfast
• 7.30 Departure for two morning dives (snacks/ drinks during the surface interval)
• 12.15 Lunch at the resort
• 14.00 Departure for one afternoon dive
• 16.00 Snacks
• 16.30 Mandarin Fish Dive (only on Saturdays, minimum 2 pax)
• 17.45 Night Dive (minimum 2 pax)
• 18.00 Black Water Night Dive (minimum 2 pax)
• 19.15 Dinner

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Diving Conditions

August is the end of the colder season, with water temperatures at their coolest. Wear a full wetsuit year-round to protect against cuts, jellies, and getting cold during long dives.

• Water Temperature: 77°F (25°C)
• Visibility: 30 feet (10m)
• Depth Range: 16 - 100 feet (5 - 30m)

Recommended Scuba Gear

Download our full scuba gear guide to Lembeh, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF!

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Trip Type

This is a PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP. 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 additional topics relevant to the location and your experience.
• 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.

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Inclusions

• 7-nights accommodation at NAD Lembeh
• 5-nights accommodation at Murex Bangka
• Full board meals
• 3 dives per day for a total of 17 dives at NAD Lembeh and 11 dives at Murex Bangka
• 2 blackwater dives throughout the week at NAD Lembeh (option to add more for an added fee)
• 1 bonfire dive experience at Murex Bangka
• Nitrox is included for EANx-certified divers
• Complimentary House Reef Dives at Murex Bangka (08:00 - 16:00)
• Snacks, water, coffee, tea, chocolate drink, and espresso
• Round-trip airport transfers from Manado Airport (MDC)
• Transfer between NAD Lembeh and Murex Bangka on September 4
• Free WiFi

Exclusions

• International airfare
• Soft drinks, beer, and spirits
• Bangka Conservation Fund (suggested donation, not compulsory from IDR 100,000)
• Rental Diving equipment
• Additional night/blackwater/mandarin dive surcharges
• Crew gratuities
• Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan

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Accommodation

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.

Check out our walkthrough video of the resort!

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

Read the reviews of the NAD-Lembeh Resort here.

Additional Information About The Resort:

• The resort offers 2:1 guest to guide ratio as a standard. Its 15 dive guides are permanent employees with local Lembeh diving experience (totalling at least 100 years between them). They are all underwater photography trained and proficient UW photographers themselves.
• Please note that the resort does NOT allow for our guests to wear gloves!
• The resort has a fleet of 4 dive boats that are at least 13m long with 2 x four-stroke engines. There are onboard toilets, Medical oxygen, and a Basic First Aid kit.
• There are a maximum of 8 guests per dive boat.
• It's the only resort on Lembeh island with a floating dock. This allows for easy access to the boats and dignified boarding, as well as easy entry to the house reef.
• The resort is on ground level with minimal steps to the bungalows. Beachfront rooms, restaurants, bar and camera room are all on the ground floor. Older guests or those with disabilities and knee/back problems find it easy to navigate.
• It's situated in a private bay and surrounded by lush greenery. Far from villages, thus offering a quiet and tranquil environment for a relaxing vacation.
• The resort offers 24-hour electricity and WiFi.

About Murex Bangka Resort

Set on the pristine shores of Bangka Island in North Sulawesi, Murex Bangka Resort is a tropical haven for divers and ocean lovers alike. The resort offers charming beachfront cottages and deluxe hillside ocean-view bungalows, each with en-suite hot-water bathrooms, air conditioning, and direct access to crystal-clear waters. Guests enjoy full-board dining with fresh local and international cuisine, a PADI-certified dive center with expert guides, night dives, and tailored dive itineraries. With thoughtful amenities like a camera room, beach loungers, paddleboards, and massage services, Murex Bangka combines exceptional diving, stunning natural surroundings, and warm Indonesian hospitality for an unforgettable stay.

Pombo is the most basic accommodation at Murex Bangka, located closest to the beach in a practical, no-frills setting. This traditional Minahasa-style wooden cottage has a rustic feel and is best suited for guests who are comfortable with a very simple setup. It has air conditioning and an outdoor en-suite bathroom, both kept intentionally basic.

Murex Bangka Resort Facilities

• Open-air restaurant
• Beach loungers and hammocks
• Massage services
• Designated camera room with prep areas
• Charging stations for dive and camera gear
• Free Wi-Fi in restaurant area (signal may vary)
• Laundry services
• Airport and boat transfers
• Multilingual staff
• Non-smoking rooms
• Beach bar
• Stand-up paddleboards
• Indoor and outdoor dining spaces

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Connectivity

At NAD Lembeh Resort, Wi-Fi is available for guests throughout the resort, including in guest rooms and common areas. The connection is generally suitable for everyday tasks like email, social media, and light browsing, though speeds can vary depending on demand and diving operations — it may not always support heavy streaming or large file uploads.

Wi-Fi is available at Murex Bangka Dive Resort, primarily in the restaurant area, but due to the remote island location it is typically slow and intermittent, while mobile signal is generally available but can be patchy and unreliable.

For more consistent and faster connectivity, many guests choose to purchase a local Indonesian SIM card with a data plan. Major providers such as Telkomsel and XL Axiata offer reliable 4G/LTE coverage in the Lembeh region. SIM cards and data top-up vouchers can be purchased upon arrival at Manado Airport kiosks, convenience stores, or Telkomsel/XL outlets in Manado before the transfer to Lembeh. Just make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with local networks before you travel.

Most major US mobile phone providers offer international “bolt-on” or add-on packages that let you use your phone abroad without changing SIMs. The details vary by carrier and plan.

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Payment Schedule

• Deposit: $800 to book your spot
• Payment 2: $1,000 due 1 December 2026
• Balance: due 1 April 2027

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Lembeh Trip Extensions

Want to extend your trip? We can help with that! See more of Indonesia before or after your workshop in Lembeh with Bluewater. Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your reservation.

Read More.

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How To Get There

Arrival

Guests should fly internationally to Manado Airport (MDC), arriving at any time on August 28th. Flights from the US will route through Jakarta, Bali, or Singapore. Scoot Airlines flights operate daily except Sundays from Singapore to Manado.

Departure

Guests should book their departure flight out of Manado on September 9th. Transfer time can be upwards of 2 hours, so we recommend booking an afternoon flight to allow plenty of time for transfer and check-in.

Flight Package

Our group trips attract guests from all over the globe and many of our customers prefer to book their own flights to take advantage of mileage points or credit card discounts. For these reasons, flights are not included in our group trip packages.

However, we are more than happy to work with you to find the best travel itinerary for your trip and will gladly give suggestions and advice, even if you make the final booking. We will check through your travel reservations at any time to ensure they fit with the trip schedule and can give recommendations on transit hotels and day tours where needed.

If you would like us to book flights and transit hotels for domestic and/or international travel on your behalf, we are also happy to arrange this. Contact Us for more information.

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