Raja Ampat Luxury Liveaboard Photo Workshop 2027

Raja Ampat Luxury Liveaboard Photo Workshop 2027

Join us in Raja Ampat for some of the most amazing diving in the world on the luxurious Damai I liveaboard. Free daily photo workshops included!

Why Join This Trip?

• Discover why our Raja trips are the pinnacle of diving with insane biodiversity
• Raja is considered by many to be their #1 top bucket list dive destination in the world
• 11-night route dives the absolute best of Raja, including top north & south dive sites
• With only 14 guests, the Damai I delivers the top luxury liveaboard experience in the world
• Manta rays, wobbegong sharks, mind-blowing corals and schooling fish, highest marine diversity in the world
• Includes FREE optional photo workshop
• Diver to Guide ratio is 4:1
• 25% discount on rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
• Fully refundable deposit until 18 months from departure

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Trip Overview

The jewel-like islands of Raja Ampat are caressed by a convergence of swift nutrient-rich currents. Here, the pulse of marine life thrives from the sea floor to the surface where the kaleidoscope of corals can start in less than a meter of water.

There are sites that are so pristine and packed with growth that a photographer is hard-pressed to find a spot to place a steadying finger. Exotic sea life and macro critters abound, of course, and photo opportunities border on overwhelming. But at the end of the day, the most memorable moments for us are what can rarely be captured in digital format: the incredible experience of drifting along miles of exquisite reef brimming with a rainbow of hues and activity, the likes of which few have ever experienced.

Read all about our 2025 trip to Raja Ampat here.

Click the Manta Trust logo to learn more!

The Damai I has been specifically designed for cruising and diving in the tropical waters of Indonesia, with passenger well-being always the top priority. Equipped with the latest navigation, communication and safety equipment, the DIVE DAMAI fleet sets a new standard for safety as well as comfort, service and passenger amenities. Of course, even the best ship is only as good as her crew, and this is another area where DIVE DAMAI shines. Every trip is managed by a highly qualified and experienced western cruise director, complimented by an ever-helpful Indonesian crew, all of whom are dedicated to making your diving holiday the trip of a lifetime.

Marine Life To Photograph

Raja Ampat has one of the highest numbers of fish species of anywhere on the planet. Here are just a few examples of marine life you're likely to see: wobbegong sharks, jacks, barracuda, Napoleon wrasse, trevally, bumphead parrotfish, pygmy seahorses, batfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, barramundi cod, and a good variety of nudibranchs.

If you look a little deeper when the current picks up, you can see reef sharks at most sites, especially at places like Blue Magic and Sardines. These are also prime locations for schooling fish, which tend to gather when the current is running. At such times, its not unusual to be surrounded by clouds of fusiliers and surgeonfish in mid-water, while legions of sweetlips completely obscure large coral heads below.

See Also: Raja Ampat Dive Travel Guide

Sample Itinerary

The itinerary can be variable and will be planned according to the direction of the trip leader and cruise director on board. They will have a good idea at that time of the conditions at the various locations. A typical itinerary would include the following locations:

• Days 1 - 3: Dampier Strait, Arborek, Waigeo, Aljui Bay (all considered to be Northern Raja Ampat)
• Days 4 - 7: Move to "Southern Raja Ampat" - Bo'o, Fiabacet, Daram, Balbulol
• Days 8 - 10: Slowly move north back to Sorong - Batanta, Yanggefo, Kri, etc.

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Diving Conditions

Raja Ampat offers exceptional diving conditions between December and February, as this falls within the calm season. This time of year provides warm waters and relatively predictable weather, making it ideal for diving adventures. Air temperatures are reliably constant, with a daytime average maximum of 89F (32C) and a nightly minimum of 77F (25C) .

• Water Temperature - 80 - 86F (27 - 30C) 
• Visibility - 30 to 70 feet (9 to 20 meters) 
• Depth Range - Ranging from 30 to 70 feet

Recommended Scuba Gear

Download our full scuba gear guide to Raja Ampat, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).

Want to learn more about diving in Raja Ampat? Read all about our Raja Ampat Trip Report 2026.

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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.

Want to learn more about our Underwater Photography Workshops? Check out this video!

Trip Syllabus

Bluewater's Socorro photo workshop with Dan Bishop is all about learning how to create captivating images in one of the best big animal habitats in the world: Socorro!

This workshop will include 9 days of formal instruction plus 1:1 help as needed. Each day, there will be a one-hour class which will include PowerPoint presentations, group discussions, image reviews, 1-on-1 training, and live demonstrations (e.g., Adobe Lightroom Classic, Premiere Pro, Topaz).

Foundational Topics will Include: 

1. Successful Wide Angle Photography Fundamentals 
2. One-Time Camera Setup (DSLR/Mirrorless and Compact Cameras) 
3. Focusing Fundamentals: Understanding Depth of Field, Autofocus Types, Focus Tracking, Back Button Focusing, Focus Pipper, and Underwater Focus Techniques 
4. Exposure Basics: Understanding the Exposure Triangle and how to effectively use Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO for underwater images. Also includes an in-depth review of Strobe Techniques 
5. Composition: Understanding how to Compose captivating images that 'tell a story' 
6. Putting It All Together: Understanding how to incorporate Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO, Strobes, and Composition Techniques into a simple underwater workflow

Each topic will include definitions, techniques, tips, and example images to illustrate the points.

Intermediate Topics will Include: 

1. Additional Wide Angle Techniques: Understanding how to shoot Sun Balls, Subjects on Sand, Close Focus Wide Angle, Sea Lions, Diver Models, Silhouettes, and Ambient Light Shots 
2. Introduction to Lightroom Classic: PowerPoint and Live Demo to Cover: 
• Lightroom Key Concepts 
• Library Module Overview 
• Develop Module Overview 
• Basic Editing Workflow: In-depth walkthrough of Image Import, Best Image Selection techniques, Global Edits for general exposure and color correction, Image Export and Collections

Advanced Topics will Include: 

1. Advanced Lightroom Editing: In-depth walkthrough of Local Edits (masking types and techniques, local color corrections, local exposure adjustment, etc), Backscatter Removal, and Imaging Sharpening and Denoising techniques using Lightroom and Topaz
2. Time permitting, there will be a video editing overview using Premiere Pro

There will be an evening sign-up sheet for additional 1:1 help on any topic (photo or editing), schedule permitting. In addition, Dan will provide basic help underwater as conditions permit.

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Inclusions

• FREE daily photo workshops and tutorials
• FREE Nitrox
• Accommodations in a standard cabin, double occupancy
• All meals and drinks while on board (excluding wine and spirits) - one glass of wine per person each night will be complimentary
• Unlimited daytime diving and night dives (as per request and schedule permitting)
• Full rental gear
• Tanks, weights, and weight belts
• Laundry service
• Massages
• Land tours and group activities organized by Dive Damai during the cruise
• Government taxes
• Return transfers to/from the vessel to/from the airport or hotel on the day of embarkation and disembarkation, within a distance of 20km

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Exclusions

• All vessel port and harbour fees ($440 per person, subject to change)
• National Park/maritime areas entrance fee ($200 per person, subject to change)
• Dive insurance MANDATORY
• Travel insurance MANDATORY - ask us about our preferred partner plan
• Visa, hotels, and food ashore before and after the cruise
• Gratuity

* onboard fees and charges are subject to change

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Accommodation

About The Damai I

The vessel has 7 staterooms with a choice of single cabins, twins, doubles or two spacious master cabins. Cabins 1 and 3 can be configured with a double bed or two single beds, while Cabins 2 and 3 contain a double bed. Cabin 5 and 6 are the biggest cabin at 40sq. meters and 35sq. meters, respectively. Both can have a king-sized bed or two large single beds and offer an amazing view of the ocean. Cabin 6 also comes with its own private balcony. Cabin 7 can be configured with a king double or twin beds and has direct access to the sun deck. All cabins come complete with a desk, wardrobe, reading lights, and a bedside table. All rooms are also fully air-conditioned.

DAMAI I's Cabin 1 and 2

Cabins 5, 6 & 7

En-suite Bathrooms

Read the reviews of the Damai I here.

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Raja Ampat Trip Extensions

Want to extend your trip? We can help with that! See more of Indonesia before or after your trip with Bluewater. Flying all that way merits a multi-faceted vacation! Here are some examples of packages we can add on to your trip reservation:

Read More.

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Trip Leader

Dan Bishop

Dan is an accomplished underwater photographer based in northern Virginia. He did his first dive at age 14 and has been an avid photographer for more than 30 years. Initially a skydiving photographer and videographer, Dan transitioned his focus to the underwater world, driven by a desire to capture the ocean's stunning beauty. Dan is skilled in both wide-angle and macro photography and has a passion for sharing his knowledge with others, particularly in a structured workshop environment.

View more of Dan's work here: DanBishopPhotography.com

Read more about Dan Bishop.

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How To Get There

Flight Information

The trip will begin and end in Sorong (airport code SOQ). The recommended route is to fly internationally to Jakarta and then take a domestic transfer to Sorong. We recommend arriving into Sorong at least 1 day before embarkation to allow time to rest and for delayed flights/baggage.

Recommended hotels in Srong are the Swiss BelHotel and the Aston. You will be transferred from your hotel to the boat on embarkation day.

On departure day, guests can book a flight out at any time.

We are happy to assist you with flight suggestions and hotel bookings if required.

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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Payment Schedule

• Deposit: $1,200 to book your spot
• Payment 2: $1,200 due 1 January 2026
• Payment 3: $1,200 due 1 August 2026
• Balance: Due 1 November 2026

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