Lembeh Resort & Coral Eye Marine Outpost – North Sulawesi Indonesia - April 13-27, 2026
Two trips in one!  Experience some of the best critter diving in the world paired with stunning coral reefs teeming with life.  This adventure will begin with 7 nights in the legendary Lemebeh Strait, and from there, you’ll transfer by boat to the stunning island of Bangka, diving along the way.

©Jim Decker & © Erin Quigley - Lembeh Resort Macro Workshop




Lembeh

The Critter Capital of the World, a Muck Diving Mecca, and the Twilight Zone are just a few of the names that have been given to Lembeh over the years due to its high density and diversity of rare and unusual marine life.

©Jim Decker & © Erin Quigley - Lembeh Resort Macro Workshop


Diving in Lembeh is unlike diving anywhere else. Every dive reveals countless species of critters that have made their homes on Lembeh’s famous muck diving slopes. The Critters at Lembeh Resort dive guides are experts at spotting the unique marine life that resides here.

Lembeh isn’t just home to frogfish; it’s home to 8 different species of frogfish, 12 species of octopus, numerous crustacean species that cannot be found anywhere else on earth, 3 species of pygmy seahorse, countless numbers of nudibranch species, and new discoveries are continuously being made. Some of Lembeh’s most iconic species include the Hairy Frogfish, Pontohi Pygmy Seahorse, Wunderpus, Mandarin Fish, Mimic Octopus, Rhinopias Scorpionfish, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Blue Ring Octopus, and the list goes on.

©Jim Decker & © Erin Quigley - Lembeh Resort Macro Workshop


Muck diving is at its best in Lembeh, where the sheer abundance of biodiversity and unique critters is greater than anywhere else. This makes it the perfect location for a macro photo workshop.



Resort

Lembeh Resort, a spectacular boutique-style resort, is situated on Lembeh Island and perched above the beautiful Strait. Lush tropical gardens surround the property and blends perfectly into the landscape. All guest cottages boast spacious verandahs for perfect views of glorious North Sulawesi sunsets and an intimate connection with nature. Modern amenities, including air conditioning, mini bar, Wi-Fi internet, and massage, ensure your comfort and relaxation.

Lembeh Resort Macro Workshop - Cottage


Large camera room

One of the finest camera rooms you’ll ever see, located just steps away from the boats, it is the perfect place to store, organize, and set up your camera system.

Each private workstation in the camera room has numerous international power sockets, desk lighting, padded neoprene work mats, and towels to dry any excess water droplets. To the front of the camera room, you’ll find our camera-only rinse tanks and air guns for blasting water off your housing after rinsing.

 Lembeh Resort Macro Workshop - Camera Room




Boat transfer to Coral Eye, diving along the way

Transitioning from one resort to the other couldn’t be easier.  You’ll board the dive boat in Lembeh with all your dive gear and camera, head out for two dives, and get dropped off at Coral Eye in time for lunch.  All of your luggage will be there waiting for you when you arrive.

Coral Eye Resort

Coral Eye is a unique boutique resort on Bangka Island. Nestled between a lush tropical jungle and a long white sandy beach, Coral Eye lies in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the global epicenter of marine biodiversity.

©Coral Eye Marine Outpost


Originally founded as an outpost for marine studies, Coral Eye is today a melting pot of passionate travelers, dive enthusiasts, underwater photographers, and marine biologists.

©Fabio Galbiati - Coral Eye Marine Outpost


All accommodations are designed to provide an intimate atmosphere for guests seeking a more personalized and distinctive lodging experience. The interiors have been carefully crafted by local carpenters, contributing to the overall charm and character of the rooms. High-quality mattresses and cotton linen, air conditioning, and a ceiling fan are just some of the features of Coral Eye’s accommodations.

©Fabio Galbiati - Coral Eye Marine Outpost




Diving in Bangka

With more than 50 world-class dive sites, Bangka’s archipelago offers several different diving environments.  Healthy coral reefs surround the island with various hard and soft corals, offering picturesque underwater landscapes. Bangka Island is also known for its excellent macro diving opportunities.

©Fabio Galbiati - Coral Eye Marine Outpost


Pinnacles

Volcanic walls and pinnacles, completely covered by corals (particularly soft corals), make beautiful dive sites. Although these can be subject to stronger currents, we use our local knowledge and expertise to ensure a safe dive.

©Fabio Galbiati - Coral Eye Marine Outpost


Sloping Reef

Dominated by hard coral, they grow on an originally sandy bottom and demonstrate extremely high biodiversity. 

©Fabio Galbiati - Coral Eye Marine Outpost




Volcanic Sand

These areas present a black sandy bottom with rocks completely covered by coral and colonized by a large number of different invertebrates and fish. The environment is very similar to that found in the Lembeh Strait.

©Fabio Galbiati - Coral Eye Marine Outpost


Mangroves

Tidal currents, wave action, river flow, and salinity gradients affect sedimentation in various complex ways. Sponges, flatworms, snails, and small fish that live around the mangrove roots can be found here. The seagrass in front of each mangrove forest provides food for the dugongs.

©Fabio Galbiati - Coral Eye Marine Outpost


Who should attend the workshop?

Beginner and intermediate underwater photographers who are looking to improve their macro and wide-angle UW photography skills.  Do you struggle with the strobe position?  Isolating your subject from the background?  Balancing ambient light with strobes?  Then this is the course for you.



Daily classes and one-on-one help from the Photo Pros

The best way to learn is by shooting, and our photo pros will be on location with you to help you improve your technique and correct mistakes.  Informative seminars throughout the trip will cover macro and wide-angle shooting techniques such as:
  • Focus techniques
  • Exposure techniques
  • Strobe placement
  • Composition
  • Avoiding backscatter
  • (The exact curriculum will be tailored to the group)

Getting there

Manado International Airport (MDC) is just 90 minutes away from Lembeh.  Silk Air offers flights via Singapore, making it one of Indonesia’s easiest and most reliable destinations.  The resort provides round-trip airport transfers to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride.

Travel Info

  • April 13th: Arrive at MDC, transfer to Lembeh Resort
  • April 14-19th: 6 days with 17 dives in Lembeh
  • April 20th: Boat transfer to Coral Eye Resort with 2 dives
  • April 21-26th: 6 days with 17 dives in Bangka
  • April 27th:  Depart MDC

Contact us for more travel details. We can assist in booking all flights, transfers, and additional activities.

Space is limited, so sign up now!

Price:

  • $5,999 (per person, double occupancy)

Standard Package Includes:

  • 14 nights total accommodations
  • All meals, snacks, water, tea and coffee
  • 36 Guided Boat Dives
  • Unlimited self-guided dives on the house reef
  • Nitrox
  • Tanks and weights
  • Round-trip group transfers
  • Seminars on UW Photo techniques and image critiques

Additional costs:

  • Airfare to Manado (MDC)
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
  • Single supplement
  • Additional dives
  • Land excursions
  • Spa visits
  • Crew tips


Please note that medical evacuation insurances such as Dive Assure or Divers Alert Network (DAN) is mandatory on all trips.

Additionally, comprehensive Cancellation, Accident, Medical and Baggage insurance such as DAN, Dive Assure, or Generali Global Assistanceis highly recommended.





©Fabio Galbiati - Coral Eye Marine Outpost