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Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report: Day 4
Read the prologue to this trip report here.
Read Day 1 here.
Read Day 2 here.
Read Day 3 here.
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We were now heading back towards Phuket, three days of solid diving done and only two more to go. Everyone on the liveaboard was friendly enough, and by now we knew each others’ names and would have conversations about all sorts of things (and not just diving). Even after twelve dives everyone was still looking forward to the next one. For some reason I was up early, and so was nearly everyone else – all drinking tea or coffee and eating toast while waiting for the morning’s briefing to start.
Koh Bon Pinnacle
Dive thirteen was on Koh Bon Pinnacle. Pinnacles usually have an abundance of life, so we were looking for a good start to the day. We entered the water and headed down the mooring line. As we were descending, Sharky and I noticed a Zebra Shark lying on the bottom. As we headed towards it, it moved off; they do get spooked easily, but we were quite a distance from it at the time. We watched it make its way down into deeper water and followed it. This time it stayed put. I looked around to see if anyone else had followed us down, but at 45m, it wasn’t likely. We didn’t have too much ‘no deco’ time at this depth, so after a few photo’s we headed back up the pinnacle to the others. There were lots of life, all of which we had seen before (that was the first shark I’d seen, however another group had seen a zebra shark on an earlier dive).
Dive Fourteen was going to be back on the ridge, once again trying to see something big; however, our luck on trying to see something big hadn’t been going so well. I hoped our luck would change, as ‘something big’ always refers to either Manta rays or Whale Sharks. Unfortunately not though; quite an uneventful dive really. We saw all the usual fish and a lobster, but nothing too memorable.
Beacon reef
Dive Fifteen. This time it was going to be Beacon Reef. I had never dived Beacon Reef as it had suffered from quite a lot of damage from bad fishing methods, and was not known for its beauty. The main interest on this reef for us was the wreck of a dive boat that sank several years previously. At last, a wreck! I had missed diving wrecks on this trip; and OK, it was only small, but hey – it was still a wreck.
We all made straight for the wreck, which even after several years still looked like a boat. It had been well stripped, apparently by the divers who were on the boat when it sank; they had made several trips back to recover their belongings and equipment. The wreck lays at an angle of about 30 degrees. The stern is at around 28m depth and the bow around about 14m. We had a good look around and headed down towards the dive deck. As we entered the dive deck area we were greeted by a few batfish. We swam into the wreck and came out through one of the broken perspex windows half way along the boat. We did look into the bridge area but there were cables hanging down and thought better of it. A very enjoyable little wreck, short and sweet. We then headed along the reef. There was a lot of life on the reef, although it wasn’t the prettiest, but we did see the full range of reef fish.
It was now time for our second hour on dry land in four days. We were set ashore by the tender in what was quite choppy for the Similans at this time of year (no worse than a flat day in England, but the Thais were concerned). We wandered around the island and along a path to a beach the other side called Honeymoon Bay. The sea this side was considerably flatter; we all thought it would have been a whole lot easier all around if we had been dropped off on this side. Our hour was almost up, so we headed back through the jungle to where we had landed. As the tender made its way towards us they shouted “go round the other side”. It was too rough to land the rib, so off we went through the jungle back to Honeymoon Bay again.
Honeymoon Bay
Dive Sixteen. As the wind had now blown out our night dive site it was decided to dive the reef by Honeymoon Bay. No one knew its name. The brief was to jump in, swim around and come back. It was the usual entry time of 7pm, and we descended where the boat was moored. The reef looked quite pretty; lots of hard corals, a few fish in hiding. A hermit crab was sitting on top of a rock, dark red in colour, posing nicely for the cameras. A cuttlefish changed colours as we passed our torches over it , struggling to work out what colour would best disguise it. Torches flashed everywhere as more lionfish were found, but I was more interested in the biggest crab I had ever seen – it was trying to back into a small recess under some coral, but it was far too big. I would estimate that it was between 40 and 45cm across. Time was up, so we all went back onto the boat for even more food.
The main talking point of the day had to have been the wreck; although the other dives had been nice, the wreck made a change.
To be continued…
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Are you just getting started out in underwater photography or are you a seasoned shooter who wants to take their images to the next level? Whatever you experience or ability, here’s an overview of underwater photography workshops.
What is an Underwater Photography Workshop?
The first thing to note is that this is not ‘school’! There are no compulsory classes and at workshops you are free to pick and choose what you take part in, or otherwise.
A huge part of learning and developing your skills is through experimentation, trial and error, responding to feedback, and honing your technique. Underwater photography workshops provide you with the perfect platform for practice and improvement.
There is no better alternative to hands on experience in an environment that is 100% dedicated to your development. Reading informative articles and watching videos on YouTube can never replace the value of one on one time with your camera rig, underwater!
Underwater photography workshops are generally structured around core components, namely: presentations, underwater practice, feedback and critique sessions, troubleshooting/one-on-one sessions, and technical support.
Other components of a workshop include dining, relaxing, and time for socializing too!
What Topics do Underwater Photography Workshops Cover?
Depending on the pro, the type of workshop and regional diving highlights, a wide range of topics may be covered from composition and lighting through to shooting techniques and editing.
Benefits of an Underwater Photography Workshop
- Improve Your underwater photography
- Learn from professionals
- Learn from other participants
- Expand your photography knowledge and understanding
- Try put new techniques
- Learn how to maximize your camera rig
- Phenomenal travel opportunities
- Memorable experience and new friendships
Underwater Photography Workshops in the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
When it comes to underwater photography workshops that focus on shooting macro, muck diving, and unusual marine species, there can be no better destination on the planet than the Lembeh Strait.
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 this stretch of water over the years due to its high density, and diversity, of rare and unusual marine life.
Some of Lembeh’s most iconic species include the hairy frogfish, Pontohi pygmy seahorse, the Lembeh sea dragon, Mandarin fish, Bobbit worms, Rhinopias scorpionfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, tiger and harlequin shrimps, ornate ghost pipefish, harlequin crabs, and where do we start with octopus? Here’s just a few… wunderpus, mimic, blue ring, hairy, long arm, starry night, and coconut… and the list goes on!
Dive conditions in the Lembeh Strait can be extremely favourable for underwater photographers. There is little to no current making both moving around and remaining stationary a breeze. The comfortably warm water temperatures reduce the cold that can also set in when not on the move.
Lembeh Resort and Underwater Photography Workshops
Lembeh Resort not only offers luxury accommodation in the Lembeh Strait but it is also offers a complete suite of facilities for underwater photographers and enthusiasts. Here is a ‘snapshot’ of the camera and imaging services that are on offer at Lembeh Resort – inside and outside of underwater photography workshops:
Photography Facilities
Lembeh Resort offers a suite of facilities for underwater photographers, including:
- The only Backscatter Authorized Photo Center in Asia
- Photo Center offering camera, housing, lights and accessory rentals and purchases, onsite repairs, onsite 3D printing of small components, professional support and assistance, full workshop support
- Full time onsite Photo Pro
- Full time onsite Marine Biologists
- Marine biology and underwater photography trained Dive Guides
- Spacious camera room with individual work spaces, lights, and power points
- Varied diving options including single dives in the Lembeh Strait, two or three tank dive trips, day trips to Bangka, east coast Lembeh trips, blackwater, bonfire, night, and Mandarin fish dives.
Capturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2025
The renowned Capturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop is back in January 2025 for the 12th year running!! This unique workshop is hosted by not one but three worldclass photo professionals. The 2025 workshop features: Ron Watkins (USA), Paul Duxfield (UK), and Renee Capozzola (USA). The week-long workshop promises to be packed with incredible diving, Pro presentations, and one-on-one instruction and feedback.
2025 Workshop Schedule and Dates:
- Pre-Workshop: January 8th ––10th (time to relax and unwind after traveling and enjoy some of Lembeh’s famous dive sites.)
- Workshop: January 11th – 17th (Capturing Critters in Lembeh 12th Annual Workshop)
- Workshop Extension: January 18th – 19th (Additional Day Workshop Extension)
- Post-Workshop: January 20th – 21st (Stay additional nights and enjoy extra diving days or some time to relax and explore more of North Sulawesi)
Find Out More:
Meet the pros and find out more about the Capturing Critters in Lembeh 2025 underwater photography workshop, including prices and workshop inclusions, here:
If you are ready to book your place on the January 2025 Capturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop – contact Lembeh Resort at: reservations@LembehResort.com.
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