5 Reasons Lembeh Is Perfect for Underwater Photography
“I don’t think there is another destination as photographically productive as Lembeh.” These words, from world-renowned pro photographer Alex Mustard, are informed by countless dives in the Lembeh Strait, and a portfolio of amazing images built up over decades.
Alex also describes “beautiful and welcoming Lembeh Resort” as “surely one of the world’s very best dive resorts” for underwater photographers, highlighting our “world-class dive team and famous guides at Critters@Lembeh dive center,” as the main reasons why he keeps coming back; and why every dive is “a really special experience.”
In this blog, we reveal what makes Lembeh Resort one of the leading underwater photography hubs in the world, and why industry-leading photographers like Alex come back year after year. From critters to courses, here’s 5 reasons why Lembeh should be the next step in your photography adventure.
1. Weird and wonderful subjects
The Lembeh Strait is famed as the Critter Capital of the World, and the sheer diversity of marine life found here makes the Strait a playground for underwater photographers. These black volcanic sands are a stage that’s filled with weird and wonderful characters, from hairy frogfish and pygmy seahorses to flamboyant cuttlefish, rhinopias and harlequin shrimp, to name just a few. There are eight species of frogfish and 14 species of octopus lurking in Lembeh, alongside countless nudibranchs and crustaceans; and new discoveries are being made all the time.
Framed against dramatic black and blue backgrounds, this cast of critters make the ideal subjects for macro and super-macro photography. At sunset, mandarinfish begin their elaborate courtship dance in the golden light; and then, after dark, things get really interesting. Blackwater and bonfire dives draw otherworldly creatures up from the deep, with occasional sightings of blanket octopus, paper nautilus and a supporting cast of juveniles that normally remain hidden during daylight hours. With the right lenses and the right guide, this procession of bizarre marine life can provide underwater photographers with the images of a lifetime.
2. Cutting-edge photography facilities
Home to North Sulawesi’s only Backscatter-Authorized Photo Center, with a spacious camera room and a newly revamped dive center just next door, Lembeh Resort has everything an underwater photographer needs to get the shot they’ve been dreaming of. Each photographer has their own individual workstation with dedicated charging points and enough space to safely assemble and store equipment between dives, while dedicated camera rinse tanks are available both on land and aboard dive boats, and compressed-air stations make it easy to dry housings and those hard-to-reach components after a dive.
Sometimes divers leave a crucial piece of kit at home, or have it damaged in transit. Elsewhere, this can sabotage even the best-laid photography plans. But Lembeh Resort is different. Our Photo Center provides cameras, housings, lenses, strobes, video lights, snoots, and other accessories for rent, making it possible to replace a missing piece of kit, or even experiment with new techniques and equipment. On-site troubleshooting and repairs can help rescue a dive trip when equipment misbehaves, while our 3D printer can even manufacture small custom parts for replacements on the go. Combined with attentive camera handling by the dive team and photo-trained guides, this means photographers can spend less time worrying about their gear and more time focusing on the next shot.
3. Expert support and guidance
On the subject of support, our greatest strength at Lembeh Resort is arguably the knowledge, skill, and dedication of our team. Underwater photographers who visit here will find a resident photo pro, called Lawrence Watkins, who is on hand to provide expert support for shooters of all levels of experience. In turn, Lawrence is supported by a dedicated team at the photo center, who help with repairs and equipment rentals; and a team of experienced local dive guides who are also passionate underwater photographers.
With this support network firmly in place, divers and underwater photographers who stay with Lembeh Resort can enjoy unparalleled photography support services. So, whether you’re in need of technical tips on lighting and composition techniques, reaching out for equipment fixes, or looking to tap into local knowledge about species identification and behavior, our team is always available and happy to lend a hand. It is this combination of passion and professional expertise that makes us who we are.
4. Regular photography workshops
As the leading underwater photography hub in the Lembeh Strait, we regularly host workshops led by experienced professional photographers, covering everything from equipment settings to macro and wide-angle shooting, composition and lighting techniques, post-editing and photo critiques. There are regular workshops held throughout the year. Let’s take a closer look at some recent events, and a few more coming up in the calendar:
- Alex Tattersall & Saeed Rashid | July 2026
Co-hosted with our friends at Murex Resorts, this workshop covered two distinct destinations (Bangka and Lembeh), where participants learned the techniques needed to capture incredible images in different environments. Held from 20-31 July, this course combined theory and practice, with 12 participants enjoying expert guidance from two photo pros and our own team.
For more information, check out this blog.
- More Mustard in Lembeh | September 2026
From 18-30 September, noted pro photographers Alex Mustard and Nick More return to Lembeh, combining their unique talents to provide participants with an unmissable learning experience. “Lembeh Resort is a home-from-home for me,” explains Nick, adding that “the combination of luxury accommodation, attentive staff, amazing and photographically trained dive guides, and (the resort’s) proximity to world-renowned dive sites is unmatched.”
The 2026 edition of this workshop is already fully booked.
- Capturing Critters in Lembeh | January 2027
In January, the longest-running underwater photography workshop in Indonesia returns, as we celebrate the 13th edition of Capturing Critters in Lembeh (CCiL). Led by internationally acclaimed underwater photographers, Marty Snyderman and James Emery, with support from our in-house photo pro and Lembeh Resort’s own dedicated marine biologist, this much-anticipated event is not to be missed!
To book your spot at CCiL 2027, click here.
5. Tiny treasures topside too!
Lembeh is rightly famed as the place to be for macro underwater photography. But did you know your camera will find incredible subjects on land too? On non-diving days, explore the abundant biodiversity of Tangkoko National Park, home to spectral tarsiers, macaques, kingfishers, and cuscus bears, take a hike through the volcanic mountains of North Sulawesi, or simply stroll around the verdant gardens of Lembeh Resort with camera in hand. You never know what you will find!
For a closer look at our eclectic range of land tours, please explore our website.
Days between diving are also a great opportunity to brush up your skills with a photography course, enjoy a delicious meal, or treat yourself to some nature-connected pampering in our new spa. Our team of therapists are skilled in re-energizing the body after dives; especially for underwater photographers, who put extra strain on their wrists and back by carrying rigs or positioning the body to get the shot.
If you’re looking for more inspiration for activities to fill up non-diving days, check out this article.
Ready to take the next step in your photography journey? For questions, bookings and information, please visit the Lembeh Resort website or get in touch. Let’s make memories—and incredible images—together!
