Best Macro Photography Locations for Underwater Imaging (Revisited)
Taking exceptional underwater macro photographs can be an addictive pursuit, with some photographers easily spending over an hour watching or capturing a single subject. enthusiasts frequently return to the same destinations year after year, each trip revealing new treasures. Here are six of the best places around the world for underwater macro photography: Anilao, Lembeh, Dumaguete, Sea of Cortez, Bali, and Raja Ampat.
1. Anilao, Philippines
Anilao, a favorite dive spot for Manila residents, has been gaining popularity in recent years. This picturesque destination, known for its rich marine life and crystal-clear waters, is a must-visit for macro photography enthusiasts. The area offers a diverse range of seascapes, from muck diving sites and soft coral forests to wall dives and anthias-filled reefs. Though big fish may not be common, Anilao's small creatures are exceptionally diverse. Guests visiting Anilao often bring their macro lenses, super macro diopters, and magnifiers, as the destination is famous for its tiny subjects. Seahorses, pipefish, nudibranchs, bobbit worms, frogfish, blue-ring octopus, and more await eager photographers. [1]
Anilao boasts a variety of budget to mid-range resorts, with the better establishments like Crystal Blue and Aiyanar continually upgrading over the past few years. These comfortable accommodations offer excellent facilities at modest prices, making Anilao one of the most affordable underwater photography hotspots worldwide. [1]
Getting There
Anilao is conveniently located, just a 2.5 to 3-hour van ride from Manila Airport. As travelers approach Anilao, they will marvel at the breathtaking coastline and azure waters visible from the winding road. [1]
2. Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
Lembeh Strait, first popularized by Larry Smith in the 1990s, has since become a magnet for dedicated critter hunters and macro photographers. This remote location is famous for its muck diving sites, housing a mind-boggling array of small, extraordinary creatures. Marine life in Lembeh includes rhinopias, hairy frogfish, wonderpus, mimic, blue-ring octopus, and countless others. Dive sites, usually just a short boat ride from your resort, are abundant and never fail to amaze even the most seasoned underwater photographers. [2]
Visitor Information
To reach Lembeh, visitors usually fly directly to Manado, Indonesia (though flights are not daily), and then transfer over land and by boat to the resort. Tours to nearby islands such as Bunaken, Siladen, or Bangka, or slightly more distant destinations like Raja Ampat, are also possible. [2]
3. Dumaguete, Philippines
Known for exceptional macro photography subjects and catering to both diving enthusiasts and families, Dumaguete is a unique destination. The shallow, silty-bottomed dive sites are teeming with tiny nudibranchs and reef fish, while more seasoned photographers can explore Apo Island's vibrant coral reefs to capture larger marine life. For a truly unforgettable experience, venture to Cebu for a close encounter with whale sharks. [3]
Marine Biodiversity
Juxtaposing the macro diving sites along Dumaguete's coastline, Apo Island offers world-class coral reef diving, with giant schools of jacks, hundreds of photogenic turtles, sea snakes, walls, and reef fish. The combination of macro and wide-angle photography opportunities in Dumaguete is unparalleled. [3]
Accommodations
Dumaguete resorts stand out for their impeccable service, top-quality facilities, and luxurious ambiance. High-end accommodations like Atmosphere Resort, Atlantis Dumaguete Resort, and Salaya offer an unforgettable experience at a fraction of the cost found in other destinations. [3]
4. Sea of Cortez, Mexico
Primarily known for its thrilling encounters with large animals such as dolphins, whales, sharks, and orcas, the Sea of Cortez also offers a wealth of macro photography opportunities. Liveaboards in the Sea of Cortez grant divers access to the best of both worlds, with plenty of opportunities for wide-angle shots as well as close-ups of tiny creatures like nudibranchs, jawfish, snails, pike blennies, signal blennies, and various crabs and shrimps. [4]
Visitor Information
The Sea of Cortez is easily accessible for North American travelers, as most dive resorts are located in La Paz and can be reached via Manuel Mrquez de Len International Airport (LAP). [4]
5. Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Famous for its incredible marine biodiversity, Raja Ampat attracts scuba divers and snorkelers alike. Divers will encounter strong currents, striking underwater pinnacles perfect for wide-angle photography, and among the reefs, an abundance of macro life. [5]
Getting There
Visitors will fly into Jakarta International Airport (CGK) and typically spend a night in a nearby hotel before catching a 4-hour flight to Sorong (SOQ), where most liveaboards depart. [5]
Marine Life
While Raja Ampat is not always the first place that comes to mind when considering underwater macro photography, it certainly deserves a place on this list. Besides the larger marine life for which Raja Ampat is known, the area is home to a multitude of small critters such as different species of nudibranchs, jawfish, blennies, gobies, shrimps, and various crabs. [5]
6. Bali, Indonesia
Bali offers a delightful mix of diving experiences, catering to enthusiasts with interests in macro, wide-angle photography, and everything in between. Novel opportunities for macro photography can be found in the black sandy bottoms of the Northeast and the silty sites along the Northwestern coast. Expect to find an array of tiny creatures such as nudibranchs, dragonettes, bobbit worms, rhinopias, frogfish, ghost pipefish, shrimps, mimic octopus, and blue-ring octopus. [6]
Visitor Information
Getting to Bali couldn't be easier, with numerous flights from North America and Europe to Bali Denpasar International Airport (DPS). Dive resorts are plentiful, ranging from budget-friendly options to luxurious accommodations like Villa Markisa. [6]
In conclusion, these six destinations offer unparalleled opportunities for underwater macro photography enthusiasts. Whether you're just starting your journey or an experienced photographer, there's a place for everyone to capture extraordinary images and create lasting memories.
References
[1] http://www.bluewaterdivetravel.com/anilao-macro-diving-overview/[2] http://www.bluewaterdivetravel.com/lembeh-strait-dive-travel-guide/[3] http://www.bluewaterdivetravel.com/dumaguete-dive-travel-guide/[4] http://www.bluewaterdivetravel.com/sea-of-cortez-dive-travel-guide/[5] http://www.bluewaterdivetravel.com/raja-ampat-dive-travel-guide/[6] http://www.bluewaterdivetravel.com/bali-indonesia-dive-travel-guide/
- Anilao, in the Philippines, is a popular destination for underwater macro photography, attracting enthusiasts with its rich marine life and crystal-clear waters.
- Crystal Blue and Aiyanar are comfortable resorts in Anilao, offering excellent facilities at affordable prices, making it an affordable underwater photography hotspot.
- Travelers can reach Anilao by taking a 2.5 to 3-hour van ride from Manila Airport.
- Lembeh Strait, in Indonesia, is famous for its muck diving sites, housing a variety of small, extraordinary creatures such as rhinopias, hairy frogfish, wonderpus, mimic, blue-ring octopus, and more.
- Dumaguete, also in the Philippines, offers both macro and wide-angle photography opportunities, with macro diving sites teeming with tiny nudibranchs and reef fish, and Apo Island's vibrant coral reefs hosting larger marine life.
- The Sea of Cortez in Mexico offers both macro and wide-angle photography opportunities, with liveaboards granting access to diverse marine life, including nudibranchs, jawfish, snails, and more.
- Raja Ampat, in Indonesia, is known for its incredible marine biodiversity, hosting an abundance of macro life such as nudibranchs, jawfish, blennies, gobies, shrimps, and crabs.
- Bali, Indonesia, offers a mix of diving experiences with macro photography opportunities in the black sandy bottoms and silty sites along the coast, featuring tiny creatures like nudibranchs, dragonettes, bobbit worms, rhinopias, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and more.
- These six destinations provide remarkable opportunities for underwater macro photography enthusiasts, accommodating both beginners and experienced photographers, ensuring lasting memories and extraordinary images.
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