North Sulawesi is an ideal destination for those snorkelers who really want to improve their underwater photography skills, whether you have only just started using an underwater camera or are looking to hone your techniques.
On this snorkeling safari we’ll be visiting a number of different regions of North Sulawesi, snorkeling in a variety of different marine habitats. The 3 locations are Bunaken Marine Park, Bangka Island, and the Lembeh Straits. We’ll also have time to see the region topside with a land tour to Tangkoko National Park.
Situated right in the middle of the Coral Triangle, snorkeling around northern Sulawesi offers unparalleled opportunities to explore healthy vibrant reefs, rocky outcrops, sandy slopes, and deep drop-offs. You can expect to see plenty of turtles, rays, schooling fish, and sea snakes around Siladen, and all the weird and wonderful critters, octopuses, and nudibranchs that Lembeh is known for. Also included are two full-day trips to the Bangka Island region which offers beautiful sloping fringe reefs.
Alex Lindbloom
, who is a Snorkel Venture guide and an award-winning underwater photographer and videographer, and Field Editor for the popular online underwater photography magazine-Dive Photo Guide, will be guiding this tour. Alex will host regular workshops and in-water practical sessions with the aim of improving your ability to capture the beauty of the underwater world for the duration of this tour.
Our host resorts for this tour will include Siladen Resort and Spa in Bunaken Marine Park, and Lembeh Resort on Lembeh island. Both resorts are award-winning and are very well suited for photography workshops, with their spacious camera rooms and media centers.
Is this Tour Right for Me?
This trip is designed for snorkelers looking to improve their photography skills, no matter how experienced you may be or what type of camera you may have.
There will be daily discussions about the principles of underwater photography as well as plenty of time for one-on-one critiques and tutorials.
As with all of our group safari’s, this tour is fully guided by a Snorkel Venture guide who will assist with everything from start to finish.
Marine Life Guide
This tour is partnered with The reef-World Foundation. Find out how we support The Reef-World Foundation via this tour here.
Day 1 - Arrive at Siladen Resort
Upon arrival into Manado International Airport (MDC), please collect your luggage and make your way through to the arrivals hall and outside, where a member of the Siladen Resort staff will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to the resort, which will take about an hour.
Upon arrival at the resort you will check-in, meet your tour guide, and have a resort orientation. You can relax for the afternoon (the resort has a gorgeous pool, beach, spa, etc) and then meet the whole group for dinner.
Day 2 - 7 - Snorkeling from Siladen Resort
After a delicious buffet breakfast, you will make your way to the dive center where you will have a briefing- on the site you will visit, and on any photography notes that are relevant for that session- before heading onto the large boats and to the site. The sites are all within 5- 25 minutes of the resort. Each snorkel session will last from 60 – 90 minutes. You will return back to the resort for a buffet lunch, to recharge your cameras, download some images etc before heading out for another snorkel session.
Chef prepared dinners are served on the beach under the stars, weather permitting, and include several courses served buffet style. All dietary requirements can be catered for, with some notice.
The bar and restaurant serve a variety or mocktails and juices, cocktails, wines and beers for your own account.
The house reef is a wonderful place for exploring, and practicing your photography skills, with beautiful corals and loads of lively subject matter. It is available at your leisure.
The evenings will be spent identifying fish, critiquing your photos, and attending presentations (optional) about various photography subjects like lighting, how to get the right angle for the subject matter, post production editing etc.One morning will be spent out on the boat looking for the resident super-pod of dolphins often accompanied by melon-head whales.
Day 8 - Transfer to Lembeh Resort
Day 9 - 12 - Snorkeling from Lembeh Resort
Day 13 - Transfer to Manado Airport
Siladen Resort
We will spend the first part of the tour at a wonderfully secluded resort on a small island in the heart of Bunaken National Park, Siladen Resort.
Siladen Resort and Spa is set around a beach-side pool, with bungalows dotted around the manicured garden, each with ensuite facilities, air conditioning and private patio. The resort faces west towards Manado Tua, and we will be treated to gorgeous sunset views.
Meals include a variety of local and international fare prepared by professional chefs. Meals are served at a beachfront restaurant, tables are available under the rooftop or outside under the trees. The beach bar serves a variety of beverages and is a wonderful place to meet before dinner for a drink after a long day of snorkeling. The full-service spa offers a wide variety of treatments by experienced therapists.
Siladen is very well equipped for photographers with a specially designated camera room with secure camera charging and cleaning stations for each person to store and set up their gear.
Lembeh Resort
Lembeh Resort is nestled away in a private cove backed by a lush tropical jungle where exotic flora and fauna thrive. The luxurious cottages are set along the the hillside with stunning views of the tropical forest and sea and are fully equipped with all the western comforts and more. The meals are exquisite here, always freshly prepared using local ingredients, and are served in the large dining room overlooking the resort grounds and large pool.
Lembeh Resort is also very well equipped for photographers with a specially designated camera room with secure camera stations for each person to store and set up their gear, as well as a camera service center on the off chance that something needs to be repaired.
Siladen and Lembeh Resort’s Secure Camera Rooms
On this page you will find our Tour Dates & Pricing (see below contact form), a Booking Form and Details of Payment schedule including deposit and final balance. If you have any further questions please complete the form and we will reply within 24-48hrs.
Make an enquiry
Tour Dates
TBD
How to book your place?
Initial deposit to secure your booking $800 per person
6 Months before departure interim payment of $1000 per person
Balance due 3 months before departure
Group Size: 12 Persons Maximum + Tour Leader
Includes:
Group transfers throughout
13 nights accommodation in Garden View accommodation and full board (all meals)
Services of Snorkel Venture underwater photography instructor and guide throughout
Marine Park fees throughout
Half day excursion to Tangkoko National Park, including entrance fees and English speaking naturalist guide
26 x Snorkel sessions by boat, with in water guides and photography instructor.
Dolphin watching trip
Excludes:
International flights & visas (booking available on request)
Snorkeling equipment rental
Gratuities
Travel and health insurance
Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, laundry and general sundries
Spa services
