Diverse Travel guests Peter and Peps tell us in their own words about their experience on one of our exclusive Underwater Photography guided trips to incredible Indonesia… and why they’ve booked again for 2026!
If you’re wondering whether an Underwater Photography Trip to Northern Sulawesi to dive both Lembeh Strait and Bunaken is worth the expense, let me reassure you right now that it really is! This is a trip that will delight any diver and underwater photographer.
My wife Peps and I went on the Diverse Travel Underwater Photography trip to Bunaken National Marine Park and Lembeh in North Sulawesi hosted by Paul ‘Duxy’ Duxfield in 2024. It was so good that we have booked again for the next one in 2026. Over the years, we’ve been on many dive trips in good tropical locations (and in the UK too) mostly on liveaboard boats, which we have always loved. This time we were tempted to try diving from the boutique diving resorts of Lembeh Resort and Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort.
Both Lembeh Resort and Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort are diver and underwater photography focussed. Both resorts offer well-equipped photography rooms for set-up and management of your camera gear. The dive guide to guest ratio is also very high at both resorts. My wife and I were fortunate to have a guide to ourselves. This is important, particularly in Lembeh, where you are seeking out very tiny and often well disguised critters. The diving is very well managed in both resorts too, with comfortable well-appointed dive boats and the crew handling most of your gear for you.
The diving itself is splendid with a different focus at both Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Lembeh Resort. At Lembeh, it is mainly about muck diving and finding fascinating little critters that you don’t encounter elsewhere. In Bunaken, which is located on the west side of Sulawesi, you get mainly coral reef diving and a very large number of turtles. In both locations the dive sites are located quite close to the resorts. This means that there is minimal travel time to get to the dive – but enough to get yourself and your gear ready.
Aside from the diving, one of the great joys of both Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Lembeh Resort was the quality of the accommodation and the food, along with the very friendly and helpful service. After liveaboard life, having plenty of room in well-appointed accommodation in rustic bungalows was a real treat. There is plenty of cupboard space to store all the stuff that divers bring with them! Both resorts offer a mixture of splendid local and western cuisine. At Lembeh, the meals are mainly buffet service with plenty of choice, while at Bunaken, meals are served à la carte, ordering from the menu with friendly waiter service.
Going on a hosted trip such as this as a photographer, means that you also get the great benefit of diving with photo pro Paul ‘Duxy’ Duxfield. So after a day of taking photos underwater, you get to spend time with him reviewing your shots after diving. Duxy provides excellent photo coaching to improve your craft. Both Peps and I have learned a lot from those sessions.
So is the investment in the Diverse Travel Underwater Photography Trip to North Sulawesi, Indonesia worth it? Well we certainly think so. In fact, boutique dive resort life has spoilt us a bit for liveaboards. The 2024 trip was without a doubt one of the best diving holidays that we have ever had. And we are so looking forward to going again in 2026.
Peter Sampson and Peps Türler
Interested in joining an Underwater Photography Trip with Diverse Travel?
We are running another Underwater Photography Trip to North Sulawesi, Indonesia in July 2026. Once again, this exclusive to Diverse Travel special trip will be expert led and hosted by Paul ‘Duxy’ Duxfield. The trip includes twin centre stays at two truly wonderful boutique dive resorts: Lembeh Resort and Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort.
The itinerary has been specially designed to showcase the best in Indonesian diving. From the pristine coral gardens and famous vertical walls of Bunaken National Marine Park to the iconic and magical critter diving of the Lembeh Strait.
Strictly limited places available – don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!
Get in touch with us today or give us a call on 01473 852002 and chat to our Indonesia dive travel experts and let us design the holiday of a lifetime to North Sulawesi for you.
