WHERE TO GO: Critters, muck diving & macro photography

[Layla]

Hey Guys

I'm looking for my next trip to be around mid Sept or beginning of Nov 2012 for two weeks

I'd like to see many different types of critters and my primary aim is to photograph them, nothing professional, only to show the folks back home the wierd and wonderfully strange creatures that exist in the world's oceans

Places which jump to mind are Lembeh, Mabul, Ambon, Anilao

So, where is really the best place for me to see and photograph many different types of critter

I'm not fussed about standard of resort or other things to do
I'll be on my own, and only want to do as much diving as possible

Thanks .... L

 

[DevonDiver]

The places which jumped into your mind are probably the best starting...and finishing... points

 

[Layla]

Sorry, I don't know what that means
Are you saying I should go to all of them, I have been Googling around and found a few others sites claiming to be the best critter diving

 

[ocdiver1]

I'd put Mabul well below the other 3, and I don't think that's the best time of year for Anilao. Lembeh and Ambon are amazing in this respect and are close enough together that they can be combined in one trip. Assuming you come in or out of Indonesia via Bali there's also great muck diving there. Love muck diving and have been to all the places you've mentioned multiple times. If you'd like any more info plus input on where to stay, just ask on here or pm.

 

[Doc]

Wherever you decide, pick the dive operation that will give you the easiest access and daily access to night diving. Muck diving is very interesting, even in the daylight, but it is at night when the real critters come out to feed.

Many dive operations are located quite a distance from the better sites for night diving, some only have a limited offering of once-a-week. Many of the resorts in these areas are more attuned to divers from other countries, so the North American dive-dive-dive mentality will likely be something they will have to gear-up to provide versus their normal schedule.

The best mucking is easily found in harbors, and if not but for that reason alone, I always go with a local DM. In this part of the world, the minor cost is well worth the extra trained eyes.

In case other readers don't understand the allure of the muck, here are some images....

I really liked Philippines Batangas- overall it seemed quite the comparative bargain.

 

[CaradonnaWorldwideDive]

Lembeh is probably your easiest option for maximum critter diving... and there are a number of resort options that make 4-5 dives a day possible (from a land-based resort). I just returned from my 2nd trip there a couple of months ago and there's no place on Earth where photographing an amazing array of (weird) critters is as easy as it is here. I'd also highly recommend that you split your stay and dive both Lembeh and Bunaken Marine Park (or Gangga Island to the north) since you fly into Manado to dive all of these areas which are just a couple of hours apart (by land/boat transfer) so there's an opportunity to dive multiple dive regions in Indonesia on one trip. The diving in Bunaken and Gangga is not muck but reef and wall diving - but well worth experiencing if you can squeeze it in!

 

[chinacat46]

I'd say for the time of year you want to go Lembeh would be the best choice.

 

[JamieP]

I would add Dumaguete to that list! The muck diving there is fabulous and it is very affordable. We have been to the Philippines twice and have already booked another trip for next May. The Atlantis Dive Resorts at Dumaguete and Puerto Gallera are both wonderful. We have compared photographs with friends who spent twice as much to go to Lembeh and they had about 90% same critters as we did.

 

[instructorinasia]

Cardonna made a good suggestion in doing the Combo or Bunakne/Gangga/Bangka with Lembeh so you can enjoy a taste of everything! With your focus being critters and macro photography then definitely spend more time in Lembeh.

Do some research into all of the resort as they all have different offerings and you want to make sure that you needs meet with regards to the accommodation, photography set-up etc.

 

[pughio83]

For the time of the year I would agree with the consensus of lembeh with or without Ganga/bangka etc..diving is easy with so much critter variations its truely unbelievable. I had 6days diving there and it wasn't enough!! I would sack off bunaken unless you love wall diving as I found very little macro of interest to shoot. Saying that the corals and fishlife variation is good there. Lembeh is another level, there aren't many places that have 5 types of Pygmy seahorse on offer!!