Hey everyone,
A huge thank-you to all the Scubaboard members who helped me plan this trip — your tips were invaluable. I promised I’d share some photos and thoughts when I got back, so here we go.
1. Gear takeaway for anyone considering getting new gear just for this trip. If you buy one thing, make it the Backscatter MF-2 strobe with the OS-1 snoot.
This little thing is a game-changer — you can shoot close and far, big and small. I’d have missed maybe 10 great shots if I didn’t bring my second strobe, and sure, I’d have missed some blackwater opportunities without it… but honestly, the MF-2 handled those too. But I felt that I had a lot more keepers from snooting in the much than using normal strobes. Could be a limitation in my skills as well.
Downside: battery life is short — one active dive max, even if I switch it off between subjects. So bring spare batteries.
2. Shoutout to Divers Lodge Lembeh.
Although I didn’t end up staying with them, I was originally planning to dive with them and I still think they’re the best bang for your buck. More importantly, communication with Rob was absolutely flawless — quick, clear, and friendly.
3. My stay at NAD-Lembeh was really wonderful
In the end I chose NAD for one reason: they offered blackwater dives. They’re extremely professional — from the food to the rooms to the 2:1 guide ratio, I couldn’t fault anything. Yes, it’s a bit pricier than some other options, but worth every penny. I did splurge on a private guide, but you can absolutely enjoy without one with their 2:1 dive guide ratio.
It will take a while to go through the 10,000 images I came back with, here are about ten of them - about as many as I'm allowed. Happy to answer any questions.
A huge thank-you to all the Scubaboard members who helped me plan this trip — your tips were invaluable. I promised I’d share some photos and thoughts when I got back, so here we go.
1. Gear takeaway for anyone considering getting new gear just for this trip. If you buy one thing, make it the Backscatter MF-2 strobe with the OS-1 snoot.
This little thing is a game-changer — you can shoot close and far, big and small. I’d have missed maybe 10 great shots if I didn’t bring my second strobe, and sure, I’d have missed some blackwater opportunities without it… but honestly, the MF-2 handled those too. But I felt that I had a lot more keepers from snooting in the much than using normal strobes. Could be a limitation in my skills as well.
Downside: battery life is short — one active dive max, even if I switch it off between subjects. So bring spare batteries.
2. Shoutout to Divers Lodge Lembeh.
Although I didn’t end up staying with them, I was originally planning to dive with them and I still think they’re the best bang for your buck. More importantly, communication with Rob was absolutely flawless — quick, clear, and friendly.
3. My stay at NAD-Lembeh was really wonderful
In the end I chose NAD for one reason: they offered blackwater dives. They’re extremely professional — from the food to the rooms to the 2:1 guide ratio, I couldn’t fault anything. Yes, it’s a bit pricier than some other options, but worth every penny. I did splurge on a private guide, but you can absolutely enjoy without one with their 2:1 dive guide ratio.
It will take a while to go through the 10,000 images I came back with, here are about ten of them - about as many as I'm allowed. Happy to answer any questions.
