Join the expert-led Capturing Critters itinerary with underwater photographers Saeed Rashid and Alex Tattersall. Journey through the vibrant waters of Lembeh Strait and Bangka archipelago with like-minded travellers honing their skills.
The Capturing Critters workshop is returning to Lembeh Resort in 2026 with underwater photography pros Saeed Rashid and Alex Tattersall. This time, the itinerary has the bonus of visiting the diverse waters of Bangka Archipelago. Starting with five nights at the tranquil Murex Bangka, the group then makes their way for a further six nights at the luxurious Lembeh Resort. Uniquely, travel between these two locations is by boat, including two exploratory dives en-route to add to this adventure.
Highlights of Bangka Archipelago include gentle slopes and towering pinnacles covered in soft corals, white-tip reef sharks, turtles and passing spotted eagle rays. The Lembeh Strait is where Capturing Critters comes into its own; black volcanic sands hide a plethora of weird and wonderful marine life. Divers should keep an eye out for rhinopias, scorpionfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, blue-ring octopus, Banggai cardinal fish, and hairy frogfish.
A total of 24 dives are available across the two resorts, complemented by unlimited, unguided house reef diving throughout the itinerary. Underwater photography workshops, advice, and guidance is provided by Saeed Rashid and Alex Tattersall is also readily available.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart the UK
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Day 2:
Arrive in Manado & transfer to Murex Bangka
On arrival into Manado, the group is met and transferred to Murex Bangka for five nights. This evening is spent getting to know each other, and Saeed and Alex are on hand to discuss camera set up options for the following day's diving.
Murex Bangka is around 60 minutes by car and then 20 minutes by boat from Manado International Airport, with immediate access to Bangka Archipelago. The group have the option of either staying in a spacious Deluxe Cottage, surrounded by lush gardens, or upgrading to a Premium Ocean Front Cottage on the water's edge.
Meals are served in the open-air restaurant or beach. The dedicated camera room will become familiar throughout the stay, with individual workstations and classroom.
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Days 3-6
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Dive Bangka Archipelago
Today your package of 24 dives begins - these are shared across the resorts alongside unlimited, unguided house reef diving.
Bangka Archipelago’s dive sites start just minutes away from the resort, where options for wide angle and macro are available. Soft corals adorn sea pinnacles, shapely sponges hold sleeping turtles, and reef sharks pass in the blue. The gentle sloping house reef has beautiful bommies with pygmy seahorse, ribbon eels, and frog fish.
During the itinerary, Saeed Rashid and Alex Tattersall are on hand to help each photographer develop their required skills, and evenings workshops with photo sharing are conducted.
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Day 7:
Dive on your journey to Lembeh Resort
Today, no time is wasted as you travel to the Lembeh Strait via boat, diving along the way. This gives the exciting opportunity to explore less visited dive sites as the group head around the most northern tip of Sulawesi.
Upon arrival, the group checks in for six nights at the luxurious Lembeh Resort. This resort is nestled upon a hillside, in a private cove of Lembeh Island, with panoramic views over the Strait.
The group have the option of staying in a Premium Luxury Cottage with semi open-air en suite and sea views, or to upgrade to a Cliffside Villa with private infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Meals are served at the onsite restaurant, where locally-sourced ingredients are prioritised.
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Days 8-12
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Dive the Lembeh Strait
Continue your 24 diving package today as the group continue Capturing Critters in this muck haven, and unlimited, unguided house reef diving continues to be complimentary.
The Lembeh Resort’s house reef features areas of sand, seagrass and coral bommies with ribbon eels, gobies and batfish, to name a few. Dive sites nearby host an abundance of rare and unusual marine life hidden in the black volcanic sand, including 12 species of octopus, countless nudibranch and a variety of frogfish.
The state-of-the-art camera room is a popular place with plenty of space for all. Workshops and guidance continue to be available as the macro lenses appear. The onsite Backscatter-authorised photo-centre can also be utilised.
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Day 13:
Depart Indonesia
Your Indonesian adventure comes to an end today, and after saying goodbye, you're transferred back to the airport by road.
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Day 14:
Arrive in the UK
