by Nirupam Nigam

Deep in the heart of Indonesia, some of the best diving in the world can be found in Southeast Sulawesi. The reefs of this region are renowned for their remarkable biodiversity and healthy corals. A diver can find anything from looming sea fans and schools of batfish to pygmy seahorses and sea snakes. Perhaps the most popular dive resort in the region is the famed Wakatobi Dive Resort.

Getting to the resort is no small feat. Upon arrival in Bali, divers must spend a night on the island and then fly two and a half hours to the island of Tomia. From there it is a short twenty minute boat ride to one of the most remote locations on the globe. However, all this travel is beyond worth it.

Maranggo Airstrip

Almost as famous as the diving, the service at Wakatobi is some of the best in the world. You literally do not have to lift a finger. The staff is happy to help with anything from setting up dive equipment to finding anemone fish under the jetty. And after you are done diving, three gourmet meals a day are served by some of the best chefs in Indonesia. The service is not a service for tip; it is a service of Karma – a philosophy that remains strong with Indonesians. At the end of the trip, you feel as though you have made quite a few friends.

Sunset

The reefs at Wakatobi are some of the only reefs in the world that are getting better every year. The resort works with local villages to create sustainable fish populations and sustainable reefs – a strategy that has been working wonders. In fact, the house reef has been rated one of the world’s best shore dives and the number one house reef in the world!

5-6ft Barracuda at the House Reef

Divers have the option to dive as many dives as they want at the house reef from 6am to 10 pm every day. The resort even offers a water taxi service to reach farther areas of the house reef. There are also has several “Waka-boats” that take divers to various areas of Wakatobi National Park to dive three times a day. These dives are guided by some of the most knowledgeable dive guides in Indonesia. If you are looking for a certain species of marine life, chances are that they will find it for you.

Pygmy Seahorse found by Dive Guide

Wakatobi’s reputation for housing many macro gems is well deserved. Underwater photographers will not be at a loss for subjects. In fact, there are often so many subjects that it is hard to pick one to photograph. The famed pygmy seahorse is common at Wakatobi as well as many species of shrimp, gobies, anemonefish, squat lobsters, nudibranchs, coral polyps, ribbon eels and much more! Although Wakatobi can be a little lacking in big fish (though they are observed from time to time), the reef fish of Wakatobi are so plentiful and colorful that the reefs appear almost unnatural.

Periclimenes sarasvati in an Anemone

Although it had not been brought into the spotlight, the wide angle opportunities for photographers at Wakatobi rival the macro opportunities. Soft and hard corals are diverse and abundant. Huge cabbage and table corals inhabit the shallows while towering seafans and sponges inhabit the deep. Colorful crinoids dot the reefscape and curious turtles travel the house reef. Some of the guides are even happy to model in your photos!

Wakatobi’s name comes from the combination of the names of five of the main islands in the region. Likewise the Wakatobi diving is a combination of many factors – from friendly service to healthy reefs to an eco-friendly philosophy. These factors have created a dive experience and a resort that is second to none.

Thank you Bluewater Photo for hosting the SoCal Shootout, in which I won the trip.

The post Wakatobi: The World’s Best Reefs first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.

Last year was a busy year for us with eight Southern California trips and the popular SoCal Shootout.  2013 is shaping up to be just as strong with ten local photo trips already on the books, including the 3rd annual SoCal Shootout set for Sept 13-15.

Here’s a look at how our local trip calendar is shaping up:

February 10th – Catalina Island (Little Farnsworth, Valiant wreck, Long Point) on the Pacific Star – $125.00. More details here

March 2nd – Macro trip to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands on the Peace Boat – $135.00. More details here

April 7th – Ship rock and Rock Quarry, Catalina Island on the Pacific Star  – $125.00. More details here

June 23rd  – Four dives on Santa Barbara island on the Pacific Star  – $159.00

July 28th – Four awesome dives at Anacapa on the Peace Boat – $135.00

July 27th – Aug 3rd – Meet in Phoenix for our Sea of Cortez big animal trip – $2,295. More details here

August 25th – Catalina trip seeking black sea bass on the Pac Star – $125.00. Many guests’ favorite trip!

September 13th-14th – SoCal 2day Shootout at Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz Islands on the Peace Boat – $359.00. More details here

October 20th –  Oil Rigs and Wrecks on the Pac Star – $125.00

November 17th – Farnsworth banks on the Pac Star – $149.00

December 15th – Catalina West End, Albertson’s, and Emerald bay on the Pac Star – $125.00

All trips are 3 dives except for the Santa Barbara trip (4 dives) and the 2-day trip (9-10 dives). Peace boat trips leave out of Ventura, Pacific Star trips leave out of San Pedro.

We’ll have trip pages up for these soon but if you just can’t wait, send me an email at travis@bluewaterphotostore.com.

The post Local Bluewater Photo Trips for 2013 first appeared on In Focus Underwater Photography Blog.