Southeast Asia

Bali’s Tulamben: A Macro Photographer’s Playground

Shuan the Sheep nudibranch photo by Kate Jonker
Yellow and blue “Shaun the Sheep” nudibranch, Costasiella sp. Gear: Canon R5, Canon 100mm macro lens, +15 diopter, Marelux MX-R5 housing, two Supe D-Pro strobes. Settings: f/9, 1/160, ISO 320.

With a wealth of macro subjects to choose from, the Indonesian island of Bali is a macro photographer’s dream. Underwater photography instructor Kate Jonker takes us to the quaint fishing village of Tulamben on Bali’s northeastern coast and shares her insights and tips for making the most of your trip.

Timor-Leste: Pristine Reefs, White Sandy Beaches & Ancient Caves

Huge red gorgonian sea fan at the Dili Rock West dive site in Timor-Leste. Photo by Pierre Constant.

The Southeast Asian nation of Timor-Leste, known in the local Tetum language as Timór Lorosa’e (“where the sun rises”), comprises the eastern part of the island of Timor. Pierre Constant tells of his journey to explore its beautiful reefs and mysterious caves.

Ten-year-old Muhammad Afkar Daniel, a right-hand amputee, completed the PADI Junior Open Water Diver course in Tioman Island, Malaysia. (Photo by Martin Ritter, B&J Dive Centre / via Diveheart Malaysia/Kids Scuba press release)

Malaysia Hosts Two Diveheart/PADI Adaptive Diving Events in Accessible Tourism Initiative

The event welcomed ten hearing-impaired students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Besut, Terengganu, many of whom had never set foot on a boat or an island, despite living near the coast of Besut. The students, accompanied by their teachers, explored the wonders of the underwater world in Terengganu through snorkeling and scuba diving, where they experienced the sensation of weightlessness. Dr Tengku Farah Kamilia, a lecturer in environmental and marine pollution at UMT, conducted a sharing session with the participants, highlighting the importance of marine conservation.

Banda Sea & Forgotten Islands

Oval butterflyfish and chromis on reef, Forgotten Islands, Indonesia

Far away from the stress of everyday life and modern civilisation lies a paradise in the middle of the Coral Triangle, where time has stood still. Claudia Weber-Gebert tells of her adventure to Indonesia’s Banda Sea and the Forgotten Islands.

Indonesia’s West Timor: Exploring the Unknown

Three false clown anemonefish in a large carpet anemone at Timor Island

Part of Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, West Timor, also known as Timor Barat, is home to beautiful reefs, diverse marine life and even an underwater bubbling vent within recreational diving depths. Matthew Meier tells us about an exploratory dive trip there on a liveaboard.

Fluoroscent Photography Underwater

On a night dive in the Philippines several years ago, I had an opportunity to do a "fluoro" night dive. Atlantis Dive Resort rented blue underwater flashlights and yellow filter shields that went over divers' masks. Geared up, I set off into the night. The blue light was very dim and the dive was much darker than a normal night dive.

Ricard Buxo: Pioneer of Diving in Raja Ampat

Undeniably one of the world’s extraordinary destinations, Raja Ampat blends breath-taking, above-water landscapes with a staggering abundance of marine biodiversity, into a remarkable combination that draws divers from all corners of the globe. Don Silcock writes about one of the pioneers of diving in this region, Ricard Buxo.