Lembeh Strait Photo Workshop 2025

We recently finished our 12th Annual NAD Lembeh Strait Photo Workshop 2025 and what an event it was! We were joined by an excited group of people from Australia, the USA, and Canada, some of who were new along with a lot of familiar faces. One of the most enjoyable parts of our time in Lembeh is catching up with folks who continue to join us year after year. Its not all about photography when on location, the fun conversations on the boats and at meals are all apart of the larger experience.

Lembeh Strait Photo Workshop 2025 Pre-Week

The trip started out with a few days on location before the workshop started in order for everyone to get acclimatized and make sure all gear is working. It also allows everyone to see what critters are being found on which dive sites in order to formulate photography plans. It also gave everyone a chance to meet old friends and new and catch up before the presentations began.

Once everyone had arrived the workshop started with our regular introduction presentation and a “Critters of Lembeh” slideshow by resident Photo Pro Sam Robertshaw. After everyone was introduced to the amazing critters we were hoping to see, the NAD team wowed us with a wonderful BBQ dinner.

Lembeh Strait Photo Workshop 2025

Once the workshop started our schedule was as follows: hot breakfast before departure on the boats for two dives. Back to the resort for lunch followed by a presentation in the camera room after. The third dive departed at 1430 and we would then meet for a presentation at 1700 before commencing “office hours” from 1730 to 1900. For those wondering what office hours are: its the time when everyone can individually meet with the hosts for questions about photography, image review or post processing help.

1900 was always the time for dinner unless individual guests headed out on a Blackwater dive. Of course the restaurant staff serve the divers when they get back after diving is done. There are no presentations after dinner as most people are ready for bed after a long day of diving. However, for those asking a few questions there is always time for that after dinner.

Incredible Weather

Conditions throughout our time in Lembeh was fantastic. We had a couple of days of wind but on the most part the sun was out and the temperature was perfect. Not only were was the weather good, the sea conditions were as well. The northern end of the strait had better visibility than we remember in recent years and the critters were loving it. The critters started hot on the first day and just continued throughout the week.

On day one, even before the workshop started, we had a blue ring octopus with eggs. And that was only the start of an incredible week of animal encounters. The blue rings kept coming throughout the week, not a day went by without at least one boat photographing one. If the blue rings weren’t enough, mimic, reef, wonderpus and algae octopus were common sightings. The black water divers also had larval stage long armed and mimic octopi.

What Did We Photograph?

Not to be outdone by the cephalopods, the cryptic fish were also out in full force. One of the most sought after subject were lemon gobies in a bottle and these were easy to find. Of course the hairy frogfish was another requested critter and TK was the place for this cute and cuddly critter. With the great weather we also took the opportunity to head further north in the strait to sites such as Angel Windows and California Dreaming. These “reef” sites offered the opportunities to photograph denise and pontoon pygmy seahorses as well.

Raj Black Water

With three photo coaches on hand, everyone had a chance to work one to one with them underwater. There was also plenty of one to one time during the “office hours” for everyone to ask questions and receive feedback on their techniques. As the coaches don’t take their cameras while diving, it allows plenty of time underwater for them to work with everyone. Each coach spends two days with different groups so all students get two days with each coach. Our participants very much enjoy this and it gives great talking points for “office hour” sessions in the evenings. Topics for the week included basic settings, composition, super macro, snooting, basic video, and plenty of Lightroom workflow.

Tammy Goby

The Resort

NAD Lembeh Resort continues to up their game each time we return. The boats are continuously upgraded, the restaurant and food are top notch, and the rooms receive upgrades every year.  This year saw the addition of a new giant TV in the camera room. This new TV was the perfect addition for presentations to make them more effective.

At the end of the week the restaurant team put on another wonderful BBQ dinner for us before we watched the final slideshow of the week. The slideshow was a great presentation of everyone’s favourite images as well as plenty of social images. The quality of images submitted by everyone improves every year and this year was no exception. The slideshow was possibly the best yet and everyone agrees! Please have a look at a sample of everyone’s images below. We would like to thank everyone for joining us this year and we look forward to 2026!

Lembeh Strait Photo Workshop 2026

If you are interested in joining us in 2026, we will officially launch the web page soon. The dates will be 24 July to 1 August 2026 along with the popular pre and post week additions. Stay tuned for the official web page to be launched soon with pricing options. If you would like to see the images from 2024 you can find them in our 2024 Trip Report.