Amazing Creatures and Colors Underwater in the Komodo Islands

For an underwater photographer Komodo really is a great mix of wide angle and macro photography opportunities. I think we inspired some of our fellow divers on board to get interested in the small stuff, especially the nudibranchs. They were amazed at the range of colors and patterns displayed by these beautiful sea slugs.

The diversity of wildlife at Wainilu made us feel like we were back diving in the famous Lembeh Strait. The entire reef is so colorful and full of fish. The water is clear so the conditions are ripe for underwater photography, although still challenging. Heidi and I could have dove here several more times just for the sheer amount of interesting critters. Nelwan even called this spot the 'Little Lembeh' dive. But unlike Lembeh, here in Komodo you have the opportunity to do a dive like this, and then head right around the corner to go dive with giant manta rays.

Our first dive was a site called Pil'arsteen. We checked out the beautiful 3 sisters dive site next, where hunting blue fin trevallys scoured the reef. But it was our third site of the day that really blew us away. Under the waves lapping up against a small island was a muck divers dream. We found robust pipefish, ribbon eels, nudibranchs, relative of mandarinfish, and the ultimate find, thanks to Heidi's keen eyes, the cute, yet deadly blue-ringed octopus. This was a dive site called Wainilu, and would be another to add to your 'must dive' list while in Komodo.

Our diving platform was a recently built, wooden live-aboard boat called 'Amalia.' It was her maiden voyage and we were ready to head out with maximum diving and underwater photography in mind. There was room for 12 passengers, but only 6 signed up for this voyage so we had lots of rooom to stretch out. The crew took great care of us and Komodo provided the rest. I already can't wait to go back!

Check out some of my best photos from the dives here in Komodo Islands National Park.

*The Indian lionfish is native to these reefs, although with poisonous spines in their fins, divers do not want to accidentally bump into one of these. They are absolutely gorgeous for photography though. *

This reef scene is one of my favorites from our dives. It is a wide angle, cropped into a panorama of a vivid purple anemone with pink anemonefish hiding inside.

Komodo has everything for an underwater photographer. From tiny colorful nudibranchs, to megafauna like manta rays and this hawksbill sea turtle, and beautiful reefscapes as well.

Speaking of manta rays...

It is a hard decision whether to take the macro lens or the wide angle on these dives. Here is a shot from my Canon 100mm macro lens setup.

Now one from the wide angle.

A mantis shrimp can strike so fast it can break the glass of aquariums. I kept my camera at a safe distance.

More beautiful colors.

An aptly named flamboyant cuttlefish.

How cute is this little guy! He is a thorny cowfish.

I could spend the entire dive just photographing anemonefish in the shallows.

The incredible colors of a giant clam

Trying a vertical reefscape scene.

Diver and manta, at one in the ocean.

So.... many..... fish!

A very special and unique find, robust ghost pipefish.

And saving the best for last...Heidi spotted this gem at the very end of our dive in the shallow sea grass, it is the deadly blue ringed octopus.

You can check out the destination here on pinmapple.com
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Keep on diving!
-Dai Mar