Sunfish Safari to Bali with Steve Jones
In October 2015 renowned British underwater photographer and X-Ray magazine contributor, Steve Jones, will be leading an east coast safari in Bali that will explore all of these sites and culminate with several spectacular encounters with Mola Mola or Sunfish, the largest bony fish in the ocean.
Steve Jones is an underwater photographer, journalist and expedition leader based in the UK. An instructor since the age of 21, Steve spent most of the 90’s working as a professional dive guide, spending thousands of hours underwater in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Caribbean, Mediterranean and North Atlantic.
During this time his knowledge of the underwater world and how to photograph it increased exponentially. Specializing in guiding underwater photographers and having worked with some of the best in the business, it was not long before publishers recognized Steve’s own talents with a camera, and since 1996 his own award-winning work has been extensively published in over 25 countries. As a contributor to X-Ray magazine and Field Editor with the Ocean Geographic Society, Steve has operated worldwide including remote areas of the Pacific to the Polar regions.
When leading trips Steve’s priorities are safety, fun and ensuring his group gets the best possible opportunities with the subjects and being a true all-rounder, Steve has a wealth of knowledge of all the photographic disciplines that dominate natural history photography, never tiring of sharing it. A passionate conservationist, Steve is also a member of the Ocean Artists Society, a group of filmmakers, artists and photographers that share the common goal of using art to inspire a greater awareness of the need to preserve the natural world.
Bali, Indonesia’s Island of the Gods, is celebrated for its ethereal beauty, rich Hindu culture, diverse cuisine and friendly people. Each year, Bali’s laid back atmosphere lures thousands of tourists from around the globe who visit to climb one of the island’s ancient volcanoes, wander around spectacular terraced rice fields, watch a traditional Ramayana Ballet, shop, explore or simply relax in one of the island’s many amazing resorts.
The sheer spectacular nature of Bali doesn’t end at the high tide mark. From the spectrum of macro critters and seashells at Seraya Secrets, to the intact wreck of the USAT Liberty in Tulamben and the feeding Manta Rays at the aptly named Manta Ray point near Candidasa, the broad variety of sites on Bali’s east coast is enough to leave any diver enthralled.
In October 2015 renowned British underwater photographer and X-Ray magazine contributor, Steve Jones, will be leading an east coast safari in Bali that will explore all of these sites and culminate with several spectacular encounters with Mola Mola or Sunfish, the largest bony fish in the ocean. Most active around the full moon, Sunfish are regularly seen in the waters around Nusa Penida, near to Candidasa between the months of July to November. Measuring up to 14 feet wide and weighing up to 2 tonnes, being in the water with a Sunfish is a once in a lifetime experience.
Timed around the full moon, the trip begins in Denpasar on 20 October and ventures north to Tulamben where you will dive the Liberty and explore many of the area’s great critter diving sites over six nights. You will then venture south to spend three days diving the key sites of Nusa Penida in search of Sunfish.
What you will learn
Given the wide variety of scenarios you will be presented with diving this region of Bali, Steve will be able to show you the best techniques suitable for each, such as:
• Close up and Macro techniques including wide angle macro
• Wrecks and working with models
• Big animals and the fieldcraft necessary to get great images
Steve will cover lighting, composition and equipment considerations for each discipline and also cover the post processing techniques necessary to make your images pop.
Outline itinerary
Tuesday 20 October 2015 – Meet in Denpasar Airport and transfer to Tulamben on the north east coast of Bali. Based in Mimpi Resort, you will spend six nights and eighteen dives exploring the delights of Tulamben over a number of workshops.
Monday 26 October – The group will travel south to Candidasa for three nights and eight dives around the Sunfish and Manta Ray sites of Nusa Penida.
Friday 30 October – Departure for Denpasar.
Holiday combinations, stopovers and additional arrangements
This workshop is timed extremely well with the peak diving seasons in other regions of Indonesia. Talk to us about extending your trip on to mainland Bali, muck diving in Ambon or Manado or exploring Raja Ampat in addition to the Sunfish Safari.
Provisional Price
Price: £1854/US$2815/€2358
Single Room Supplement
Price: £165/US$250/€210
Deposit: £200/US$300/€250
Includes:
• 6 nights accommodation in a Patio Room at Mimpi Resort Tulamben
• 4 nights accommodation in a Deluxe Garden View Room at Puri Bagus Resort Candidasa
• Continental breakfast daily
• Lunch and unlimited bottled water on diving days
• Return airport transfers and transfer between Tulamben and Candidasa
• Dive equipment that includes mask/snorkel/fins/booties/tanks/weight belts
• Local medical insurance
• Services of a local divemaster/guide
• Free use of beach towels
• All local taxes
• Up to 26 dives on air
• Services of Steve Jones as leader
Not included in the price:
• Evening meals and beverages
• Lunch on non-diving days
Rental dive equipment if required.
Phone: +44 1254 826322 Email: divers@divequest-diving-holidays.co.uk