Mostly Macro in the Banda Sea

Banda Sea, Indonesia, — September/October 2025

The Banda Sea is home to some of the world’s most beautiful, pristine coral gardens and walls—a true paradise for wide-angle shooters. However, on this trip aboard the wonderful Samambaia, I (as usual) focused mostly on the smaller, hidden creatures tucked away within the reefs.

added 11/5/2025

Manuk & Gunung Api, Snake Islands of the Banda Sea

Banda Sea, Indonesia, — September/October 2025

During our Banda Sea trip, we stopped at two remote volcanic islands that are home to large populations of sea kraits—a type of sea snake. Though highly venomous, they’re also incredibly curious, often swimming right up to check us out. It made for some thrilling and memorable dives!

added 11/5/2025

Banda Sea Blackwater

Banda Sea, Indonesia, — September/October 2025

We were able to do a bunch of blackwater dives on this trip, sometimes over very deep water. As usual, we were treated to an amazing array of bizarre and beautiful creatures. The highlight for me this trip was a type of juvenile glass squid with eyes carried sideways on long stalks.

added 11/5/2025

Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez on the Rocio Del Mar

Northern Sea of Cortez, Mexico — August 2025

Back for our 6th trip to the Sea of Cortez on the always fun Rocio Del Mar. This region offers a unique underwater cast of characters for macro lovers, including a variety of jawfish, blennies, gobies and clingfish, all packing big personalities into their fishy little bodies. And if you get tired of the little guys, there are plenty of playful sea lions around, as well as a day snorkeling with whale sharks.

added 9/5/2025

Shuttlecock Spindle Cowrie Feeds

Anilao, Philippines — 2018-2022

Shuttlecock spindle cowries are large false cowries that feed on soft corals, and they end up having some interesting interactions with the critters that make those soft corals their homes. 

added 8/4/2025

Copepods

Indonesia and Philippines — 2014-2022

Copepods live pretty much anywhere there is water and may be the most abundant single species of animal on earth. We see quite a variety while diving, some of which are free-living but many of which are icky parasites. 

added 7/25/2025

Tube-Building Amphipods

Anilao, Philippines — 2019-2024

Every time I dive Secret Bay in Anilao, I can’t resist spending some time in the shallows shooting these busy little tube building bugs. 

added 7/21/2025

Anilao Spawning Event

Anilao, Philippines — 2019

One night in Anilao, I was lucky enough to witness a spawning event, and was able to capture video of an anemone, a coral head and a sea star spawning. 

added 7/18/2025

Bumblebee Shrimps Feed on Sea Cucumbers

Ambon and Lembata, Indonesia — 2015-2022

Bumblebee shrimp feed on the fleshy parts of echinoderms, like the tube feet of both sea stars and urchins. They also eat sea cucumber skin, and it’s amazing to watch how all their mouthparts work together to remove a chunk of skin and transfer it to their mouth. 

added 7/4/2025

Misool to Triton Bay on the Wellenreng

Raja Ampat & Triton Bay, West Papua, Indonesia — May/June 2025

On a 4-week trip aboard the boutique liveaboard Wellenreng, we traveled from Misool in southern Raja Ampat all the way to Triton Bay. Despite some murky water, we enjoyed amazing reefs covered in colorful soft corals and enough macro to keep the critter lovers happy. Topside scenery was equally breathtaking, with untouched white sand beaches, tranquil lagoons dotted with islets, and a dramatic waterfall cascading directly into the sea.

added 7/1/2025