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A brightly colored clownfish nestles safely within the stinging tentacles of its host anemone, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5 Fisheye at 15mm, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/20, 1/125s, ISO 800)
 

For much of my life, the sea has been both my profession and my greatest passion. I began diving at 16, and within a few years became a PADI instructor. Since then, my work has taken me from the Mediterranean to the Maldives, the Caribbean, Pacific, Arctic and Antarctic, always with a camera close at hand.

In 1991, I founded a small dive tour operator, beginning a journey of searching for new underwater destinations. Over more than 8,000 dives, I have photographed marine life in almost every environment imaginable and built an archive of more than 130,000 images. I have also published two photography books (Ocean Life in 2016 and Sharks Secrets in 2020) and worked as director of photography on various documentaries.

Today, I lead Photography Expeditions with the same enthusiasm and passion as on day one, always on the lookout for new destinations where I can bring photographers and give them not simply beautiful diving, but the right conditions to learn, experiment and produce exceptional images.

That was what led me to spend 12 amazing days in North Sulawesi diving Bunaken National Marine Park with Siladen Resort and nearby Bangka Island with sister property Coral Eye.
 

Sponges adorned with feather stars on a vibrant reef, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5 Fisheye at 15mm, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/14, 1/160s, ISO 800)
 

A green turtle sleepily surveys the reef from a rocky ledge, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5 Fisheye at 15mm, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/16, 1/160s, ISO 800)

Two Resorts, Two Extraordinary Underwater Worlds

Siladen sits in the heart of Bunaken National Marine Park, surrounded by some of Indonesia’s most spectacular corals. The diving offers an exceptional combination of wide-angle and macro opportunities: dramatic walls, abundant turtles and pelagic life, and countless small subjects. More than 50 dive sites are within reach, while blackwater and bonfire dives open an entirely different world after dark.

For photographers, the facilities are equally important. Siladen has an experienced dive team, small groups, a dedicated camera room, and a setup that allow photographers to concentrate on their work rather than logistics. The resort itself adds another dimension: beautiful villas, a long white-sand beach, excellent food, and a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere.

Coral Eye, on Bangka Island, is different—and that is precisely its strength. Set between jungle and a stunning white-sand beach, it combines comfort with a genuine spirit of exploration. Its waters offer colorful coral slopes, volcanic pinnacles, black-sand habitats, and incredible macro opportunities. The dive center provides a dedicated camera room and rinse facilities, and promises small groups of no more than four divers per guide.

What impressed me most at both resorts was the attention to detail. The staff are friendly, discreet and extraordinarily attentive, while the dive teams understand what underwater photographers truly need. Siladen and Coral Eye are not simply beautiful resorts; they are outstanding bases for underwater photography—and exactly the kind of places I want to share with my guests.
 

A vibrant gorgonian sea fan hangs out with a pretty feather star, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5 Fisheye at 15mm, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/18, 1/100s, ISO 800)
 

A diver spots a crinoid balanced on a marine sponge, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5 Fisheye at 15mm, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/16, 1/250s, ISO 800)
 

A tiny translucent hydrozoan cruises by during a blackwater dive, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 50mm f/2.8 Macro, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/22, 1/250s, ISO 800)
 

A pelagic sea slug drifts in the water column, captured while blackwater diving off Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 50mm f/2.8 Macro, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/20, 1/250s, ISO 1000)
 

Perched atop a large, hollow barrel sponge, a sea turtle seems to show who’s boss, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5 Fisheye at 15mm, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/18, 1/160s, ISO 800)
 

Children help their father catch fish from a rocky outcrop, Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5 Fisheye at 15mm, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/16, 1/250s, ISO 800)
 

A huge school of chevron barracuda flying over a healthy reef of soft corals and encrusting sponges, captured on an excursion to Biaro Island, about 25 miles northeast of Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5 Fisheye at 15mm, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/16, 1/250s, ISO 800)
 

Nicely camouflaged, a tiny seahorse clings to a stalk of seagrass, Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 Macro, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/22, 1/200s, ISO 800)
 

A weedy scorpionfish striking a frightening pose, captured during a Lembeh Strait excursion from Coral Eye (Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 Macro, SEACAM housing, SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobe, f/22, 1/200s, ISO 800)
 

A green weed shrimp blends in with the seagrass off Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 Macro, SEACAM housing, SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobe, f/22, 1/200s, ISO 800)
 

A spotted garden eel pops out of its sandy burrow, Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 Macro, SEACAM housing, SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobe, f/6.3, 1/200s, ISO 800)
 

A coconut octopus isn’t hiding from anyone in this tiny shell, Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 Macro, SEACAM housing, SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobe, f/22, 1/200s, ISO 800)
 

A pink skunk clownfish proudly shows off its magnificent anemone home, Bangka Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Nikon Z9, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5 Fisheye at 15mm, SEACAM housing, dual SEACAM Seaflash 160D strobes, f/16, 1/200s, ISO 800)
 

If you’re interested in learning from Sergio Riccardo at Siladen Resort and/or Coral Eye, Photography Expeditions has two workshops planned: May 13th–18th, 2028 (Coral Eye) and May 18th–23th, 2028 (Siladen Resort). For more information, please email info@photographyexpeditions.net.