Macro diving -- the art of finding and observing tiny marine creatures -- is one of Bali's greatest diving strengths. The island's volcanic black sand environments support an incredible diversity of small life that rivals the Lembeh Strait in Sulawesi.
Star macro subjects in Bali: pygmy seahorses (multiple species on sea fans), nudibranchs (hundreds of species in every color), frogfish (painted, giant, hairy, and warty varieties), ghost pipefish (ornate, robust, and halimeda), blue-ring octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, and mimic octopus.
Best macro sites: Tulamben Coral Garden and Seraya Secrets (black sand slopes teeming with critters), Amed (reef macro and muck diving), Secret Bay Pemuteran (world-class muck diving), Padang Bai The Jetty (artificial substrate macro), Sanur reef (seahorses and pipefish).
For macro diving, a good guide makes all the difference. Our dive masters have trained eyes that spot creatures most divers walk right past. They use pointers to indicate subjects without touching them, and they know where regular residents hang out.
Photography setup for macro: 60mm or 100mm macro lens, dual strobes, focus light, and patience. Bali's calm conditions at most macro sites make it easy to get close and shoot slowly.
Macro diving is available to divers of all levels -- many of the best critters live in shallow water (3-15 meters). It is also an excellent option for repeated dives at the same site, as you discover new species every time.