Raja Ampat SEACAM Center

Led by SEACAM Ambassador, Don Silcock

FREE OF CHARGE for this year only

Workshop 1: July 20-26, 2025

Workshop 2: August 10-16, 2025

Don Silcock at Sorido Bay Resort

On-site personalized

underwater photography guidance

July 6 - August 19, 2025

Send an email to info@papua-diving.com to secure your spot

Our Partnership

First SEACAM Center in the World

SEACAM is partnering with Sorido Bay Resort to bring customers to new shores by establishing the world's first SEACAM center. Stay at our PADI 5-Star Sorido Bay Resort and dive the richest reefs in the world—a true underwater photographer’s paradise.

Gain access to the latest SEACAM equipment and attend annual workshops led by SEACAM pros. The dedicated workshop curriculum has had direct input from world-renowned SEACAM Ambassadors to make the most out of your equipment. Topics cover macro and wide-angle photography, as well as digital darkroom techniques that transform your “good” images into “great” ones.

For a more personalized experience, SEACAM Ambassadors will be available on-site for a few select weeks throughout the year at Papua Diving Resorts. During this time, take advantage of underwater photography guidance according to your needs and equipment.

Combining the perfect balance between state-of-the-art camera equipment and the best underwater scenery, the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center provides an opportunity to explore the world’s richest reefs with state-of-the-art accommodation and camera equipment.

Image by Anita Verde & Peter Marshall Summits to Seas - Seacam - Anita Verde 2

sentani beach view at Kri Eco Resort, Papua Diving Resorts

SEACAM Center

Located at Sorido Bay Resort

Located at Sorido Bay Resort, the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center (RASC) is accessible to guests staying at Papua Diving Resorts to gain insight on the latest SEACAM equipment and accessories. Guests with underwater photography experience can get the chance to try them out for a dive, on a limited basis.

GoPro 12 and OM System TG7 cameras are also available in the camera room. Additionally, our dive guides and staff are available to assist and advise you on all things underwater photography for the duration of your stay.

Discover untouched coral reefs and life as you’ve never seen it before, and bring back unforgettable images from breathtaking ecosystems.

Test Drive the Latest Equipment

Latest SEACAM Accessories On Site

The Raja Ampat SEACAM Center is equipped with SEACAM's latest equipment and accessories, including housings, domes, flat ports, and strobes on site.

Whether you're a long-time user, or a beginner, try out and test drive the latest accessories to see if it's the right fit for you. We can offer you onsite advice and guidance for your underwater photography needs, to make sure you get the most out of your SEACAM equipment.

SEACAM equipment and accessories are available for a test drive - free for the first day only. The full set of SEACAM equipment is available for rent for €200/ day for the Canon 7D Mark II and €300/day for the Nikon Z8.

Individual accessories are also available for rent on a per day basis after the free trial.

Personalized Guidance

SEACAM Ambassador In Residence

Gain underwater photography insights and techniques from on-site SEACAM Ambassadors during your stay Papua Diving Resorts.

For a few select weeks throughout the year, SEACAM Ambassadors will be available at our resorts for any personalized guidance and learning, according to your needs and equipment. Weekly talks and presentations will be held at both Kri Eco Resort and Sorido Bay Resort, giving our guests the chance to hear from the best in the industry.

The resident SEACAM Ambassador program will commence in July 2025 with Don Silcock at Sorido Bay from July 6 to August 19, 2025. We intend to expand this program in 2026 with regular visits by both Don and other SEACAM Ambassadors, so stay tuned!

Reach out to our team to find out more about how the resident SEACAM Ambassadors can do to help you with your underwater photography skills and goals

underwater camera for diver - Papua Diving Resorts SEACAM Center

Trained Guides

Trained Photo Guides

Your guide is probably the single most important element of your underwater photography. They are crucial to understanding the currents and topography of the dive site, as well as finding the subjects for your images.

The guides at Sorido Bay Resort have undergone underwater photography training and understand the core concepts of photo exposure, composition, and equipment care. They understand your needs as an underwater photographer, and will help achieve what you're looking for, whether it be macro or wide-angle.

Fully utilize your SEACAM equipment and realize the limitless opportunities of its reliability and timeless design.

Explore with the Professionals

Underwater Photography Workshops

Led by SEACAM Ambassador, Don Silcock

Gain exclusive access to creative and technical workshops, conducted regularly at the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center (RASC) at Sorido Bay Resort. Just a few steps away from your bungalow at Sorido Bay Resort, the RASC is a unique combination of hands-on, practical tuition in the center, followed by the application of that learning on some of the very best dive sites in Raja Ampat.

Each workshop follows a seven-day structured curriculum developed with direct input from world-renowned SEACAM Ambassadors.

Dive the world's richest reefs at your doorstep and perfect your underwater photography skills with SEACAM. Workshops will include a private boat, trained and dedicated dive guides, targeted dive sites curated for the skill of the day, and daily classroom and digital darkroom sessions. Accommodation and meals are included.

A Day at the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center

Classroom Sessions

Each day of the workshop is dedicated to a specific genre of underwater photography – Wide-Angle, Macro, Wide-Angle Macro (WAM) and Over/Under (Split Shots). The first classroom session is conducted just after breakfast to explain the training objectives for the day ahead.

Morning classroom session:

Covering the key points and agreeing on objectives for the following in-water sessions
Introduction to theory and practicalities around reaching the agreed in-water objectives

Afternoon review session:

After your in-water sessions, join an afternoon review session to look through and critique the day's images
Evaluation of images against the agreed objectives
Individual coaching and problem solving tuition available as required

Explore the Richest Reefs

After your morning classroom session, dive into the clear blue waters of Raja Ampat and implement the day's objectives and skills.

During the two in-water sessions, discover the Dampier Strait's thriving coral reefs and gardens, as you put into practice the day's topic.

Each genre (Macro, Wide-Angle, WAM and O/U) will have designated dive sites, curated in accordance to reef topography, current, and wildlife
Private designated boat with a toilet, worktable and camera stations for rinsing, equipment adjustment and technique discussions
Accompanied by SEACAM Ambassador for in-water and above water guidance

You will be guided by trained photo guides who, not only know how to spot unique wildlife, but also understand the concepts of underwater photography and your needs as a photographer.

Understanding of the unique offerings of each dive site: wide-angle vs. macro, unique coral formation, schooling of fish, etc.
Trained in photo composition, exposure, and best angles
Careful attention to camera equipment and gear pre- and post- dive

Digital Darkroom

End your day with a daily early evening digital darkroom session, where you can learn how to turn your good images into great ones.

Good images are taken in-water: properly composed and exposed, with all the "digital data" recorded
Learn digital darkroom techniques with Lightroom and Photoshop to turn your foundationally "good" images into "great" ones

Ongoing Support

Each workshop attendee will receive one free two-hour remote coaching session by a SEACAM Ambassador to review images, reinforce learning and general support.

The SEACAM Experience

Test Drive SEACAM Equipment

The 2025 Underwater Photography Workshops are open to all underwater photography enthusiasts.

Regardless of your setup, joining the workshops allows you the chance to troubleshoot underwater photography techniques and equipment, and gives you direct access to some of SEACAM's latest accessories that you can try out for a dive during the week.

A full set of intermediate equipment is available to rent for a special price of €500 for the full workshop week (pre-booking is mandatory).

Image by Anita Verde & Peter Marshall Summits to Seas - Seacam Anita Verde1-min

Explore the depths of the Coral Triangle with Sorido Bay Resort, located at the heart of the Dampier Strait. The coral reefs here are some of the richest in the world, the ideal place to photograph both macro critters, stunning coral formations, and wide-angle shots of large schoolings of fish.

Currents moving from the Pacific Ocean to the Dampier Strait join with the upwelling process in the sea to bring in rich nutrients, providing the perfect environment for marine species to thrive.