How to Care for Camera Gear on Raja Ampat Dive Trips

Before you even hit the water, it’s worth knowing what your gear will be up against in Raja Ampat.

Saltwater intrusion, humidity-induced condensation, and the sheer remoteness of the location mean that any equipment failure can end your photography trip in an instant.

Knowing these risks is the first step toward preventing them and making sure your camera equipment is always ready for that once-in-a-lifetime shot.

Caring for your gear isn’t just about protecting expensive equipment; it’s also about minimizing your environmental impact. A leaking housing can release harmful substances, a lost gear can damage fragile corals, and replacing broken parts mid-trip often means extra transport and waste. In a place as pristine as Raja Ampat, prevention is part of sustainable diving.

1. Inspect and clean O-rings before every dive

Your O-rings are the unsung heroes of underwater photography. They keep the ocean out and protect your electronics.

Always check for grains of sand, hair, or salt crystals. Apply a thin layer of silicone grease and seat them carefully in their grooves.

2. Assemble in a dry, controlled environment

Humidity is your enemy. Whenever possible, prepare your camera indoors. At Sorido Bay Resort, all bungalows are equipped with air conditioning, providing a cool and comfortable space.

You’ll also enjoy spacious, well-lit worktables and both 220V & 110V charging points in your bungalow. This environment helps you stay methodical and avoid hasty mistakes before your dive.
This environment helps you stay methodical and avoid hasty mistakes before your dive.

3. Use silica gel packs

These small, inexpensive packs can help absorb residual moisture inside your housing. Replace them frequently, especially in Raja Ampat’s humid climate.

4. Plan for spares

Given the remote location, spare batteries, memory cards, O-rings, and lens cloths are must-haves.

You won’t find a photography store around the corner here, but you will have the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center at Sorido Bay Resort, offering premium underwater photography equipment rentals so you can shoot with confidence, even if you didn’t bring every piece of gear.

Saltwater is relentless; even a fine mist can leave corrosive residue. After each dive:

1. Rinse thoroughly in freshwater

Use a dedicated rinse tank, ideally one for cameras only. At Sorido Bay Resort, camera rinse facilities are designed for photographers, ensuring your gear isn’t sharing water with sandy fins.

2. Gently dry and inspect

Pat your housing dry with a soft, lint-free cloth before opening it. Avoid using heat sources, which can warp delicate seals.

3. Open in a clean, dry space

Once indoors, carefully open your housing, remove the camera, and wipe any internal moisture. Replace silica gel packs for next use.

4. Check for wear

Regularly inspect buttons, ports, and seals for signs of wear or stiffness. Early detection of cracks or corrosion can save your gear and your images.

When your camera isn’t in use, proper storage is key:

• Dry, cool storage: Humidity invites fungus in lenses, so store gear in a dry cabinet or airtight container with silica gel.
• Avoid direct sunlight: Prolonged UV exposure can damage plastics and seals.
• Remove batteries: Prevents corrosion from leaks during long storage periods.

Source: Don Silcock

Raja Ampat is remote. Spare parts aren’t a quick delivery away, and a flooded housing or corroded contact can end your photography trip instantly.

By combining diligent daily care with the on-site expertise of Sorido Bay Resort’s Raja Ampat SEACAM Center, you’re ensuring your equipment stays ready to capture every fleeting moment, from swirling bait balls to the intricate patterns of hard corals.

Workshop Dates: July 20-26 & August 10-16, 2025

Our 2025 SEACAM workshops were an outstanding success, earning rave reviews and creating memorable experiences for all participants. The program centered on improving underwater photography skills through immersive, hands-on sessions guided by industry experts. 

Here’s a summary of the week’s activities:

• Day 1: Introductions

We began by welcoming attendees and setting clear expectations for the exciting days ahead.

• Days 2-3: Wide-Angle Photography Focus

Participants concentrated on mastering wide-angle techniques, from perfecting composition to optimizing natural and artificial lighting.

• Day 4: Combined Wide-Angle and Macro Practice

A blend of wide-angle and macro photography sessions allowed attendees to explore diverse underwater imaging styles.

• Day 5: Over and Underwater Shots at Blue Water Mangroves

One of the workshop highlights was a full-day excursion to the mangroves, where participants captured iconic over-underwater images, showcasing Raja Ampat’s stunning and unique underwater environment.

• Day 6: Intensive Macro Photography

Dedicated to macro work, this day honed participants’ abilities to photograph intricate small subjects with precision.

• Day 7: Rest and Personalized Learning

A day for relaxation or flexible learning, where participants could revisit topics of interest or take time to recharge before the final session.

Daily Dive Schedule and Practice Opportunities

Each day included two morning dives, giving participants a chance to practice what they learned right away. Dive sites were chosen for calm currents to help photographers focus on capturing great images without stress.

Access to SEACAM Professional Gear

Not all attendees had access to high-end gear, so the workshop offered SEACAM equipment to try out. While participants worked confidently with their own cameras, testing SEACAM gear showed the benefits of premium underwater photography equipment.

Digital Darkroom Sessions with Don Silcock

Don Silcock led daily digital darkroom sessions, demonstrating Photoshop techniques to enhance underwater photos. He also processed attendees’ images live and offered each participant a free 2-hour follow-up call to refine their post-processing skills or answer any questions.

What Attendees Are Saying:

Phil Hawley

“I’ve been an underwater photographer for 25 years and already had great experience. However, Don has streamlined everything into 3 simple steps that saved me years of in-water trial and error. It’s definitely worth it!”

Don’t forget to watch our SEACAM workshop recap video on Instagram, featuring key highlights and behind-the-scenes footage from the event. Catch the recap on Instagram.

For those looking to refine their craft, the SEACAM Workshops at Sorido Bay Resort offer an immersive, seven-day blend of classroom learning, digital darkroom techniques, and guided dives with SEACAM Ambassador, Don Silcock.

Each day focuses on a different skill, from mastering macro to capturing wide-angle reef scenes, and includes personalized coaching plus a private dive boat to reach the sites that best suit the lesson.

Paired with the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center’s high-quality rental equipment, these workshops ensure you have both the skills and tools to elevate your underwater photography.

In Raja Ampat, every dive is a potential gallery piece. But pristine reefs and exotic marine life mean little if your camera gear fails. Treat maintenance as part of the adventure, one that keeps your creativity flowing and your memories secure.

At Sorido Bay Resort, with its purpose-built facilities for photographers and the unmatched support of the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center, you’re never alone in that mission.

This dedication to quality extends beyond photography.

Papua Diving Resorts has long been a leader in operating sustainably in Raja Ampat’s fragile environment, a value recently highlighted when founder Max Ammer spoke at the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) about practicing environmentally friendly ways to run a resort.

It’s this blend of care, for both your gear and the environment, that sets us apart.

Protect your gear, preserve your memories, and let Raja Ampat’s wonders fill your lens, one perfect dive at a time