What attracts underwater photographers to Bali?

There seems to have been a marked increase in the number of photographers coming to capture the amazing opportunities for both macro and muck diving, which makes me think I really should be spending far more time in the water and out of the office.

One was an amateur photographer, Jim who arrived with some very basic equipment. Having just taken up UW photography, he didn't have especially high expectations. The next time I saw Jim he was practically tripping on his way to the nearest dive equipment shop to pick up additional 'bits and pieces'. Jim had just fallen in love – so much so that he ended up extending his trip to a month. He was lucky enough to capture everything from a very ambivalent (and rarely seen!) hairy octopus in Blue Lagoon, a site just off the east coast, to mantas from every angle imaginable. The mantas in particular seemed to take a liking to Jim and proceeded to dance for him on approximately 10 trips he made to the site!

In complete contrast to this was Mike, a regular Bali diver and photographer with very specific ideas of what he wanted to achieve on his trip. His top priority was to spot and shoot a very rare nudibranch – an Okenia LikLik. He had even sent a rare photo of the little beast to his guide in advance.
Lo and behold, during a dive at the River Bed (a site just outside Tulamben Bay), the nudi in question was discovered. Apparently Mike’s reaction time was a bit slow off the mark, thinking it was just another pretty critter, until about 20 seconds into his shot he practically happy danced under water!
Having chatted to both divers and seen their photos it really was inspiring to see how the dive sites here appeal to so many interests. So much so that my refresher course to get me back in the water after eight years is scheduled this coming week!