Wakatobi Photo Gallery
Images from Wakatobi Resort
Tukang Besi Islands, S.E. Sulawesi, Indonesia
Island Dreams' Ken Knezick has now made 14 in-depth visits to Wakatobi Resort in Sulawesi, Indonesia. He holds the record for return trips; more than any other guest or tour guide. After 400+ dives and at least as many hours underwater at Wakatobi, and the opportunity to expose a few thousand images there, both underwater and topside, he has gained a genuine love for this unique destination. Here is what Ken had to say on the subject of photography at Wakatobi:
"I've been shooting underwater for almost 30 years now. Wakatobi's diverse environment has offered me as wide a range of photo opportunities as any dive destination yet encountered. There are limitless opportunities for fish and invertebrate pictures, but the soft corals and huge fans are so inviting that it's hard to resist setting up just one more wide-angle op. The hardest part for an underwater photographer at Wakatobi may be deciding what to shoot first. Fortunately, with the unlimited shore diving it's possible to plan your shots and return to particularly inviting photos subjects.
"I've also been glad to have handy a good topside camera with telephoto lens. It can be a full time job just to photograph the strange assortment of native dugout canoes, hand crafted sail boats, and bizarre tramp supply vessels that sail around the point in front of the resort. There are also some fine opportunities to photograph the local people, villages, and traditional ways of Indonesian life. Bottom line - bring your creative eye to Wakatobi, plus a variety of camera/lens options…and plenty of memory cards!"
Please note that this entire Web Site, and all photos and text contained within are Copyrighted. We hope you enjoy these pictures -- but please do not use any of these images or text without prior written permission.
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Ken Knezick - Island Dreams
Wakatobi Revealed with the Nikkor 105 mm Macro Lens
Photography by Ken Knezick - Island Dreams
Wakatobi Macro -- In this gallery we offer a selection of macro shots made on Ken Knezick's thirteenth visit to Wakatobi. On this trip, all Ken's underwater shots were produced with the Nikon 105 mm macro lens, on the Nikon D2x digital camera. The system was contained in a Nexus submersible housing, firing a single Ikelite DS-25 strobe.
--Click Images to Enlarge--
Wakatobi Super Macro
Making the Miniscule Appear Mighty!
Images by Ken Knezick
Wakatobi Super Macro -- In this gallery we offer a selection of macro shots from September 2008, made on Ken Knezick's twelfth visit to Wakatobi. Enjoy this face-to-face meeting with some of the reefs more diminutive, yet very captivating, denizens.
--Click Images to Enlarge--
"Wakatobi Wide-Angle"
Underwater Images by Ken Knezick
Island Dreams' owner Ken Knezick has now completed eleven expeditions to Wakatobi. On previous trips, his focus was on macro photography and fish faces. But on this most recent trip, Ken concentrated on making wide-angle photographs. Get the big picture, as Ken puts the Nikon 10.5 mm fisheye lens to work on the colorful reefs of Wakatobi.
Here are a selection of macro shots from Ken's tenth visit to Wakatobi. During the trip, the resort and diving conditions were better than ever, and Island Dreams' group of 22 divers had an excellent experience. While there, Ken had a chance to continue working with a new camera system, the Nikon D2x digital camera in a Nexus submersible housing. The photos in this gallery are the result of Ken's first attempts with this new equipment. We hope you enjoy them.
The Colorful Clownfish of Wakatobi
Underwater Images by Ken Knezick
Click image to enlarge
For more Wakatobi information, visit: Wakatobi Found!
Or, if you prefer, make some pictures of your own: Join Ken Knezick on an upcoming Conducted Group Tour
This amazing version of the dorid nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus was first described in the Red Sea, off the coast of Djibouti. It is reported to grow to at least 520 mm (20 inches) in length. I was very fortunate to find the individual pictured here strolling along the dive site called Inka's Palette, at Wakatobi during my September 2005 visit. At first glance, I thought the gills were just some pretty soft coral. Then I noted that this particular soft coral was mobile, making its way casually along the reef!
This beautiful individual was certainly 18-20 inches long, though I note that its length expanded and contracted as it moved over the various strata. The amazing creature was host to at least six different Emperor shrimp along for the ride. One shrimp held in place on the host, and picked bits of food from the bottom as it glided by. Certainly this colorful creature was one of the most delightful underwater photo subjects I have ever encountered, and I spent a good 30 minutes with it, to the end of my air supply. Best of all, I note that this big nudibranch eats one of the underwater photographer's main nemesis, hydroids! Ken Knezick
As you can see, Wakatobi offers great photo opportunities. Not surprisingly, I'm going back for more!
Follow this link to learn about: Island Dreams' September 2009 Wakatobi Group
Or continue viewing plenty more Wakatobi photos just below. Cheers, Ken
The following photos are from Ken's eighth visit to Wakatobi, in September 2004
The following photos are from Ken's seventh visit to Wakatobi, September 2003
The next photos are from my sixth Wakatobi visit, November/December 2002
The following photos are from my previous Wakatobi trips, 1998 - 2001
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Here is my first Wakatobi Photo
This is the first Wakatobi slide that I scanned, following my first visit in 1998. This one is a high resolution picture, so the file size is larger than I would usually place. This time, I hope you will agree that the load time is worth the wait. BTW - The best part is that this photo was taken on a dive right off the beach, on the beautiful house reef at Wakatobi Resort.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Sushi and the Sea Fan
Divemaster Sushi was an excellent u/w photo model. Here she gracefully emerges from behind a beautiful cluster of sea fans and lush marine life.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Main House at Wakatobi Resort
On the way to another shore photo dive, photographer Dave Allen strikes a pose in front of the resort's main house. It's just a few steps from the dive shop to an underwater paradise. You will also enjoy some of Dave's own superb photographs as you explore this gallery.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Wakatobi Clown Fish
This was the alpha guy in a vibrant family of clown fish living just in front of the resort. On every shore dive, it was hard for me to go by without snapping a shot or two.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Sushi and Soft Coral
Sushi, and her buddy Alain, were Wakatobi's excellent instructors, divemasters, and guides. Here, on a deeper wall dive, she poses with a cascading red soft coral.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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The Scorpion Fish Roars
Here is an excellent shot provided by photographer and u/w photo-instructor David Allen. In dynamic vertical format, this fish calls for attention!
Photo by: David Allen
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Wakatobi's New Dive Boat
Not all the dives were off the beach. Wakatobi has just purchased this new dive boat. With twin 185 horsepower outboards, she was fast, stable, and an excellent ride for 10 divers or less.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Juvenile Midnight Snapper
I photographed this little beauty on a night dive...again on the house reef. He is only a couple of inches long.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Anemone Crab
This beautiful crab cohabited in a large anemone with a family of black spotted anemone fish. The crab's inner arms, folded in this shot, were adorned with fine yellow nets. Alternating left and right, the crab would throw them out into the current to capture planktonic sustenance.
Photo by: David Allen
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All Roads Lead to Rome...
The bigger reef area is called Mari Mabuk (which we're told means, "Let's get drunk!), and it had a number of excellent dives on it. This particular photo comes from a specific dive on Mari Mabuk called Roma. It is an exceptional dive site.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Nudibranch Blues
Here's another lovely photo from David Allen.
Photo by: David Allen
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Interior Shot of Wakatobi Resort
This photo tries to give you a feel for life at the resort. The main public space serves as dining room and lounge. It is spacious, airy, comfortable, and the perfect place to watch the sun set into the sea.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Sublime Butterfly Fish
This Meyer's butterflyfish is one of my favorite underwater beauties.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Diversity of Life on a Deep Reef
Here is another interesting vertical shot, on a rather deep reef. It shows the diversity of life that extends into the depths.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Ornate Ghost Pipefish
Dave Allen found this Ornate Ghost Pipefish in 18 feet of water, right in front of the resort. I went out to see it...and found a blue ringed octopus in the same spot. Wakatobi...I love this place!
Photo by: David Allen
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Spine-cheek Clownfish
Rarely am I able to swim past an anemone without shooting few frames of the redisent anemone fishes. It's one fault even my wife can live with!
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Detail from Roma
This shot focuses in on some of the soft corals lining a coral head at Roma.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Juvenile Filefish
Camouflaged against a bit of mooring line, this juvenile filefish is less than an inch in length.
Photo by: David Allen
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Color, Texture, and Life
A red sea fan covers a white sponge. These twisting layers of texture are alive.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Face to Face with Clark's Anemonefish
David Allen has done a fine job with this handsome Clark's Anemonefish.
Photo by: David Allen
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Sea Snake on the Prowl
Hope you like snakes, because these really are nothing to be afraid of. Okay, sure, their venom is more powerful than that of a cobra. Fortunately, their mouth is too small to bite you, and besides, they are very calm in the water. I stroked this one, which was almost as big around as my wrist and about five feet long. Here it is (calmly) bumping against the dome port of my housed 20 mm lens.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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How Long was that Sea Snake?
This photo of Linda and the sea snake will give you a feeling for the scale of the critter. Pun intended of course. Hint: It was longer than she was tall.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Blue Ribbon Eels
A handsome pair of blue ribbon eels adds yet more color to the reef scene.
Photo by: David Allen
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A Topside View of Paradise
Well, we've got to come out of the water sometime. Here's a view of Wakatobi's pristine beach. This shot was made just a few steps from Wakatobi Resort's diving room.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Colorful Nudibranch
This colorful nudibranch has chosen the perfect negative space to set off its startling beauty.
Photo by: David Allen
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Reef Scenic
Shot in a freshening current, this photo again depicts the diversity of life on the coral reef.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Splendid Dottyback
This Splendid Dottyback is a skittish creature. It took some patience and a number of frames to accomplish this image.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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Simple Sunset
Stay out of the water long enough...and you may enjoy a beautiful sunset. At Wakatobi, the sun sets directly in front of the resort. Go ahead, enjoy this one with a cool one...I did! But no dinking and diving. Tomorrow will be another day.
Photo by: Ken Knezick / Island Dreams
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This Wakatobi Photo Gallery is a work in progress. We invite you to visit again, for there will be more to come. Please also join me in offering special thanks to photographer and dive buddy David Allen for allowing us to display his excellent images. KDK
In viewing these photos, it's not hard to be reminded of what
a beautiful sport we are participating in. It makes me glad I'm a diver,
and an underwater photographer. Here's wishing you great diving...and
a world of adventure!
Ken Knezick - President, Island Dreams Tours & Travel
For your consideration, we offer additional Wakatobi information:
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White Pygmy Seahorse - Swimming
White Pygmy Seahorse - In Repose
Clown Frogfish - This beauty took up residence right on Wakatobi's house reef
Juvenile Filefish Being Cleaned
Karen Illuminating Soft Coral and Sponge
Lion Fish Guards a Verdant Coral Reef
Now Fly Bali to Wakatobi on a superb Fokker aircraft
Aerial View of Onemoba Island and Wakatobi Resort
Glass Smooth Surface Reflects the Reef
Spine-Cheek Anemonefish - Profile
Spine-Cheek Anemonefish - Head Shot
Porcelain Crab in Carpet Anemone
Porcelain Crab - Feeding with Filter Fan Apendages
Fire Goby - Nemateleotris Magnifica
Volitans Lionfish - Pterois Volitans
Clearfin Lionfish - Pterois Radiata
Nudibranch - Chromodoris Kuniei
Square Spot Anthias - 3/4 View
Wakatobi - Prolific Marine Environment
