Underwater photography trip – Thomas van Puymbroeck
Experience a special diving vacation in Madagascar under the guidance of Thomas van Puymbroeck.
This dive trip focuses on underwater photography as well as ecology, ideal for anyone who wants to combine diving in Madagascar with learning about nature and with photography.
Travel period
Features
Starting at
Ecology & Underwater Photography Trip Madagascar
Update 15-11-2024: Almost full! Only 1 spot left for a lady (shared bungalow).
This unforgettable trip to Nosy Be, Madagascar is specially designed for nature & underwater photography enthusiasts.
Under the guidance of renowned photographer Thomas van Puymbroeck, you will have the opportunity to take your underwater photography skills to the next level.
This dive trip offers a perfect combination of hands-on workshops and engaging lectures on the unique flora and fauna of Nosy Be.
Whether you are a novice photographer or already quite experienced, you will certainly learn a lot on this trip.
You will learn all about proper equipment, lighting and composition underwater, as well as taking into account the behavior and habitat of the animals you want to photograph.
This not only makes for better photos, but also an ethical and respectful approach to nature.
Time is set aside each day to discuss and analyze the photos taken, sharing feedback to further improve your skills.
Attention! This dive trip is also great for divers who do not photograph but want to learn a lot about Madagascar’s nature as well as how to have the best interactions with the animals.
Join the underwater photography & ecology trip of 2025 and go home with great photos, a wealth of new skills, and lots of nature knowledge!
Best travel time: For the best weather and optimal sea conditions, a visit between mid March and December are recommended.
Keep in mind that whale shark season falls in October and November, while humpback whale season occurs in August and September. Between January and mid-March is the rainy season and it is not recommended to go there.
During this diving vacation you will dive at Blue Wave Diving.
Located on the idyllic Nosy Be in Madagascar, Blue Wave Diving has been a leading dive club for 20 years.
With a team of experienced instructors, they offer dives guided by professionals with thousands of dives to their name. Here, divers can sail the clear waters and dive the biodiversity of Nosy Be, then end the day under Madagascar’s starry skies.
Thomas, a well-known underwater photographer, OM-system ambassador, Mares ambassador and Marelux product specialist, brings with him years of expertise and passion for marine life.
He has won numerous awards, including the title of Belgian Champion and Photographer of the Year in 2023, and his work has been recognized internationally by National Geographic and the BBC, among others.
Thomas enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge and experience in underwater photography, from using the right equipment to mastering underwater lighting and composition.
But what makes him truly unique is his in-depth biological knowledge.
He understands the behaviors and habitats of the animals you want to photograph, so he knows exactly how to approach them without disturbing them.
For nearly 20 years he has worked in public aquariums, where he literally lives, lives and works underwater.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for Madagascar
We recommend a shorty or 3mm here.
If you get cold really quickly you can consider a 5mm between July and September.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 - The journey to Nosy-Be, Madagascar (Sept. 7 & 8, 2025)
Today you will depart from Europe to the Antananarivo (the capital of Madagascar)..
Reken erop dat je zo een 16-18 uur onderweg bent, inclusief tussenstop.
Hierdoor kom je op de volgende dag aan in Antananarivo.
Hier pak je nog een korte vlucht (ca. 2,5 uur) naar Nosy-Bé.
Depending on your flight times, you will land in late afternoon in Nosy– Be.
Here you will be picked up at the airport byL’Heure Bleue ‘s driver and taken to the hotel.
Day 3 - Diving at Sobeha/Rainbow (Sept. 9, 2025)
During the diving days on Nosy Be, Madagascar, everything revolves around underwater photography and exploring the breathtaking underwater world. Below is an overview of your possible dive sites.
These will be chosen in consultation with Thomas.
Your dives begin at Sobeha, also known as Rainbow.
This dive area is an explosion of colors, where hundreds of different species of fish hide among the coral.
While you observe trumpet fish and try to spot shy whitetip sharks, have your camera ready for the ultimate reward: an encounter with the rare leopard shark.
Day 4 - Diving at Gorgonian Canyon (Sept. 10, 2025)
The next day, immerse yourself in the depths of the Gorgonian Canyon, where divers can descend as deep as 60 meters (but we don’t!).
Here giant gorgonians out into the sunlight, while eagle rays glide gracefully through the water.
This environment offers countless opportunities for spectacular wide-angle shots and impressive close-ups.
Day 5 - Diving at Ankora (Sept. 11, 2025)
Ankora calls lovers of smaller marine life.
Here you can focus your lens on delicate flatworms and fascinating ghost fish.
While capturing the macro wonders, you can witness a school of fish suddenly explode above your head, fleeing from hunting predatory fish.
This is the perfect place to practice and refine macro photography.
Day 6 - Diving at Fesundraku (Sept. 12, 2025)
Fesundrakua promises greatness with its abundance of pelagic fish.
From August to November, you can even spot humpback whales here.
Since this trip is in September, that means there is a great chance of seeing humpback whales!
A unique opportunity to take spectacular underwater photos of some of the largest marine animals in the world. Fingers crossed.
Day 7 - Enchanted Forest & Grand Bank (Sept. 13, 2025)
Your diving week ends with two breathtaking sites: the Enchanted Forest and the Grand Bank.
In the Enchanted Forest dominate giant gorgons and sponges dot the landscape, while large green turtles rest in this serene environment.
Next awaits the Grand Bank, an impressive wall dive at the edge of the continental shelf.
Here you will swim among large schools of fish and various shark species, including the impressive hammerhead shark.
Day 8 - Whale watching (Sept. 14, 2025)
This spectacle is fantastic to witness, especially since humpback whales often exhibit playful behavior.
You can see them flapping their tails and sometimes even jumping completely out of the water.
These magnificent animals migrate along Madagascar between August and November, and the chance to admire them up close is a unique experience.
Day 9 - Free day (Sept. 15, 2025)
Today you have a day at leisure, perfect to recover from all the diving and whale watching.
This is your time to relax, process the many impressions and maybe spend some time editing your underwater photos.
Do you still have energy left?
Then consider spending another day diving, looking for whales again, or taking an excursion on the mainland.
There are several options, and you can decide on the spot what you want to do.
It’s your day, enjoy it your way!
Day 10 - Lokobe National Park (Sept. 16, 2025)
A day at Lokobe National Park with a guide and photographer Thomas van Puymbroeck offers a great opportunity to capture Madagascar’s natural beauty.
The day begins with a short boat ride to the park, where your guide welcomes you and takes you on a walking tour through the lush rainforest.
The guide, an expert in local flora and fauna, will point out the best places to spot rare and colorful animals.
You’ll have the chance to photograph iconic lemurs, as well as exotic birds and fascinating chameleons.
As the guide takes you to the most photogenic locations, Thomas shares his expertise in photography.
Thomas provides practical tips and advice on using your camera, proper lighting and composition techniques to capture Madagascar’s unique biodiversity.
Whether you want to take the perfect macro shot of a chameleon or an impressive wide-angle shot of the rainforest, Thomas helps you improve your photography skills.
Over a picnic lunch in the shade of the trees, you will have the opportunity to review and discuss your photos with Thomas.
He will provide feedback and share his insights so you can take even better photos.
Day 11 & 12 - Return home (Sept. 17 & 18, 2025)
After a week full of unforgettable photography trip on Nosy-Be, the realization dawns that the adventure is coming to an end. The sun begins its daily dance over the Indian Ocean, its rays reflecting golden light across the azure waters.
You’ll pack your suitcase, enjoy another delicious breakfast and then head for the Nosy-Be airport.
You will fly back home via Antananarivo.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
L'Heure Bleue
You will stay at L’Heure Bleue during this vacation.
Located on the beautiful Madirokely beach, this hotel exudes a chic and bohemian atmosphere.
Built with local materials such as rosewood and ravinala, the bungalows offer comfort and incomparable charm.
Each bungalow has a private terrace with breathtaking views of the sea, where you can enjoy the sounds of the tides.
The duplex bungalows are ideal for families, with a mezzanine and spacious amenities such as a fan, minibar and safe.
At dusk, L’Heure Bleue transforms into a lively meeting place where guests gather for drinks and enjoy the splashes of color from the terrace.
The perfect base from which to explore the wonders of Nosy Be, this hotel offers an unforgettable stay experience in a paradise setting.
Travel costs
What is included
This travel package is US$ 2.094 per person based on two people in one bungalow. The trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Extension: Do you wish to go longer?
Or perhaps combine with another country or location in Madagascar? You can! We are happy to customize the proposal. It is not necessary to travel with the rest of the group .
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates.
Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the possibilities?
Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from US$ 2.094 p.p.
- 9 nights in a bungalow
- Full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Return transfers airport Nosy Be/ L'Heure Bleue
- Dive package consisting of 10 dives
- Morning excursion: whale watching
- Day excursion: Lokobe National Park
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Antananarivo from US$ 735 p.p.
- Flight Antananarivo - Nosy-Be from US$ 367 p.p.
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe.
However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide.
Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Diving equipment, incl computer US$ 19 per day
- A more luxurious accommodation upgrade at L'Heure Bleue.
Send this trip by email
Want to save the details of this trip or share it with someone?
You can do so by emailing the trip.
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Diving general
Boat Dives
These range from 10–40 min driving
2 dives per day
Yes, through NAUI
10-minute walk, but for diving youwill be picked up.
Diving equipment
Standard diving is done with DIN, but they can supply adapters for INT controllers
Yes. US$ 19 per day.
Other activities & excursions
No. For this, you have to do day trips.
Yes, a lot.
From the reception everything can be arranged. See our suggestions in the day description, at day 11.
Accommodation
No, just fans.
Yes.
Breakfast is served and there are also several nice eateries in the area.
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