2025 Bastianos Underwater Photo Competition

We are excited to announce the 1st Annual Bastianos Underwater Photo Competition, kicking off in 2025! This event is designed to celebrate the beauty of the underwater world and showcase the incredible talent of underwater photographers, from beginners to professionals. Whether you're an avid photographer or just starting out with a basic camera, this is your chance to capture stunning marine life and compete for exciting prizes.

Why Join this Competition?

At Bastianos Dive Resorts, we believe that the underwater world offers limitless inspiration. From Lembeh’s iconic muck diving to Bangka’s vibrant coral gardens and Bunaken’s breathtaking wall dives, every location offers unique opportunities to capture rare critters, stunning reefs, and dramatic seascapes.

The competition is not just about winning — it’s about sharing unforgettable diving experiences, learning from fellow photographers, and discovering the incredible diversity of Indonesia's underwater life.

Who Can Participate?

Bastianos Underwater Photo Competition is open to all our guests who stays and diving in 2025. No matter your skill level or equipment—be it a DSLR camera or a basic digital setup—you are welcome to participate.

2025 Bastianos Underwater Photo Competition Rules

Competition Duration

  • The competition runs from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

  • Participation is free for guests staying and diving with Bastianos Dive Resorts during this period.

Eligibility

  • Photographs must be taken during your stay and diving experience with Bastianos Dive Resorts between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

  • A maximum of one entry per category per month is allowed per participant.

Prizes

  • Monthly Winners: One winner per category (Wide Angle and Macro) will be selected based on the most "Likes" on photographs uploaded to our Facebook Group.

  • Grand Prizes*: Two final winners (1 winner per category) will receive 7 nights of full-board accommodation (at our highest room category - subject to availability) and 6 days of diving (12-day dives total with FREE Nitrox - for nitrox certified) at Bastianos Dive Resorts.

* Prizes inclusion: fullboard accommodation and diving. Prizes exclusion: air ticket, transfers, equipment

Terms and Conditions
By submitting images to the 2025 Bastianos Underwater Photo Competition, participants confirm and agree to the following:

  1. Each submission is the participant’s original work, and they are the sole author of the entry.

  2. The participant owns the copyright and intellectual property rights of the image.

  3. The image has not been licensed or submitted in any way that conflicts with its use by Bastianos Dive Resorts.

  4. Bastianos Dive Resorts may use the image in their marketing materials with full credit to the owner.

  5. Winners and commended photographers agree to participate in reasonable publicity, including the use of their names and images for promotional purposes.

How to Enter

  1. Like our Facebook Page: Bastianos Dive Resorts Facebook PAGE (https://www.facebook.com/bastianosdiveresorts/)

  2. Join our Facebook Group: Bastianos Dive Resorts Facebook GROUP (https://www.facebook.com/groups/bastianosdiveresorts)

  3. Ensure you meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years old.

  4. Submit only underwater photographs taken during your stay in 2025.

  5. Upload your photograph to our Facebook Group with the following caption:

    • Image Title

    • Your Name

    • Date of Stay at Bastianos Dive Resorts

  6. All entries will be reviewed by Bastianos for caption accuracy and eligibility before approval for public voting.

Categories

  • Wide Angle: Photos showcasing a broader perspective (e.g., over-under shots, close-focus wide-angle). Stitched panoramas are not allowed.

  • Macro: Photos capturing subjects at life-size or greater magnification, typically smaller than 6 inches, using lenses with a focal length greater than 35mm.

Submission Guidelines

  1. Only one entry per month per category is permitted.

  2. Entries must not have previously won any other photographic competition.

  3. Photographs must not breach wildlife laws or animal welfare standards. Any irresponsible photography will result in disqualification.

  4. Deadline for monthly entries: Day 6 of each month.

  5. Monthly winners will be announced on Day 7 on our Facebook Page.

  6. Final Judging: The top publicly-voted images will advance to the final judging round by Bastianos Dive Resorts management in January 2026, where one winner per category will be selected.

  7. AI-generated images are strictly prohibited.

  8. Photographs must retain embedded metadata (EXIF information). Entries without metadata may be disqualified.

  9. Watermarked images will not be accepted and will be disqualified.

Important Notes

  • Bastianos Dive Resorts reserves the right to remove or disqualify any entry at their discretion.

  • All participants are encouraged to ensure ethical and responsible practices when capturing underwater images.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your stunning underwater photography!

Our Underwater Photo Collections