Underwater Photography Workshop, South Africa

Home / Penda Tours / Underwater Photography Workshop, South Africa

Dive into the world of marine photography.

Immerse yourself in a 28-day underwater photography program set along the rich, biodiverse shores of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Designed for passionate photographers, this intensive course offers hands-on experience capturing the underwater world. Guided by professional marine photographers, you’ll learn the ins and outs of underwater photography, and put your new skills into practice during regular dives.

Each day combines diving with expert-led instruction, practical assignments, and post-processing workshops. You’ll refine your technical skills, explore your creative vision, and leave with a strong portfolio – and a deeper connection to the ocean. Regular sightings during the course include sea turtles, rays, blacktop sharks, and a wide variety of colourful fish around the reefs.

You’ll stay in a comfortable shared house a short walk away from the coast and the dive center. You’ll be close to shops as well, and you’re ideally positioned for some great weekend trips and excursions.

This course is open to photographers of all level. You’ll need to have your SCUBA certification to join, but if you don’t have this yet, you can join us a week early and go through your open water training.

Start Dates 2025 & 2026:
May 1 | Jun 1 | Jul 1 | Aug 1 | Sep 1 | Oct 1 | Nov 1

Quick Facts

South Africa

Regular start dates

Underwater photography

Several photography instructors

Max. group size: 5

All photography levels

Tour & Destination Highlights

Aliwal Shoal Diving: Photograph in one of the world’s premier marine reserves, home to sharks, rays, turtles, and coral reefs.
18 Dive Sessions: Including macro and wide-angle shoots and pool-based model shoots.
Professional Training: Learn technical skills in underwater photography or videography using high-end equipment and lighting.
Creative Projects: Develop a personal portfolio with instructor-led critique and post-production guidance.
Inclusive Setup: Full gear provided–DSLR cameras, housings, lights, and scuba gear included in the program fee.
Small Group Format: Maximum of 5 students for personalized mentorship and ample dive time.

Quick Facts

South Africa

Regular start dates

Underwater photography

Several photography instructors

Max. group size: 5

PRICING OVERVIEW

From USD $3900GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $

USDGBPEURZARAUD

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly

per person sharing

DETAILED RATES

2025: $3900
2026: $4500

INCLUDING

Accommodation
Dive sessions & scuba gear
Photography equipment
Airport transfers from Durban
Guidance & tutoring

EXCLUDING

Flights
Meals (self-catering setup)
Travel insurance
SCUBA certification

What you can expect to photograph

Sharks, rays, and sea turtles

This program is a blend of dive-based training and photography. Each day includes practical sessions underwater, post-dive critiques, and time for editing using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or Premiere Pro, depending on your focus area. Training is tailored to both beginner and experienced underwater shooters. You’ll complete 18 dives throughout the course, including baited shark dives, reef exploration, pool-based shoots, and wreck dives (conditions permitting). Freediving skills are introduced to improve comfort, control, and creative range underwater. Note – SCUBA Certification is required prior to the start of the program: Non-certified participants can arrive 7 days early to complete Open Water training ($500 add-on). What species can you expect to see and photograph? Aliwal Shoal offers a rich diversity of marine life throughout the year. Regular sightings include blacktip sharks, rays, turtles, and a wide variety of reef fish species across its reefs and caves. Depending on the season, divers may also encounter species such as tiger sharks, ragged-tooth sharks, manta rays, and eagle rays. While rarer, whale sharks, hammerheads, and even great white sharks have occasionally been recorded in the area. Whether visiting in summer or winter, Aliwal Shoal provides consistently rewarding opportunities for both photography and observation. The program culminates in a final portfolio review, where you’ll have the opportunity to present your best work in a celebratory evening session.

Notes from your instructor

“The challenges of working in an underwater environment, such as limited visibility, strong currents, and specialized equipment, require photographers to be creative, patient, and skilled. The results are often breathtaking, with stunning colors, textures, and behaviors that are rarely seen on land. By capturing the beauty and diversity of the underwater world, photographers can raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation and inspire people to protect these incredible ecosystems.”

Louis Pieterse

Gallery

Your Accommodation

Comfortable self-catering lodge with ocean views

You’ll be based in self-catering house in Scottsburgh, a coastal town in South Africa's Kwa-Zulu Natal. Your accommodation is ideally positioned; it's just a short walk from the beach and the dive center. The house has shared bedrooms with all essential amenities, shared kitchen facilities, and communal spaces to work and relax. The location offers convenience, ocean views, and easy access to dive launches. Meals are not included, but you'll have a kitchen available to you to cook meals, and easy access to shops to get groceries. This allows flexibility, and it means you can plan your own meals. Participants usually cook together, which creates a nice communal setup. Rooms are shared, but we do offer single room options, depending on availability. If you're interested in having your own room, please let us know and we'll try to make that work.

WORKSHOP LEADER

Amanda Shaw

Amanda Shaw

Amanda Shaw is a renowned underwater photography instructor with a passion for capturing the beauty and diversity of marine life. With years of teaching experience, Amanda is excited to share her expertise with passionate photographers from around the world, and to empower them to to tell compelling stories and create stunning images that showcase the wonders of the ocean. Amanda's engaging and informative instruction style has helped countless students improve their skills and develop a deeper appreciation for the underwater world. Amanda is a qualified scuba instructor with extensive diving experience.

Day 1 & 2Arrival & orientation

You'll arrive at Durban International Airport, where we'll pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in Scottburgh, just minutes from the dive site. The first two days are dedicated to settling in, meeting instructors and fellow participants, and completing necessary admin and safety briefings. You'll be introduced to your underwater camera gear, including DSLR systems in Sea&Sea housings, strobes, and essential accessories. Sessions cover equipment assembly, maintenance, and the fundamentals of protecting gear in saltwater environments. Foundational theory on underwater photography or videography sets the stage for the practical work ahead.

Day 3 - 5Intro SCUBA dives & camera handling

These days are dedicated to training moves into the water with initial SCUBA dives (without cameras) to focus on buoyancy control and underwater movement. In controlled environments like pools and rock pools, students begin practicing macro techniques, working with camera settings, framing, and strobe lighting. The emphasis is on building confidence underwater while becoming familiar with the physical aspects of shooting with a housed camera system. Each day includes feedback and guided editing sessions.

Day 6 & 7Reef dives & critique sessions

You'll head out on your first double-tank macro reef dives on the Aliwal Shoal, a marine protected area known for its biodiversity. You'll practice finding and photographing small reef creatures, positioning strobes, and managing exposure underwater. Post-dive sessions include structured image reviews and instructor-led discussions focusing on technique refinement and visual storytelling.

Day 8 - 10Shark snorkels & post-production

Midway through the program, you’ll shift focus to wide-angle photography and videography. A shark snorkel introduces the challenge of photographing fast-moving subjects in open water. You’ll also take part in a baited shark SCUBA dive, where you’ll work on balancing foreground and background light. Adobe Lightroom and Premiere workshops begin this week, with instructors guiding you through workflow, editing, and creative post-processing techniques.

Day 11 - 14Rock pool expeditions

Creative assignments begin with a pool-based fashion shoot, where you'll photograph a model underwater using fabric and props to build stylized compositions. The rock pool expedition allows you to revisit earlier shots and improve them with better lighting, planning, and subject interaction. Each session is followed by in-depth editing tutorials, helping students refine their portfolios and prepare for more advanced open-water projects in the coming weeks.

Day 15 - 28More advanced dives & critique sessions