South Africa: Underwater Photography & Videography Program

Introduction

Join a leading wildlife media training company for an immersive, month-long underwater photography and videography programme designed to launch or advance your career in marine storytelling. With a strong focus on ocean conservation and ethical visual media, this hands-on course blends expert instruction with field-based training, preparing you to work across broadcast, NGO, corporate, and digital platforms.

Based in the coastal town of Scottburgh, on South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal South Coast – renowned for its marine biodiversity and proximity to the world renowned Aliwal Shoal – you’ll receive practical training in underwater camera work, lighting, framing, and post-production using photography and videography techniques. The programme includes an 18-dive package with Scuba Xcursions, starting with 2 rock pool sessions for gear orientation and skills development, followed by open-water dives exploring coral reefs and encountering marine life such as sand tiger sharks, turtles, rays, and dolphins.

To take part, participants will need a PADI Open Water certification (or equivalent). If you’re not yet certified, we can help arrange a course ahead of the programme (at an additional cost). All dives are conducted by qualified dive professionals and follow strict safety protocols to ensure a safe, enjoyable experience underwater.

The programme also includes essential business training tailored for freelancers and marine creatives – covering branding, networking, income generation, and creating a simple business plan. Instruction is personal, interactive, and hands-on, with professionals guiding you step-by-step through every stage of the process. By the end of the course, you’ll have produced your own short underwater documentary or portfolio piece, ready for pitching, submission, or showcasing your unique voice as a visual storyteller.

Daily Life

This intensive underwater photography and videography programme combines expert mentorship with hands-on experience. The syllabus includes guided expeditions focused on marine wildlife, freediving training to improve underwater control and breath-hold ability, and comprehensive instruction in digital workflow, editing, and post-processing—supporting the full creative process from capture to presentation.

Over the month-long course, participants will join 18 underwater expeditions to photograph and film a variety of marine life, from wide-angle reef scenes to detailed macro subjects. An additional 2 freediving expeditions include baited shark snorkelling sessions, designed to enhance breath-hold performance and underwater collaboration in dynamic, real-world conditions.

Key areas of focus include:

• Underwater camera systems: setup, housing assembly, and maintenance
• Marine wildlife encounters within vibrant reefs, including blacktip sharks, sand tiger sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, rays, and more (enquire within for the full list)
• Working with people underwater, focusing on movement, communication, and creative direction
• Pathways to professionalism, including how to build a sustainable, income-generating practice
• Wide-angle and macro techniques, with attention to subject choice, composition, and execution
• Lighting skills, from ambient light use to strobe and creative lighting setups
• Post-production for stills, with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop workshops tailored to underwater content
• Post-production for video, including Adobe Premiere training in editing, sound design, and visual storytelling
• Portfolio development to produce a professional, market-ready body of work
• Marine conservation, with a focus on Aliwal Shoal, a Marine Protected Area of ecological significance

The programme runs Monday to Friday, giving you weekends free to relax or explore the surrounding area at your own pace. You can choose to unwind or take advantage of a wide range of optional activities available locally (not included in the programme), such as:

• Skydiving
• Cage diving with sharks 
• Surfing
• Ziplining
• Bungee jumping
• Paragliding
• Horseback Safaris
• Wine Tasting
• Visiting local Markets

Travel & Accommodation

The programme is based at the Blue Wilderness Shark Center in Scottburgh, a laid-back surf town located an hour south of Durban. Participants will need to fly into King Shaka International Airport, where a team member will meet you and provide transport to the accommodation.

Accommodation is in comfortable, self-catering, dorm-style housing located on-site at the Center – just minutes from the beach – creating an immersive and convenient learning environment. The residential house features shared living areas, workspaces, kitchen, bathroom, and garden spaces, with shops and restaurants nearby. Private rooms are available on request for an additional fee.

Requirements

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Minimum commitment: 1 month
• Basic English proficiency (spoken and written)
• Valid passport, visas, and return flights to South Africa
• Comprehensive travel and medical insurance (full assistance available if you opt for our Premium Support service)

The course is open to both certified SCUBA divers and those looking to learn. If you are not yet certified, you must obtain a minimum Open Water qualification before arrival. Alternatively, you may arrive 5 days early to complete your certification and gain basic SCUBA experience on-site at an additional cost.

All diving and underwater photographic gear is provided, though participants are welcome to bring their own. The minimum photographic equipment requirement is a DSLR or high-quality mirrorless system with two strobes, as well as both a wide-angle and macro lens with compatible ports. Equipment included:

• Underwater DSLR photographic kits with strobes
• GoPros
• Sony A7Sii video camera & housing
• Full scuba kits including a full range of wetsuit sizes

Each participant must also bring a laptop with Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Premiere Pro pre-installed, as these tools are used extensively throughout the programme. Alternative video editing software is acceptable if preferred. Please also bring an external hard drive with at least 500GB of storage – though 1TB is recommended – to back up and manage your media files.

Costs

2025 programmes: $3,900 USD per month

2026 programmes: $4,500 USD per month

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 USD is required to secure your place.

Payment Fees: Please note that all payments are subject to a 5% bank transfer fee.

Currency Conversion: For the latest exchange rates, visit xe.com.

What’s Included: 

• Airport Transfers (on programme start and end dates only – 1st and 28th of each month; a $40 USD surcharge applies for transfers on alternative dates)
• 18 dive package with 2 rock pool sessions
• Practical and theoretical training instruction in underwater photography and videography
• Hard and soft SCUBA equipment and full DSLR sets with lights
• Shared dorm-style accommodation (gender-separated); private rooms available on request at an additional cost
• Unlimited Wi-Fi (reliable by South African standards, but may be slower than international norms)

What’s Not Included:

• Accommodation outside of official programme dates
• Meals and groceries (self-catering facilities are provided)
• International and domestic flights to and within South Africa
• Optional tourism expeditions / activities
• Diving qualifications (available at an additional cost)
• Laundry services
• Bank or PayPal fees incurred during payment transfers

Depending on your lifestyle and personal spending habits, an additional R4,000–R6,000 (approximately $300–$500 USD) is recommended for souvenirs, additional activities, entertainment, and other daily expenses during your stay.

Due to high demand and limited spaces, cancellations or date changes are not permitted after final confirmation and deposit payment. A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 USD is required within 7 days of booking to secure your place in the programme. Please note that all bank or PayPal transfer fees are your responsibility.

The remaining balance must be paid in full at least 30 days prior to your arrival in South Africa. In the event of a date change request, the team will do their best to accommodate a change to a future month, but refunds on deposits cannot be offered under any circumstances.