More than half of our planet is covered by water, so it makes sense why more and more photographers as scuba divers are getting interested in taking underwater photos and scuba diving. Sure, it doesn’t come easy. It requires lots of preparation and skills, not to mention the gears. But once you see the results, you’ll realize that it is worth every bit of pain and sacrifice.
Given the vast amount of ocean water that our planet has, it can be hard to decide where to shoot. So to give you an idea, here are the top destinations for underwater photography and scuba diving.
Gardens of the Queen, Cuba Underwater Photography
If you are daring enough to photograph crocodiles and sharks, then head to the Gardens of the Queen in Cuba, also known as the Jardines de la Reina. Aside from these exotic underwater creatures, your photos can include images of colorful fishes amidst a pristine reef. It is believed that Fidel Castro, Cuba’s most popular political leader, is an avid diver and has kept the Jardines de la Reina off-limits to visitors for decades. These days, this place has become a popular destination for adventurous scuba divers and underwater photographers.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia Underwater Photography
Indonesia is a popular destination for diving, most especially the islands of Raja Ampat. This 15,000 square mile of diving paradise consists of more than a thousand islands off West Papua. While the place is a bit challenging to get to, your efforts will be greatly rewarded. Here, you can take photos of pristine reefs teeming with colorful marine life. In fact, the place is being referred to as the center of marine biodiversity. While most underwater photographers would focus on shooting wide-angle scenes while diving in Raja Ampat, macro photography can also result in colorful and diverse results.
Silfra, Iceland Underwater Photography
Silfra is one of the world’s top destinations for scuba diving and that is for a good reason. It features crystal clear freshwater with visibility as far as the eye can see. But what makes Silfra unique is that this is where the North American and European tectonic plates would meet. So if you want to capture unique underwater scenes, then this is where you should go for your underwater photo adventure. But aside from Silfra, there are several other amazing scenes in Iceland that photographers should not miss. Here, you can take photos of a river with dancing sands, seabirds diving off the coast, and the world’s only geothermal chimneys!
Bligh Waters, Fiji Underwater Photography
The ocean waters between the two main islands of Fiji are called the Bligh Waters. Dubbed the “Soft Coral Capital of the World”, the Bligh Water is a dream come true for underwater photographers and scuba divers. The area features a vibrant marine ecosystem, where you will find the most colorful corals in the world. Fiji’s underwater scene is much more than its bright-colored corals. The place is also home to an abundance of marine life. If you explore the waters further, you could capture images of feeding sharks, swooping manta rays, and rare macro critters!
Cayman Islands Underwater Photography
When it comes to underwater wreck photography, check out West Bay in the Cayman Islands. Sitting about 65 feet underwater is the USS Kittiwake, a submarine rescue ship that was purposely sunk as an artificial reef for wreck divers and photographers. Because of its shallow depth, diving this wreck is not that challenging. Plus, you can spend up to 60 minutes here, giving you plenty of time to take as many stunning photos as you can. This 77-meter submarine has open holes and hatches that can serve as ambient light, resulting in more beautiful underwater photographs.
Baja California Sur Underwater Photography
Baja Peninsula’s southernmost tip is home to vibrant marine life, which is a perfect opportunity for photographers to take photos of the stunning underwater marine life. Here, underwater photographers could come across hammerhead sharks and other interesting sea creatures. California’s sea lion colony of Los Islotes is easily accessible from here, another exciting area to take underwater photos. It’s home to a school of sardines, marlin, manta rays, humpbacks, dolphins, and orcas.
Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia Underwater Photography
Chuuk Lagoon, also known as the Truk Lagoon is another great destination for wreck diving. Located in Micronesia, this place is dubbed the “World’s Shipwreck Capital”. So, if your main focus is to take shipwreck photos, then the Chuuk Lagoon is a must-visit. There are plenty of wrecks in the area, so hiring a dive guide is a must. Your guide will provide a thorough briefing for each wreck, which saves you a lot of time. Here, you will find beautiful soft corals growing on each wreck. Even photographers and scuba divers who are not into wrecks will find this place very cool, since it features underwater artifacts of different shapes and sizes, from engines, airplane parts, gas masks, pick-up trucks, and more!
British Columbia, Canada Underwater Photography
In Canada, underwater photographers should check out British Columbia, located in the country’s westernmost province. Photographers who are comfortable with navigating British Columbia’s cold green water will be rewarded with interesting images of ocean life. Aside from the colorful colors, you could come across the warbonnet fish, knobby-head ed wolf eel, and more! But take note that diving in this area can be a bit challenging since the currents are difficult to predict. So, no matter how seasoned you are, consider hiring a guide who will be with you throughout the entire photography session.
Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea Underwater Photography
Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea is the last but not the least in line of our best destinations for scuba diving and underwater photography list. Frequented by divers who wanted to explore the waters of Papua New Guinea, Susan’s Reef in Kimbe Bay is another popular diving site for those who wanted to take stunning underwater shots. This area offers plenty of opportunities for macro photography and those who love to capture images of schools of fish. Capturing at a wide-angle is also highly recommended. Using a fisheye lens, you would be able to capture the walls that were created by the seamounts covered with colorful corals, including sea anemones, pink sea whips, sea fans, and soft corals. Given its shallow depths of around 50 to 70 feet, the light in this area is ideal for capturing vivid images of PNG.