Underwater Photography

CARIBBEAN AND ATLANTIC 1. Bonaire Pristine conditions and one of the most vigilantly protected marine parks make Bonaire a photographer’s dream destination. Due to low rainfall, very little silt is stirred up, leaving the water clean and clear –– not to mention warm. The best part is, divers don’t have to venture far to enjoy these conditions: Bonaire is, after all, home to over 60 shore dives, making it only a few steps out to that award-winning photo. Discover little oddities like the longsnout seahorse and colorful brittle stars, mountainous star corals and playful moray eels that always seem to smile pretty for the camera. The combination of vibrant underwater life and perfect ocean conditions is what makes Bonaire the Caribbean’s top destination for underwater photographers in readers’ eyes. Go Now » 2. British Virgin Islands » 3. Cayman Islands » PACIFIC 1. Indonesia The easiest way to build a good portfolio of underwater images is to buy a camera, buy a housing, then buy a ticket to Indonesia. This 13,000-island archipelago is jam packed with the most diverse marine life in the world, with such oddities as mimic octopus, pygmy seahorses, colorful scorpionfish and nudibranchs. With over 3,000 species of fish and 600 species of coral, you’ll never run out of subjects. Dramatic walls and volcani formations in Komodo, wrecks like the Liberty in Bali, and the macro hotspot of Lembeh are what make this country possibly the most photog-friendly destination in the Pacific, and likely the world. Go Now » 2. Micronesia » 3. Philippines » NORTH AMERICA 1. Canada/ British Columbia British Columbia is a heavy hitter when it comes to underwater photography. With waters chock full of exotic sea life and environments from wall dives to kelp forests, it’s easy to see why. With everything from giant Pacific octopus, six-gilled sharks and sea lions gracefully playing in the waters and smiling pretty for the camera, it’s easy to build a portfolio of entertaining big marine life shots. Great images also come from the less personable crowd, which includes moon jellyfish, cloud sponges and nudibranchs whose shapes and colors are ideal for your underwater setup. Canada’s diverse ocean environments and unique encounters are what make it a popular place for photographers looking for that perfect shot. Go Now » 2. North Carolina » 3. Texas »