Lasongo

Scuba or free dive? Free-dive/snorkel, then head to Isla Mujeres, Mexico (a 20 minute ferry ride from Cancun...you can even stay in Cancun if you want). Typical daily aggregations are between 50 to 300 individuals. Peak season is June to August. You can even take another, separate ferry to Cozumel if you want to do some really nice reef scuba dives...but the Whale Sharks are in the Isla Mujeres area.

Check out: https://www.goaskerin.com/ She has free and paid tutorials

Sorry, I deleted what I had written...I totally misread the original post and thought it was about shooting Blue Sharks :-) My suggestions aren't as relevant to ambient light on scuba.

Hi all, I know this is a VERY niche question, but has anyone used a Sony 12-24 f2.8 GM lens behind a WACP-2? (For shooting stills) I know the 12-24 is not on the Nauticam port chart, but was wondering if anyone had given it a try or had any info on if it could work? So I do have both the 14mm and the 16-35mm lenses, and I have used them and am happy with the results...but ideally I would love to have the flexibility of going down to 12mm while also having some zoom capability...or should I just go with a Canon 8-15mm behind a traditional dome (obviously that's fisheye vs. rectilinear). Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Both sold!

Hi @nicole.brenner , still available! I can ship (both) to the east coast for $20.

I looked up a random address in Madrid and it would cost approximately USD$150 for shipping...and that doesn't include insurance (assuming you want that too). I'd be happy to send it to Espana if you're willing to cover the cost?

Hi all, Finally clearing out some gear. Selling my Inon Z-330 Type 2 strobes, with several extras for USD$400, each. I bought them new from Backscatter in July 2021 (I can send the receipt if you want!). Each strobe is in great shape, I'm OCD with my gear. Each strobe includes the following: Extra O-rings and Inon lube Extra Soft diffuser (this is an additional one I always had in case I lost/broke one) One ND diffuser One Ball Mount Original box, instruction manual and Inon sticker The only blemish is one of the Inon boxes got damaged a long time ago, but the strobes and everything are fine. EACH strobe will come with everything list above. (I had to reduce the file sizes to fit them all on here, but if you have any questions or want to see higher res shots, please feel free to ask)

Throwing this out there for those that don’t know yet, but the Monterey Shootout Photo and Video Competition will be held in Monterey, California, USA, between August 1-3 Here is the link: The Monterey Shootout - a 36 hou...Monterey Shootout - An Underwater Photography Competition...The Monterey Shootout is a four-day weekend of diving, educational seminars, celebration, and a chance to win over $25,000 in prizes even with the simplest of underwater cameras.I wish I could attend this year, but have a scheduling conflict. Hoping to go again next year though. I can’t stress enough how fun it is, how much you can learn and how great the prizes are. The Saturday night BBQ and drinks party is legendary!!!

Here is Big Fish Expeditions on Trip Advisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154952-d12150658-Reviews-Big_Fish_Expeditions_Inc-Churchill_Manitoba.html

@fruehaufsteher2 , I'm one of the Trip Leaders for Big Fish Expeditions :-) https://www.bigfishexpeditions.com/about/trip-leaders/ Been working with them for several years. Happy to answer any questions you may have.

Here’s the notice

Pacific Fleet just shared that the Mexican government has increased the park fees for Revillagigedo/Socorro Islands, effective on January 1, 2025. The new fees will be MXN$ 3.622 per person, per day, roughly USD$180 per person, per day. The prior fees were MXN$ 1.811 per person, per day, roughly USD$ 90 per person, per day.

For shark diving, go with either Gung-Ho Divers or Salty Divers: https://www.gunghodiving.com/ https://www.saltydivers.com/ For many years I went out with Emerald, but over the past 2 years they had some major turnover with feeders, DMs, etc...and its not my "cup of tea" anymore. Nick, the owner of Gung Ho Diving, worked for many years on Emerald and started his own business a couple of years ago and he's knocking it out of the park. Tell him how and what you want to shoot and he'll get it for you. All the locals (myself included) use Gung Ho now. Check the tide charts before diving Blue Heron Bridge, you want to dive at high tide. Regarding the Goliath Groupers, they will be around throughout the shark dives, you'll probably see at least 2-4 per dive. However, the really big mating aggregations occur in August, so you'll just have to come back another time!

Monterey is one of my favorite dive locations in the world. Monterey is mostly shore dives...Breakwater, Metridium Fields, Monastery Beach (check conditions first, it can be sketchy and dangerous) or Point Lobos State Reserve (you'll need reservations). Google those sites there is tons of info. Local dive shops are Bamboo Reef, Breakwater or Aquarius. They're all legit. There is one boat that regularly runs charters in Monterey, its the Beachhopper II. Again, google it, they have a website for reservations, etc... If you head to Ventura (north of LA), there are several boats that head to the outer/northern Channel Islands. Most notably are the Peace and Vision. Lived in LA for many years. My fave shore dive sites in LA are Point Dume (north of Malibu) or Laguna Beach (down south in Orange County...you'll need to arrive no later than 7am or there won't be any parking). LA is spread out, so those two locations are far, far apart. Dive boats are unfortunately in decline in LA. There is still the Bottom Scratcher, Pacific Star, Magician and Giant Stride that regularly run trips. You typically cannot book directly with the boats/charters. They sell their days to local dive shops and then you need to book via the dive shops. Google the following dive shops (Los Angeles area): Pacific Wilderness In 2 Deep Scuba Eco Dive Center Channel Islands Dive Adventures Ocean Safari Scuba Scuba Schools of America Divers West Dive N Surf They'll have their trips and dates listed on their websites. A few more pointers...most boats/dive shops won't confirm their 2025 dates/trips until this December or even January 2025. Also conditions usually aren't great in California in the spring and summer (again, usually). The water is beginning to warm and that usually leads to increased phytoplankton which decreases visibility.