Lasongo

Prior to 2022 (or was it 2021) it was a chaos, but the Mexican authorities have recently cracked down big time on unscrupulous boats and unlicensed boats. First time I went was in 2010 and it was ridiculous. I went two more years before I gave up. Took about a 10 year hiatus and got hired to go back in 2023. I've now been back in 2024 and 2025. Taking this year off (I have other jobs I got hired for), but will be back in 2027 because my daughter wants to go see them. The rules are now two guests, per boat with a guide (3 total per boat) in the water at one time. Other boats will report violators, so there is also an aspect of self-policing going on. Plus there are enough sharks around that there are more than enough for the three per boat. There is always at least one boat from the Mexican government on location observing. They typically stay on-site until around 12pm-1pm. Most of the snorkel boats leave around 12pm-1pm. There are a few operators that will linger a bit longer, and I would HIGHLY recommend going with them. After most boats leave around noon, you can easily find yourself out there with only 2-3 other boats and 100+ whale sharks. I can give you some recommendations if you PM me (I don't want to be seen as giving preference to anyone). Here are pics I took last July 2025. Notice the tons of back ground divers (sarcasm). I didn't have to wait long to get these shots. Prior to the new regulations these shots would have been very difficult to get. Also notice, I'm not trying to sell you on the trips I guide (I will if you want). Just trying to recommend what I believe is the best location for seeing whale sharks.

Hey, so to be fair, I'm not a big fan of tropical diving...I'm a professional photographer/guide who specializes in weird, off-the-wall stuff. That said, I have tons of friends who love tropical diving and Cozumel is one of their highest rated dive locations. Eagle rays, the Mesoamerican reef (2nd largest barrier reef in the world), reef sharks, etc...etc...but the scuba in Cozumel, not Cancun/Isla Mujeres...scuba off Isla/Cancun is mediocre. However, if you look at the map, Cozumel is a large island just south of Isla Mujeres/Cancun. There is daily ferry service directly between the two islands...or you can also rent a car or take a bus (legit and comfortable) from Cancun to Playa del Carmen (about 60 minute drive). There is regular ferry service to/from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and to/from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. If you google that stuff, its all online and you can even buy your tickets for the ferry and buses online. I can vouch for the Whale Sharks off Isla Mujeres. I've guided numerous trips there and the fewest I've seen at a time was about 20 individuals and the most we estimated at 300. 80-100 per day seems to be about the norm. They migrate to the area to follow the tuna who are spawning and when they locate a tuna spawning aggregation, they cruise across the surface sucking up the eggs. They literally just go back-and-forth across a particular area (like mowing a lawn). My recommendation would be to spend 2-3 days with the Whale Sharks and then relocate to Cozumel and do a couple of days of scuba/reef diving there.

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.