Trip Reports ARTICLES - Bluewater Dive Travel

Trip Reports ARTICLES

Tanzania Big Game Safari Trip Report December 2023

Wed, 01/10/2024 - 04:28 — bettyr

Tanzania group of elephants in the wild
In December 2023, a Bluewater Photo Group explored Tanzania's Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti. Highlights included diverse wildlife sightings like elephants, lions, flamingos, and a rare black rhino. The Serengeti offered memorable encounters with elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, making it a trip of remarkable wildlife multiples.

Anilao Trip Report December 2023

Thu, 01/04/2024 - 06:04 — bettyr

Clown fish guarding eggs in Anilao Philippines by Kevin K Hurtz
Throughout the Anilao workshop, instruction remained a cornerstone, featuring six comprehensive presentations covering macro photography, snoot shooting, creative techniques, wide-angle photography, blackwater shooting, and a live Lightroom demonstration. Daily image reviews were conducted to gauge guest progress following the formal instructions. Interestingly, these sessions often resulted in overwhelmingly positive comments from both instructors and guests, underscoring the exceptional quality of the images produced.

Fiji Trip Report 2023

Thu, 12/14/2023 - 06:57 — bettyr

Fiji Trip Report 2023
Fiji is a must-return dive destination for its scenic beauty, healthy reefs, diverse marine life, and vibrant underwater colors. It's accessible, safe, and has a friendly local culture. Our trip on the Nai’a liveaboard included incredible dive sites like Bligh Water, E-6, and Mount Mutiny, featuring stunning corals, fish, and underwater landscapes.

Moorea 2023 Trip Report

Thu, 12/14/2023 - 06:00 — bettyr

Moorea trip report humpback whale surfacing
Every year, French Polynesia hosts humpback whales who travel from Antarctica to the islands’ warmer tropical waters, to mate, calve, and nurse their young. Interactions with these giants of the sea are life-changing, and for the lucky few who encounter humpbacks in the water, the experience is described as once-in-a-lifetime!

Lembeh Trip Report 2023

Tue, 11/14/2023 - 18:44 — bettyr

Yellow and purple nudibranch lembeh
Lembeh is a place where you can truly appreciate the beauty of the small and often-overlooked creatures that inhabit the world's oceans. It is a must-visit destination for any diver with an interest in macro photography and a fascination with critters. The combination of knowledgeable dive guides, fantastic marine life, and excellent accommodations make this trip in which many guests return year after year. There is something about Lembeh that never gets old, and returning can never happen soon enough. Read our Oct 2023 trip recap...

Whale Tales & Coral Trails: A French Polynesian Odyssey

Thu, 11/09/2023 - 16:09 — bettyr

Whale Tales & Coral Trails: A French Polynesian Odyssey
From Tahiti to Moorea, our journey was filled with diving, snorkeling, and whale watching. Highlights included encounters with humpback whales, turtles, reef sharks, and vibrant marine life. Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass offered thrilling dives with dolphins and manta rays. In Fakarava, we experienced mesmerizing walls of sharks and flourishing coral reefs. Each day brought new adventures and unforgettable moments.

Cuba Trip Report 2023

Mon, 10/30/2023 - 08:06 — Jacqui

Cuba Shark
In October 2023, Bluewater Travel organized a long-awaited Cuba Underwater Photo Workshop aboard the Avalon IV, following an adventurous Havana land tour. The journey offered insights into Cuba's rich history and vibrant culture before diving into the pristine reefs of Jardines de la Reina. Despite challenges like hurricane season and coral bleaching, the trip featured 21 dives teeming with marine life, from curious groupers to elusive hutias, culminating in rewarding photo workshops and a heartfelt camaraderie among divers and crew alike.

La Paz Trip Report 2023

Thu, 10/26/2023 - 08:14 — Jacqui

A turtle rests on the wreck of the Fang Ming by Eric Lin
The Sea of Cortez is a destination we always look forward to, and this year’s La Paz Photo Workshop was no exception. Eighteen guests joined Bluewater Travel for an unforgettable trip exploring the dive sites around La Paz, Mexico where we enjoyed 86 degree water and had interactions with sea lions, turtles, wrecks, and much more! Find out more...

Dumaguete Trip Report 2023

Sun, 09/24/2023 - 03:00 — Jacqui

A closeup photo of a Shaun the Sheep Nudibranch in Dumaguette
Dumaguete is well known by underwater photographers and marine life enthusiasts for its superb diving and warm Filipino hospitality, and it easily lived up to this reputation during our stay. Read our full trip recap from this year's underwater photography workshop!

Sea of Cortez Trip Report 2023

Sat, 09/02/2023 - 14:15 — Nirupam Nigam

A small fish called a "signal blenny" displays its colors to an underwater photographer.
Nirupam Nigam led a captivating 2023 Sea of Cortez photo workshop with Bluewater Travel, showcasing diverse marine life and dynamic underwater landscapes. The Rocio Del Mar provided exceptional amenities and personalized service, enhancing the experience. Participants explored macro wonders like signal blennies and enjoyed thrilling encounters with sea lions and whale sharks.

Egypt & Jordan Trip Recap 2023

Thu, 07/20/2023 - 16:12 — bettyr

Egypt & Jordan Trip Recap 2023
Our 26-day journey through Egypt and Jordan transported us to ancient lands rich in history and wonders, both on land and underwater. Highlights included the pyramids of Giza, the city of Petra, diving in the Red Sea, and exploring wrecks like the SS Thistlegorm. From Cairo to Aqaba, we immersed ourselves in diverse cultures, history, and natural beauty.

Galapagos 2023 Trip Recap

Tue, 07/11/2023 - 05:47 — Nirupam Nigam

Galapagos diving
In May 2023, our Bluewater Travel workshop ventured to the Galapagos Islands, encountering iconic species like giant tortoises and marine iguanas. Despite logistical challenges, including weather delays, we explored from San Cristobal to Darwin Island, diving up to four times daily with diverse marine life. Highlights included mola mola sightings at Punta Vincente Roca and intimate encounters with Galapagos wildlife both above and below the waves.

Little Cayman 2023 Trip Recap

Wed, 06/21/2023 - 03:56 — Jacqui

Little Cayman Squid
You can’t ask for much more when you are staying at a dive resort like the Little Cayman Beach Resort in the Cayman Islands. The entire experience is straight out of a post card. This remote island in the Caribbean is a perfect getaway for any level of scuba diver. 84-degree water, 100+ feet visibility, calm seas, great food, white sandy beaches, coconuts, iguanas….and simple diving with minimal currents that will definitely make you forget about the rest of the world. Read our 2023 GoPro video workshop recap...

Anilao Spring 2023 Trip Recap

Thu, 06/08/2023 - 21:24 — bettyr

Anilao Trip Recap 2023
Anilao Underwater Photo Workshops 2023 offer two back-to-back workshops in one of the greatest macro destinations in the world. The 2023 workshops were both sold-out events, consisting of a mix of novice photographers who were visiting the region for the first time ever, to advanced shooters who have been to multiple workshops over the years. Find out all about our trip (with photos)!

Triton Bay & Banda Sea 2023 Trip Recap

Fri, 05/19/2023 - 05:24 — bettyr

Triton Bay Trip Recap
In 2023, Bluewater Travel hosted an underwater photo workshop in Triton Bay, Indonesia, renowned for its marine biodiversity and pristine reefs. Participants enjoyed encounters with whale sharks attracted to local fishing platforms, followed by dives at various sites like Bo’s Rainbow and Christmas Rock, encountering diverse marine life including octopuses, nudibranchs, and schooling fish. The trip concluded with spectacular dives in the Banda Sea before a photo contest and farewell celebration onboard the Amira.

San Ignacio Whale Trip Recap 2023

Tue, 05/02/2023 - 11:24 — Jacqui

All the humpback whales we encountered gracefully glided through the azure waters in a calm, relaxing manner. Their majestic presence, mere inches away from the boat, left us in awe as they playfully swam in circles and engaged in breathtaking surface interactions. The rhythmic dance of their tail slaps on the ocean's surface created an entrancing spectacle, making the entire experience nothing short of unforgettable. Leran more about our San Ignacio Grey Whale Experience...

Antarctica 2023 Trip Recap

Thu, 04/20/2023 - 01:14 — Jacqui

Our trip to Antarctica was truly spectacular, after a long journey we were rewarded with peaceful, lake-like waters that left us in awe. Our itinerary included topside and underwater adventures where we were able to observe an abundance of incredible wildlife, including various species of whales, seabirds, penguins, and seals. In particular, we were thrilled to spot the leopard seal, Antarctica's apex predator, making our journey even more remarkable. Not to mention partaking in the obligatory 'Polar Plunge' for those of us willing to brave the frigid waters in our bathing suits! Looking back, we can confidently say that our expedition was a resounding success, and the memories that we made will last for a lifetime.

Raja Ampat 2023 Trip Recap

Wed, 03/08/2023 - 02:59 — Jacqui

A coral reef teems with life in Raja Ampat

RAJA AMPAT 2023 Trip Recap

AN UNDERWATER PHOTO WORKSHOP BY BLUEWATER TRAVEL

Words & images by trip leader Nirupam Nigam

It’s a well-known “secret” amongst scuba divers that the best diving in the world is found in the Indonesian archipelago of Raja Ampat. Unbeknownst to the general public, the region consists of thousands of limestone islands covered in emerald vegetation.

Socorro 2023 Trip Report

Sun, 03/05/2023 - 06:49 — Jacqui

Mark B. Hatter led Bluewater Travel's February 2023 photo workshop in Socorro, Mexico, aboard the Rocio Del Mar. Highlights included encounters with whale sharks, humpback whales, and numerous species of sharks and mantas. The trip boasted excellent weather, clear seas, and successful photography opportunities, drawing repeat guests and showcasing vibrant marine life.

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