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The Cayman Islands are one of the
finest underwater photo destinations
in the world. There are more photos
taken in these three islands than
the rest of the Caribbean combined.
There are four major reasons why the
Cayman Islands excel: 1) superior
underwater visibility; 2) colorful
marine life; 3) variety of animal
encounters, and; 4) extensive
underwater photo services. Whether
you are an amateur with a waterproof
disposable camera or a pro with the
finest underwater housing, you can
shoot fantastic photos on just about
every dive. While many islands offer
excellent underwater visibility, the
Cayman Islands are consistently
superior. There is no rainy or wet
season and no wrong time of the
year. These flat coral islands do
not have rivers that produce muddy
water runoff. Instead, they are the
tips of submerged mountain peaks
that sit in the middle of the
Western Caribbean, where the sea is
pristine. Along the vertical walls,
underwater visibility of 100 foot
plus is an average day. When the
oceanic currents and weather are
just right, the visibility can
extend to 200 feet. Visibility in
the shallows can range from 50 to
100 feet, depending on the tides and
wind conditions. When it comes to
underwater photography, color is the
spice that makes the pictures
exciting. Since the sea is a
monochromatic blue, it takes a
splash of brilliant color to make
the photos come alive. The reefs and
walls of the Cayman Islands offer
some of the greatest collections of
colorful marine life to be found
anywhere in Caribbean waters. Huge
Elephant Ear Sponges are a warm,
delicious orange. Blood Red Sponges
are found growing along Grand
Cayman's North Wall. These are
punctuated by lighter hues of
Strawberry Sponges. Lavender Vase
Sponges off Cayman Brac and Little
Cayman are common. There you will
also find brilliant canary Yellow
Tube Sponges as well. Add to this
collection Red Rope Sponges, Black
Coral Trees and an infinite number
of colorful reef creatures. The
Cayman Islands are the undersea
version of Picasso's palette.
One of the most compelling reasons
photo pros travel to the Cayman
Islands is the incredible array of
undersea animals, concentrated in a
small area. Encounters that would be
rare on other islands are often
commonplace here. A good example is
the huge population of friendly
stingrays that can be photographed
at Stingray City and Sandbar. On
most islands, close encounters with
stingrays are rare, but here you
will have dozens of the magnificent
creatures flapping in your facemask.
Close-up photos are easy. In
addition to their abundance, the
stingrays reside in 6 to 12 feet of
water, where the white sand bottom
reflects sunlight like a Hollywood
studio. Just 100 yards away, on the
outside of the barrier reef, you
will find a spectacular vertical
drop-off that serves as a highway
for cruising Spotted Eagle Rays.
These long tailed creatures look
much different than the stingrays
and their graceful maneuvers are
awesome. Another favorite photo
subject of the Cayman Islands is the
elusive, reclusive Tarpon. In most
parts of the Caribbean, Tarpon are
difficult or impossible to approach,
but here they are both common and
easy to engage. These giant silvery
fish hang almost motionless like a
fleet of dirigibles. They can be
seen and photographed at a dozen
different locations, ranging from
Grand Cayman's West Wall, North Wall
and East End, to Cayman Brac's
Tarpon Reef. Let us not forget the
magical morays that abound on these
reefs. The Cayman Islands have at
least three species that are common
and easily photographed: the Green
Moray, the black and white Spotted
Moray and the Purple mouth Moray.
Dazzling Fish. As for coral reef
fish, the Cayman Islands have the
usual collection of groupers, Coneys,
Trumpetfish, puffers and hamlets.
However, the most memorable are the
incredibly friendly angelfish. At
least three major species are
plentiful in these waters: Gray
Angelfish, French Angelfish and
Queen Angelfish. The French and Gray
Angelfish are remarkably inquisitive
and will come right up to your
facemask. The Queen Angelfish are a
little more of a challenge, yet full
frame photos of all three are a
snap. As for schooling fish, the
Cayman Islands have more than their
share. Schools of Horse-eye Jacks
can be seen cruising along the edge
of the drop-off or among the medium
depth reefs. On the shallow coral
reefs, you can find great schools of
grunts and snappers-several
different species of each. And, if
you're lucky, you may encounter one
of the many larger creatures that
inhabit these waters. A giant
Jewfish resides on the Russian Wreck
off Cayman Brac. Manta Rays, Wahoo
and Tuna are photographed during
chance encounters on wall dives.
About once a year, divers encounter
a Whale Shark or other impressive
pelagic.
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