Bluewater Travel

08/22/2024

😱 Our top picks for 2024! Which dive computer do you use?

📸 One of the first items any new diver thinks about buying is a Dive Computer. A dive computer allows you to safely track and complete your dive avoiding potential pitfalls like decompression sickness…A quality dive computer will track your dive depth and dive time and will tell you how much time you have left underwater until you reach your no decompression limits - maximizing your bottom time. Some computers and consoles can receive air readings from your tank, telling you how much of your dive you have left, others are more simple and only track nitrogen levels in your body. Each one of these computers will lead you through a lifetime of safe diving.

🔥 Our top picks include the Oceanic VEO, Mares Puck 4, Shearwater Perdix 2, Oceanic ProPlus 4.0, Garmin Descent MK3i, Shearwater Peregrine TX & Aqualung I330R!

🔗 Click the link below to read the full article!

https://www.bluewaterphotostore.com/best-dive-computers/

Bluewater Photo offers the world's best dive computers from brands including Garmin, Shearwater, Oceanic, Mares, and more.

08/21/2024

PSA: We’re exploring Indonesia’s best kept secret next year! 🎉

🇮🇩 Unlike more widely known Indonesian dive sites like Raja Ampat and Bali, Alor has remained relatively under the radar. However, this very aspect adds to its charm, as the diving here remains unspoiled and pristine. Surprisingly, Alor manages to deliver equally, if not superior, dives compared to its more famous counterparts. It's these unique qualities that place Alor at the pinnacle of our list for the best diving experiences in Indonesia.

Group trip details:
🤿 September 6 - 16, 2025
📷 Trip leader: Erik Lukas
🔥 Luxury liveaboard accommodation
🐟 Up to 4 dives a day + small 4:1 diver-to-guide ratio

Comment “Group Trip” if you’re interested and we’ll reach out with more info!

08/20/2024

🔥 BIG NEWS if Fiji is on your bucket list!

✈️ Fiji Airways has officially announced and are scheduling DIRECT NON-STOP flights between DFW (Dallas) and NAN (Fiji) from December 2024!

🤿 A little bit about the diving in Fiji: It is best known for its colorful soft corals which offer an unmatched wide spectrum of colors, great variations of healthy hard corals, dramatic topography, typically clear water and a great variety of reef fish! Fiji is also home to some of the world’s best shark dives! Jacques Cousteau coined Fiji is the “Soft Coral Capital of the World”

🧳 Have you ever done any diving in Fiji? What was your experience like?!

08/19/2024

👀 Anyone ever done any diving here?

📍 Bimini, Bahamas

“This dream turned into Bluewater Travel's Bimini small group photo trip in late June. Nine lucky divers and I spent 6 days on the water swimming with dolphins, diving with sharks, stingrays and exploring the Bahamas reefs.... Bimini is known for its super friendly population of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins, which we got to swim with for many hours across several days. The small group size enabled us to have some very intimate encounters with the dolphins, motoring until we found the dolphins in crystal clear blue water. There are several tips and tricks to get the best photo opportunities with the dolphins, and by the end of our trip we were all masters of engaging the dolphins. And we all flew home with some incredible images.” - Brent Durand (trip leader during a 2016 group trip)

✨ Comment “Bimini!” if you’d like to read our trip recap with more info on this dive destination!

📸 Brent Durand

08/18/2024

😱 Have you ever heard of the Sardine Run in South Africa?

📍Port St Johns, South Africa!

“We loved our trip to South Africa. We went primarily for the Sardine Run and were one of the lucky groups that saw sardines multiple times.... On our final day, we saw what looked like the water bubbling. It was sardines at the surface and we witnessed a shark feeding frenzy. There were probably over 100 sharks all in one area at the same time. The Cape Gannet birds seem to be great indicators of where the sardines were moving. They would dive bomb the water and almost always come up with fish in their mouths. Once when we were snorkeling close to a bait ball, a bird dove down, didn't get a fish, and had the funniest look on his face like" Wait! Wait! No fish in my mouth! What is wrong with this picture!"” - Kathy Foulks, Bluewater Travel customer.

🤿 PSA: We have a 2027 group trip doing the Sardine Run! Comment “Group Trip” if you’d like info on that! Want to know more about the sardine run in general? Comment “Sardines” and we’ll send you a bunch of info on it!

📹 Videos captured by Josh Herisson & Courtney Sardinha

08/16/2024

🇹🇿 Bluewater Travel’s Tanzania Big Game Safari Update: Day 9&10!

🔥 Day9:
“We departed Esirai Migration Camp. During the drive to the Mara River we encountered large number wildebeests with a sprinkling of zebras.
We arrived at Mara River crossing Point 1 where a large number of wildebeests gathered. We had a coffee break in the bush! Second wildebeest crossing of the trip! Amazing to witness with hundreds, if not thousands of wildebeests jumping from the river banks into the water. Both of our groups were able to witness this crossing. No crocs this time and all wildebeests made it safely across the Mara River. Lunch was in the bush with food prepared by the camp's cook. Super yummy. The rest of the afternoon was spent in game drive mode with sightings of Southern Ground Hornbill birds, tiny and super cute antelopes called Steinboks, plus the usual giraffes, zebras, impalas, ... We arrived back at camp. The group was more than satisfied with the 10-hours in Serengeti Park. The long break for a shower, photo review, cocktails and relaxing before dinner was welcomed by all.” - Mike Chiado, trip leader.

🤩 Day10:
“Coffee was delivered to everyone's tent before breakfast. Both of our Land Cruisers departed for game drive. We passed thru two massive wildebeest herds moving away from the river and instead south. It is assumed the grasses are still good south of the Mara River due to heavy rains this year creating less pressure for the wildebeests to move north. We stopped for two trees full of baboons along the road. The baboons sleep in trees for safety and we caught them before they came down to the ground. We saw four giraffes grazing on the tree tops close to the road. A lioness resting on top of on a rock outcropping. She was bathed in warm morning sunlight looking majestic. Breakfast in the bush today instead of at camp. The camp's cook once again created a wonderful breakfast for all. We then saw four hippos rested on the banks of Mara River warming themselves in the sun. Large herd of zebras entertained. Hippo in the river with her tiny baby. Extraordinary cute! A dozen hippos in the river, with two pairs of juveniles sparring in hippo fashion by seeing who can open their mouth the widest. Eight elephants with two babies standing in the shade of a tree...and on and on, plus the now usual thousands of wildebeests always in view. We returned to camp for lunch, and during which the skies opened and treated us to an amazing storm. Late Afternoon drive with sightings of elephants, giraffes, mongooses, impalas, warthogs, lions, zebras, and, of course thousands of wildebeests. At dusk the younger wildebeests act like goofy kids playing tag or catch-me-if-you-can. Very entertaining. We took a short-cut thru a field back to camp and where surprised by drinks and snacks waiting for us in the bush. The guides and camp staff planned and executed the rendezvous without our knowledge! Very nice gesture. Final night's dinner with a surprise champagne toast. The staff at the camp are marvellous and the Esirai Migration Camp is a 5-star experience.
This trip has been wonderful and all guests are very happy with the itinerary, lodges, safari drives and photo opportunities.” - Mike Chiado, trip leader.

08/16/2024

🤩 Guest images from our Anilao 2023 photo workshops!

🇵🇭 Anilao boasts some of the richest reefs in the world. Whether at 10 ft or 100 ft beneath the surface, you will be inundated with photo subjects that will fill up your memory card before the day is over.

🤗 A massive well done to all of our guests for these images. There are so many amazing ones - these are just a few!

📸 Beautifully captured by our talented guests: Kevin H. Kurtz, Craig Wilhelm, Kari Wilhelm, Jessica Albietz, Stephen Champion, Jennifer Raiche, Ben Cavender, Glenn Ostle, Natalie Loewen & Mark Loewen.

08/15/2024

👀 What do you prefer?

🦈 Diving with big animals!
👀 Macro all the way!
🐠 Beautiful reefscapes!
👽 Night dives or blackwater diving!

📸 Images captured by Mark Hatter, Erik Lukas
📍 Socorro, Raja Ampat, Cozumel & Anilao

08/14/2024

Our 12 night itinerary exploring Baja! 🇲🇽

We have 2 spots available at 30% OFF due to a cancellation! This group trip from October 5 - 17, 2024, includes a free photo workshop!

Here are three highlights of this trip while sailing the entire length of the Sea of Cortez from south to north!
🤿 We’ll be diving some of the most amazing wrecks! Like the Fang Ming wreck and Salvaterra wreck!
🦭 We’ll be diving at loads of great spots for sea lions, school of barracudas, occasionally oceanic manta rays, and big schools of hammerheads AND we’ll be doing the spectacular mobula night dive!
🐟 From big to small! We’ll be on the search for whale sharks to swim with and we’ll be doing lots of macro dives!

🔥 The sea life we witness on the surface from the boat, dinghies or snorkeling is fantastic. There's potential to see dolphins, sea lions, pilot, humpback, blue, fin, sei, orca, and s***m whales. Also, flying mantas, blue and brown-footed bo***es, cormorants, frigate birds, and the endemic yellow-footed gull.

Don’t miss this! Comment “Group Trip” if you’re interested and we’ll reach out!

08/14/2024

🇹🇿 The Wildebeest Migration! 🔥 Bluewater Travel’s Tanzania Big Game Safari Update: Day 7 & 8!

Day 7: “Giraffes, baboons, ostriches, hyena, zebra, wildebeests, lions, impala, gazelles, dik-dik, hippo...Lunch in the bush under a tree with coffee provided by guides. More great sightings on trip to northern area. Drive was ~4 hours.
We arrived at Esirai Migration Camp Northern Serengeti. The camp is great and staff super. All really enjoying the experience.”

🎊 Day 8: “Coffee delivered to everyone's tent with cookies! The Esirai Migration Tent Camp are marvelous. Breakfast with eggs cooked to order, plus usual bread fruit and potatoes. Our group loaded into Land Cruiser and headed toward Mara River for wildebeest migration crossing. The estimated total herd size is ~1.5 million, and may cross in groups a hundred thousand. We understand this is the first week crossing have occurred tis season. We arrived at Mara River awaiting a wildebeest group to cross. The wildebeests crossed the Mara River right in front of one our jeeps! Amazing event to witness. Our location was Crossing Point 4. Crocs were present, too, and the wildebeest suffered a couple of losses. After waiting for a second group to assemble and cross, we paused for lunch in a field near the crossing point. We had a fantastic dinner served to our group of happy travellers. The camp staff mentioned that guests last week were never able to witness a wildebeest crossing. We were very lucky to be treated to this amazing event within first few hours.”- Mike Chiado, trip leader.

👀 The vast, rolling savannah of the Northern Serengeti, is known as the hub of the great migration. The landscape is characterized by vast stretches of savannah interspersed with acacia trees and riverine woodlands. Wildlife can be seen along the banks of the Mara River and visitors can view the annual spectacle of the half a million migrating wildebeest. Commonly spotted wildlife include: a multitude of plains game such as buffalo, zebra, gazelles, impala, giraffe as well as lion and leopard. Visitors can look forward to bird watching, hot air ballooning, game safaris, and guided bush walks.

08/14/2024

Big shout out to our newest top fans! 💎

Zahar Amir, Kevin Van Cleynenbreugel, Erica Fleck, Nicholas Meyler, Randall Taylor, Boey Nicolas, George Lewis, Delia Arididon, Althea Rose Flores

Thank you for all the likes and comments! We appreciate it! fans

08/13/2024

🇹🇿 Bluewater Travel’s Tanzania Big Game Safari Update: Day 6! 🦁🐆

“The morning was spent driving around Ngorongoro and South Serengeti grass lands. Lunch at the Serengeti gate. Overall nearly 12-hours on safari drive! The day had cats, cats and cats- four male lion, relaxing, a solo female lion, two pregnant females, a female lion with two cubs, a cheetah with cub, plus giraffes, hyenas, hippos, gazelles, impalas, hartebeest, wildebeest...
We arrived at Kati Kati Tented Lodge, dinner was enjoyed by all. Group very satisfied with drives, guides and encounters!” - Mike Chiado, trip leader.

⛺ Kati Kati Tented Camp offers comfortable accommodation and a unique opportunity to enjoy a real safari camp experience. The camp is only a two-hour scenic drive from Olduvai Gorge Museum and Grumeti River. A cozy mess tent is located in the center of the camp where meals are served. The campfire is ready every evening for appetizers and snacks before dinner.

08/13/2024

✈️ There's nothing worse than arriving at your dream destination and discovering you forgot to pack an SD card or, even worse, attempting to travel and realizing you do not have all the necessary documents. On the flip side, overpacking might mean you have to pay for excess baggage, or you won't have room in your suitcase to bring back some souvenirs.

🛄 Embarking on an adventure to a new destination is exciting, but packing for your trip can be stressful. Our experienced travel experts have curated some comprehensive packing lists - for your dive or safari getaway! If you consistently overpack for your holidays, these lists will help you focus on exactly what you need to take, and then you can fill in the empty spaces in your suitcase with your "nice to have" items. For those who tend to forget to pack crucial items, these lists provide a checklist to ensure you don't forget essential items!

🧳 Comment “Packing!” and we’ll send you our free viewable, downloadable and printable dive and safari trip packing lists!

08/13/2024

🇹🇿 Bluewater Travel’s Tanzania Big Game Safari Update: Day 5!

“Ngorongoro provides great sightings of a super tusker elephant, hippos, lions, pink flamingos, gazelles, zebras, pelicans... 🐘
After lunch, we stopped at Maasai culture center on way to Lake Masek. All enjoyed! Everyone seems delighted with trip.” - Mike Chiado, trip leader.

The Ngorongoro Crater is game viewing gone crazy and it is not surprising that with is one of Tanzania’s major tourist drawcards. Within the crater rim, a daily wildlife drama is played out as large herds of zebra and wildebeest graze nearby lions, leopards, elephants, and black rhinos. 🦓

08/12/2024

👀 Have you ever heard of this dive destination?

📍 Andaman Islands, India

Located roughly 1000 miles east of mainland India, the 270 or so mostly uninhabited islands known as the Andamans are nothing if not remote. They are also home to some absolutely stunning underwater scenery, abundant fish life and unusual species, yet are relatively unknown amongst traveling divers. Just getting there is an adventure in itself, but as participants agreed, well worth the effort. 🇮🇳

"The next morning began with a return to the incredibly colorful Ooh La La, followed by two dives on another exceptionally vibrant and fishy site called Lighthouse Reef. Here, a pair of rocky ridges protrude from shore into great depths, populated by abundant soft corals, sponges and fans, along with schooling bannerfish, as well as longnose, pyramid and white-collar butterflyfish. Bigger fish were also visible in the distance, including several Napoleon wrasse and brilliantly colored lunar-tail grouper. Even our blue-water safety stops featured great marine life, as we were circled by a pair of wahoo on two consecutive dives, along with passing schools of rainbow runners and giant trevallies. 🐠

Our last dive of the day was another amazing site off Narcondam’s south end known as Chimneys, consisting of several rocky spires rising within 20 feet of the surface. These pinnacles are nearly covered by pink soft corals, complimented by large fans and sponges around their bases. And, as you’d expect with such dramatic terrain, there were plenty of reef fish as well as schooling fusiliers and jacks.” - Mark Strickland, trip leader.

✨ Comment “Andamans!” if you’d like more info on this dive destination!

📸 Mark Strickland

08/12/2024

🇹🇿 Bluewater Travel’s Tanzania Big Game Safari Update! This is what day 4 looked like!

“☕️ The day began with a delightful breakfast at Tarangire Lodge, where a sandwich buffet allowed each guest to create their own packed lunch. Giraffes and zebras were the highlights of the morning drive, grazing together for a photogenic moment. All guests enjoyed the experience, and the two vehicles later met at the park gate to stretch and enjoy a coffee break.

🌾 The journey to Ngorongoro went smoothly - we arrived at Farm House by mid afternoon.

🍻 The Group met for happy hour and then continued with dinner outside with stunning views. The lodge did express laundry for the group with clothes returned in just a few hours! Everyone is really happy with the trip.” - Mike Chiado, trip leader.

08/11/2024

😱 An idyllic paradise…

📍Palau

“Back to the spectacular Ulong Channel dive: while we were under the sea in this patch of Palauan ocean we saw a big school of jacks and a plethora of black-tip reef sharks—the most we saw the entire trip (while hooking). After we unhooked from the reef and we were drifting down the channel, we saw many nice, colorful soft corals and a vast patch of green cabbage coral.” - Tim Yeo, Bluewater Travel COO and trip leader.

🤿 Want to know more about diving in Palau? Comment “Palau” and we’ll send you a bunch of info including marine life & environment, best dive sites, diving conditions, how to get there, best time to dive and more practical information!

📹 Videos captured by Valeri Sakhnenko

08/10/2024

🇹🇿 Bluewater Travel's Tanzania Big Game Safari Update: Day 3!

🦁 “The group left before dawn for the game drive. Lots of elephants, zebras, a pair of lions, a leopard, impalas, ...lunch provided by lodge was enjoyed by the swamp in the south east part of the park. After a 7-hour drive we returned to the hotel for a rest. I offered Photo/processing help in the lobby from 3-5pm. After dinner, our night drive started and sightings included: Mongoose, fox, bush babies, elephants, zebra, owl, Eland, genet, ostrich, leopard, spring hare, civet, jackal, giraffe...Group tired but totally amazed by the sightings so far.” - Mike Chiado, trip leader.

08/09/2024

😱 Secrets for editing 360 footage easily!

📸📸 Editing 360 underwater video is easier than you think!
1️⃣ Install the Insta360 Studio Application
2️⃣ Import your footage
3️⃣ Stabilize and color correct your footage
4️⃣ Trim your clips
5️⃣ Keyframes and tracking
6️⃣ Export your footage

🔗 If you’re looking for a great article and video on how to edit 360 UW video, comment “360!” and we’ll send the link your way!

📹 Videos captured by Nirupam Nigam while diving in the Galapagos!

08/09/2024

🇹🇿 Bluewater Travel's Tanzania Big Game Safari Update! Day 2: Welcome to Tarangire National Park! 🇹🇿

🐘 “Scheduled pickup is at 8:30am for the two hour drive to Tarangire National Park. After a brief stop to obtain the permit for our group, we were treated to zebras, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeests, antelopes and an elephant bathing in a pond. What a start!. Around 1pm, we stopped for lunch in the bush. More sightings of the same following lunch before arriving at Tarangire Safari Lodge. We checked into the lodge and rested in our tents for a short break. Before dinner, a dusk drive with an elephant herd parading right by our jeeps, and a pair of cheetahs right next to the jeeps! A great day in everyone's opinion.” - Mike Chiado, trip leader.

08/08/2024

🇹🇿 Our Tanzania trip is underway! Here’s an update on Day 1:

🦁 We arrived at Kilimanjaro International airport. After finishing passport control and customs, we were met by our Safari guides at the arrivals gate. After an introduction, our guides took us to Arusha, for check-in and overnight.

⛰️ Arusha is the safari capital of Tanzania located at the foot of Mt. Meru, close to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Manyara, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro National Parks. From there it’s only a short trip to the Serengeti. Just to the north, on the slopes of Mt. Meru is the Arusha National Park.

✨ Our group had checked in by noon and was already enjoying the beautiful views of Arusha and Katambuga House.

🚕 Driving time was approximately 1.5 hours.

08/08/2024

👀 Where would you prefer to be?

🦈 French Polynesia: Fakarava Grouper Spawning Event!
🇪🇨 Galapagos: Diving with marine iguanas!
🐋 French Polynesia: Swimming with humpback whales in Moorea!
🇵🇭 Dumaguete: Diving amongst colorful reef!

📸 Videos from Tim Yeo, Paul Fierest & Jason Boehm

08/07/2024

💙 In the heart of Indonesia’s coral triangle!

📍 Triton Bay, Indonesia

“Located on the western end of the huge island of New Guinea, Indonesia’s Triton Bay is home to an incredible variety and volume of marine life, and boasts some of the world’s healthiest and most colorful reefs. In fact, it is believed to rival even Raja Ampat for the title of the world’s greatest marine biodiversity. Above the waterline, the expanse of verdant green rainforest that borders these waters shows little sign of human habitation, which has much to do with the unusual abundance of fish and general health of the reefs, as there is little impact from humans. Diving here is a rare treat, and for most of us who participated in Bluewater’s recent dive expedition and photo workshop, it was a trip of a lifetime. “ - Mark Strickland (trip leader) during the 2023 Group Trip.

🤿 Want to know more about diving in Triton Bay? Comment “Triton!” and we’ll send you our recap which has a bunch of info on this dive destination!

📸 Mark Strickland

08/07/2024

Beautifully captured by Nirupam Nigam Photography on our recent Philippines Group Trip and Photo Workshop! 🎉

This is a fun technique that doesn't require much editing after taking the image! The balls of bokeh are created by placing steel wool behind the seahorse and positioning my strobes inwardly for a black background.

The seahorse in question was living in the sand off the coast of Anda, Bohol, Philippines. Thanks to Bluewater Travel and for a fantastic trip!

08/06/2024

“As scuba divers, we continually seek new adventures, whether diving in new locations, searching for bucket-list marine life, or diving in new conditions. Blackwater diving may sound intimidating, but it offers divers a unique experience and the opportunity to witness and photograph marine life unseen during traditional daytime or night dives. Plunge into the darkness, and you will be mesmerized by the otherworldly experience.”

✨ Click below to read our new article on Blackwater Diving: An Adventure into the Abyss!

Explore the fascinating world of blackwater diving, its origins, the mesmerizing marine life it reveals, the best locations to try it, and tips for an unforgettable blackwater diving experience.

08/05/2024

🔥 40% OFF Humpback Whale Experience

👀 If you’ve ever wanted to swim with humpback whales - this is your chance!

📍 Moorea, French Polynesia

🐋 Due to cancellation, spots are available during these dates:
Sep 21 - 28, 2024
Sep 28 - Oct 5, 2024

✨ Comment “Group Trip!” if you’d like more info on these trips!

📹 Mike Pizzi

08/04/2024

😱 One of the regions best kept secrets

📍Coron, Philippines

⛴️ Boasting arguably the best wreck-diving in Asia, Coron Bay is the final resting place of 11 Japanese supply ships, bombed by Allied forces in 1944. Many of the wrecks are still in excellent condition, featuring well-preserved fixtures and fittings and piles of ammunition that provide plenty of intrigue for visiting divers. In the intervening years since WWII, the region’s rich marine life has moved in, and each wreck is now a vibrant artificial reef teeming with colorful life.

🤿 Want to know more about diving in Coron? Comment “Coron” and we’ll send you a bunch of info!

📹 Videos captured by Paul Fierst and Anne Rucqoui

08/02/2024

🤫👇 Our honest review on Fakarava grouper spawning event!

📍 Fakarava, French Polynesia

✨ The trip recap is LIVE! So you can read all the ins and outs when it comes to a trip like this! Comment “Recap” and we’ll send the link your way!

🤿 If you’d like more info on Fakarava as a dive destination, comment “Fakarava” and we’ll send you a link with loads of practical information!

📹 Videos captured by Tim Yeo

08/01/2024

👀 Dumaguete Recap is live! Which is your favorite image?

These images were all taken using:
📸 A Nikon Z8 in a marelux Z8 housing with dual Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo strobes, a Marelux SOFT lite, a Nikon Z 107mm macro lens, a Nikon 8-15mm fisheye lens, and the Marelux Apollo III strobes.

🎉 Friendly reminder: Each piece of gear mentioned above can be purchased through Bluewater Photo!

"The allure of Dauin’s diving is the beautiful volcanic black sand – the perfect background for macro photography and video. Sprinkled among small heads of coral and sponges are a plethora of critters. It was fitting that the first animal we encountered was a bright yellow frogfish – the unofficial mascot of Dumaguete. It was tucked vertically into a crevice – doing a bad job of blending in. From there things only got more interesting including encounters with multiple species and colors of frogfish, nudibranchs, and anemone fish. A couple anemone fish were even aerating their eggs to bring forth the next generation into the watery domain.” - Nirupam Nigam, trip leader.

🇵🇭 Comment “Dumaguete!” if you’d like to read our review on the trip!

📸 Video by Paul Fierest & images by Nirupam Nigam