Blue Water Pacific

Tim Rock · Issue 33, Nov/Dec 2006 · pp. 27–32

Products mentioned: Nikon D100, Aquatica housing, Ikelite DS125 strobes, Canon 20D, Sigma 80-400VR zoom, Sigma 8mm AF lens, 10-22mm lens, 10.5mm lens

The beauty of the coral reefs is one of the major attractions in the Pacific’s travel industry. Snorkelers, divers and sun worshippers flock to locales with healthy and diverse reefs to explore the amazing world of the coral kingdom. But more people are looking beyond the reef. This blue water region is the realm of ocean’s large inhabitants. Whales, dolphins, manta rays, sharks, ocean sunfish and other pelagics are becoming more and more sought by traveling naturalists and adventurers. Some are fish and some are water-borne mammals. People want to see them, track their movements, photograph them and understand how they live in the open sea. They do this through land-based excursions out to sea and also through extended live aboard trips ranging in price from US$2,000 to US$20,000 per trip. Getting to know the world of the deep blue is a complex task. Guides must understand things like m…