If you’re a novice underwater shutterbug and have had diving the Caribbean on your bucket list, there are a couple of photo festivals in Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico already scheduled for next year that you might want to look into.
If you’ve ever had a hankering to dive the island of Cozumel off the Mexican coast and happen to have just bought a digital underwater camera, Mexicandiver Magazine is holding its seventh annual Underwater Digital Fiesta from April 15-22, 2017 at the Casa Del Mar Hotel and Dive Resort.
The package will cost US$1285.50/1213.88 Euros per person based on double occupancy, and includes seven nights of accommodations along with an all-inclusive meal plan, five days with two-tank boat dives and unlimited shore diving, a photo workshop and more.
The fiesta is designed for the budding shutterbug that just bought a digital camera and wants to learn more.
You’ll be able to find out about fine-tuning the settings on your camera, improving your technique, and editing your photos post-dive.
If you don’t have a camera, no worries, you’ll be able to rent one onsite.
This year’s event, held this past June, offered a deal when it was first announced in December 2015 that if you booked your spot before the end of the year, you’d be able to get a free upgrade to a superior room at the resort. Doesn’t look like that’s the case this time around (probably because next year’s event is in April and not June).
For more information, check out the festival website at www.underwaterdigitalfiesta.com.
Another possibility you could look into is the third annual Roatan Underwater Photo Festival, which will take place from September 23-30, 2017.
Diving in Roatán will allow you to practice your wide-angle skills at dive sites such as the El Aguila wreck, the Dolphin’s Den cavern system, a shark dive, and lots of mini-wall dive sites where you’ll be able to take shots of turtles, eagle rays, green moray eels and more. You’ll also have the chance to photograph macro life including juvenile spotted drums, octopus, flamingo tongues, and decorator crabs.
During the event, you’ll have access to top underwater photographers including Brandi Mueller, Andrew Raak, and Paddy Ryan, among others.
The package will cost US$1399/1320 Euros plus 19 percent taxes per person based on double occupancy, and includes seven nights of accommodations; a complimentary shuttle service to the airport or pier; three meals daily including non-alcoholic drinks; six days of boat diving including a Night dive, two Wreck dives, one Shark dive, one Cavern dive, and one Wall dive; Tanks, weights, lockers, boat rides and camera room; seminars by the hosts every night including a presentation of “demo” equipment; Nighttime entertainment including live music and cultural shows; Lounge chairs and beach towels at the pool and beach; and complimentary wireless internet access.
Check out the video below or go to the festival’s website at roatanunderwaterphotofest.com.
