Fabrice Dudenhofer, Malpelo Island, Colombia
Scalloped hammerheads are widespread and seen in massive numbers in Malpelo
The Tropical Jap Pacific is house to a few of the world’s most well-known dive locations, together with the Galápagos Islands, Cocos Island in Costa Rica, and the Revillagigedos Archipelago in Mexico, however one different much less well-known however equally interesting vacation spot also needs to be included on this checklist: Malpelo Island in Colombia. Situated 300 miles from the mainland and solely accessible by liveaboard, Malpelo is a difficult place to go to and to dive, however adventurous vacationers keen to make the journey to this barren seamount might be rewarded with wide-angle picture alternatives to rival wherever else on the planet. These aware of this a part of the world will know that nutrient-rich upwellings deflected into shallower water by underwater mountain ranges present gas for an abundance of marine lifetime of all sizes and styles.
No gentle coral coated reefs or their regular inhabitants right here. As a substitute, you’ll find massive rock formations and cliff faces that descend quickly into the deep water trench surrounding the island. The main target in Malpelo is all the time on what might seem out of the blue, so underwater photographers diving listed below are suggested to neglect concerning the macro lens and focus on the large stuff. Big faculties of hammerhead and silky sharks patrol the water surrounding the island, and whale shark sightings are widespread. You too can count on to come across eagle rays and big faculties of jacks, barracuda and tuna. Nearer to the rocks, you may deal with exhausting coral coated outcrops and a few shut focus extensive angle photographs of moray eels and scorpionfish. Both means, extensive angle is the way in which ahead!
Anticipate robust currents and deep dives to expertise the very best encounters, and to make issues extra difficult you usually need to deal with chilly water and restricted visibility, too. Underwater photographers are sometimes shocked to find how troublesome it may be to seize good photos in these circumstances, so it’s testomony to 1’s capturing expertise when you return from journeys within the Jap Tropical Pacific with nice images or video.
Massive faculties of fish are discovered throughout the island and make for excellent photos
A large whale shark drifts by effortlessly in opposition to the robust present
Even across the rock formations fish college in massive numbers
Colourful coral scenes to enhance the large animal photos are additionally doable in some places
A pair of noticed eagle rays fully surrounded by fish
A twister of jacks block out the daylight above
A brilliant pink scorpionfish offers the closet factor to macro capturing yow will discover in Malpelo
Massive teams of barracuda swim on formation like birds above the floor
Nose to nose with the most important fish within the ocean, the whale shark
A detailed-up shot of a leather-based bass in deep water
Moray eels may be seen in teams everywhere in Malpelo
A diver explores a darkish crevice near the islands shoreline
An enormous ball of snapper heading into deeper water to keep away from predators and some photographers!
A silky shark approaches the group within the blue
A flounder glides over the rocks trying to find a spot to cover
Even the birds above wish to see what is occurring under the water in Malpelo
A silky shark follows an enormous college of tuna, a typical Malpelo wide-angle picture
To see extra of Fabrice’s Galápagos photos or his equally superior work from different locations, take a look at his web site, www.fabricedudenhofer.com, and his Instagram web page.
