Fabrice Dudenhofer, Malpelo Island, Colombia

Scalloped hammerheads are widespread and seen in giant numbers in Malpelo

The Tropical Jap Pacific is residence to among 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 will likely be rewarded with wide-angle photograph alternatives to rival anyplace else on the planet. These conversant in this a part of the world will know that nutrient-rich upwellings deflected into shallower water by underwater mountain ranges present gasoline for an abundance of marine lifetime of all sizes and styles.

No mushy coral coated reefs or their regular inhabitants right here. As a substitute, you will see giant rock formations and cliff faces that descend quickly into the deep water trench surrounding the island. The main focus in Malpelo is at all times on what might seem out of the blue, so underwater photographers diving listed below are suggested to neglect in regards to the macro lens and focus on the massive stuff. Big faculties of hammerhead and silky sharks patrol the water surrounding the island, and whale shark sightings are widespread. You may also anticipate to come across eagle rays and large faculties of jacks, barracuda and tuna. Nearer to the rocks, you’ll be able to give attention to laborious coral coated outcrops and a few shut focus huge angle pictures of moray eels and scorpionfish. Both means, huge angle is the way in which ahead!

Anticipate sturdy currents and deep dives to expertise the very best encounters, and to make issues extra sophisticated you typically must 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 situations, so it’s testomony to at least one’s capturing abilities for those who return from journeys within the Jap Tropical Pacific with nice images or video.

Giant faculties of fish are discovered throughout the island and make for excellent photos

An enormous whale shark drifts by effortlessly in opposition to the sturdy present

Even across the rock formations fish college in giant numbers

Colourful coral scenes to enhance the massive animal photos are additionally doable in some places

A pair of noticed eagle rays utterly surrounded by fish

A twister of jacks block out the daylight above

A vivid purple scorpionfish supplies the closet factor to macro capturing yow will discover in Malpelo

Giant 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 will be seen in teams in all places 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 looking for a spot to cover

Even the birds above need to see what is going on 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.