Aloha
While I teach photography workshops in Maui lead small groups on adventures in Tonga to snorkel with whales, this Indonesia trip is my vacation. I am really looking forward to diving, and enjoying myself. I have always wanted to go on the Damai I but the boat is so popular I have not been able to. Just by luck I checked the schedule and saw that there was an opening after a scheduled maintenance break in 2012. SO , I signed up.
The adventure starts in Raja Ampat, then goes to Manakwari for some great wreck diving. It continues to Chandrawasih Bay for whale sharks and coral reefs. The dates are July 30-Aug 9th 2012. The reason I made the post is that I thought there might be a few underwater photographers out there that might like to join.
Check out the Damai website and sign up.Dive Damai
- Wetpixel :: Underwater Photography Forums
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About Me
I have been an u/w photographer since the early 90's. My goal is to create compelling images of nature that reflect beauty and drama, as well as evoke an emotional response among people.
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scuba diving, photography, travel
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Nikon d200 and D2X
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Topics I've Started
Damai I just opened up a trip July 30-Aug 9, 2012
26 December 2011 - 01:00 PM
2011 Tonga Humpback whale report
26 December 2011 - 12:39 PM
In the world of adventure travel Tonga is one of those destinations that has yet to be discovered by the mainstream. While the diving is good this remote destination is one of the only places in the world where the government issues a set number of permits allowing charter companies to take people snorkeling with Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales.
2011, was my sixth season in Tonga, and based on 3 days in Tongatapu, 2 weeks in Ha'apai, and 3 weeks in vavau' Tonga, I'd have to say it was a very good season.
Among all the incredible encounters this year, a few stand out. One one day, I saw males head butting and fluke slapping in an attempt to show dominance in a heat run, males bubbling each other and lunging on top of each other from underwater. It was like the discovery channel but happening 30-40 feet away. I could watch but with a 10-17 lens could not get close enough to make quality photographs. This season it also seemed like there were a lot of males around. This observation is based only on the number of heat runs I observed as well as the number of groups of young whales not yet sexually active playing and pretending to do behaviors they would be doing for sure perhaps as soon as next season.
Read the entire report here2011 Tonga report
2011, was my sixth season in Tonga, and based on 3 days in Tongatapu, 2 weeks in Ha'apai, and 3 weeks in vavau' Tonga, I'd have to say it was a very good season.
Among all the incredible encounters this year, a few stand out. One one day, I saw males head butting and fluke slapping in an attempt to show dominance in a heat run, males bubbling each other and lunging on top of each other from underwater. It was like the discovery channel but happening 30-40 feet away. I could watch but with a 10-17 lens could not get close enough to make quality photographs. This season it also seemed like there were a lot of males around. This observation is based only on the number of heat runs I observed as well as the number of groups of young whales not yet sexually active playing and pretending to do behaviors they would be doing for sure perhaps as soon as next season.
Read the entire report here2011 Tonga report
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