Best underwater landscape location

[threestar333 0]

I am working on a project that involves shooting underwater "landscapes" of reef topography. I want these to look as much as possible like surface landscapes of mountain ranges etc. I need a location that combines mega visibility with spectacular coral and reef structures, prefereably at low depths. Fish and other large fauna are not required, but would of course be nice.

Any suggestions?

[NWDiver 42]

Is your budget "healthy"? Are dramatic walls more important than prolific corals? Is there a region of the world you are leaning to?

[Kelpfish 15]

Dramatic? Viz? Sounds like the antarctic to me

 

Joe

[DeanB 19]

I always thought the steep drop off's around Gozo looked like an aquatic version of the U.K's green hill-sides The viz can be amazing. But not much in the way of corals I'm afraid.

 

Dive safe

 

DeanB

[threestar333 0]

Is your budget "healthy"?  Are dramatic walls more important than prolific corals?  Is there a region of the world you are leaning to?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think the budget could be healthy if needs be, there's no particular region I have in mind, I think that large scale formations like walls and pinnacles would be more important than prolific coral.

[Photobeat 0]

Upper Florida Keys might work - Tavineer, Islamorada Keys

[dmoss 0]

I think that large scale formations like walls and pinnacles would be more important than prolific coral.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

A couple of my most memorable trips would have to include Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman. Truly a dramatic wall that starts in about 30 feet and drops straight down to several thousand feet.

 

As far as pinnacles go, Saba has an area of dive sites that are actually called 'The Pinnacles'. The tops of these pinnacles are rather deep. Starting around 80 to 90 feet and dropping into the abyss. They are actually sea mounts coming up from the bottom.

 

The viz can change depending on the time of year in both of these areas.

 

Hope this helps.

[mattdiver 0]

I've just done a couple of dives at a site called Round Island Banc Rouge, in the north of Mauritius. Visibility was incredible (probably more than 50m , although it's hard to estimate precisely), and the underwater stunning, with a moon-like landscape (large boulders, carved rocky surface with a very fine layer of sand, underwater mounds and walls). I'd say this site definitely fits your description.

 

I'm still on location, and have to put up with dialup connection , but will try to post some pics when I'm back.

 

Cheers,

Mat

[Scubaskeeter 3]

Threestar,

 

I was impressed by the Similan Islands, NW of Phuket, Thailand. Huge granite monoliths jutting up from 100ft + to within a few feet of the surface. In March, we had good viz, 60-100ft, but ripping currents. Some of the surfaces were smooth others with sparse coral. There are also a screed/bommie covered walls sloping at 60degrees down from the islands themselves into the abyss.

 

 

Bigger images in gallery:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?act=m...&cmd=si&img=883

[mattdiver 0]

Finally back! Here's a picture that gives a taste of the visibility and landscape you can expect there...

 

[timing 0]

Howabout Tenerife?

 

[threestar333 0]

Hey guys, thanks for all the suggestions, particularly those who posted images, you're giving me ideas already. Keep 'em coming. I guess I'll just have to check them all out