USVI-On-Line

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92483818@N04/

We just returned from our fourth trip. The previous trips have all been in January so this is our first time in August.

I must say we pretty much did the same as usual. Beaches, snorkeling, eating, sleeping.

Things that I noticed were that the ocean temps were much much more to our liking than in January. Don't get me wrong, January is fine too but wow, this water temp now was super nice.

The fish were HUGE and plentyful.

Lots of sharks about and they too were HUGE. Saw at least one every day.

Less people and we liked that as well.

Very good water clarity all week with calm water.

Really great snorkeling in Leinster Bay/ waterlemon cay. With our favorite at the no name snorkel at the three buoys. Saw two very large nurse sharks next to each other, the sea star field, lots of turtles and octupuses, lobsters, etc.

Went to Honeymoon beach for the first time and really like that beach except for the flotila of screaming people being disgorged from catamarans to flail about over that very nice reef. One group was over the reef just screamming... I guess the capt of their boat was encouraging them to be as loud in their screaming as possible.

We stopped at Maho in the afternoons to relax, such an awesome beach.

Saw two baby spotted eagle rays at Maho... they were circling the same area and were so cute.

Best meals were at Sun Dog and waterfront bistro.

Stayed at Bluebitch and had a great experience from beginning to end. Rented their SUV as well. Great people who owned the apt.

Not sure when we'll be able to return...!

fantastic pics! thanx for posting!

Great Pics...Loved the baby goat and LOTS of Star Fish..Wow...Thanks for the share..

Wow.. professional quality photos!

Great photos so many star fish what a find, love the baby goat too

Your pictures are incredible! So vibrant and clear. You certainly encountered quite a spectacular variety of underwater life. Thank you for sharing.

Wow! Love your pics!

Clarity of photos is amazing. What camera did you use?

Yes - - real nice shots, nicely edited and cropped.

@ Chris - EFIX data says that Isa used a Canon D20.

It seems to me that some of the best underwater work shown here quite often appears to be shot with the Canon D20 or its older version the D10.

I know that when the underwater camera questions break here out every few months some folks bring up issues they have had with the Canons, but this shows once again that when in the right hands and with a little post production help, they can deliver pretty remarkable results for a reasonably priced point-n-shoot, both above and underwater.

I agree with everyone - great pics!! Where were most of your shark sightings? I really enjoyed those photos!!

Great pics! Love the baby goat! It's amazing that these new waterproof point and shoot cameras take such great photos. Before to get shots like that you would have to spend $1500 for a waterproof housing for your dSLR camera.

Wonderful pics....thanks so much for sharing...

Hi,
Thanks for looking at my photos and for the compliments!
I do use a Canon D20 and photoshop. The camera itself in the underwater mode takes pretty good photos when water clarity is good and when it's a shallow shot.
I do need to color correct when in deeper water and far away.
The out of water photos are on program and I don't need to do anything to those.
We saw sharks at every beach visited: two sharks at Leinster at the no name snorkel.
Maho, Honeymoon, Francis, Jumbie.
I saw someone with a Go Pro (I think) with a long pole to extend the camera and I bet that takes pretty good photos.
I find that the D20 works well underwater at about one foot away to three feet.
Thanks!

Where did you stay? and What snorkeling trips did you take if any? Your pictures were awesome. We are going in May. Thinking of staying at Best Western Emerald Bay.

Loved the images, some of the best that I have ever seen. I bought my wife a Fugi camera that can be used under water last year for her birthday, hopefully she can come up with something like yours!