1st Place Cold Water

Jon Anderson

"Cathedral of Kelp"

Jon Anderson won a 12-night Passport to Paradise package with 4 nights Murex Manado, 4 nights Murex Bangka, 4 nights Lembeh Resort

The Story: Blue rockfish and giant kelp are two species more or less guaranteed at Monastery Beach, that is if the conditions allow you to dive this site. The orientation of the beach leaves it fairly exposed to incoming swells from the open ocean, often making it difficult or impossible to dive safely. Many days when it can be dove safely, thick coastal fog blocks out sun almost entirely and nutrient rich upwellings reduce visibility to just a few feet and cast a green haze into the water. On rare occasions the stars align at Monastery Beach providing calm seas, outstanding visibility, and cathedral like beams of intense light that pierce thought the kelp canopy. On these days the the kelp forest becomes one of the most beautiful underwater environments on Earth. With brand new strobes attached to my housing it was difficult but I forced myself to shut them off and focused on capturing the dramatic ambience of the dancing light beams. 

Location:  Monterey, California, USA

Equipment Used:  Nikon D850, Nikon 16-35mm F4 Lens, Nauticam NA-D850 Housing, Sea & Sea Dome Port, 

Camera Settings: 1/30, F13, ISO 1600

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