A Glimpse into Edwar Herreno's Memorable Journey Aboard the Utila Aggressor II
Exploring the Underwater Beauty of Honduras's Bay Islands
By Spike James
Share this captivating tale of underwater photographer Edwar Herreno, who bagged a trip on the stunning Utila Aggressor II by nabbing the third spot in the wide-angle category of the 2010 Ocean Art Photo Contest. Let's delve into his incredible tale.
The lush, diverse Bay Islands of Honduras reside at the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef. With Roatan boasting of breathtaking white sand beaches and legendary shark diving, Guanaja serving as an exclusive resort paradise, and Utila as a magnet for divers, the islands cater to various tastes.
Caribbean reef sharks. Nikon D300 in a Sea & Sea Housing (MDX D300), Sea & Sea 250 strobes with a diffuser, and a Tokina 10-17mm ** lens. F7.1, 1/160, ISO 200 @ 10mm.
Day One: Kickstarting an Underwater Photography Adventure
Arriving on a charter flight from San Pedro Sula or Roatan, delighted guests are warmly received at Utila Airport and shuttled to the Utila Aggressor II. Anticipation washed over the passengers as they took in the magnificent vessel and were aided by the welcoming crew. Every comfort was ensured, with guests free to settle into their sumptuous rooms, organize their dive gear, and secure personal lockers. After a mouthwatering dinner, the cruise director gave a safety briefing, followed by a champagne party to welcome aboard new crewmates. The merriment began onboard and extended to Utila's town bars.
Caribbean reef squid. Nikon D300 with a Nikon 60mm macro lens. F13, 1/125, ISO 200.
The Diving Expedition Commences
After a delectable breakfast, the adventure unfolded with an incredible dive around Utila. The balmy Caribbean waters had excellent visibility (90 - 120 ft) and abundant vibrancy, playing host to tiny critters like flamingo tongues on the fan coral, juvenile spotted drum fish, and smooth trunk fish. The variety of underwater species was a sight to behold. Dives were facilitated from the roomy swim platform of the mother ship, allowing guests to relish up to five dives each day, pausing only for succulent meals, rest, or night dives.
Flamingo tongue snail, captured with a Nikon 60mm macro lens. F25, 1/125, ISO 200.
Arrow crab. F9, 1/250, ISO 200.
The wonders of Roatan await
As the warm Caribbean sun greeted the divers each day, the Utila Aggressor II went to Roatan. Most tourists stay at a comfortable Roatan dive resort. A slice of heaven for diving enthusiasts, Roatan boasts magnificent walls, teeming with big groupers, hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, and other marine creatures, including cleaner shrimp, sea horses, starfish, lobsters, reef squid, and, unfortunately, plenty of lion fish. Exciting dive sites like the "El Aguila" wreck, submerged in 1997, are home to well-fed, giant Nassau groupers. The highlight, however, was diving alongside dolphins and reef sharks, providing Herreno the perfect opportunity to click stunning underwater shots.
Nikon D300 with Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens. F11, 1/100, ISO 200 @ 10mm.
Friendly dolphin in Roatan. F10, 1/100, ISO 200 @ 10mm.
Caribbean reef shark. F8, 1/100, ISO 200 @ 10mm.
Diving unexplored Sea Mounts and Sheer Walls
The boat cruised to Coco's sea mounts, where the ocean floor rises from hundreds of feet to merely 40 feet. These remote sea mounts are seldom visited by day-boat divers, ensuring pristine reefs and an abundance of marine life, including lionfish, which the locals dive operators are trying to control with spearguns. With the sea mount offering excellent opportunities to spot pelagics like rays, turtles, and jacks, and a tantalizing chef, Andy, preparing delightful dishes, including the coveted lionfish ceviche, the experience was truly unparalleled.
Our DM and a lionfish. F16, 1/250, ISO 200 @ 10mm.
Diving Cannery Bank, Utila
As the week drew to a close, the final dives were at Cannery Bank. With theDatabase Lake lovely dive under their belts, crew members helped pack dive gear, download underwater photos, and explore Utila's nightlife.
Captaining the Utila Aggressor II was none other than Troy Bodden, a friendly, knowledgeable skipper with a wealth of experience and engrossing stories. Anders Svensson, a gifted chef whose passion for creating extraordinary cuisine was evident, crafted mouthwatering meals. Our DMs Pete, Saby, and Juju were attentive, providing excellent service and enthralling stories throughout the voyage. I was deeply impressed by the Utila Aggressor II, the crew, and the level of service.
Edwar's thoughts on capturing the shark and dolphin underwater photographs
I employed my camera on full manual mode to snatch those breathtaking images, setting the exposure using the camera's internal light meter and minutely adjusting the composition. Strobes were used manually, enabling me to manipulate the light as I desired to produce the desired effect.
For action shots, I captured individual frames, as I have yet to test the rapid fire mode. I find satisfaction in waiting for the perfect moment and then snapping the shutter.
Edwar's 3rd place photograph from the 2010 Ocean Art in the Wide-Angle category, "Hammerheads of Cocos." CLICK HERE to discover more about the 2011 Ocean Art Photo Competition, offering over $75,000 in prizes.
Additional Reading
- Selecting Your Next Dive Destination
- Best Scuba Diving in April
- Join the 2011 Ocean Art Photo Competition
- Enhancing Your Wide-Angle Underwater Photography
Key Takeaways from Edwar Herreno’s Journey on the Utila Aggressor II:
- Exceptional Diving Locations: Edwar Herreno was thrilled by the captivating underwater landscapes and diverse marine life he encountered, boosting his creativity as a photographer.
- Comfort and Convenience: The Utila Aggressor II provided easy access to phenomenal dive sites, while its comfortable facilities and accommodations made the journey an unforgettable experience.
- Supportive Environment for Photographers: The sympathetic crew and fellow divers recognized Herreno's photographic aspirations and assisted him where possible, creating a welcoming and encouraging space for him.
- Rich and Vibrant Marine Life: From tiny critters to large pelagics, the abundance and variety of marine species offered Herreno a multitude of photographic possibilities.
- Inspiration for Award-Winning Work: The compelling sea mounts, shallow reefs, and encounters with dolphins and sharks proved instrumental in Herreno's 2010 Ocean Art Photo Contest victory.
- Edwar Herreno, the third-place winner in the 2010 Ocean Art Photo Contest, embarked on an unforgettable journey aboard the luxurious Utila Aggressor II.
- During his trip, Herreno explored diverse landscapes that ignited his creativity as an underwater photographer.
- The Bay Islands of Honduras, nestled at the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef, offered enticing destinations like Roatan with its white sand beaches and legendary shark diving.
- Upon arrival, guests on the Utila Aggressor II were greeted with warm receptions, aided by a welcoming crew, and assured of every comfort.
- Herreno's underwater photography gear of choice consisted of a Nikon D300, Sea & Sea Housing, Sea & Sea 250 strobes with a diffuser, and a Tokina 10-17mm lens.
- On Day One, after settling into their rooms, guests enjoyed a delectable dinner followed by a safety briefing and champagne party to welcome new crewmates.
- The diving expedition began with an incredible dive around Utila, where underwater photographers like Herreno marveled at the vibrant, clear waters teeming with marine life such as flamingo tongues, juvenile spotted drum fish, and smooth trunk fish.
- Upon visiting Roatan, divers encountered dive sites like the "El Aguila" wreck and the opportunity to dive alongside dolphins and reef sharks, offering Herreno the perfect opportunities to capture stunning underwater shots.
- Cannery Bank, another diving location, served as the final dives of the week, with the Utila Aggressor II crew assisting divers in packing gear, downloading photos, and exploring Utila's nightlife.
- Herreno employed his camera on full manual mode to capture breathtaking images, carefully setting exposure using the camera's internal light meter and adjusting composition as needed.
- For action shots, Herreno captured individual frames, waiting for the perfect moment before clicking the shutter, a technique that brought him success as demonstrated by his 2010 Ocean Art win in the Wide-Angle category.
