Everybody has heard of photography. Also, most tourists carry their still or video cameras with them on their trips and capture the images of things, sites or places on their cameras. Photographing of over-ground sites is very common. This is true of sites in Greece also. However, what is not so well known is that Greece is also an underwater photographer’s paradise. In fact, underwater photography in Greece is a popular pastime for both professional photographers and many nature loving tourists who visit the country every year. It is so popular that, often, many underwater photographic contests are held. In these contests, many national and international photographers participate and take home beautiful prizes.
- Why underwater photography in Greece is so popular
Greece is a group of islands interspersed near one another in the Mediterranean Sea. These islands are home to many different species of flora and fauna. Not only this, even the waters by the islands are rich in aquatic flora and fauna. Thus, tourists get to see a rich sight consisting of diverse forms of marine life that include cuttle fish, squids, dolphins, sharks, star fish, warty crabs, lobsters and the octopus. Diving into the waters during the winter is a popular pastime for all kinds of tourists who visit the various islands from all parts of the world. Underwater photography in Greece is thus actively encouraged and can be seen as a popular event in the itinerary of the tourists or business travelers to this beautiful country nestled by the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.
- Things other than marine life to photograph underwater in Greece
It is not only marine life that is extensively photographed by local and foreign tourists and visitors to Greece. Many visitors actually want to dive under water nearby many islands for other reasons. Underwater photography in Greece is actually a very enjoyable pastime and profession. By diving underwater in Greece, one can actually find many interesting archaeological sites that include underwater caves, shipwrecks and even some rock formations that are unique to this part of the world. Thus, Mykonos Island is a place where one can find a shipwreck remains underwater. The insides of this wreck are host to many marine animals or living organisms like eels, lemon sharks, turtles and corals. Another island is Kalymnos which is internationally well-known as the sponge-divers’ island. The waters by the sides of this island are home to some of the best specimens of sponges in entire Europe. The waters are always crystal clear and permit of great views. There are as many s 28 different species of sponges as well as some sharks. Corfu Island is also well known as the watery home for various squids, starfishes, fire worms and octopus. Similarly, there are islands like Kapari that boast of a particular marine species like the dolphins which can be seen easily here. Hence, most visitors to the islands want to rent scuba diving gear and simply dive under the waters to view the amazing nature underground first hand also photograph what they see. Therefore, underwater photography in Greece can also be an exciting option for tourists and other visitors to the islands.
- Magical waters of Greece
For professional and amateur photographers, the waters of Greece are magical and hold much promise by way of variety of naturally beautiful underwater sights, unique locations, ancient archaeological structures, proliferating marine flora and fauna and the thrills that diving and underwater photography in Greece can afford to all kinds of tourists that choose to visit this island nation. Crete offers various island sites which are ideal for underwater photography. Diving into the crystal clear waters beside islands like Kamini, Shinaria, Explosion in Crete offer great magical moments for photographers and movie cameramen. The islands of Corfu like Kolovri and Kontokali have surfeit of eels, barracuda and small fishes moving in shoals. The waters of Kontokali permit photography up to 20 meters and contain a vast marine life like octopuses, moray eels, starfish and groupers. Underwater photography in Greece can be particularly awesome in the island of Kolovri where one can find and photograph arches and reefs that drop down to a step 40 meters or even more in some places. Even novice divers can find these waters easy to negotiate and survey. However, one can also see similar underwater reefs and other archaeological marvels like ancient caves in other islands groups also like Santorini, Lesvos, Zante, Lefkas, Chios, Crete and other provinces. Everywhere one goes, the underwater visibility ahs to be seen to be believed and photographers are able to take great photographs and videos by simply diving underwater and focusing their cameras.
- Diving apparatus and divers clubs in Greece
Diving apparatus can be easily be purchased or rented by tourists from local diving clubs or shops that sell scuba diving gear. The important gear required for deep-sea diving includes driving suit, float regulator, respiration regulator, mask, aqualung, etc. There are innumerable high-class diving clubs and gear selling shops from which one can easily rent or buy the needed diving equipment. Not only this, if one does not have a good camera to use underwater, one can also hire professional photographers who can dive to take photographs underwater for them. One can simply dive along with the photographer and watch him take photographs under the sea. Underwater photography in Greece is actually a very developed industry and there are several top-class underwater photographers in Greece. These underwater photographers often hold exhibitions of their notable photographs underwater from time to time. These are also worth seeing if one visits most islands in Greece and wants to explore underwater diving and photography.
The concept of diving underwater into the sea surrounding the picturesque islands of Greece has really taken off in recent times. Many tour operators even offer a special diving and photography tour that is decidedly an interesting way to promote tourism in Greece. Underwater photography in Greece is fast becoming a favorite among foreign tourists who love the marine life in the seas around Greece and also wish to have an adventurous tour to the country.