How to Capture Stunning Underwater Photos While Snorkeling

The Maldives is one of the best countries to visit for anyone looking to get away from it all and spend time in luxury. This location is on the bucket list of so many travellers, and it makes sense to know why so many people love the Maldives. A great area to explore in the Maldives is its flourishing underwater world. There’s something mesmerising about this amazing underwater world. As you glide over coral gardens and schools of fish in the Maldives, it’s only natural to want to capture those moments to relive them later. While many travellers snorkel purely for the experience, more and more are combining it with photography, turning their aquatic adventures into vivid visual memories. Thanks to its clear lagoons and flourishing reefs, the Maldives is one of the best places in the world to photograph marine life. This guide offers practical tips for taking high-quality underwater photos while snorkelling, based on trusted techniques and tested gear recommendations.

Camera Options Worth Considering

Having a compact, waterproof, and reliable camera is an ideal option for anyone new to underwater photography. These cameras are usually quite durable, have a good zoom range, and perform well in shallower waters. Action cameras, such as the newer iterations of the GoPro, on the other hand, are pretty popular among travellers as an option for some quick underwater shots. They are generally lightweight and can capture HD video and images with ease. Another option when it comes to photography would be to use your smartphone instead of a separate camera. While this may sound like a good option, you have to be sure to protect the phone against seawater with a covering. 

Figuring Out the Perfect Lighting

Taking photographs under the sea isn’t quite like capturing a random sunset or street scene on land. Light behaves very differently beneath the surface, and colours shift the deeper you go. Water tends to filter out reds, oranges, as well as yellow tones quite quickly, leaving images with a blue-green tint if not adjusted in post-processing. To get the most accurate colours, you can stick to water depths less than 3 metres, where light can penetrate. Trying your hand at underwater shots during the day, when the sun is at its highest, can help solve some colour issues as well. Consider a red filter for your lens, or adjust white balance in post-processing to restore colour accuracy. Many people are surprised by how much brighter and more colourful the reef pictures appear once colour correction is done.

Positioning and Floating

While scuba divers have the benefit of being able to control their buoyancy at will, snorkellers need to manage their stability using body positioning and breath control. A steady camera hand is crucial for sharp, blur-free images. Use a snorkelling vest or flotation belt to stay at surface level with minimal effort. Keep your movements slow and deliberate. Kicking too hard can stir up sediment or scare off marine life. 

Respect Marine Life and the Environment

Ethical snorkelling and photography go hand in hand. Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems, and it’s essential to minimise your impact when taking photos. Never touch or stand on coral, because they are incredibly delicate and might break. Avoid using artificial lighting that might disturb marine animals. Refrain from feeding fish to lure them closer. Instead, practise passive observation. Some of the most captivating images come when animals behave naturally, unbothered by human presence. Resorts like Kuda Villingili support marine conservation, and their guides often offer eco-conscious snorkelling advice as part of their water activities in Maldives packages.

Patient Framing

Underwater photography is as much about composition as it is about technical precision. The key to snapping images lies in your storytelling ability. To achieve the best effect, get close to your subject. Water reduces sharpness and contrast, so proximity enhances detail. Use the rule of thirds to position your subject off-centre for a more dynamic visual effect. Focus on natural interactions like a fish feeding, coral polyps extending, or sunbeams slicing through water columns.