Underwater macro photography at Catalina Island

If you know where to look, Catalina island is filled with beautiful underwater macro subjects. There's also many beautiful juvenile fish at Catalina.

Janolus nudibranch, ship rock, Catalina island. 60mm lens, F18, ISO 250, 1/250th

Spanish shawl nudibranch, Catalina island, 105mm lens + subsee diopter, F20

Serpulid worm, Catalina island, Nikon 105mm macro lens, F18

Christmas tree worm, Catalina island, 105mm macro lens, F25

White zooanthid anemones, Little Farnsworth, Catalina. 60mm macro lens, F11

Underwater macro tips for Catalina Island

• Nudibranchs are most prevalent in March - June, in 50-120ft of water.
• The Two Harbors area, especially Ship Rock, will have the best nudibranch selection.
• Also look on the bow of the Valient Wreck, deep at the West end cove, at Farnsworth banks and at Little Farnsworth
• A 60mm lens with a 1.4x teleconverter, or a 105mm lens with a wet diopter are great setups.

Further Reading

• Photographing marine life behavior
• Dive Site Research for underwater photography
• Underwater photography destinations