Clown Fish, Fiji, Bequa Island. Model for the Nemo pixar movie.Hammerhead shark patrolling the open blue at Wolf Island, Galápagos — one of the most remote dive sites on earth, legendary for massive shark aggregationsSoft coral ghost goby, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia — nearly transparent and almost invisible against its host coral, in the muck diving capital of the world Giant elkhorn coral, Bonaire — a diver in the background gives scale to these ancient formations, a field centuries in the making. This entire reef was completely destroyed by a major storm in 2024, an irreplaceable loss. Spotted moray eel, Maui — a common but captivating resident of Hawaiian reefs, divers often learn to recognize individuals by their markings and return to visit them year after year.Green sea turtle resting on coral, Grand Cayman — these ancient mariners return to the same cleaning stations year after year, at home in the crystal-clear protected waters of the Cayman Islands. Elkhorn coral, Bonaire — golden antler branches reaching toward the light, preserved within one of the Caribbean’s oldest no-take marine parks, established in 1979. This colony was lost in the devastating 2024 storm. Ruth descending into the blue, Bonaire — co-discoverer of the lost A-1 Skyraider wreck off San Diego, with several hundred dives to her name. The black and white treatment makes the scene timeless as dives down to photographer Elkhorn Coral.Red Pygmy Seahorse Lembeh Straits, North Sulawesi. This little guy the size of your pinky nail never moves more than a few centimeters his whole life due to his adaptions to his coral home. Garibaldi, La Jolla — a portrait against pure black, orange scales electric under the light, blue eye alert. California’s state marine fish, fully protected by law and utterly fearlessRuth Yu with her camera rig beside giant elkhorn coral, Bonaire — this colony took centuries to reach this size. The 2024 storm destroyed it entirely, making this photo a rare historical record.Green sea turtle coming straight at the camera, Grand Cayman — flying through the water with quiet authority, a species that has patrolled these reefs for 100 million years and outlasted the dinosaurs. Parrotfish portrait, Klein Island, Bonaire — clouds superimposed behind fused beak teeth that can bite through coral rock. The most requested photo in Dennis’s collection, particularly among orthodontists. Banded sea krait, Snake Island, Raja Ampat — Laticauda colubrina, among the most venomous snakes on earth yet completely docile toward divers. Comes ashore to rest, lay eggs, and drink fresh water.
White mouth Moray eel, Maui — a bold resident of Hawaiian reefs, the perpetually open mouth is not aggression but simply how they breathe, pumping water across their gills.
Firefish goby, Maui — also known as a dartfish for good reason, this vivid creature hovers just above its burrow and vanishes into the sand in a flash at the first sign of danger such as underwater photographers.Another White Mouth out of his hole during a night dive.Frowning Clown Fish must not have found Nemo yet.Coral Glass Fish never needs an MRI, Chuk, Micronesia.Ruth heads down to the reef at the Cousteau Resort, Fiji.Mantis Shrimp has his eyes on you. Has a snapper claw that can break crab shells or your finger. One of Snake Island’s famous residents rests calmly in the hands of a local Indonesian dive guide — among the most venomous snakes on Earth, yet remarkably docile when encountered with knowledge and respect. The Banda Sea’s remote Snake Island is legendary among divers for the density of these striking animals above and below the waterline. Notice his tongue out testing the waters.We call this one fishhat. Ruth takes a moment behind the camera at Stingray City, Grand Cayman — while a southern stingray takes a moment on top of her head. One of the most famous dive sites on Earth, where generations of habituated rays have learned that humans mean food, belly rubs, and apparently, a comfortable resting spot. First swim — a baby sea turtle released off Grand Cayman. A green moray eel glides across the open reef, out from its usual hiding spot among the coral.Newly hatch baby squid clings to life. Dennis settles into the remains of a sunken ore car, SeaCam housing and strobes ready, where a small-scale rail line once spilled into the ocean.A giant clam shows off its vividly colored mantle on the reef in Papua New Guinea. A curious baby seal reaches out, resting a flipper on the GoPro as it meets a diver face to face. Ruth wades ankle-deep alongside a basking Hawaiian green sea turtle on the shore at Kona, Hawaii. A blue whale lifts its massive tail flukes, water streaming off as it slips beneath the surface off the San Diego coast.
