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Dive Review of Ocean Frontiers/Compass Point in
Cayman Islands/Grand Cayman

Ocean Frontiers/Compass Point: "Alex Mustard Controlling Light Workshop", Aug, 2019,

by Wayne Joseph, CA, US (Contributor Contributor 13 reports with 11 Helpful votes). Report 11001 has 2 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments I went to Grand Cayman to participate in Alex Mustard's photo workshop. I have been doing UW photography for quite a few yrs, but I felt I really needed to improve my wide angle photography. So, I signed up for this class. I had read his book, Underwater Photography Masterclass & found it very helpful.
First, I have to say this class isn't for beginning UW photo. You should have some experience with the concepts of UW photography, know how to use your camera, & have some knowledge of Lr or Ps. I also feel you get more out of the class if you've read his book. (I get no compensation for any sales of his book because of this statement.)
Second,you're going to work a lot when taking this class; no time for sightseeing. (I stayed over a few days so my wife & I could chill on the East End) We did about 14 dives in 5 days & spent time at the Stingray City sand bar so we could practice split photography & ambient photos with the rays. He did lectures in the evening, critiqued some of our photos, then up early to leave at 7:30 (or 6am for sunrise split photos). Alex goes out before the course starts so he can check out the dive sites he feels are the most photogenic. This is a big plus because you usually are at the mercy of the dive operation as to where they do a dive when you are just a guest at the resort.
It's best to buy food at the local store (across from Morrits) to get breakfast & lunch food because Eagle Rays (at the resort) may take too long to serve you & finish eating before you leave for the dives.
I can't say enough about how much this course helped me. Alex helps to get you to think about how the sun is affecting the scene, how to shoot it for various effects, & how cloudy conditions can help with certain types of images. He suggests some exposure settings & what changing certain parameters will do to the exposure.
I met quite a few people who've attended his courses multiple times. (In fact a few were staying to retake the class for the second week) A really nice group of people from around the world who were very friendly.
About the accommodations: Ocean Frontiers & Compass Point have had many good reviews in Undercurrent. The rooms are clean, spacious, & have enough amenities should you decide to cook in the condo. The dive staff is very friendly, helpful, & can show you how to blow up an orange floating in the air using an air tank. Restaurants: Eagle Rays is good (esp. the lionfish tacos) and moderately priced. There is a new restaurant across the street, Taco Cantina, that is good & reasonably priced. They have 2 for 1 tacos & margaritas on Tues & Thurs. Tukka, down the street is fancier, but also higher priced. My wife & I felt that the Lighthouse restaurant (in the opposite direction) has very excellent food, but is much pricier (and worth it).
For me it was a very satisfying week of learning. I hope some day to be able to attend another one of his courses.
You can go on Alex's website to see a list of his workshops.
Websites Ocean Frontiers   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Caymans, Bonaire, San Salvador Island, Fiji, St. Thomas, California, Sardinia, Hawaii
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy, dry Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 84-86°F / 29-30°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 75-100 Ft/ 23-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions [Unspecified]
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities 5 stars
UW Photo Comments They place a large table with 2 shelves for all of our cameras.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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