Mark Hatter - Bluewater Dive Travel

Mark Hatter

 

A BRIEF BIO:

Mark Hatter is an accomplished photojournalist who has had nearly one hundred feature articles with many hundreds of images published in more than two dozen fly fishing and diving publications over the last two decades.  His most recent destination features have appeared in Alert Diver and Diver (UK) magazines. 

Mark has traveled the world in pursuit of new underwater photography challenges, including cold-water destinations such as British Columbia and even Antarctica in January 2018.  

“Of course, I love shooting in tropical locations but I think cold water diving is a great forcing function to hone one’s photography skills as the environment and equipment are much more demanding of a diver.  Good image capture in cold water is particularly rewarding.” Mark tells us. 

Mark has been shooting underwater since the early 1980s and has worked in both film and digital mediums in his photojournalism pursuits.  In 35 years of diving, Mark has logged over 2000 hours, much of it doing underwater photography.  Currently, he teaches underwater photography classes locally at Seminole Scuba in Lake Mary, Florida.    

 


 

 

UPCOMING TRIPS: 

  • Anilao Philippines Ultimate Photo Workshop Spring 2024

  • Apr 18 - 28 / Apr 28 - May 5

  • 7N From $1,809 / 10N From $2,319

  • Attend our most popular underwater photo trip

  • Find out why Bluewater’s Anilao trips are known as the best underwater photo trips on the planet

  • Amazing dive guides, each group of 4 divers get their own private boat and guide, most dive sites are just minutes away

  • Chance to see every underwater critter, nudibranch and fish on your bucket list and then some

  • Daily photo workshops and lectures

  • Read Our Trip Report from Anilao 2022!

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  • Galapagos Insane Hammerhead, Manta, Mola and Marine Iguana Trip 2024

  • Apr 25 - May 5, 2024

  • 10N From $9,300

  • Incredible 10-night itinerary delivers non-stop schooling hammerheads, giant manta rays, Mola molas and feeding marine iguanas - plus eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, penguins and giant tortoises.

  • Special plans are made to maximize time with the Iguanas and Mola mola.

  • This is a must-do best of the best trip, at the perfect time of the year.

  • Our best and most popular custom Galapagos marine life itinerary.

  • Includes free photo workshop from Mark Hatter.

  • Unique 10-night itinerary also maximizes time at the world’s the best shark sites.

  • Read Our Trip Report from Galapagos 2022!

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  • Ultimate Whale Shark & Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Trip 2024

  • Aug 24 - 31, 2024

  • 7N From $2,995

  • Whale Sharks & Sea Lions Galore! A day of whale sharks with multiple encounters on 95% of trips

  • Experience the Best of the Sea of Cortez

  • Fly in and out of Phoenix, Arizona! Our van brings you to / from the boat right across the Mexican border

  • Huge diversity of marine life - blennies, nudibranchs, octopus, and more on one of Mexico’s favorite liveaboards - Rocio Del Mar

  • Free optional photo workshop

  • Read Our Trip Report from Sea of Cortez 2022!

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  • Moorea 2022

  • Close Encounters with Humpback Whales in French Polynesia 2024

  • Sept 21 - 28, 2024 (other dates available)

  • 7N From $3,750

  • Best in-water Humpback whale experience in the world

  • Possibly the most beautiful island on the planet

  • A resort and island so beautiful it will leave an ever-lasting impression

  • ⅓ the travel time of Tonga for most guests

  • Read Our Trip Report from Moorea 2022!

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  • Fiji

  • Explore Baja Underwater Photography Workshop 2024

  • October 5 - 17, 2024

  • 12N From $4,695

  • Unique itinerary sailing the entire length of the Sea of Cortez from south to north

  • FREE daily photography workshops by photo pro at no extra cost, suitable for beginners and experienced photographers alike 

  • See the unexpected in remote locations: dolphins, sea lions, whales, mantas etc

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  • Fakavara Grouper Spawning

  • Fakavara Grouper Spawning 2025

  • June 5 - 13, 2025

  • 8N From $5,450 

  • Experience the spectacular event that is the Grouper Spawning, where millions of eggs and sperm are released to ensure fertilization.

  • Get the chance to see other pelagics such as sharks and barracudas.

  • The trip is scheduled to target the exact Grouper Spawning date: June 11, 2025.

  • Get a total of 20 dives in Fakarava, with Free Nitrox!

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  • Tanzania lion in the bush
  • Tanzania Big Game Safari 2025
  • Aug 6 - 16, 2025
  • 10N From $6,499
  • All-inclusive prices, meals, and accommodations.
  • Multiple National Park trips included.
  • Private use of a 4x4 safari vehicle, unlimited mileage on game drives, and guaranteed window seat for all guests.
  • One of the best destinations for exploring wildlife.
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  • Lembeh
  • Lembeh Macro Critter Workshop 2026
  • Sep 17 - 24, 2026
  • 7N From $2,153
  • A haven for macro photographers—Lembeh is, without doubt, the muck diving capital of the world
  • Great resort (NAD Lembeh) with beachfront rooms, delicious food (all meals included), free public WiFi and a small pool
  • Top dive operation in Lembeh with 2:1 divers to guide ratio
  • FREE daily macro photography workshops
  • Up to 21 boat dives + unlimited diving at the resort’s beautiful house reef
  • Optional 3-night land extension available
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  • October 14 - 24, 2026
  • 10N From $3,990
  • Dive the world’s best shark dive in South Fiji plus the world’s best soft corals in the Bligh Waters in warm, clear water
  • Learn from Bluewater’s top photo and video instructors - Nirupam Nigam and Todd Kortte
  • Easy travel from the USA, stay at two of Fiji’s best dive resorts
  • Bring your non-divers to experience the best snorkeling in the world at VoliVoli resort
  • Unique opportunity to learn photography and GoPro skills from two of Bluewater’s best instructors 
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TESTIMONIALS:

  • “I had the pleasure of taking a liveaboard dive trip to the Sea of Cortez with Bluewater photo workshops led by Mark Hatter. Even before the trip began, Mark reached out to understand my photo goals. Although I had been taking underwater photos for many years, I was ready to improve my skills and learn to shoot in the manual mode. Mark is a skilled underwater photographer and was eager to share his expertise with the group. As a result, Mark’s lectures were very enlightening and useful. He is an excellent instructor and can speak to all photographer levels from the novice to advanced underwater photographer. Most impressively, Mark was always accessible to help with camera setups, review photos, offer tips, and, of course, talk diving. I would recommend a Bluewater photo workshop trip led by Mark without hesitation. It was truly an amazing experience.” - Kathy Miscioscio
  • "Mark was amazing on our dive trip, he had a wealth of knowledge to share and was patient and always willing to help both in and out of the water." - Sweta Bhakta 
  • "I signed up for a Bluewater Photo workshop last summer - it was my first photo workshop so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a great week of diving plus, we couldn’t have asked for a better trip leader. Mark Hatter is an incredible photographer but he’s also a patient and considerate teacher. Mark’s daily "class discussions" were informative and fun. He is extremely approachable and always ready to offer suggestions and photo tips when asked. I will definitely sign up for another photo workshop with Bluewater, especially if Mark is the trip leader." - Deedra Mansfield
  • "Mark was a great trip leader. Very organized, professional, low key and personal. Was there when you needed his help/advise, very good communication skills with both guests and crew. Would definitely travel with Mark again.” - Gray Pruitt
  • "We had a group of six divers on a Sea of Cortez liveaboard sponsored by Bluewater Travel in August of 2017 where Mark Hatter was the facilitator.  He's a fantastic teacher!  Besides leading great workshops where he shared tips and strategies, we all shared photos and he critiqued each image and gave valuable insight on how they could be enhanced. He also went above and beyond by spending one-on-one time with anyone that sought his assistance.  If we were given the chance to travel on another trip with Mark, we'd be there in a heartbeat!!" - Karen & Mark Emery

 

PHOTOS:

Best of Visayas Feb 2020 Photo Workshop Best of Visayas Feb 2020 Photo Workshop Best of Visayas Feb 2020 Photo Workshop Best of Visayas Feb 2020 Photo Workshop

antarctica diving scuba diving antarctica 

tanzania 

 

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