Underwater Pictures (Nikon Coolpix AW130)

Well, my boyfriend Mike, and I both have the same camera. A Nikon Coolpix AW310 that claims to be waterproof up to 100 feet. After the first day of using them, while snorkeling (less than 3 feet under water) they died. Ker-put. Dead. 

We did manage to get some under water photos though. Funny thing, was while we were at the Salt Lake City, Utah airport awaiting our plane to depart, we saw our friend on his way to Belize. He also posted some underwater photos from his diving adventures and also stated that his camera had died. Guess what kind of camera he had?

Yep, the same camera, a Nikon Coolpix AW310. I sent the camera in to see if it could get repaired (my warranty had expired though) and they told me it was unrepairable. It was an expensive camera costing over $300. Note to others: DO NOT BUY A NIKON COOLPIX camera ! Bummer. Major bummer.

Enjoy the few photos we did manage to get !

Culebra National Wildlife Refuge/Island

follow mikes photos on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/grinderadventure/

One of our highlights was taking Cayo Norte Water Taxi out to the tiny island of Culebrita, which is also home to the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge.  A 40 minute ride on a powered catamaran brought us to some isolated desert beaches. Tortuga Beach was about a 20 minute walk and I must say one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to!

photo by Mike G.

We walked to some rocky shorelines and saw the Melones Cactus growing very tall (about 4 feet) and walked around enjoying the fantastic views.  There is also an option to walk to an old lighthouse. We then walked about 10 minutes in the other direction to a deserted area called "Treasure Beach."

photo by Mike G - Tortuga Beach on the right

Mike's great video of our journey and the beaches ! 

Snacks, lounging, and good snorkeling treated us for the rest of the day. I had some cheese slices in my purse that I forgot about, and after snorkeling we came back to discover about 20 hermit crabs invading my purse!

A great day and a magical place.