Digital Madness Underwater Photo Workshop | Dive & Stay Vacation Package
Ocean Frontiers is proud to once again host Cayman Digital Madness - our long-running underwater photography workshop with world-renowned photographer Dr Alex Mustard MBE. Now in its 34th edition, this week-long workshop is your chance to dramatically improve your wide angle underwater photography under the expert guidance of one of the most celebrated underwater photographers in the world.
Package Rates
Package Dates: August 1st to 8th 2026
| 1 Bed Condo | Double Diver | US$ 3,560 |
| 1 Bed Condo | Single Diver | US$ 4,785 |
| 2 Bed Condo | Double Diver | US$ 4,015 |
| 2 Bed Condo | Triple Diver | US$ 3,410 |
The triple occupancy 2-bedroom option works well for a couple plus a single traveller. For single travellers who would prefer to share a 2-bedroom condo: we will endeavour to find a roommate, but if one is not available, single occupancy pricing will apply. Diving or non-diving partners are welcome - contact our reservations team for a variety of package options.
Digital Madness
The Summer 2026 edition of Digital Madness is themed around Understanding and Mastering Light Underwater - specifically focused on wide angle photography. This isn't a paint-by-numbers approach to underwater photography. Alex deconstructs the process of shooting wide angle, helping you understand and optimise each element so you can produce stunning images long after the workshop ends.
Through a combination of lectures, pool sessions, image reviews, 1:1 teaching, and carefully planned dives, Alex rebuilds your approach to wide angle photography from the ground up. The workshop covers close-focus wide angle (CFWA) lighting, available light techniques in caverns and wrecks, ambient light control, and how to bring all of these skills together for compelling compositions. There is no competition element to the week - something past participants consistently say promotes a friendly, sharing atmosphere. Many images from Digital Madness have gone on to win awards in international underwater photography contests.
The workshop kicks off at approximately 4:30 PM on Saturday, August 1 with a welcome cruise at Ocean Frontiers (not compulsory), followed by Alex's welcome lecture at 7:00 PM. If you're flying in on this day, we recommend arriving on an earlier flight - allow a minimum of 2 hours from landing to arriving at Ocean Frontiers. If you're coming from Europe or the US West Coast, consider arriving the day before.
The week includes 6 days of photography-focused diving with a mix of 2-tank and 3-tank boat trips. Almost every trip is exclusive to the workshop group in some way - we're always first out and last back, spending plenty of time at the best sites.
The itinerary is chosen daily by Alex and our boat captains to maximise photographic opportunities based on conditions. We can't promise specific sites in advance, but the diving is carefully planned to reinforce the lessons from lectures and pool sessions.
Scheduled diving finishes Friday lunchtime. An optional shallow Macro Mania dive (max 6m/18ft) is offered on Friday afternoon but is not included in the package. The week wraps up with a dinner buffet and end-of-workshop presentation on the final evening.
Dr Alex Mustard is one of the world's most celebrated underwater photographers with over 25 years of professional experience. He holds a PhD in marine ecology, was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for services to underwater photography, and is the current President of the British Society of Underwater Photographers.
His photographs have won multiple awards in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition across 9 different categories. He is the author of Underwater Photography Masterclass - the most sought-after instructional book on the subject - and Reefs Revealed, winner of the International Grand Prize for best book of underwater photographs. He was also the first underwater photographer to win the GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year award.
Alex has a deep connection with Grand Cayman - he made the first reliable predictions of coral spawning in the Cayman Islands and co-discovered mass spawning there during his marine biology career.
Learn more about Alex:
The Accommodation
Our location on Grand Cayman's East End was not chosen by accident. We're the furthest from the airport, furthest from the nightlife, furthest from the island's capital - but closest to the best diving the island has to offer. For an underwater photography workshop, that's exactly where you want to be.
- Award-winning Dive Resort - Compass Point
- 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom, and 3 Bedroom Condos available
- Ocean or Pool Side views
- Fully equipped kitchen, living room, and washer/dryer
- Leisure pool, hot tub, and gas barbecues
- Free bicycle, kayak, and snorkel gear rentals
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi for your entire stay
Roll out of bed and onto the dive boat - it doesn't get more convenient than that.
What's Included
- 7 nights accommodation at Compass Point Dive Resort (condo type based on availability)
- 6 days of photography-focused diving with Alex Mustard and Ocean Frontiers
- Dedicated dive boat exclusive to the workshop group
- Air tanks, lead, and weight belts
- Nitrox for the entire trip
- Signature Gear Valet Service
- Condo pickup
- Dive gear setup for every dive
- Rinse and storage
- End-of-stay condo drop-off
- Workshop programme
- Presentations and lectures from Alex Mustard
- Image review sessions
- 1:1 teaching in the pool
- Pre-dive tips and local knowledge
- Breakfast daily at Eagle Rays Bar & Grill
- Lunches on 3-tank dive days
- Dinner buffet on the final evening for the end-of-workshop presentation
- Rental car from AVIS for your package dates (car size determined by condo occupancy)
- Cayman Islands Hotel Tax (13%)
What's Not Included
- AVIS Rental Car Insurance (optional)
- AVIS Environmental Fee (mandatory)
- Gear rental
- Gratuities
- Optional Friday afternoon Macro Mania dive
- Optional blackwater dive
Important Booking Information
- All prices are listed in US Dollars (US$).
- Package Rates are quoted per person, per condo occupancy.
- Deposit: 50% of your package price to confirm your spot
- Final payment: Remaining 50% due 90 days prior to arrival (by May 3, 2026)
- Bookings made within 90 days of arrival require full payment at the time of booking.
- Cancellations with more than 90 days’ notice receive a full refund.
- No refunds for cancellations within 90 days of arrival.