I've used a product called Aquapac with great success.

We were in St. Thomas in March and I used one of those cheep underwater cameras the first day on our trip to the Baths. The next day we went to Havensight Mall and I purchased the Canon 900 with the underwater case (most of the cases from canon all work the same). I love it!!!! If it is really sunny it will be hard to see everything on the back screen of your camera but just point and shoot. The buttons are easy to use and you can wear it on your wrist or your neck. I tried both. Just keep taking pictures and some of them are bound to be wonderful. That's what makes digital so fun (the delete key). Here are the pictures I took with my underwater case:

http://family.webshots.com/album/558297850DCHTKr

Good luck, I'm so jealous!

You'll have so much fun with the underwater housing! I purchased one for my Canon A630 and used it in January. The link to my pictures is below. Since it is difficult to see what you are aiming at, be sure to take lots of pictures.

I used the silicone gel each day and washed it carefully each night before setting it out to dry. It worked great and I look forward to using it again.

http://picasaweb.google.com/gofishtlp/StJohnUnderwaterJanuary2007

Thanks guys -
Oceanaddict-
your pics are awesome, Was that Snuba(?) you are doing? Do you need special training to do this?
Tracyin WI-
looks like you work for national geographic! Love the rays.
Both of your cameras seems to be a good bit upgrade from mine-but if I could get any where near the quality of ONE picture, I'd be satisfied.
Couple questions, please. If you take shots out of the water with housing still on, are they of good quality? Should you wash the housing after each day of use? When do you apply the silicone ? Is there a time limit to exposure to the water? Thanks so much for the replies. Kim

I have a Canon A610 and WP-DC90 case that I bought last year. I took Fanasic Pics with it. You will love your housing. Yes, you can take shots out of the water (just make sure no drops are in front of the lense. I always rinse the case when I am out of the water. Between dives, it goes right into the freshwater bucket.

I apply the silicone to the o-ring everytime i open the case. Do not store the o-ring on the case, take if off if you are going to store it for extended periods of time.

Rogue

We also have a Canon housing. We could also use it to take cool underwater vedio.

Must follow the instructions.

Would it be cheaper to buy a camer in the states or wait and buy one on the island?

If you want the newest model camera, Royal Caribbean in CA, STT has better prices that I could find at home. Plus no sales tax. If you are willing to settle for an older, leftover you'll probably get a better price at home.

Kberbones- Thanks, I sure did have fun taking these. The underwater scooters are called B.O.S.S. and the excursion is through Aqua Adventures. You do not need any training for this and even kids can do it (I think it is 10 and over, they have to be tall enough for their heads to get into the helmet). They even take out people who do not know how to swim. Can I just say that this is incredible and will be something to remember always. Here is their info: www.bossusvi.com..

Beer_Hunter- I purchased my Canon 900 and the underwater case at the Havensight Mall by the ship docks on St. Thomas. The store was Boolchand's-Dockside and our sales man was Marc Vaswani. I was not sure if we were getting a good deal or not when we purchased it (for some reason it does not matter after a few rum drinks.) However, I looked up the camera when we got home and I could not have bought it any cheaper at home. I scanned the internet and E-bay and the best deal was $23.00 more after you add shipping and tax. Just remember that they are willing to barter a little. They were going to give me a 1 mg card as a bonus and when I suggested a 2 mg card instead he went for it. This was not included in the $23.00 savings, so we actually made out pretty good. Also, we were just getting on the boat for our B.O.S.S. excursion and he even let us switch the batteries with a camera he had out for a demo. This way I had a charged one for the trip and he charged mine for me while we were out. When we got back from our excursion we hit the store and traded back. I thought that was nice of him.

Here is a link to my underwater collection from our March 2007 trip (as well as other STJ photos!). I have a Canon SD450 with the AW-DC50 all weather (underwater) case. I purchase the case on Ebay from Hobby Monster for $129.99 plus $7.50SH. I was a little nervous that first dunk...but sure enough...

http://www.pbase.com/jen_p/stj_underwater_2007

The better quality pictures were obviously the ones taken in full sun up to four or five feet in distance. I do dive down to get better close ups of objects farther down. I definitely tested the depth range of the housing. If I remember correctly I believe the manual says up to 10 feet. I was easily 12-15 feet a couple of times.

The underwater housing came with a small flash filter that snaps on & off the camera to help with the refraction of the flash. I left the flash setting on auto and always had the filter on the camera. I really did not pay attention to how often the flash went off.

The camera does have an underwater setting that I used. It's located in the Kids & Pets sub-settings. I still haven't figured that one out?!?!?!

A few tips...be careful not to leave the camera & case in the sun (heat) just before taking it in the water (condensation)...do use the silicon for the O ring...be careful not to get suntan lotion/oil on the lense...keep a zip-loc bag or whatever kind of protection with you to avoid the sand and be sure to keep the inside free from moisture...dry...dry...dry! ;0)

As far as photo editing goes...I use Kodak Easyshare to process my pictures. I started using the EasyShare software with our first Kodak digital camera and really do like the quality of the pictures. I've thought about getting PhotoShop...just have never got around to it. The majority of the editing I do is cropping. There were a few of the pictures that I did auto enhance...but only a few. I also use the red-eye fixer for the people shots when necessary.

Aside from that...just being at the right place at the right time seems to be the trick! I spend hours upon hours upon hours underwater while we are on island. I don't come out until I look like a raisin! Patience & luck!

Can't wait to get back!!!

Jen
85 & Out

P.S. I am very much a non-expert with all of this photography stuff. If I can do it...anyone can! Go for it!

I knew I'd get a wealth of info here. Thanks so much for the tips! Any other advise is appreciated-novice at work here! Maybe you will all be rewarded with the grandest snorkeling shot ever!

Any tips/ideas on underwater housings to fit a Canon Power Shot G-2? Where to buy on STT? Since the camera's viewer is a flip out type, I'd need to be able to use the viewfinder.
Thanks in advance.

I bought a great camera at Boolchands in the Havensight mall. It is an Olympus brand Stylus 770 SW. It does not need a cover. It is shockproof and waterproof up to 23 feet deep. Perfect for snorkeling, but it does have a cover available for deeper depths. I'm so impressed with this camera, the pictures were amazing!

What is an Aquapac? I have a DiCAPAC which is a thick silicone cover for my Kodak, but can't figure out how to use it! Ever heard of DiCAPAC anyone? HELP! Thanks.

Aquapac is basicly a thick clear baggie type of case that lets you shoot right through the bag. Only problem I've had so far with it is you can't use the flash. The light just bounces around in the bag. I bought it so I could take my camera to the beach or on a boat without worring about sea spray and salt. I haven't had it long, but so far I love it. Just google it and they will email you a list of places in your area that carry it, or you can purchase online. Happy shooting! I'm not sure if I will try it in the water though. If anyone else has used it, please post photos so we can check it out.

Thanks, divapam. The Aquapac sounds just like the DiCAPAC (which I found on ebay). However, I can't figure out how to fit the bag so that when the lens extends, it goes into the extension for the lens. Do I have to turn the camera on to extend the lens, and immediately start shooting? My lens won't stay extended for too long! I've Googled, and can't find responses to this situation, but I would think that all digital camera owners who have these bags has the same problem.

IAMolly, I've been looking at that same camera. Do you think you got a better deal in St. Thomas than you could have at home?

My Aquapac doesn't have an extension for the lens. It really is just a waterproof bag. You just have to be sure the lens is as close to the bag as it will go. Google them and maybe they'll answer your questions by e- mail. Have fun!

Leslie,
I purchased a camera at the same store: Boolchands in the Havensight mall. I did this because I could not find anyone in Michigan that was selling the underwater case in the middle of winter. I was thinking I would end up paying an arm and a leg for the items but I did not. I ended up getting a better deal than I could find on the internet. I have their business card around the house somewhere if I can find it I will let you know. You could always call them and get a quoted price before you get down there.