Earlier this year, Shearwater divers Jose Ventura and Trisha Stovel travelled to the Bahamas to try the new Perdix 3 dive computer in the iconic Crystal Caves of Abaco. They were joined by world-renowned underwater explorer and photographer, Jill Heinerth, along with local expert Brian Kakuk, who is the co-owner of the Bahamas Underground Cave and Technical Diving Facility. Brian’s foundation, the Bahamas Cave Research Foundation, is responsible for the conservation efforts to keep these cave systems protected.
Entrance to Dan's Cave. Photo by Jill Heinerth
This was not the first time that Brian and Jill have teamed up to dive together, as they have a long history of exploration around the world. In fact, until recently they held the world record for depth and distance in a cave by a woman, by completing a 21-hour total dive with 8.5 hours underwater, followed by over 16 hours of decompression afterwards.
Trisha, Jose, and Jill in the pool.
Jill recalls, "I first came to cave dive in the Bahamas with Brian, maybe 30 years ago. I've been back so many times. These are the most beautiful caves in the world. There's no doubt. I mean, there are people that come out of these caves and after seeing things like that, they are just moved to tears. It's so beautiful." This was; however, the first time Jose and Trisha have had the privilege to dive in these magical Crystal Caves, so we wanted to get their opinions on this unique experience.
Jose setting some line. Photo by Jill Heinerth
How did the Abaco caves compare to other systems you’ve explored around the world?
Jose: First, the caves in Abaco are remarkably pristine. Brian does an excellent job managing visitation in a way that protects the caves without limiting access. These are anchialine systems, similar to those in the Yucatán Peninsula and parts of the Mediterranean, so the overall geomorphology wasn’t new to me. What truly stood out, and felt like a real privilege, was the opportunity to observe some of the local remipedes, including Godzillius fuchsi.
Trisha inspecting the unique crystal formations. Photo by Jill Heinerth
What were the conditions like, and what made the location unique or challenging?
Trisha: Dan’s cave in Abaco was unlike anywhere else I’ve dove before. The water clarity, massive passages, and crystal formations created some of the most surreal underwater experiences I’ve had.
From a shooting perspective, cave photography and videography require a huge amount of coordination and patience. Every movement matters from buoyancy and positioning to lighting and communication between divers. You’re constantly balancing the technical side of diving with trying to capture the scale and atmosphere of these spaces.
Brian and Jose. Photo by Jill Heinerth
Were there any unforgettable moments during the shoot: technical, emotional, or visual?
Jose: First, it was a real pleasure to watch Jill and Brian work together, what a team! It’s clear they’ve been diving together and collaborating on remarkable projects for decades. I love a good story, and it was a privilege to hear some of their experiences from past explorations. Dan’s Cave itself is incredibly beautiful and immaculately maintained, truly mesmerizing to dive.
Trisha in a big room. Photo by Jill Heinerth
Trisha: There were definitely moments where everything aligned visually in a way that almost didn’t feel real. Seeing both Jill and Brian diving together and coordinating the shoot was something I’ll never forget. It was just so much fun watching them work together so effortlessly with staging each spot for the shoot.
After several years of cave diving, I eventually started bringing a camera into those environments as well, with smaller setups like a GoPro or Insta 360. But this past year I brought in my larger setup, which felt especially meaningful. Mainly because I was able to shoot alongside Jill, who I’ve admired and learned from for so many years.
It was awesome to revisit that type of diving with someone connected to such an important part of my own cave diving experiences.
On the way to the caves in Abaco.
From the pristine passages of Dan’s Cave to the seamless collaboration of some of the world’s most respected explorers, the Crystal Caves of Abaco photoshoot was more than a product field test, it was a rare convergence of experience, inspiration, and environment.
For Jose and Trisha, the trip offered not only a chance to document one of the most breathtaking cave systems on the planet but also share the experience alongside pioneers who have shaped the field of underwater exploration. The result is a powerful reminder of why these fragile environments are worth protecting and how, through careful diving practices and storytelling, we can continue to share their beauty with the world while preserving them for future generations.
