The wild river Maggia in the canton Ticino has one of the prettiest dive sites in Switzland. The rocky underwater landscape is as pretty as the famous Verzasca river. The Maggia is also less dangerous for diving because it does not have that sneaky rapids. Usually it also has more fish. Mostly this river is about knee-deep but some few basins can be up to 10 meters.
Fig. 1:Sun beams: Tricks of light in the river maggia — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 September 2001 Nikon E990; Δt=1/210 s; f=8.2 mm; f/4.9; ISO 100; 8 September 2001 16:30:34Fig. 2:Belica: Two young belicas (Leucaspius delineatus) are playing in the sunlight with rainbow colours — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 September 2001 Nikon E990; Δt=1/65 s; f=14 mm; f/3.4; ISO 100; 8 September 2001 16:50:24Fig. 3:Waterfall bubbels: At the very end of the basin is a little waterfall with many bubbles — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 September 2001 Fig. 4:European chub: An european chub (Squalius cephalus) with a reflection in the water surface. — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 September 2001 Fig. 5:Maple leaf: Harvest has come and a brown maple leaf is floating in the water. — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 September 2001 Fig. 6:Barbel: A barbel (Barbus barbus) is digging in the sand for food. — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 September 2001 Fig. 7:Tree trunk: A tree trunk between two rocks. Luckily I wasn't there when this happened. — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Ponte Brolla, Ticino, 27 April 2002Fig. 8:Diver: Dive buddy descending into the crystal clear water. — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Ponte Brolla, Ticino, 27 April 2002Fig. 9:Water surface: The water surface with rock walls seen from below. — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Ponte Brolla, Ticino, 27 April 2002Fig. 10:Grinded rocks: Beautifully grinded rocks are typical for this underwater landscape. — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Ponte Brolla, Ticino, 27 April 2002Fig. 11:Sunbeam in canyon: Sunlight passes through the small canyon and creates a pillar of light under water. — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Ponte Brolla, Ticino, 27 April 2002Fig. 12:Bullhead: Portrait of a Bullhead (Cottus gobio) on the ground. Although it obviously liked to be photographed it didn't smile at the camera :-) — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Ponte Brolla, Ticino, 27 April 2002Fig. 13:Underwater rocks: Underwater rock formations — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Ponte Brolla, Ticino, 27 April 2002Fig. 14:Under rock: Gap under rock — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Ponte Brolla, Ticino, 27 April 2002Fig. 15: Young fishes in the sunlight — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Ponte Brolla, Ticino, 27 April 2002Fig. 16: Diver floating in Maggia, — Nikon Coolpix 990, Ponte Brolla, 13 June 2004Fig. 17: Bubbles at Maggia, — Nikon Coolpix 990, Ponte Brolla, 13 June 2004Fig. 18: Wreck photography at Maggia, — Nikon Coolpix 990, Ponte Brolla, 13 June 2004Fig. 19:Trout: A brown trout (Salmo trutta fario — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Tegna, 13 June 2004Fig. 20: Round rocks — Nikon Coolpix 990, Maggia, Tegna, 13 June 2004Fig. 21:Fish Howard: Morning ... Morning ... Morning ... What's new? Not much ... Hey look, Howard's being eaten! — Maggia, Tegna, 13 June 2004Fig. 22: Diver diving in Maggia river — Nikon Coolpix 5400 & Fisheye, 14 November 2004Fig. 23: Underwater landscape in Maggia river — Nikon Coolpix 5400 & fisheye, 14 November 2004Fig. 24:Light effects: Underwater light effects in Maggia river — Nikon Coolpx 5400 & fisheye, 14 November 2004Fig. 25: Waterfall in Maggia river at Tegna — Nikon Coolpix 5400 & fisheye, 14 November 2004Fig. 26: Waterfall in Maggia river at Tegna — Nikon Coolpix 5400 & fisheye, 14 November 2004Fig. 27: Diver — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm, Maggia, Tegna, 9 July 2006Fig. 28: Algae — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm, Maggia, Tegna, 9 July 2006Fig. 29:Group of barbels: A group of barbels (Barbus barbus) — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 30:Barbel: A barbel (Barbus barbus) in the river Maggia — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 31:European chub: An europen chub (Squalius cephalus) trying to find food on the ground — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 32:Diver Minolta: Diver playing with his little Minolta Camera — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 33:European chub: An european chub (Squalius cephalus) swimming around in the sunlight. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 34:European chub: An european chub (Squalius cephalus) biting a rock — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 35:Sunbeams: Phantastic tricks of the light. Underwater sun beams beneath the pipeline of the powerplant in Tegna. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 36:Sunbeams: Phantastic tricks of the light. Underwater sun beams beneath the pipeline of the powerplant in Tegna. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 37:Sunbeams: Phantastic tricks of the light. Underwater sun beams beneath the pipeline of the powerplant in Tegna. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 38:Sunbeams: Phantastic tricks of the light. Underwater sun beams beneath the pipeline of the powerplant in Tegna. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 39:Sunbeams: Phantastic tricks of the light. Underwater sun beams beneath the pipeline of the powerplant in Tegna. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 40: Moss with bubbles. The water line on this day was higher than usual. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 41:European chub: An european chub (Squalius cephalus) beneath the water surface — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 42:Birch leaf: A birch leaf floating on the water surface. — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 43:Souffia: A group of small souffia (Telestes souffia) — Nikon D200, Nikkor AF Micro 60mm 1:2.8, Maggia, Tegna, Ticino, 8 October 2006Fig. 44:Danger: Pericolo! Gefahr! Danger! — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:07:00Fig. 45: Rocks in sunlight — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:08:27Fig. 46:Pipe: The pipe from the hydroelectric power station — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:10:07Fig. 47:Rocks and trunk: Rocks and a trunk in sunlight — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:11:46Fig. 48:Jumper on rock: A jumper on the rocks. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:21:47Fig. 49: Rock formations — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:28:33Fig. 50: Diver in sunlight — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/400 s; f=10.5 mm; f/10.0; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:31:03Fig. 51: Underneath rocks — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/40 s; f=10.5 mm; f/3.2; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:33:09Fig. 52: Rocks in sunlight — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:35:21Fig. 53:Diver and chub: A diver (homo scubalis) looking at an european chub (Squalius cephalus) — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:36:41Fig. 54:People on rock: People standing on a rook, looking at the diver. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:44:25Fig. 55: Diver — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:46:12Fig. 56: Split view image with diver — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:47:27Fig. 57: Split view image with diver — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:48:15Fig. 58:Fish: A group of fish — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/80 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 15:54:21Fig. 59:Canyon: Rock canyon — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/80 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:00:06Fig. 60:Rock: A rock in the river Maggia — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:06:48Fig. 61:Sunlight: Beams of sunlight in the river Maggia — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/500 s; f=10.5 mm; f/11.0; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:09:33Fig. 62: Rock pillar in the river — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:11:55Fig. 63:Fish: A group of fish — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:24:59Fig. 64:Pipe: The pipe from the hydroelectric power station — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/91 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:27:46Fig. 65:Underneath waterfall: Underneath the waterfall — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:33:31Fig. 66:Underneath waterfall: Underneath the waterfall — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/8.0; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:35:34Fig. 67:Underneath waterfall: Underneath the waterfall — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/320 s; f=10.5 mm; f/9.0; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:36:33Fig. 68:Under rocks: Light and shadow under the rocks. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/50 s; f=10.5 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:41:55Fig. 69: Shallow water with a group of little fish. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 20. August 2009 Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 200; 20 August 2009 16:44:11Fig. 70: Diver in sunlight — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/8.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 09:59:18Fig. 71:Canyon: Diving through the small canyon. At the deepest point it's about 8 meters. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:01:01Fig. 72:Sun beams: The tricks of the lights is always a joy. The canyon is elongated from east to west, so in the noon or afternoon is the best time or in supper, wen the sun is high. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:02:03Fig. 73: Diver with rock. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:03:57Fig. 74: Rock pillar with sun beams. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/8.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:18:20Fig. 75: Rock pillar with sun beams. I tried to illuminate the foreground with the flashes. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.6; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:22:44Fig. 76:Branch in water: A branch in the water and a fish. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:33:42Fig. 77: Diver in Maggia river — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:38:40Fig. 78:Diver: Diving in Maggia — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:38:46Fig. 79: Rock formations under water — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.5; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:47:19Fig. 80: Diving through rocks — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:50:39Fig. 81: Split view picture with diver, bathing guests and the pipe from the hydrodynamic power station Ponte Brolla. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Sandbank Tegna, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/8.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:56:59Fig. 82: Split view picture with diver, bathing guests and the pipe from the hydrodynamic power station Ponte Brolla. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Bignasco, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 10:57:25Fig. 83: Total reflexion — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Bignasco, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/8.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 15:29:47Fig. 84:Light patters: Patterns of sunlight and total reflexion on the water surface — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Wolfsrachen Bignasco, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/11.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 15:33:06Fig. 85: Sunshine in Maggia. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Wolfsrachen Bignasco, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/22.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 15:33:44Fig. 86:Stone tower: A stone tower in Maggia. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Wolfsrachen Bignasco, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/80 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 15:46:48Fig. 87:Bignasco Canyon: Looking upwards from the bottom of the canyon at Bignasco. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Wolfsrachen Bignasco, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/10.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 15:55:21Fig. 88:Looking upwards: Picture shot at the deepest point where it is 10 meters here. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Wolfsrachen Bignasco, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 16:00:27Fig. 89:Rock formations and total reflexion: Total reflexion on the water surface with rock formations visible. — Nikon D200, Nikkor DX 10.5mm Fisheye, 2 x Sea&Sea YS-110α, Maggia, Wolfsrachen Bignasco, 15 July 2012 Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 15 July 2012 16:05:03