TG5 for snorkeling: Use flash?

I will be going to the Galapagos Islands and doing a lot of snorkeling.  I'll be bringing my TG-5 which I've used for some snorkeling before.  I have not had a lot of success using the flash underwater (it usually seems to highlight the sediment floating in the water).  However, I know that the best way to improve underwater photograph is to add light.

What do you recommend for snorkeling?  If I should be using flash, are there particular settings that are best?  Or do I put it on "auto" and let the camera decide.

Any advice would be appreciated!!

Thanks

If you use on-camera flash, you need to:

a. use a diffuser over the flash (hopefully it comes with one), and

b. be extremely close, like within a foot or so.

On-camera flash with diffuser should work OK for macro subjects.

In order to eliminate particulate backscatter underwater you need to move the flash (strobe) to the side of the subject, away from your lens.  If your flash is fixed on the camera, then it would probably be better not to use it at all.

For snorkeling, you'll be shallow and you'll have to rely on ambient light, which in most cases is good enough.  Flash in the shallows doesn't add much.  In any case, in the Galapagos, you'll be doing mostly wide angle shots, and if you were going to use a flash, it would have to be pretty powerful to cover a wide field, and you would be better off with two, one on each side of the scene.

There are many tutorials on the web that give a good idea of what's needed to shoot with flash (strobes) while avoiding backscatter.

Is there an optional housing for the camera?   That's where you'd most likely find a diffuser.  There are various do-it-yourself ideas for them, but all I know are above-water hacks.

Disable the flash, especially for the Galapagos where there is quite a bit of particulate in the water compared to other places.

Shoot in RAW (your camera can do that), alternatively I think the TG5 has an underwater mode, you can try that but you may get some nasty results in shallower depths.  RAW will be your best option.

I find the flash a must for macro shooting, and occasionally useful for landscape. My dive housing has a diffuser which makes a big difference. That said, using flash oterh than macro I often pickup too much particulate, even in exceptionally clear waters, if I'm trying to shoot into the distance for landscape or a further away fish.

I use a TG3, but have to imagine the TG5 is even better.

If you can get your hands on a underwater flashlight that would help out as well.  You can hold the camera in your right hand, flashlight in left hand.  the differance in angles should help you eliminate the backscatter