Join us at the Crystal Blue Resort for one of the best hands-on underwater photo workshops you will ever attend, run by Mike Bartick, Bruce Shafer, and Walter Marti. If you have been to one, you know how good it is. If you haven't, you are missing out!

 Trip Details

• Diver cost is $2460.00 -double occupancy
• The single room rate is $2960.00-per person
• Deposits of $500.00 are due to book your spot
• Final balance due March 15, 2025
• The Channel Islands Dive Adventures trip applications will be required upon booking.
• All deposits and payments are non-refundable. See our Policies Page HERE
• Trip insurance is HIGHLY recommended!

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Ken at

info@channelislandsdiveadventures.com or call (805) 469-7288

  Join CIDA for a 10-night/11-day Critterhunt Photo Workshop at the Crystal Blue dive resort, Anilao, Philippines with Mike Bartick, Bruce Shafer, and Walter Marti with Ultralight Camera Solutions sponsoring the event. Crystal Blue Resort is the ideal getaway for your next adventure - where nothing has been spared to bring you the finest in accommodations, facilities, dining, relaxation as well as world-class scuba diving. Experience the warm Filipino hospitality in a location known as "The Mecca of Macro Fauna" offering all of the high-impact critters that macro photographers flock to see.  To get the most out of the trip, join us the week after for a trip to the El Galleon in Puerto Gallero, Philippines, from May 28th to June 3rd, 2025 

 Experienced OW divers and above with good buoyancy control and a desire to learn how to take better photos and videos. Dive sites are determined by “BEST CONDITIONS” based on water visibility, tides, currents, surge, swell, and wind. Surface signal tubes are always recommended. 

 Arrive at one of the three Manila airport terminals (MNL) on the morning of May 18, 2025. After you get your bags and head outside, you will be greeted by staff from the Crystal Blue Resort. The land transfer is about 2.5 hours to the resort in a large air-conditioned van suitable for 4-5 well-equipped photographers with dive gear. The group transfers will be coordinated with Ken from CIDA and arranged with the Crystal Blue staff according to the arrival times of each guest. Once at the resort, you can relax and get situated for the upcoming ten days of non-stop photo fun.

On May 28, 2025, it will be time to say goodbye to all your new & old friends and depart the resort by van back to the airport unless you are staying for our add-on trip to Puerto Gallero.  

 Anilao is a Marine Protected Sanctuary and one of the Philippines' best spots for underwater macro photography.  Crystal Blue has world-class dive sites within minutes from the resort house reef. Anilao isn't only about macro photography and muck diving. It also has thriving, mostly shallow reefs, allowing longer bottom time to get those great photos. You can also observe schools of various fishes, some hard and soft coral, sponges, and many colorful crinoids. 

All dives are from dual outrigger-style Banca boats with a maximum of four divers to one guide per boat. With the valet-style diving they offer and no crowds on the boats it just can't get any easier. Two dives are offered in the morning and two in the afternoon.  October to May/June is the dry season and is regarded as the best dive season in Anilao. The water temperature averages 80-83F with excellent visibility, and topside temperatures run between 80F-95F.

Crystal Blue Resort is an excellent resort with wonderful staff. It is built on a hillside so there is some climbing of stairs required. The upper area has two levels with rooms above the main office, and each level has several room types. All are spacious, fully air-conditioned, with queen-size beds, bathrooms, and showers, and have a garden or ocean view. The main office, lecture room, and open-air dining area are in the middle region of the resort. Meals are served three times a day and are delicious, with plenty of options for everyone. If you wish, you can have room service between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily. 

The lower level has a camera room, bar, and dive area. For all the photographers, Crystal Blue has one of the best camera rooms you will ever find. It has plenty of space and ample charging and storage at each station in an environmentally controlled atmosphere. There is no need to carry your camera anywhere except between the camera room and the dive deck below. 

Like the rest of the resort, the dive area is well organized, making life easy for everyone. It has storage cubbies with boxes for your loose gear, with the suits and hard gear stored in an area for your assigned boat. There are camera and gear rinse areas, along with a camera drying area with low-pressure air nozzles. All scuba cylinders are filled with Nitrox and stored in an area designated for your boat. The staff are friendly and will take care of everything to ensure you have an excellent trip.