PHILIPPINES

ANILAO CRITTER GEEKS

A Photographic Workshop in the Macro Mecca of the Philippines

The warm shallow waters of Anilao offer some of the most biodiverse critter diving in the world (Image by Mike Bartick)

Divequest has collaborated with Crystal Blue to offer a unique diving trip that is ideal for both critter fanatics and photographers.  

Crystal Blue – Anilao’s Critter Capital!

Crystal Blue is ideally located in the heart of Anilao known as Bagalangit, Mabini, Batangas, Philippines. The resort’s stunning location directly in front of Arthurs Rock an MPA (Marine Protected Area) gives them one of the best house reefs in the region.

The majestic Balayan Bay and incredible topside scenery of the distant islands create a stunning vision and tropical feel that is second to none.

Much of the diving at Anilao takes place in shallow, warm waters where the abundance of coral and marine fauna diversity occurs above 15m depth.  The lack of currents and good visibility translates into incredible macro and super macro opportunities but wide angle photographers won’t be disappointed either.  Anilao features some stunning soft and hard coral reefscapes that appear as a coral garden in a sea of blue.

More about Mike

Mike is a Marine Wildlife Photographer and Photo-Pro based at Crystal Blue in Anilao. He has an insatiable love for finding unique animal life, observing and photographing animal behavior and sharing his insight and knowledge with others. His curiosity and drive for first-hand experience has lead him across the globe in search of that special critter encounter.

Mike is widely published with work appearing monthly in international magazines, websites and internet publications. He also hosts photo clinics and seminars concentrating on the different aspects of Underwater Photography and the natural history of South East Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

Publications include but are not limited to:

• Sport Diver
• Sport Diver Asia Pacific
• Alert Diver Magazine
• Action Asia
• UWphotographyguide.com
• Undersea Journal
• X-Ray Magazine
• Academic work includes Octopus Strangulation- Calif. Academy Science Huffard/Bartick
• Nudibranchs of the Indo-Pacific-Support team Calif. Academy of Science 2010

Mike is regarded as an expert in his field and enjoys being in the water as much as possible and agrees that the next best thing to being there, is talking about it

See some of his work at www.Saltwaterphoto.com 

Crystal Blue's State of the Art Camera Room

Crystal Blue has recently created a new 1000ft square camera room that features 25 large camera bays and 4 video camera bays with plenty of power, lighting and storage space for your camera essentials. The camera room is environmentally managed for dryness and locked down in the evenings.

A Truly Unique Experience

Timed to coincide with warm waters and calm weather in the Philippines, the workshop includes:

• 10 nights in an airconditioned room on a twin share basis
• Return airport transfers from Manila
• Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) daily including snacks
• 29 boat dives on air or nitrox
• Tanks and weights
• Marine Park fees
• A guest to guide ratio of 4 to 1
• Farewell party
• Divequest and Crystal Blue “Critter Geek” t-shirt

Not included in the price:

• Flights
• All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities
• Night and Mandarin Fish Dives
• Massages

Another day in Paradise

A typical workshop day will be:

Morning

Image reviews, dive briefing and natural history talks

Afternoon

Macro, super macro, composition and natural history talks

Evening

1 on 1 sessions if desired, portfolio building ideas or simply relaxing

Combination Trips

This workshop can easily be combined with other dive experiences in the Philippines including:

• Malapascua to experience the charismatic Thresher Sharks
• Puerto Galera with its Sabang Wrecks and wall diving at Gato Island
• Philippine’s wreck diving mecca at Coron
• Liveaboard trips to Tubbataha and other more remote diving regions

Provisional £1455 USD$2297 EUR 2014

Single Occupancy Supplement:  Please contact us.

Air Travel: Our in-house IATA ticket agency can arrange your air travel in connection with your holiday from a departure point anywhere in the world, or you may arrange your own air travel if you prefer. We can tailor-make your itinerary to your personal requirements, so if you would like to make a stop-over or two, make a side trip to some other destination, or travel business class rather than economy, we will be happy to assist. Please contact us about your air travel requirements.

Three Hypseledoris nudibranchs laying their egg (Image by Mike Bartick)