Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Philippines
Blackwater Photo Workshop
May 30 to June 7, 2024
Join CIDA for a 9-day Blackwater Photo Workshop at the Crystal Blue dive resort, Anilao, Philippines with Mike Bartick & Bruce Shafer including support from Ultralight Control Systems Inc. Mike Bartick is world renowned for his blackwater diving all over the world and has been a leading person in getting blackwater dive operations set up in many parts of the world. Mike calls the Crystal Blue Resort home and it is the ideal location for this adventure. Its location is also known as "The Mecca of Macro Fauna" offering all of the high-impact critters that photographers flock to see. To get the most out of the trip you can join us the week before for the Critterhunt photo workshop, May 20-30, 2024.
Trip Details
- Diver cost is $2295.00 for double occupancy-
- The single rate is $2655.00
- Deposits of $400.00 are due to book your spot
- Balance due March 20, 2024
- 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!
- Warning-The resort is built on a hillside with LOTS of stairs. If climbing stairs is an issue for you this may not be the trip for you.
Requirements for Blackwater dives
- Divers must complete BW orientation prior to the first dive or have completed a checkout.
- Must be advanced or better and provide your own light
What is Included:
- 8 nights double Occupancy
- All meals-breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Ground transfers from Manila airport
- 7 blackwater night dives and 7-day dives
- Morning tech talk and photo review, coaching
- Downlines and downline lights provided
- Tanks & weights
- ULCS swag bag
- Park fees
- Nitrox
What is not Included
- Flights & Transportation to the Manila airport
- Gratuities (house staff, dive guides & boat crew)
- Lights for night dives are NOT included
- Soda & Alcoholic drinks
- Trip insurance
Trip Highlights
Join Mike Bartick and Bruce Shafer for a unique, 7-day fun-filled photo workshop with daily photo reviews, critiques, and digital imaging enhancements. Photo trips like this are the best way to up your game in your photography while experiencing some of the best marine life on the planet. Crystal Blue Resort is 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 Park) gives them one of the best locations to dive in the region.
The Itinerary
Arrive at either of the Manila airports (International (MNL) or Domestic), depending on your schedule and where you are coming from on the morning of May 30, 2024, where you will be greeted by staff from the Crystal Blue resort. The land transfer is about a 3-hour ride in a large air-conditioned van good 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 blackwater dive adventure.
On June 7, 2024, 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 the Blackwater photo workshop that starts the following day. Your departure time will depend on your flight to wherever it is you will be going.
The Accommodations
Crystal Blue has several room types. All are spacious and fully air-conditioned with queen size beds and have either a garden or ocean view. For meals, Crystal Blue has its own open-air restaurant named Gils Place which provides quality without formality or you can have room service between 7:00 am - 9:00 pm every day. For all the photographers, Crystal Blue has one of the best camera rooms you will find and it has recently been refurbished with new features. It has plenty of space and ample charging and storage at each station in an environmentally controlled atmosphere.
This trip is best suited for
Experienced Advanced divers and above with good buoyancy control and a desire to learn how to take better photos and videos. Dive locations are to be determined by “BEST CONDITIONS” based on water visibility, tides, currents, surge, swell, and wind. Surface signal tubes are always recommended.
Check out our Dive Vacation page for the other trips Channel Islands Dive Adventures runs.
If you have any questions, please contact Ken at info@channelislandsdiveadventures.com or call (805) 469-7288