Anilao Trip Report Dec 2024

Bluewater Travel Underwater Macro Photo Workshop at Crystal Blue Resort

Trip Leaders: Scott Gietler & Gill Flaherty

Arrival and Initial Dives

Day 1

We made it to Crystal Blue Resort before lunch, and the excitement for our annual Bluewater December Macro Workshop was palpable! Upon arrival, we were greeted by a huge Bluewater Travel banner, which we eagerly captured in photos and videos. The journey to the resort was the fastest Scott had ever experienced in his 10 or so visits to Anilao - just 2 hours! The resort itself looked fantastic, with many areas recently remodeled and all rooms updated with new bathrooms. While there haven’t been any major changes, everything appears much newer and nicer, enhancing its already impressive charm. All the guests had arrived by late morning except for one who was due to arrive later in the day from Puerto Galera. With an orientation scheduled at noon, Scott and I managed to meet most of the guests as they arrived and made sure everyone had their rooms assigned correctly. The weather was cloudy with a bit of rain, adding a touch of drama to our arrival. Our diving adventures began with two dives in the afternoon and evening, revealing an array of fascinating marine life, including mantis shrimp, flamboyant cuttlefish, several other cuttlefish species, lionfish, various nudibranchs, a seahorse, and a frogfish. We ended the day with a delightful dinner, sharing our excitement and building camaraderie.

Diving and Workshops

Day 2

Day 2 in Anilao was a tremendous success and we hit the ground running with a very busy timetable. To ensure everyone had the basics to start shooting, Scott ran an introduction to underwater photograph session straight after breakfast and before the first dives.

The schedule for each day would be breakfast from 6am followed by a group photo review and classroom workshop from 7.15 AM until 8.30 AM. At 9.15 AM the boats left for a 2-tank dive, then returned for lunch at 1 PM and a second classroom session from 2 PM until 3 PM. The afternoon and dusk 2-tank dives departed at 3.30 PM, then dinner from 7 PM, and finally one-to-one assistance in the evening! Everyone enjoyed their morning dives and started putting into practice the advice from the first workshop session. One group was thrilled to spot so many frogfish they lost count, while Scott’s group was delighted by sightings of rhinopia and flamboyant cuttlefish. The enthusiasm and happiness of our guests were infectious as they absorbed new skills and knowledge.

Talks and Photo Review

Day 3

On the third day, Scott gave a well-received talk on macro lighting and composition, followed by an engaging photo review session. Mike Bartick, the Crystal Blue in-house photo instructor, also shared his expertise in an afternoon talk on snoots. Our dives were teeming with exciting sightings, including frogfish, rhinopia, flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, market squid, coconut octopus, and a plethora of nudibranchs. The food was delicious, and we began signing up guests for blackwater dives. I captured a tremendous amount of footage, both above and below the surface, while Scott worked with each guest to set a personal 48-hour goal to enhance their diving and photography skills.

Blackwater Diving and Mishaps

Day 4

Another spectacular day of diving saw Scott and Mike running classroom training sessions with a noticeable improvement in the guest photo submissions for the morning review session. Guests were working really hard to take on board the new skills and ideas being presented, and to try new techniques and equipment. We also gave most guests the opportunity to try blackwater diving for the first time. This meant a slight change to the schedule, with only one afternoon dive followed by a break for a briefing and early dinner, then back out at 7pm for the blackwater dive. Everyone who took part loved it, and several guests managed to take part twice! The positive feedback from guests on photo improvements, the resort’s excellent management, and the superb food was overwhelming and everyone is having a fantastic time so far.

Workshops and More Blackwater Diving

Day 5

Our guests continued to thrive, enjoying the workshops despite feeling a bit tired from four dives per day plus two workshop sessions. More divers embraced the challenge of blackwater diving in the evening, while other took the opportunity to rest and work on their images. With the last full day of diving on the horizon, we had numerous conversations with guests about buying dive gear or making FIT bookings, and started to chat through departure plans for everyone.

Final Dives and Farewell Feast

Day 6

Day 6 featured two morning dives, followed by a well-deserved break in the afternoon for packing and massages. Crystal Blue Resort outdid itself with an extravagant feast for supper, followed by a captivating slideshow showcasing the best images of the week and prize-giving ceremony. Cocktail hour from 6-7 PM was a hit, providing a perfect opportunity to unwind and celebrate our shared experiences. Everyone was tired but happy, having had an incredible time. The first group was set to leave the next day at 5 AM, with transfers scheduled throughout the day.

Departure and Future Plans

Day 7

On the final day, all guests managed to catch their transfers back to Manila or onward to other resorts. The earliest departure was at 5 AM with boxed breakfasts and the rest of the guests left in twos and threes throughout the day. Scott and I took a quick look at some new high-end accommodation that will be available for guests early next year, then headed to our next stop at Aiyanar.

Conclusion

Overall, the trip was a phenomenal success. Guests enjoyed the dives, workshops, and the resort’s outstanding hospitality. Many guests are keen to return to Crystal Blue on a future Bluewater Workshop.