Crystal Blue Resort
Crystal Blue Resort is a wonderful place for a diver who wants to see small unusual things. One must remember It is located in a developing country and it is not the Four Seasons. From the time you step away from the airport, the staff of the Crystal Blue Resort will wrap you will Philippine hospitality. Their driver was at the curb waiting for our arrival to whisk us away to diving paradise. It was a 2.5 hr drive to the resort and the driver made us as comfortable as possible in the tropical heat . A bathroom stop was carefully selected for our safety. If my plane wasn't delayed, I would have been diving that afternoon.
The lodging is very comfortable and adequate for our needs. You rarely spend any time in your room if you plan on doing 4 dives a day. Our room was located on the 3 floor with no elevators. The dive operations are effectively sub level, so there were a lot of stairs to climb. We spent most of our time in bankas (dive boats), the restaurant, camera room, and lounge. The camera room was amazing and well used. They didn't put air conditioning in it so your camera won't fog up when you get in the water.
Diving was in 84 degree water with limitless clarity. Nudibranchs are plentiful as well as crustaceans. The largest thing I saw was a turtle and the next was a territorial trigger fish which the guides expertly escorted us away from. The reef scenes are colorful with tunicates and crinoids. Sites were different and varied and could be completely different at night. There is wall diving, wreck, reef, and muck diving. Dive operations are efficient and organized. You are assigned a dive boat and guide for your entire stay. Guides will search out critters for you. It is country club diving at its best, you only have to lift your camera, everything else is done for you. Even changing your tank.
Food was hearty and good. Vegetables and fruits are plentiful. With all the stair climbing and diving, I ate like a horse and got really toned!
The staff was very attentive to our needs and were able to schedule massages and laundry for us. I never left the resort and felt completely safe and well taken care of. All my sightseeing was from my dive boat.
My time there was a photo class so we spent lots of time with the resident expert on tips for better pictures. We had classes after lunch and after dinner lectures, so by the end of the trip my pictures were pretty good!
