In April 2014, I attended my first under water photography workshop at Crystal Blue Resort CBR, hosted by Blue Water Photo. I am extremely impressed by the efficiency, professionalism, and detail planning by Blue Water Photo and Dive Travel. I am also equally pleased by the hospitality and friendliness from all the staff (house and dive/boat) at CBR.
The dive operation: The typical day includes 4 dives/day, 2 in the morning, 1 in late afternoon, and 1 at dusk or night. Diving is never more than 4 guests per boat, plus local dive master and occasionally UWP pro (either Scot Gietler, Mike Bartick, or Brent Durand). Most often the boat is staffed with 3 other members (1 captain and 2 assistants), so there's always plenty of assistance on board. During the 10 days of diving, I only have to handle my dive gears twice: out of the dive bag on day 1 and packing on day 10. Nitrox is available for the entire trip for extra small fee (about USD 2.5 per tank), and highly recommended due to the high volume of diving to be done. The water fronting CBR is a Marine Protected Park, all the dive sites are easily accessible, and most of them are with 15-20 minutes boat ride distance. Although the few sites closer to Anilao town are usually popular and crowded with other dive resorts guests and local divers. Fortunately, CBR manager Mike Bartick always accommodates guests' dive requests and UWP learning needs, distribution of dive sites and dive traffic is meticulously planned out every morning.
UWP: The day starts out with photo-review after the 6:30am breakfast. Photos from the previous day diving are projected on a 60in LCD screen and gently critiqued by the pros. This is always the fun parts when divers interject with witty comments. As the workshop progresses, the quality and techniques of photos clearly show sign of hope and improvement (which means that we are absorbing something, be it the good teaching or nitrogen). Then comes the first 2 dives and UWP practices start at around 8am, as the 3 pros rotate between our six boats, that comes out to be hand-on teaching UW every other day. The local dive masters are extremely catering and knowledgeable, and try their hardest to find the critters as requested. Once a critter is ID UW, he patiently waits and assists the photographer to take pic. I never once felt rushed by my DM at all.
After the 2 morning dives, it's time to return to CBR for nice lunch and photo-download. Each day from 1:30p to 2:30p, the hour is designated as lecture time, scheduled with different topics mixed in reinforcement of previous introduced ideas and techniques. These topics include basic of macro-, Wide-angle-photography, shooting with model, lighting, Lightroom software, critters behaviors, etc. Just when one expects to sneak in an afternoon siesta, it's time to return to the boat for another 2 dives and more UWP. I definitely need a vacation after this workshop, LOL!
Marine Life: As I mentioned earlier, the dive sites are plenty and nearby. Almost anyone who has dove in Lembeh Strait enjoys muck diving and finding jewels-like critters in the black dirty bottom. In Anilao, there're the good muck diving in Coconut points and Secret garden. On the top of this A-list is the Anilao Pier. Less than 100 feet from Anilao town, next to the bar and basketball court, lies the silty muddy bottom of Anilao Pier. On any given night, 6-10 coconut octopus, Matote (single blue ringed) octopus, and mimic octopus surface and greet the divers at the same time. You can literally have a photo session with your own octopus and not be crowded or waited on by an impatient dive buddy. Up above the diver's head in middle of water column, other cephalopods (be a squid or cuttlefish) are always eagerly to show off their iridescent skins.
Anilao dive sites are filled with wonderful surprises. I never find a dive site too plain or too dull. There's pymie seahorse at 25 meters at Kirby's, orangutan at Bethleham, hairy squat lobster at Twin Rock's, yellow hairy fox fish at Matu, Harlequin shrimps at Cavan Cove...the list goes on and on. My advise for future guests is to present a list of critters to the DM and you'll never get disappointed.
As for wide angle, the dive sites Kirby’s, Twin Rock's, Sombrero, Layag Layag (wreck), are ideal for the creative landscape style UW images. Don't be fool by the calm looking sea surface at most dive sites, I experience kick-butt strong current outside of Mainit Point. At Kirby's, there's the surprise addition of down-current which pushes three of us right in the middle of sea between Maricaban and Sombrero Islands while we try our best to stay at 20 feet during our safety stop. Having dove in Palau Blue Corner, Galapagos Darwin and Wolf Island, I still think that a safety sausage is a SAFE diver's good friend.
Accommodation:
CBR is built on a hill side of bay area, the layout is multi-level with dive deck/platforms on the water front, where all the dive gears are stored and located. One level above is the camera room, humidity and temperature are controlled by AC 24/7, designed to house 20 booths which guarantees each diver hers/his own work-space. It is well lit, clean, and safe; and is locked up after 11pm with security is on site at night. Above camera room is the open-air dining room and lounging area/library. A few steps away locates the office and the parking level. All the guest rooms are located above this level.
One thing worths mentioning is the hilly landscape of CBR, many guest-rooms are situated on the upper part of the property (requires two-three sets of stairs, depends on the location of rooms). That means a lot of stair-climbing to do everyday between meals, divings, and lectures. For the travelers with weaker knees or joint problems, be sure to ask for the rooms closer to the dinning rooms or office. Half star is taken away here.
The rooms are clean, AC works great, the rooms located on the top have a good view of sunset and beautiful bay. I always return from the morning dives and find my room clean and tidy-up, the bed-sheets and spreads are changed every other day. In my opinion, it is a little over-done, which could be changed every 4-5 days instead of every other day.
The jacuzzi is not working during our stay, another half star is taken away.
Foods: All buffet style, including variety of foods: Chicken satay, lumpia, grill tuna, shrimps, pork chops, steaks, banana breads, fresh homemade yogurts, etc. So many choices and so delicious. Dessert are to die for. Fresh fruits come with every meals. Filipino grade A mango…oh la la, the best in the world. The cooks and staff cater special diet needs upon requests.
Last but not least: Blue Water Photo operation - six stars out of 5. I realize that this part of the review needs to go under a different topic, but since they are related, I am going to briefly mention it. The staff is extremely professional, knowledgable, helpful, and cheerful. This includes the pre-trip arrangement and communication.
So, diving in Anilao might not be in as much limelight as diving in Lembeh Strait, Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat... But for the variety of macro marine life, underwater landscapes and topography, dive sites, logistics of traveling (only one to two international flights to Manila), diving in Anilao and CBR definitely gives me the best value for the amount of dollar spent!
