Anilao Philippines Ultimate Photo Workshop Spring 2026
Dive into one of the best macro destinations in the world with Bluewater Travel's Anilao Photo Workshop in Spring 2026.
Macro Critters
Stunning Reefs & Corals
Free Photo Workshops
Great Night Dives
Why Join This Trip
Attend our most popular underwater photo trip
Find out why Bluewater’s Anilao trips are known as the best underwater photo trips on the planet
Amazing dive guides, each group of 4 divers get their own private boat and guide, most dive sites are just minutes away
Chance to see every underwater critter, nudibranch, and fish on your bucket list, and then some
Daily photo workshops and lectures
Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure.
25% discount on rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo
Trip overview
Trip Overview
Our trips offer small 'dive guide to diver' ratios and extended dive times, allowing for an optimal diving experience. We prioritize visiting the best dive sites regularly, and many of them are just a short 10 - 20-minute boat ride away from the resort. Plus, we hold competitions that reward participants for capturing the most critters, nudibranch species, best video, macro, wide-angle, and behavior shots. Whether you're an experienced photographer or using a small point-and-shoot camera, our team makes everyone feel welcomed and comfortable, and you're guaranteed to take home some fantastic shots.
Check out this awesome video from one of our previous trips to Anilao:
Read about our trip to Anilao in December 2023.
Anilao boasts some of the richest reefs in the world. Whether at 10ft or 100ft beneath the surface, you will be inundated with photo subjects that will fill up your memory card before the day is over.
Images by Craig Wilhelm (L) & Erik Lukas (R)
Almost all species on our critter list can be found in Anilao - such as Rhinopias, blue-ring octopus, hairy frogfish, pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish & Bobbit worms. Anilao is also the nudibranch capital of the world!
Diving Conditions
The period between April and May offers some of the best diving conditions in Anilao, known as a world-class muck diving and macro photography destination.
- Water Temperature - Water temperatures is generally 81F (27.5C). In January and February, this can drop to around 77F (25C).
- Visibility - Typically 40-50ft
- Depth Range - Typically ranges from shallow waters of about 5 meters (16 feet) to deeper areas reaching up to 30 meters (98 feet).
- Diving Difficulty - Varies across its many dive sites, making it a suitable destination for all levels of divers, from beginners to advanced
Sample Itinerary
Here's the schedule for this trip:
- Day one of the trip: Arrival at the resort will be between 11am-1pm from Manila hotels. Rooms will be available for check-in between 12pm and 2pm. While waiting for rooms to become available, guests can have lunch (runs from 12-2), unpack their camera gear in the camera room, or relax in the common areas. There are 2 optional afternoon dives the day of arrival, which can take place as soon as 4 guests are ready for a dive (4 divers per boat).
- Each subsequent day of the trip includes *up to* 4 dives per day, consisting of two in the morning and two in the afternoon (one afternoon dive is a night dive).
- There will be underwater photo seminars and image reviews in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
- On the second to last day, there will be no afternoon dives. There will be 2 morning dives, a photo contest and group dinner.
- Departure will be on the following day at 8 am back to MNL. Shuttle transfers take approx 3.5 hours between Anilao-Manila so book your departure flight sometime in the afternoon (we recommend any time after 2:30-3:00 PM to be safe).*
*If your flight doesn't depart until the evening, you may want to consider getting a "day room" somewhere in Manila so you can be dropped off there instead of the airport too early!
To get a little insight as to what the workshop is like, read the report from our 2024 Anilao photo workshop or see our guide to diving Anilao.
Recommended Scuba Gear
Download our full scuba gear guide to Anilao December, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF! Click the image below to download (PDF).
Trip Inclusions
7 or 10 nights of deluxe accommodations in sealed rooms with air-conditioning
Up to 4 dives a day (including night dives)
All meals
Daily photo clinics and workshops to help you improve your photography
The April 16 - 26 trip includes 9 days of workshops while the April 26 - May 3 trip includes 6 days of workshops with the option to pay the 10-night rate and enjoy an extra 3 days diving
Trip Exclusions
Nitrox ($99 for the week)
Transfers ($100 round trip from Manila airport)
Hotel stays/ day rooms before or after the workshop
Airfare
Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan
Accommodation
About the Crystal Blue Resort
The resort is on a hill and involves climbing stairs
Crystal Blue offers spectacular diving, amazing macro photography, knowledgeable guides, incredible cuisine, and comfortable ocean-view accommodations. The resort has a bar, restaurant, spa, jacuzzi, awesome food and offers 17 rooms that consist of deluxe rooms, superior rooms, and a large family villa.
Read the reviews of Crystal Blue Resort here.
Trip Price
Trip starts from $2,636 per person.
Crystal Blue Resort (April 16 - 26 for 10 nights)
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Balcony or Terrace
Camera Room
Double-occupancy
$2,636
per person
Single-occupancy
$3,356
Crystal Blue Resort (April 26 - May 3 for 7 nights)
Air Conditioning (AC)
En Suite Bathroom
Balcony or Terrace
Camera Room
Double-occupancy
$2,059
per person
Single-occupancy
$2,265
Payment Schedule
- Deposit: $500 to book your spot
- Payment 2: $800 due 1 July 2025
- Balance: due 1 December 2025
Extend your trip
Trip Leader
Dan Bishop
Dan is an accomplished underwater photographer based in northern Virginia. He did his first dive at age 14 and has been an avid photographer for more than 28 years. Initially a skydiving photographer and videographer, Dan transitioned his focus to the underwater world, driven by a desire to capture the ocean's stunning beauty. Dan is skilled in both wide-angle and macro photography and has a passion for sharing his knowledge with others, particularly in a structured workshop environment.
View more of Dan's work here: DanBishopPhotography.com
Erik Lukas
Erik Lukas is an active diver and photographer based in Los Angeles, CA. He is a volunteer scuba diver at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA. You can expect to find Erik diving many of the amazing Pacific Ocean sites of Southern California, camera in hand, at any chance he can get.
See more of Erik’s photography at www.seeundersea.com or on Instagram @seeundersea.
"I am passionate about underwater photography in general and have a special love for macro subjects. For me the things that are hardest to spot hold the most interest. Documenting the commensal and symbiotic relationships is for me the most interesting…the smaller and more bizarre the better. I also have a passion for sharing my knowledge with others. My goal with all of my workshops is to ensure each guest leaves with a group of images that they are proud to share."
Current Camera Systems:
Erik shoots with a Canon 5D Mark III in a Sea & Sea housing using Zen 100mm and 230mm dome ports. The lenses he uses are the Canon 8-15mm f/4L, Canon 16-35mm f/4L, and Canon 100mm f/2.8L.
Mike Bartick
Mike is a highly published, award-winning photographer, writer, international speaker, and Photo pro at Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Philippines. He is passionate about connecting people with marine life through photos and video. His love for critters has led him across the globe, landing him in Anilao more than a decade ago where he conducts a variety of different workshops each year.
He has pioneered blackwater diving in Anilao and other locations globally and is a dedicated dive professional who guides and consults on wildlife projects, scuba gear, camera gear, and lighting equipment.
At the end of the day, Mike considers himself just a guy with a camera that is lucky enough to do what he loves. "Do it for the love, Not the likes"
You can check out more of Mike's work at www.Saltwaterphoto.com and www.Divecbr.com.
Check availability
and start planning your perfect trip
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