Join us at the Crystal Blue Resort for either:

Option 1, the Ultralight WAM Jam photo workshop, or

Option 2, diving the beautiful reefs of Anilao without the pressure of a photo workshop.

The workshop, run by Mike Bartick, will cover wide-angle macro (WAM), close focus wide-angle, lighting, composition, and more.

Dive guide ratio on each boat is 4 to 1, so you can still dive with your friends and enjoy the trip together.

No matter which option you choose, these 10 days will be 10 days you will not want to miss!

 Trip Details

• Option 1: Diver cost is $2995.00 -double occupancy, and single room rate is $3495.00-per person

• Option 2: Diver cost is $2845.00 -double occupancy, and single room rate is $3345.00-per person

• Deposits of $500.00 are due to book your spot

• Final balance due August 1, 2026

• The Channel Islands Dive Adventures trip applications will be required upon booking.

• Fill out the required trip application waiver at the link below.

  https://form.jotform.com/250503237645049

• All deposits and payments are non-refundable. See our Policies Page HERE

• Trip insurance is HIGHLY recommended!

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Ken at

info@channelislandsdiveadventures.com or call (805) 469-7288

  Join CIDA and Ultralight for a 10-night/11-day  special WAM Jam Photo Workshop run by Mike Bartick at the Crystal Blue dive resort, Anilao, Philippines, with the event being sponsored by Ultralight Camera Solutions. Usually, Mike Bartick runs macro workshops along with most resorts in the area. Still, Anilao, known as "The Mecca of Macro Fauna," has lots of excellent wide-angle scenery as well. To top it off, the Crystal Blue Resort is set up perfectly for photo workshops, and combining the two is the best of both worlds.

Some of the WAM workshop topics Mike will cover are:

• WAM-Wide Angle Macro, or close focus wide angle

• Essentials of WA shooting

• Lighting & Composition - Reefs Scenes

• Working with a model

• WAM-Wide Angle Macro, or close focus wide angle

• Sunballs and Sun Beams

• Macro & Snoots

• Editing

 Experienced OW divers and above with good buoyancy control and a desire to learn how to take better photos. Dive sites are determined by “BEST CONDITIONS” based on water visibility, tides, currents, and wind. Surface signal tubes are always recommended. 

 Arrive at one of the three Manila airport terminals (MNL) on the morning of October 1, 2026. After you get your bags and head outside, you will be greeted by staff from the Crystal Blue Resort. The land transfer to the resort takes approximately 2.5 hours in a large, air-conditioned van, accommodating 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 ten days of non-stop photo fun.

On October 9, 2026, it will be time to say goodbye to all your new & old friends. Then, early the next morning on October 10, 2026, it will be time to depart the resort by van back to the airport. 

 Anilao is a Marine Protected Sanctuary and one of the Philippines' best spots for underwater macro photography.  Crystal Blue has world-class dive sites within minutes of the resort's house reef. Anilao isn't only about macro photography and muck diving. There are also thriving reefs, with plenty of wide-angle subjects and scenery to help sharpen your skills for the next 10 days. You can also observe schools of various fish, some hard and soft coral, sponges, and many colorful crinoids. 

All dives are from dual outrigger-style Banca boats with a maximum of four divers to one guide per boat. Plus, we will have two extra guides to help throughout the workshop. With the valet-style diving they offer, and no crowds on the boats, it just can't get any easier. Two dives are offered in the morning and two in the afternoon.  From June to October, the dry season prevails, making it the best dive season in Anilao, with water temperature averaging 82-84°F.

Crystal Blue Resort is an excellent resort with wonderful staff. It is built on a hillside so there is some climbing of stairs required. The upper area has two levels with rooms above the main office, and each level has several room types. All are spacious, fully air-conditioned, with queen-size beds, bathrooms, and showers, and have a garden or ocean view. The main office, lecture room, and open-air dining area are in the middle region of the resort. Meals are served three times a day and are delicious, with plenty of options for everyone. If you wish, you can have room service between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. daily. 

The lower level has a camera room, bar, and dive area. For all the photographers, Crystal Blue has one of the best camera rooms you will ever find. It has plenty of space and ample charging and storage at each station in an environmentally controlled atmosphere. There is no need to carry your camera anywhere except between the camera room and the dive deck below. 

Like the rest of the resort, the dive area is well organized, making life easy for everyone. It has storage cubbies with boxes for your loose gear, with the suits and hard gear stored in an area for your assigned boat. There are camera and gear rinse areas, along with a camera drying area with low-pressure air nozzles. All scuba cylinders are filled with Nitrox and stored in an area designated for your boat. The staff are friendly and will take care of everything to ensure you have an excellent trip.