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Dive Review of Crystal Blue Resort in
Philippines/Anilao

Crystal Blue Resort: "CBR--A Macro Wonderland", Jul, 2022,

by Michael J. Millet, CA, US (Top Contributor Top Contributor 96 reports with 59 Helpful votes). Report 11990.

Photos Submitted with this Report


Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments After a 2 1/2 van ride from Manila, I arrived at the Crystal Blue Resort (CBR) in Anilao on June 24 for a 10 night stay. It was the beginning of the rainy season so I was virtually the only diver at the resort. Nevertheless, I enjoyed great service from reception, the restaurant, and especially the dive operation.

The boat crew (Allan and Jojo) provided excellent help to/from the dive boat -- carrying and rinsing gear including my camera rig. Edgar is an exceptional dive guide with great knowledge of the dive sites and the marine critters.

Although due to the onset of the rainy season, some marine species were not so prolific, Edgar was truly remarkable in his ability to spot U/W critters, e.g., rhinopias, many different nudibranch species (including melibe colmani), several different species of octopus, pygmy sea horse, several different species of crustaceans including mantis shrimp with eggs, frogfish, eels and lots of different reef fish.

I enjoyed a large room with lots of storage space and a spacious bathroom. There is also a large, well-equipped camera room. The restaurant offered a variety of tasty food choices, which was remarkable since I was about the only person eating there. The resort is on a hillside so there are plenty of stairs from one's room to the dive center.

I did a blackwater dive; nice experience. It was affected by a large school of sardines that apparently ate or ran off the smaller pelagics that are usually attracted to the U/W lights.

The location is noted for the macro photography; not the most colorful reefs for the casual diver.

Although my stay was not at the peak of the dive season, I has a wonderful experience with lots of individual service. Thank you, CBR!
Websites Crystal Blue Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving All over the Caribbean; Galapagos, Socorro, Fiji, Solomons, GBR, Vanuatu,
PNG, Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Yap, Kosrae
Closest Airport MNL Getting There From MNL, a 2 1/2 van ride to resort

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, rainy Seas calm, choppy, currents
Water Temp 82-85°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 35-85 Ft/ 11-26 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions None
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities 5 stars
UW Photo Comments Very spacious, well-equipped camera room. Boat crew took great care handling my camera rig.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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