Following a recent report from Anilao by YCW I was happy to have booked Crystal Bay Resort and can whole haeartedly recommend this place also.
Last week a major storm raged through the Verde Passage causing some issues around Batangas and on Mindora, however the leeward side of Anilao managed to escape without any major incident, just as well as I had booked to go diving, with two of my mates, Terry and Ged.
From previous reports of this Dive Resort I had chosen Crystal Blue, although Club Occelaris was also on my short list they failed to reply to any e-mails I sent them. In the end we chose Crystal Blue and for the second part of the trip Asia Divers at Puerto Galera.
Diving was as suspected after the storm a bit disappointing viz wise, but there was still plenty to see in the way of critters.
Pick up from the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati was delayed because the driver went to the Intercon at the airport, but the journey to the resort only took two and a half hours.
Once there we unpacked our kit, had lunch then prepared for our afternoon shore dive. My mate Terry had a fair bit of new gear and I was also using a new Dive Rite travel wing that I had only tested in my swimming pool, so a good idea for a shakedown.
All worked well, stacks of nudis just off the beach as well as shrimps and other macro stuff. We had a great guide for three days, Edgar, and seriously miss him over here in Puerto Galera at Asia Divers. Nice long dives too, he would stay with me after the others had surfaced until I hit 50 bar
Accommodation is pretty good, airconditioned rooms but the hot water system took me a couple of days to suss out. In the shower the hot water came out when the tap was to the right, and in the wash hand basin when it was center!
Work that one out!
Meals were pretty good too, although by the third morning the slab of butter was getting pretty rancid, might be a good idea not to put out the whole slab on day one when only five people are staying at the resort, however staff were very attentive and we were well looked after.
Interestingly while the three of us dived with Edgar, a Swiss couple that arrived the same day had their own boat and dive guide.
The camera room was also pretty well set up and two of us made good use of it.
Highly recommended and will be back again although I believe April and May are fully booked for 2013.
Oh and the macro stuff is incredible
Last week a major storm raged through the Verde Passage causing some issues around Batangas and on Mindora, however the leeward side of Anilao managed to escape without any major incident, just as well as I had booked to go diving, with two of my mates, Terry and Ged.
From previous reports of this Dive Resort I had chosen Crystal Blue, although Club Occelaris was also on my short list they failed to reply to any e-mails I sent them. In the end we chose Crystal Blue and for the second part of the trip Asia Divers at Puerto Galera.
Diving was as suspected after the storm a bit disappointing viz wise, but there was still plenty to see in the way of critters.
Pick up from the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati was delayed because the driver went to the Intercon at the airport, but the journey to the resort only took two and a half hours.
Once there we unpacked our kit, had lunch then prepared for our afternoon shore dive. My mate Terry had a fair bit of new gear and I was also using a new Dive Rite travel wing that I had only tested in my swimming pool, so a good idea for a shakedown.
All worked well, stacks of nudis just off the beach as well as shrimps and other macro stuff. We had a great guide for three days, Edgar, and seriously miss him over here in Puerto Galera at Asia Divers. Nice long dives too, he would stay with me after the others had surfaced until I hit 50 bar
Accommodation is pretty good, airconditioned rooms but the hot water system took me a couple of days to suss out. In the shower the hot water came out when the tap was to the right, and in the wash hand basin when it was center!
Work that one out!
Meals were pretty good too, although by the third morning the slab of butter was getting pretty rancid, might be a good idea not to put out the whole slab on day one when only five people are staying at the resort, however staff were very attentive and we were well looked after.
Interestingly while the three of us dived with Edgar, a Swiss couple that arrived the same day had their own boat and dive guide.
The camera room was also pretty well set up and two of us made good use of it.
Highly recommended and will be back again although I believe April and May are fully booked for 2013.
Oh and the macro stuff is incredible
