Philippines: Macro Dreams & Blackwater Nights
Two weeks in the Philippines. One spent over deep water at night, photographing animals most divers never see. One spent on the reef with a spotter, working subjects the size of a grain of rice.
Romblon: Macro & Super-Macro (14–21 February 2027)
Six days on the reef with dedicated spotters. Nudibranchs, rare crustaceans, subjects small enough that finding them is half the work.
€2,300 + airport transfers (~200€) / $2,700 + airport transfers (~$230)
Anilao: Blackwater (22 February – 2 March 2027)
Seven nights over deep water. Blanket octopus, paper nautilus, larval fish that exist in this form for a few days and are never seen again.
€3,200 / $3,700
Both weeks (14 February – 2 March 2027)
Romblon first, then Anilao. 10% off the Romblon week when booked together.
€5,270 / $6,100
Group size · Four photographers per week · Two dive guides
Fourteen blackwater dives, not two or three
Most trips treat blackwater as an add-on: a few dives at the end of a macro week. Anilao here is seven nights of it. That repetition is the point. The first two dives you spend learning to hold position in water with no reference. After that you start seeing.
Four photographers, one instructor
Four in total across the week, not four per boat. Two dive guides in the water, with a private spotter available.
Two kinds of diving, deliberately sequenced
Romblon first: reef, daylight, a spotter finding subjects a millimetre across.
Anilao second: open water, night, nothing on the frame but what swims into your light.
Experience
Minimum 50 logged dives and Advanced Open Water. Depths reach 30 m.
No previous blackwater experience is required. What matters more is being comfortable diving at night. Blackwater takes place in open water after dark, with no bottom, no reef and no visual reference in any direction. If night diving is already familiar, that transfers. If it is not, do a few before you come.
Buoyancy matters here more than anywhere else you will have dived.
Gas
Nitrox in Anilao, included. Romblon is air only.
Camera equipment
Bring your own. A compact macro rig is the minimum, Olympus TG-series or similar, with strobes or good continuous lights. A snooted focus light such as the Backscatter MF2 or MF3 is strongly recommended for blackwater. No camera rentals are available at either resort.
If you do not have a setup yet, tell me your budget and what you shoot on land. I will help you put together something that works, and something you will keep using afterwards. There is no commission in this for me and nothing to buy through me.
Dive equipment
Tanks and weights are included. Full dive gear can be rented at both resorts if you prefer not to travel with it, payable locally.
ROMBLON: MACRO & SUPER-MACRO (14–21 February 2027)
The Three P Beach Resort, Romblon Island
Six diving days, eighteen dives. Arrive Sunday 14 February, transfer to Anilao Sunday 21 February.
Each day
Two morning dives, or one morning and one afternoon.
One evening dive: night, bonfire or blackwater depending on conditions.
Image review and editing between dives.
Nudibranchs, rare crustaceans, pygmy seahorses, subjects small enough that finding them is most of the work. Spotters do that finding. Bring spare batteries and more cards than you think you need.
Air only. Beachfront room, full board, all ferries and land transfers included.
ANILAO: BLACKWATER (22 February – 2 March 2027)
Anilao Photo Academy
Seven diving days, twenty-one dives, fourteen of them blackwater. Arrive Monday 22 February, depart Tuesday 2 March.
Each day
Late start.
Early afternoon: image review from the night before, editing and workflow.
One afternoon reef dive.
19:00 first blackwater dive. Surface interval. 21:30 second blackwater dive.
Blanket octopus, paper nautilus, larval fish that hold this form for a few days and are never seen in it again. Depth 10–30 m over water far deeper than that.
Nitrox included. Private room, full board, transfers included.
BOTH WEEKS (14 February – 2 March 2027)
14–21 February: Macro and super-macro in Romblon
21 February: Ferry to Batangas, transfer to Anilao. Camera care, unpacking, an early night.
22 February – 2 March: Blackwater in Anilao
Seventeen nights, thirteen diving days, thirty-nine dives.
The transfer between the two is arranged for you.
€5,270 / $6,100 · 10% off the Romblon week when both are booked together.
THE THREE P BEACH RESORT, ROMBLON
Beachfront rooms, air-conditioned, private bathroom with hot water.
Camera table with drip mat, charging stations, mini fridge, safe, Wi-Fi.
Full board, three meals a day.
ANILAO PHOTO ACADEMY
Air-conditioned rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Private room for every guest.
Dedicated camera dry-room, rinse tubs, editing stations, air guns.
International power outlets, internet.
Full board, three meals a day.
INCLUDED
Accommodation, private room throughout
All meals
All guided dives, boat and guide fees, tanks and weights
Nitrox in Anilao
Marine park and municipal diving fees
Blackwater and night dive surcharges
All transfers, including airport, ferry and the transfer between the two workshops
Image review, editing and workflow sessions throughout
NOT INCLUDED
International flights
Dive and travel insurance, both mandatory
Camera equipment
Dive equipment rental, available locally at both resorts
Alcohol and soft drinks
Tips
BOOKING & CANCELLATION
Deposit: 20% to secure your place, non-refundable.
Balance: 80% due three months before departure.
Cancellation
More than 3 months before: balance refunded, deposit retained.
1 to 3 months before: 50% of balance refunded.
Less than 1 month before: no refund.
Dive and travel insurance are mandatory. Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Travel between the two weeks
The Romblon to Anilao transfer depends on the Batangas ferry, which can be cancelled for weather. Alternative transport will be arranged where possible. Diving days missed because of ferry disruption cannot be refunded.
Ready to book?