nudibranch capital of the world

Anilao is without a doubt, the undisputed Nudibranch capital of the world. In 2016 the first nudibranch workshop was held at the resort with Dave Behrens, Jim Anderson, Michael Miller and Kevin Lee as special guests, names synonymous with the nudibranch community worldwide. Dave whom is also an educator and author (and a heck of a nice guy) held daily seminars on the natural history of nudibranchs while I encouraged the group to try to shoot them artistically.

Two workshops with over 30 divers between the two found an impressive 595 species altogether in just 18 dive days. So many subjects infact that we decided to build a book based on the event, now selling on iBooks and Amazon. 

The most surprising thing for me that occurred during the workshop's was when Dave announced his bucket list subjects and called them  "The Big Four". After hearing that, I knew we could find these guys with the help of our trusty guides and sure enough, we did. Below are images of the big four I shot last year with some descriptions I've added.

This year, May 20-30, 2017 the 2nd annual Nudibranch workshop with Dave Behrens and Jim Anderson will be held at CBR. Send me a note at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if interested in more on this.

Image 1- Kalinga ornata is a true a “lie and wait” predator that hides just below the sand with only the tips of their cerata exposed. Their prey (brittle stars) pass over them, unexpectedly alerting the ornata into action. The ornata suddenly emerges from the sand just behind them and quickly tracks them down snatching them up with quick vacuum action. And just as quickly as it emerged it once again burrows down beneath the sand to wait for its next victim.

Image 2- Limenendra bernosii-  Is a deeper dwelling nocturnal nudibranch that seems a bit benign in coloration and nothing overly exciting. But once your light has alerted them of your presence they unfold and begin to move about, revealing their true neon colors.

The hunt for them is done in an exclusive manner with a dive plan that involves staying OFF the bottom and restricting fin kicks as they love silty bottoms.

Image 3-Miamira alleni is a recently renamed slug that resembles coral. Often times swam over or even looked past due to the extreme mimicry of its surroundings. The alleni can get huge and we often refer to them as “Battleships”. They tend to be a longer living slug and have been seen on habitats that range from algae bottoms to hard corals, walls and flat bottoms.

Image 4- Melibe colemani-This slug is truly one of nature's finest works. Resembling a ball of string, the developed muscle lines are opaque yet held together within a translucent tissue. Their mouth opens like a massive fishing net when they cast it over the sand or soft corals to feed and/or drag themselves forward.

In my salute to the super moon, I shot the M colemani with a colored torch in the background and used a snooted strobe up front. Snooting is a technique I teach in my workshops that is handy when your subject is in a confusing habitat and helps to create a little drama within the frame.

I Hope you enjoyed the read, please check back soon for more. 

If interested in the Nudibranch workshop for 2017, please check our masters class of workshops for more information

Treat yourself to a relaxing and tranquil massage in our specially designed spa. Our Massage therapists are known for their delicate touch or deep tissue techniques that are sure to relieve the tight muscles and stress that everyday life can bring. Being on vacation means thats its time to relax and unwind and theres no better way to do that then with a private massage.

Massage therapy is scheduled by appointment to fit into your day schedule either between dives, after a day of travel or in the evening, its up to you.

All appointments are scheduled through the office-last appointment is 9:00pm

It has been long confirmed that Anilao is the undisputed "go-to" place if interested in Nudibranchs. And while I love ALL critters in our underwater world, i cant help but to hunt the subjects i love the most and what brought me to Anilao in the first place. 

In 2016 I had the idea to bring a group of like minded slug lovers together in a workshop setting and having it led by renowned educator Dave Behrens. Dave would conduct daily seminars on topis involving the natual history of nudibranchs, reproduction, defense mechanisms and more. In addition the other group leaders, Michael Miller and Jim Anderson would keep a running tab on the finds. The 2 groups found as many as 595 different subjects and infact turned out so much data that we were able to produce a book, now being sold on iBooks and Amazon under the title of "Anilao Nudibranchs and other sea slugs".

The following images are a part of "The Big Four" that are often on the bucket list of many slug lovers world wide.

The workshop was such a success that we set another date that will happen May 20-30th 2017. Th

Crystal Blue's Dive Locker

Crystal blues dive locker is second to none. The pebble stone dive deck over looks the clear blue waters where the nearby islands can be seen or our stunning sunsets can be viewed.

The dive deck is covered to protect you and your gear from the intense tropical sunshine. The deck is organized by a hanging rack system to ensure that your gear is dry before you fly and can accommodate large groups in an organized fashion. Large rinse tanks for dive gear, showers, and separate camera rinse tanks all help to move things along quickly and efficiently.

Valet style diving has never been easier. Our crew will carry your gear from the office to the dive deck. Once your gear is set our crew will handle the rest. Loading and unloading the boats, tanks, cameras and anything else needed to make the dives complete

Our "clean air" system ensure's the cleanest air is pumped into our tanks from our Nitrox machine. Our standard dive packages include nitrox for your safety and longer bottom times.

A map of the dive sites helps to familiarize our guests with respect to location, destination and dive sites. 

Banca Boats

The duel outrigger style Banca boat is unique to the Philippines. Originally constructed for fishing in open ocean, the Banca was adapted for diving and offers the speed and agility needed to navigate the often unpredictable waters. Our boats offer plenty of shade from the sun and protection from inclement weather with enough space for cameras, plenty of tanks and of course, dive buddies!.