By Marty Snyderman
In June, Atlantis Dive Resorts & Liveaboards hosted a group of thirteen seasoned photographers, videographers, authors, and ocean advocates for week-long stays at both Atlantis Dumaguete and Atlantis Puerto Galera. The group included representatives from five countries; England, Canada, Israel, Australia, and the United States and was the Third Annual Atlantis ImageMakers expedition. I led the trip. Lucky me!
Diving Atlantis Dumaguete
Our adventure began in Dumaguete where we experienced wonderful diving conditions. Among other subjects, in just the first few days this gang of hardcore divers was treated to encounters with numerous flamboyant cuttlefish, mouthbrooding male cardinal fish with mouths full of bright pink eggs, several species of shrimpgobies with ever-busy partner shrimps maintaining their shared burrows, a variety of seahorses, frogfishes, moray eels accompanied by a variety of cleaners, sightings of somewhat rare fishes commonly referred to as snake blennies and convict blennies, although neither species is a member of the taxonomic family of blennies.
Prolonged encounters with several blue-ringed octopus were among our favorite experiences. The blue-ringed octopus is an iconic species, and opportunities to photograph and film them are long-remembered.
While based at Atlantis Dumaguete, we also made a day trip to nearby Apo Island for three dives. The diving from the resort features exploring the muck. With steep drop-offs and extensive coral cover, Apo provides a different diving experience as the island serves up reefs adorned with colorful sea fans, crinoids, green and hawksbill turtles, and schools colorful anthias and circling jacks. In short, it is a dream location for any image maker.
After our night dives, we spent time at the bar reliving our dives and swapping stories from our dives earlier in the day.
Our week at Dumaguete seemed to pass in the proverbial “blink of an eye”, and we soon found ourselves headed to Puerto Galera where we spent the second week of our trip.
Diving Atlantis Puerto Galera
As is the case in Dumaguete, Puerto Galera features both muck and reef diving, and we took full advantage of every opportunity. With some greatly appreciated assistance from our sharp-eyed guides, one of our collective highlights included sightings of pairs of mating nudibranchs, a colorful decoy scorpionfish, and several opportunities to enjoy time with both mimic octopus and wonderpus. We also enjoyed a day trip to Verde Island where, like Apo, colorful reefs and vertical walls teem with schools of fishes. At Verde, we enjoyed wonderful opportunities to photograph a variety of seascapes, close encounters with turtles, and a number of encounters with yellow-lipped sea kraits.
I could go on and on about all of the creatures we saw and how much fun was had by all, but I think I’ll end this piece with a few quotes from other members of the 2019 Atlantis ImageMakers. I think these comments capture the essence of the trip.
From the Atlantis ImageMakers
Doug Perrine: “The dial-a-critter service at Atlantis resorts was superb. We would request a particular subject and they would usually serve it up to us on the next dive.”
Sara Shoemaker Lind: “A resort with good organization, staff, and amenities is lovely, but add really spectacular diving just minutes away and you have a winner. Actually, two winners! Atlantis Dumaguete and Atlantis Puerto Galera are as good as it gets. I am grateful for my time with this incredible group of people at these special places. I am still processing images and smiling at the memories.”
Mark Strickland: “Atlantis Puerto Galera and Dumaguete each have their own distinctive vibe, but both offer exceptional diving, great photo facilities, outstanding food, plus abundant smiles and warm hospitality.”
Howard Hall: “Michele and I have been to the Atlantis resorts in Dumaguete and Puerto Galera three times in the last three years. Each time the diving has been different as marine life communities change with season. But the diving at the Atlantis resorts has been wonderful every time. And in a few months, we will be going back for more. I am already looking forward to it!”
Boaz Samorai (from a quote on Facebook): “Still can’t wipe the smile off my face! Thank you for the invitation and thank you all for the great company!”
