Explore Philippines
Photography Dive Trip Philippines- Borocay, Apo Reef to Coron with Mark Strickland and Chris Huss 2011
Tue, Sep 07, 2010
Date Posted: 2010-07-22
Close Date: 2011-01-21
Price: 3100USD*/2400 EUR *subject to currency flux
Philippines 
Join professional photographers Mark Strickland and Chris Huss for an unforgettable 10 night dive trip. Experience some of the best diving in the Philippines, from Japanese World War II wrecks around Busuanga Island, to dives around Borocay and Carabo Island where sightings of Grey Reef Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Manta Rays and Eagle Rays are all possible. These exclusive cruises welcome non-photographers!
January 21-31, 2011 (10 nights Coron to Borocay) [hosted by Chris and Mark]
February 2-12, 2011 (10 nights Borocay to Coron) [hosted by Chris]
OVERVIEW
Chris Huss and Mark Strickland, professional photographers and dive tour leaders, are teaming up for a series of unique dive trips. Destinations and dive operators will be carefully selected from their stringent criteria to provide the best opportunities for diving, comfort and photo opportunities.
By combining their individual talents and experience, Mark and Chris are providing a tremendous added value to these trips, with no additional cost to participants.
These trips will be equally appealing to photographers and non-photographers alike.
All trip participants will enjoy Mark’s popular animal ID and behavior slide shows. Marks’ infectious enthusiasm for the marine life really comes across in these entertaining shows, and helps guests get the most from their underwater experiences. Chris combines photos of the guests and activities during the trips with his favorite underwater photos for what he calls his “trip experience” slide show. Copies of the show will be provided to the guests as a quicktime movie for a keepsake they can share with others.
Of special interest to underwater photographers is the availability of
twice the amount of personal one-on-one underwater photography instruction. Regardless of skill level, from beginner to advanced shooter, Mark and Chris will tailor their instruction to suit. While equipment varies widely, photographic principles are largely the same whether you’re shooting with a compact camera or sophisticated SLR. Instruction ranging from the basics of equipment, proper exposure, composition and digital workflow is available. Guests can even get advice in advance of the trip to help them prepare. Additionally, there will be plenty of opportunities to review and critique your work, all with the aim of helping you get the most out of the experience and returning home with images you are proud to share.
Trip Description:
Pricing:
•3100USD*/2400EUR
*Please note prices are subject to currency flux of the EUR
Payment Balance: To receive confirmation of your booking, the customer must pay a minimum of 50% non-refundable deposit or payment in full. The remaining balance will be due no later than 60 days before the departure date of your diving expedition. Bookings made within 60 days of the departure date of your expedition must be paid in full at the time of the booking. Late payment may be considered cancellation of contract by the customer.
Inclusions:
•Lodging and meals aboard the S/Y Philippine Siren
•All diving (up to 34 Dives including 5 night dives) and FREE Nitrox
Join professional underwater photographers Chris Huss and Mark Strickland for 10 days in the Philippines, diving amidst some of the richest marine life-systems on earth. An archipelago of 7107 tropical island and islets surrounded by deep blue waters, the Philippines comprise a large portion of the renowned Coral Triangle, long recognized by scientists as the world’s center for marine biodiversity.
Mark and Chris will provide personalized one-on-one photography instruction to any guest interested in underwater photography. Everything from equipment basics, proper exposure, composition and digital workflow can all be covered.
Dives around Borocay and Carabo Island include Yapak where sightings of Grey Reef Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Manta Rays and Eagle Rays are all possible. Maniquin Island is a truly wonderful dive location and caters to all divers whether into large pelagic such as shark and Manta Rays or soft and hard corals, and fish life of all types. Apo Reef a UNESCO world heritage site is by many considered among the best diving in the Philippines. The whole North East side of Apo Reef consists of drop off's and overhangs where Whitetip and Grey Reef Sharks, turtles, barracuda and shoals of snapper are common. There is a turtle sanctuary on Apo island. The Japanese World War II wrecks around Busuanga Island, particularly in Coron Bay, have been one of the Philippine diving best kept secrets. Twelve wrecks have so far been located in diveable depths and we shall dive many of them.
Your home for this adventure will be the new luxury liveaboard dive yacht S/Y Philippine Siren, custom built by World Wide Dive and Sail on the Indonesian Island of Sulawesi, she is a traditional “gaff rigged Phinisi” handcrafted from ironwood and teak. You will find no other dive liveaboard as beautiful, or as comfortable, in Philippine waters.
For full description of the boat visit: S/Y Philippine Siren
Exclusions:
•Marine Park Fees
•Airfare
•Transfers and any lodging or meals required while in transit to and from the boat
Itinerary:
BOROCAY TO CORON VIA APO REEF 10 NIGHTS
PHILIPPINES (or reverse)
The following is a sample itinerary of where you might dive during your holiday with us. We wish to show you the very best diving but a number of factors can determine where we visit. Weather, tides, how busy a site is with other dive vessels all play a part in the Cruise Director’s decision of which route the yacht takes. The safety of all on board is paramount and we always do our best in offering diving at alternate locations. The Cruise Director is happy to listen to requests from guests to visit or remain at certain sites and providing it is possible and the schedule allows, then guest’s requests are respected.
● Day 1- Arrive Caticlan
Meet a member of the Worldwide Dive and Sail crew at the Caticlan Fairway Center at noon, transfer to the port and board the SY Philippine Siren. After boarding settle into your cabin and assemble your equipment with help from our friendly crew. The boat briefing is followed by dinner and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.
● Day 2- Borocay and Carabo Island
Dive 1- Check out dive at a suitable bay
Dive 2- Yapak 2: The possibility to see some pelagics in the blue.
Dive 3- Cathedral Cave: Suitable even for novice divers, this cave houses many fish.
Dive 4- Village Mountain: A good spot for a night dive
● Day 3- Maniquin
Dives 1 and 2- North Face offers everything, including sharks and manta rays.
Dives 3 and 4- South Face is just as exciting as North Face, including bumphead parrotfish.
● Day 4- Kaluya, Sibay, Simirara and Llin Islands
Up to 4 dives around these islands for the whole day and hope to see a large number of
pelagics. The corals are pristine and very colourful and the fish life is abundant.
Depart for Apo Reef.
● Day 5, 6 and 7- Apo Reef
Spend three days and up to 12 dives around Apo Reef. The whole northeast side of Apo Reef consists of drop-offs and overhangs where white tip and grey reef sharks, turtles, barracuda and shoals of snapper are common. The reef is covered with table corals, staghorn corals, porites corals, fire corals and a variety of soft corals. The remainder of Apo Reef has steep walls with strong currents that attract pelagics.
● Day 8 & 9- Busuanga Island and the Coron Wrecks
Two days and up to 8 dives around Busuanga Island, the largest island in the Calamian
Group. The World War 2 wrecks around Busuanga Island, particularly in Coron Bay, are a condensed version of Truk Lagoon, Micronesia but with the advantage of not being beyond recreational dive depths and having more favourable currents. There are twelve wrecks that can be dived and amongst the best are: Nanshin Maru, Taiei Maru, Unknown Wreck, Kogyo Maru, Olympia Maru, Irako and the Gunboat at Lusong Island. All are auxiliary vessels however the Akitsushima is a true warship and lies at a depth of between 20m and 38m.
● Day 10- Busuanga Island
Dive 1- Cayangan Lake: this is a unique dive in a turquoise freshwater lake, it is surrounded by spectacular limestone pinnacles, and is served by a hot spring. As you move out from the walls and descend, the water gets warmer and warmer. The final dive will be chosen from Coral garden or Gunter's Cathedral. The number of dives you do is dependant on your onward flight arrangements.
In the evening enjoy a BBQ on the boat and start planning your next adventure aboard the Siren Fleet.
● Day 11- Disembark in Coron
After breakfast say your farewells and disembark the SY Philippine Siren. Depart around 10 a.m.
Mark Strickland and Chris Huss Bios
Mark Strickland’s life-long interest in the sea has included over 10,000 dives and careers as lifeguard, boat captain and scuba instructor. His passion for underwater photography has led him to many top dive locales, including Thailand, where he spent 17 years as Cruise Director on a series of live-aboards. An avid marine naturalist, Mark has discovered several nudibranch species. He is co-author and principle photographer for Lonely Planet’s award-winning book, “Diving and Snorkeling Thailand”, and his work appears in many magazines, books and displays around the world. Currently, Mark leads several dive trips each year to his favorite destinations, while working on a career-spanning large-format pictorial book. For a sampling of Mark’s work, visit www.markstrickland.com. 
Chris Huss has been a full-time professional photographer since 1981 after earning a degree in photography and film-making from the University of Washington. Chris's passion for the marine world was in full swing by age 14 when he started taking photos underwater with an instamatic camera protected by a plastic bag. He has since received over 60 national and international awards for his photography and has been published in countless magazines, books, calendars, brochures and postcards. His list of publication credits and clients include: National Geographic, Vogue, Natural History, The New York Times, American Express, Time-Life, ABC, Alaska Airlines, Hallmark, and Nikon. He is also a frequent presenter at underwater film festivals and leads groups on dive/photo trips all around the world. His work can be previewed at www.chrishuss.com.
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Call (877) 357-0022 or email info@livewellventures.com
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