A 7-day photo workshop* expedition in the heart of the Sulu Sea.
April 24-30, 2024 aboard the M/Y Resolute.
*Trip is open to non-photographers. Worklshop is voluntary.
Dates
April 24-30, 2024
Duration
7 Days (5 Diving Days + 2 Travel)
Port of Embarkation
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Group Size
16 including expedition leader / workshop instructor
Accommodation
Liveaboard vessel, M/Y Resolute
Rooms
Twin sharing, AC
Diving Difficulty
Advanced
Water Temperature
29 to 30 degrees Celsius
Required Dive Certification:
Open Water (Advanced Open Water Recommended)
Minimum Required Number of Dives
40 (or comparable experience)
Recommended Training:
Drift dives, wall dives, deep dives, familiarity with deco dives
Recommended Gear:
Long/freediving fins, wide angle lenses and domes, two strobes
TUBBATAHA REEFS NATURAL PARK
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is a a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the heart of the Sulu Sea in the Philippines. Spanning 97,000 hectares, this UNESCO World Heritage site is located 150km southeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, right in the center of the Coral Triangle--the global center of marine biodiversity.
Widely-regarded as the pinnacle of diving in the Philippines, Tubbataha is made up of two coral atolls (North and South) and Jessie Beazley reef. Its surrounding waters are a haven for pelagic life such as sharks, mantas, and schools of fish, while its islets serve as a rookery and nesting site for seabirds.
THE SHIP
The M/Y Resolute is a Philippine-registered Dive and Pleasure yacht currently cruising in the Philippines. Operating since 1998, she is currently one of the longest-running liveaboard vessels in the country with a highly-experienced crew. The Resolute accommodates sixteen (16) divers plus dive masters and crew, and features an outdoor and indoor lounge and a mess hall on the deck. A smaller number of divers allows for a less-crowded experience underwater and a smaller footprint on the reef.
TRIP DETAILS
A calm day in Tubbataha Reefs.
The 7-day expedition (5 days diving, 2 days travel) is scheduled on the last week of April for more comfortable water temp and clearer water visibility.
In addition to the incredible diving, talks and basic workshops will be given by Conservation and Wildlife Photographer, and National Geographic Explorer Noel Guevara, as well as one-on-one instruction and critique of photos. The trip is open to non-photographers and photographers of all levels, although intermediate photographers will benefit from the lectures the most. All camera types and brands are welcome.
INCLUSIONS
Full board accommodation in a twin sharing cabin
4 and ½ diving days (4 dives/day with tanks, weights & belt, chase boat and dive master. (NOTE: 2 dives only on last diving day)
Hotel / Airport transfer to the boat
$100 Tubbataha Park Fee
$100 Base* Fuel Surcharge (*if fuel costs rise above P70.00/liter by the time of the trip, an additional $100 will be collected onboard)
EXCLUSIONS
Domestic airfare (Manila/Puerto Princesa/Manila)
Dive, travel and medical insurance (REQUIRED)
Drinks (soft drinks, juices, alcoholic)
Tips, laundry
Gear rental
Nitrox fees
EXCLUSIVE ON THIS TRIP: Workshop sessions after the first dive by Noel Guevara (approx 30 mins each)
Pre-Trip Photography Fundamentals Virtual Session (1 half day, scheduled before the trip)
Sharks / Ray Identification
Diving Tubbataha
Underwater Lighting & Composition
Wide Angle Photography Fundamentals
Basic Post-Processing
Photo / Video Critique / Coaching
Vlogger & Content Creator Finn Snow’s video of Tubbataha when he joined my workshop charter in 2022.
PRICE
Regular Room: USD2,988.00/person* in twin sharing (7 days/6 nights)
Small Room: USD2,788.00/person* in twin sharing (7 days/6 nights)
*Includes Park Fee and $100 Base Fuel Surcharge
Payment Schedule
Non-Refundable 50% Downpayment + $100 Park Fee upon confirmation
January 31, 2024: Remaining 50% Balance
Sample Payment Schedule for Regular Room ($2,988.00)
Upon confirmation: $2,888 x 30% = $1,444.00 + $100 Park Fee = $1,544.00
January 31, 2024: $2,888 x 50% = $1,444.00
NOTES
The boat has 8 cabins with ensuite bath and toilet. Maximum number of divers is 16 pax. Each room can only accommodate 2 divers.
Nitrox (32% standard) is USD25.00/person per day (4 tanks maximum/day) Unused tanks are non refundable.
Package rate of USD100.00 for advance booking and payment for 5 days of Nitrox.
Some dives may be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
CANCELLATION POLICIES
Cancellation policy
Cancellations made 120 days or less prior to departure date are not eligible for refunds. However, substitution of passengers is permitted.
Dive and Travel Insurances:
M/Y Resolute strongly recommends that guests avail of dive and travel insurance. M/Y Resolute is not liable for cancellation of trips due to force majeure /weather or other unforeseen circumstances including medical emergencies and diving accidents.
In case of mechanical problems or boat breakdown, M/Y Resolute will make the best effort to provide alternate accommodation. Should this be unavailable, M/Y Resolute will refund ONLY the unused portion of the trip.
M/Y Resolute will not be responsible for transportation expenses beyond what is included in the dive package. (i.e. PPS airport to ship transfers)
Trip Cancellation due to COVID-19, weather, and mechanical failure
If the trip is cancelled due to COVID safety protocols, bad weather conditions, or mechanical malfunctions within the boat, which effectively prevents it from leaving port, the trip may be re-scheduled to another date. M/Y Resolute will not allow a refund in lieu of a reschedule.
Decisions on weather conditions and other matters involving the safety of the boat and everyone on it, regardless of the coast guard’s clearance to sail, are at the sole and final discretion of the captain.
If a storm was declared during a trip, and the trip needs to be aborted for safety reasons, no refund will be provided.
Guests are not allowed to request for the cancellation and rescheduling of the trip.
REVIEWS
2022 Tubbataha Workshop Participants at the Ranger Station.
“The lecture was well-designed，the example photos were carefully selected. During the workshop, Noel gave us exclusive, personalized instuctions. And his creative way with camera settings really gave us a quick solution for underwater photography.”
— Sita Wang, Freediving Instructor (CN)
“I have a very basic underwater camera set up that I've been using for years now. Overtime, I feel like my photography skills have not improved and blamed it on my set up (yet, i am not confident on what to buy for upgrade). But after Noel's course, I can say that I definitely improved! Noel is a great instructor - sharing with us the concepts in easy to understand way and very generous with practical tips he learned from his own experience! I am now more confident on what I can do to improve further on my underwater photography skills and more knowledgeable on what I need to buy next for my camera set up.”
— Gelain Ramos (PH)
This trip was worth the wait. Noel managed each of our concerns and considered individual preferences as much as he could throughout (arguably for 2 yrs!!!). The trip itself was also a surprise. The crew was fun and pleasant - made it feel like a home away from home. Since it was my 2nd time, the workshop provided a new take to Tubba - seeing the animals (post the species ID class) to taking photos of them in different angles and actions. No trip is perfect but this one was close. :)
— Jan Jizelle Ang (PH)
The course allowed me to improve both technical and artistic sensibilities to underwater photography. Furthermore, this has the right balance of detail (iso, aperture, taking care if backscatter) and context (subject, angles, framing) as needed.
— Vlad Sy (PH)
GUEST PHOTOS
CONTACT DETAILS
Noel Guevara
+639989706429
noel@noelguevara.com