Wunderpus at Atmosphere Resorts and SpaMarinelifeScuba Divingunderwater photo

The ultimate guide to macro photography

Beneath the sparkling turquoise waters of the Philippine’s Dauin coast, a unique community of tiny critters is thriving. Just meters from Atmosphere Resort’s peaceful shoreline, this intriguing ecosystem draws divers and underwater photographers from across the globe. Dauin and the Dumaguete area are a mecca for muck divers, and here at Atmosphere, we are perfectly situated to cater to the most experienced macro enthusiasts. However, we also offer a range…
Atmosphere Resorts
1st September 2020
MarinelifeScuba DivingUnderwater Sightings

12 Critters of Christmas

In the countdown to Christmas, Atmosphere is celebrating the incredible diversity of amazing critter species we can find along Dauin’s coastline! Here are some of our favourite critters … 1. The ambon scorpionfish (Pteroidichthys amboinensis) This sedentary scorpionfish is top of the list for many muck divers. To enhance its camouflaging abilities it gathers drifting algae, making it incredibly difficult to spot. Then, once it has had enough, it sheds…
Kirsty Richards
24th December 2019
MarinelifeUnderwater Sightings

The hunt for the elusive blue-ringed octopus

I’ve been Atmosphere Resorts & Spa's marine conservation biologist for 14 months now and I dive regularly. In fact, it’s unusual to see me with dry hair. Coming from a coral reef and megafauna (the BIG stuff) background, many of our critters I’ve excitedly encountered for the first time. However, there is one particular little 8-armed guy that I have yet to set my eyes on – the elusive (I recon…
Kirsty Richards
18th November 2019
MarinelifePADI CoursesScuba DivingUncategorised

How I found my first popcorn shrimp!

Last month our marine biologist, Kirsty Richards, launched the new (and exclusive) PADI Critters Specialty course at Atmosphere. I’ve always loved collecting things, whether it is Polaroid photographs, Pokémon cards or PADI Specialties. When I discovered that at the end of this particular specialty, I’d be better able to find a spotted porcelain crab, or an ornate ghost pipefish – I was sold. Despite being in from the get-go, I…
Ulrika Kroon
4th November 2019
MarinelifePADI CoursesScuba Diving

Introducing the new PADI Critters Specialty!

We are incredibly excited to launch our new PADI Critters of Dauin specialty course! The incredible diversity of critters along Dauin’s coast has long been a well-kept secret. But not anymore. As the cat slowly gets teased out of the bag, we are launching the PADI Critters Specialty, unique to Atmosphere! Are you a diver who loves cryptic and colourful critters and would like to know more about what makes them…
Kirsty Richards
8th September 2019