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
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
MarinelifeScuba Diving

The Humble Sea Cucumber

The humble sea cucumber is not a marine creature which gets a lot of love. Although, spend a few minutes reading up on them and you’ll discover they’re quite the creature with plenty of hidden secrets! Closely related to starfish within the group “Echinoderms”, sea cucumbers have diverged from the 5 fold symmetry of a starfish to a single, cucumber-like, body. With over 1,250 different species, sea cucumbers can be…
Kirsty Richards
20th May 2019
christmas critters of dauinMarinelifeScuba Diving

Christmas Critters of Dauin

Christmas tree worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) Aptly named to be at the top of our list, Christmas tree worms are a type of tube-building polychaete worm. Their multicoloured (and tree-like) spiral tentacles can be seen poking out of holes they’ve board into corals and are used to catch passing prey which is then passed down into their mouths. Popular with photographers, these brightly coloured underwater Christmas trees will disappear in front…
Kirsty Richards
25th December 2018