Private transfer from Manila MNL airport . 2hr air-conditioned car/van ride to Berberabe Pier, followed by a 1hr ride to your resort in Puerto Galera. Please book a flight arriving from 3am until 2pm.
Puerto Galera is also accessible from Manila via private helicopter (4-6 passengers); flight time approximately forty minutes.
Spend the next days diving from your cozy resort base in Puerto Galera.
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Puerto Galera is recognized as one of the best diving areas in Asia and includes some of the Philippines top-rated dive sites. You can dive at dozens of sites suitable for all levels within a 15-minute boat trip from Laguna Beach with visibility normally in the range of 15-20 meters. Especially during spring tides around the full and new moon, the large tidal range gives great opportunities for some serious drift dives!
One of the most unusual aspects of the diving sites around Puerto Galera is the rich mixture of hard and soft corals and the abundance of macro marine life - paradise for serious photographers!
From wide angle to macro, Puerto Galera offers over 40 dive sites along its coast, with great diversity: from relaxed critter diving (haven for photographers!) with an abundance of reef fish, to wonderful drift dives,a couple of small wrecks, and a day trip to the incredible Verde Island. With several inner bays offer shallow coral gardens and sandy patches, while the outer bay walls offer incredibly vivid corals, with canyons, swim-throughs, rock formations and a couple of small wrecks with heaps of reef fish.
Diving in Mindoro & Puerto Galera
With 75% of the world’s coral species, the second-largest coral reef in the world and a huge variety of dive sites, Mindoro is a diving paradise.
You will find a little bit of everything under the surface, from easy shore dives to penetrable wrecks and deep drifts. Mindoro is a great area for spotting barracuda, emperor fish, scorpion fish, moray eel, tuna, batfish, Moorish idol, trevally, and flute mouth.
On the more unusual side of things, Mindoro is also home to lionfish, triggerfish, pygmy seahorses, trumpet fish, mantis shrimp, unicorn fish, wrasse, squid, parrot fish and octopus. Pelagics are plentiful near Pandan Island and Apo Reef. Sightings might include whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, devil rays and sharks such as hammerheads and reef sharks.
Boat and car transfer to Manila for your flight to Boracay. Transfer to your resort in Boracay.
Spend the next days enjoying famous Boracay beaches and some diving if you wish.
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This small island, located 315 kilometres/196 miles south of Manila has received numerous accolades for its beaches and has been voted the best island in the world to visit. Aside from the beautiful white sand beaches, Boracay is well known for its clear waters and healthy coral reefs which support a wide range of marine life.
Boracay offers a wide range of tropical reef fish including parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, puffers, lionfish, scorpionfish, schooling redtooth triggers and snappers. You should also expect to see blue spotted stingrays, moray eels and occasional sea snakes.
Diving in Boracay
There are currently 13 dive sites listed around Boracay, of which 13 are Reef dives, 12 are Ocean dives and 7 are Wall dives.
Transfer to the airport and flight via Manila to Bohol Panglao Island. Panglao has nice resorts and is great base for diving day trips to Balicasag and Pamilacan islands and their reefs.
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Five major areas make up the extent of diving in Bohol. Anda has caves, steep cliff faces and coral gardens to explore. Expect to see anything from a tiny seahorse to a migrating whale shark in this location.
Balicasag will have you gaping at beautiful corals and colourful fish. Pamilacan is famous for its pelagic fishes and superb visibility. Barracuda, dogtooth tuna and trevally are common. On a lucky day, you might also catch a glimpse of a dolphin or even a whale.
Panglao, connected to the south end of Bohol by bridges, also has a few dive sites of its own. The reef around here is covered in soft coral and teeming with sea snakes, turtles, glass fish and giant frogfish. Occasionally, a manta ray or whale shark might swim by.
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While in Bohol we highly recommend exploring the interior of this fascinating island on Bohol Countryside Tour. The tour starts to the historical Blood Compact site then proceed to see the critically endangered tarsier and different species of butterflies. Admire the famous Chocolate Hills then have a unique lunch on a ferry through Loboc River with some presentation from locals.
Visiting Sites:
• Blood Compact Site
• Baclayon Church
• Man-made Forest
• Tarsier Watching
• Biggest Snake
• Butterfly Sanctuary
• Chocolate Hills
• Loboc River Cruise with LUNCH
• Hanging Bridge
Best dive spots in Bohol
Balicasag Fish Sanctuary – Thriving with marine life, this dive site is located in a marine protected area where the number of divers and fishing is restricted. This is a wall dive that is characterised by many ledges and overhangs which are great places for finding critters. The highlight here is the tornado-like school of jacks and an abundance of all kinds of fish including snappers, trevally, surgeonfish and other colourful reef species.
Arco Point – Also known as “Hole in the Wall”, this site features a tunnel which runs through the wall starting from just 5 metres/15 feet and ending at 16 metres/52 feet. The site offers excellent photography opportunities and highlights include ghost pipefish, banded sea snakes, blue ring octopus and frogfish.
Bohol Divers Wreck – This deep steel wreck was sunk in 2011 and lays at between 31 metres/102 feet and 37 metres/121 feet. Despite being a relatively “new” wreck you’ll find an array of unusual critters including pipefish, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish and octopus.
Doljo Point – This Panglao Island dive site has a candy box selection of coral species from giant sea fans and barrel sponges through to elephant ear, leather corals and healthy stone corals. The dive is along a steep slope / wall and in the deeper sections there are seasonal sightings of white tips and hammerhead sharks. The shallow sections offer an abundant mix of reef fish.
Snake Island – This sloping reef and wall site is famous for the large population of black and white banded sea snakes that reside here. This is also an ex
• Round-trip Transfers
• Local Guide
• Bohol Countryside Tour (BHL)
• Blood Compact Site
• Entrance & Government Fees
Transfer from Panglao to pier and ferry to Cebu and flight from Cebu to Puerto Princesa capital of Palawan. Free time at leisure in Pto Princesa.
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Around Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron Island, expect healthy coral reef awash with the different colors of reef fish like angelfish, parrotfish, surgeonfish, pufferfish, groupers and schools of lunar fusilier and yellowtail snapper. Sandy bottoms often reveal bluespotted ribbontail rays and blacktip sharks patrol the reefs.
Out at Tubbataha Reef, be astounded by the rich marine biodiversity of the area. Whale sharks are often seen cruising by the reef and manta rays come to visit cleaning stations. The stronger the currents, the more large creatures you are likely to see. THE ONLY WAY TO REACH HERE IS ON MULTIDAY LIVEABOARD EXPEDITION FOR ADVANCED DIVERS.
Sharks like grey reef sharks and whitetip sharks are common sightings whilst diving in Palawan, and if you are very lucky you might see a tiger shark or a hammerhead.
Tubbataha Reef – This is a major highlight of diving in Palawan and not be missed. Tubbataha Reef offers dramatic underwater terrain and awe-inspiring marine biodiversity including 600 fish species, 360 coral species and 11 shark species. Look out for resident reef sharks, turtles and manta rays.
Mares Rock – Located at the mouth of Puerto Princesa Bay, this sloping reef site drops down to 34 metres / 112 feet and is a must for underwater photographers and macro aficionados. Critter highlights here include octopus, crustaceans, nudibranch and interesting bottom dwellers. If you prefer ‘big fish’, tuna, turtles, barracuda and jack fish are also spotted here.
Cuttlefish Shawl – This relatively shallow site has a max depth 20 metres / 66 feet and is home to sea turtles, angelfish, barracuda, and of course cuttlefish – which are often seen here in numbers. Other marine life highlights include passing reef sharks, schools of fusiliers and occasional dugongs which are spotted in the bay.
This morning drive to Sabang and explore the 5-mile-long underground river by boat and drive northbound to Port Barton seaside town known for its nicely laid-back atmosphere. Spend the next day diving or snorkelling off shore of Port Barton.
Continue drive to El Nido beautiful limestone karst mountains rimmed little seaside town which is one of the most popular backpacker destinations in the Philippines. When staying on the islands and or in resorts bit outside of the town you can avoid the crowds during the peak months.
Most popular activities in El Nido are island hopping and snorkelling tours. There are a few dive sites here and Dilumac Tunnels is the famous one not to be missed.
Enjoy postcard-pretty scenery in this paradise setting. Time permitting you can also hire a scooter and drive to beautiful Nacpan Beach for a swim and some food.
El Nido diving highlights
Dilumacad Tunnel – Located in El Nido, in Palawan’s north, this 35 metre / 115 foot long tunnel was discovered in the early 1990’s. Starting at 12 metres / 40 feet, with a memorial plate at the entrance, the tunnel has a sandy bottom and several ceiling holes. The tunnel gradually narrows towards the exit. It’s a stunning dive for experienced divers.
Flight from El Nido to Busuanga island/ Coron. We have saved the best for last. Over the next days explore the underwater wonderland of Coron environs and visit some of the most scenic islands.
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Coron in the Philippines originally made a name for itself in scuba diving circles as a wreck diving mecca. The numerous wrecks that lay beneath the surface put Coron firmly on the map but there is so much more to this region than its attraction to those with a ‘lust for rust’.
Coron is an absolute must for any nature lover. Its dramatic limestone cliffs which surround magical aquamarine lagoons are like scenes from Jurassic Park and the seemingly endless lush green vegetation adds to its ‘land-that-time-forgot’ vibe. This is a destination for those who want to escape the hustle and unwind surrounded by tropical nature and incredible scenery.
Underwater, Coron’s wrecks (which lie within recreational diving depths) and wartime history are an undeniable draw but that’s not all that you’ll find underwater.
Diving highlights in Coron
There are currently 19 dive sites listed around Busuanga & Coron, of which 11 are Wreck dives, 8 are Reef dives and 2 are Beach dives.
Here are just a few of the highlights of scuba diving in Coron.
A Brief History of Coron’s Wrecks
In September 1944, one of the most ground breaking attacks of World War II took place in Coron. A Japanese supply fleet which was hiding out among the Island’s of Coron was attacked by a squadron of US bombers who were undertaking the furthest range air attack ever carried out at that time. Several US planes were lost during the attack through running out of fuel and some were shot down and now lay alongside the plethora of supply ships, gun boats, munitions ships and aircraft carriers which they set out to attack.
Okikawa Maru
This is one of Coron’s shallower wrecks that teems with life! The main deck sits at 16 metres/ 52 feet and the deepest point at 26 metres/ 85 feet. This 160 metre/ 525 feet long wreck is encrusted in coral and home to a high density of critters including colourful nudibranch which can be found living among the structure. Look out for large schools of snapper, sweetlips, batfish and barracuda, surrounding the wreck.
The Akitsushima
This 118 meter/ 387 feet long seaplane carrier lies relatively intact on her port side. On the sandy bottom to the side of the wreck is a huge crane which attracts schools of batfish and barracuda, making incredible underwater photography subjects. The engine room, which is home to four large engines and other machinery, is an excellent penetration opportunity for experienced wreck divers. Marine life is abundant here, particularly in the shaded areas and crevices where resident lionfish, moray eels and other interesting critters are found.
Morazan Maru
The Morazan Maru was a passenger cargo vessel built in 1907 and later commandeered for WWI by the British. She was captured by the Japanese who then later utilized her in WWII. At just under 100 metres/ 330 feet in length there is plenty to explore here. The cargo holds are empty but the steel boilers in the generously sized engine room are still in tact. The large proportions of this wreck make it suitable for all experience levels.
Iraku Maru
This refrigeration ship lays at between 30 metres/100 feet and 45 metres/150 feet and offers several routes and penetration possibilities according to experience level. Look out for the tornado of schooling jacks just off the wreck as well as snapper, groupers, barracuda, eels, turtles, lionfish and a host of macro critters on and above the deck. This is a firm favourite with many Coron wreck divers and for good reasons!
Seven Islands Reef
Known locally as ‘Siete Picados’, this marine protected reef is home to a thriving marine eco-system. The sloping reef (which bottoms out at around 24 meters / 79 feet) is teeming with a variety of reef fish and critters. Look into crevices and shaded areas for nudibranch, flatworms, eels, lionfish, scorpionfish and camouflaged bottom dwellers.
Barracuda Lake
Out of the seven lakes around Coron, the Barracuda Lake is one of the only two which can be visited. While this lake may not pack a punch on the marine life front it never fails to deliver a sensory overload. The lake offers both salt water and fresh water layers which sit one top of each other resulting in a halocline effect. This oil-on-water layer where the two meet is incredibly beautiful. You’ll also find thermoclines in the lake between layers of cool and warm water – with the difference between them being up to 10 degrees Celsius. The silty lake floor resembles a planetary surface and all of this is set before a dramatic backdrop of an immense limestone rock face. Barracuda Lake is one diving experience which you won’t forget!
The Cathedral Cave
Situated on the east of Coron Island, access to the Cathedral Cave starts via a tunnel opening at around 6-10meters/19 to 32 feet. Once inside the tunnel you’ll find numerous lobsters, crabs and molluscs which have taken up residence. The tunnel leads to a large chamber in which it’s possible to surface and see the beautiful stalactites and a window through which the light streams in. A little further into the Cathedral Cave is another passage leading to a further air chamber and more rock formations. This is a beautiful dive for experienced divers and one which finishes alongside a vibrant coral wall outside of the tunnel opening.
Dimakya Island
Diving around Dimakya Island boasts a healthy reef system made up of a vibrant mix of hard and soft corals. During months when the water temperature is at its coolest, cephalopods (both octopus and cuttlefish) come here to mate and lay eggs. Diving here reveals a varied mix of marine life from minute macro crustaceans through to colourful reef fish and bizarre critters.
Transfer to airport and catch to Manila and connect to your international flight.
