philippines short trips
Alive reefs
SHORT TRIPS
If you would like to dive without too much annual leave spent, these trips are perfect. Simon Lorenz will craft good deals with the best places in the Philippines that are just a short flight away from Hong Kong, Singapore etc. One these trips we try to do as much diving as possible, giving beginners are great opportunity to improve their skills and increase their dive count. You can do you open water, Advanced Open Water or Nitrox during these trips, as well as improve your photography skills under Simon's guidance.
2018 TRIPS
ITINERARY
Let's do a short break at one of the most convenient dive locations in the Philippines. Puerto Galera! PG offers extremely varied diving including deep dives, current dives, wreck dives, reef and muck photography as well as superb night diving. This is an extremely good place for divers that want to improve their dive skills.
THE REGION
One of the oldest dive locations in the Philippines Puerto offers something for everyone, and that at a close distance from the capital Manila. It is actually one of the oldest Spanish settlements in the Philippines, was founded in 1574. Though its close to Manila, it still is not on busy Luzon island, but a 1h banca ride across the straight. Located below the rocky outcrops of Mount Halcon on Mindoro Island.
Located right on the straight Verde Island passage it has several current heavy sites, but in the bay the water is calm and reef fish and macro subjects thrive. Around the back of PG is Giant Clams, a real dark sand muck dive site, where Ghost Pipefish and Flamboyant cuttlfish waddle over the sand. Even Hairy Frogfish and Thorny Sea Horses can be spotted here.
That's not all - we can also make use of the wrecks that litter the bay including the majestic Alma Jane - an artifical wreck that is perfect for wreck training.
Out in the passage is the famed Verde Island. Visiting this island is at an extra cost and depends if weather and timing permit this offshore trip.
THE RESORT
Atlantis Puerto Galera is an all time favorite with demanding divers around the world. Located in the heart of down town it is still quiet and calm. All rooms are in mediteranean decor, with new airconditions and private bath rooms. We are staying in the deluxe rooms so we can relax after our heavy dive days.
The Chef of Atlantis was trained in heaven and will serve us so much delicious food that our buoyancy may seriously get affected. The package includes full board and free of charge feeling of overeating.
It is leading the tripadvisor charts for the area for a reason, winning the Certificate of Excellence in 2016.
DATES
We will leave Hong Kong on the evening flight on 12th October. If you are coming from other destinations you should arrive in the evening. We will spend a night in Airport side hotel before being picked up at 6am. After 2h drive and a banca ride we arrive in PG and after equipment set up we head straight into the water.
Hong Kongers note - 17th October is public holiday, so it's only 2 days annual leave days for 3.5 days of diving
RATES
12th-17th October (HKD 8900 excl flight)
Airport transfer and hotel included if part of group transfer.
Single room surcharge is HKD 2000 and 2400
Excluded: Flights, Local taxes and park fees, alcohol, nitrox
TRAINING AND EXTENSIONS
If desired Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses can be offered. The calm waters are perfect for open water training. For advanced course Wreck dive, deep dive, night dive and current dives are available in addition to the usual peak performance buoyancy training and navigation.
ITINERARY
Visit one of the best dive spots in the Philippines. The Bohol sea is rich in marine diversity and corals, and is home to a wide range of marine animals such as turtles, rays and whalesharks. South of Bohol lies Panglao Island, which has seen tourism develop over the recent years thanks to a close vicinity to fabulous offshore islands such as Balicasag and Pamilacan. The night dives off Panglao are also not to be missed!
THE REGION
Alona beach is the diving center of Bohol, and Oasis Resort & Seaquest are in the prime spot. There are around 20 dive sites around Panglao island, offering reefs, muck, wreck and great night dives. The offshore opportunities are what make this place extra special. Each around 30-40 mins of boat drive away are Pamilacan Island and Balicsag Island.
Balicasag can be considered amongst the best dive sites in the Philippines. Only 600m diameter it rests on steep coral walls, habitat to hundreds of turtles and giant jack fish and barracuda swarms. Diving in this blue wonderland can be done vertically or with a drift along the walls, depending on the currents. Whalesharks regularly pass, so lets train our eyes into the blue.
Pamilacan is equally pretty, with rich corals growing over a wide plateau and several walls. Same as in Balicasag these water have been protected from destructive fishing techniques, allowing marine life to flourish. On the way to Pamilacan we have a special stop to make, - the underwater island of Cervera Shoal - or "Snake Island" - an underwater sea mount that hosts hundreds of sea snakes. A thrilling exerience, though not dangerous.
THE RESORT
Oasis Resort is one of our favorite resorts. For 10 years we have been going back to the hospitality of BJ and his crew. Right in the middle of the rather busy Alona Beach this resort has a little hill to itself, where peaceful bungalows fringe a private pool. All ammentieis are top notch, and the food a delight.
SeaQuest dive center has a history of over 25 years in the region and were amongst the first to dive in this area. Dive boats and dive masters are amongst the best in the country.
Down at the beach where the dive center is, is also the Oasis resort bar and grill, a great hang out for dinner and drinks while watching the sunset.
DATES
We will leave Hong Kong on the morning flight on 28nd November 2018. You can book your own flights or we can book them for you.
RATES
TBC
TRAINING AND EXTENSIONS
If desired Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses can be offered as well as Nitrox courses. Nitrox is particularly usefull for thresher shark dives. The calm waters are perfect for open water training. For advanced course Wreck dive, deep dive, night dive and current dives are available in addition to the usual peak performance buoyancy training and navigation.
THE ITINERARY
Join us for a short break to the dive location that put Philippines on the map again. Malapascua is a beautiful white sanded Island, perfect get-away from the Asian mega cities. Great place for the famous shark encounters it is also a great place for training and developing your dive skills further.
THE REGION
Malapascua is famous for its guaranteed sightings of Thresher Sharks, worldwide the only place where this deep sea shark can be seen with close to 100% guarantee. ButMalapascua offers so much more other great diving options on top of that, making it a world class dive location with macro, offshore islands and a very impressive wreck.
We will be working with Devocean Divers, a relatively new dive shop. The owner, a personal friend of Simon, has run dive shops for 20 years and was the owner of one of the best dive shop chains in the Philippines. So we are in great hands. Check out their 5 Star tripadvisor ratings. Check out their website or facebook.
THE RESORT
We will be staying in the beautiful Buena Vida Resort & spa, only three minutes aways from the dive shop. The beautiful layout and room design have made it a top choice on the island. It has a pool and a spa. Also, there is a Yoga center that offers courses as well as an area to do your own yoga moves before diving in the morning. We are 3mins away form the dive shop, so only a short hop over to the thresher sharks.
DATES
Dates have not been announced for this years Malapascua trip. If you would like to here about our upcoming trips please
TRAINING AND EXTENSIONS
If desired Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses can be offered as well as Nitrox courses. Nitrox is particularly usefull for thresher shark dives. The calm waters are perfect for open water training. For advanced course Wreck dive, deep dive, night dive and current dives are available in addition to the usual peak performance buoyancy training and navigation.