Join Blue Planet for 10 days of incredible diving in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the world’s center of marine biodiversity. Snap photos of amazing critters on muck dives; visit the stunning reefs of Apo Island; and when the day is done, visit the on-site spa for a relaxing massage. Oh, and did we mention the food?? 

Dumaguete

Just a short flight from Manila on a long, peaceful stretch of beach lies the secluded Atlantis Dumageuete resort. Surrounded by an amazing tropical garden with some of the rarest plants to be found in the Philippines, the resort it is close to some of the most renowned dive sites in Asia — Apo Island, Siquijor and of course the local Dauin Marine Sanctuaries.

The Diving

Minimum dive certification/experience:  Appropriate for new and experienced divers. Good buoyancy is a must! Advanced Open Water Diver and Enriched Air/Nitrox recommended (both can be completed on the trip).

The archipelago is home to more than 3000 species of fish and 448 species of coral – where else can you combine unbelievable muck diving with pristine coral reefs and shoals of schooling fish? Critter diving includes blue ring octopus, ghost pipefish, mandarinfish, pygmy seahorses, flamboyant cuttlefish and more.

Most dive sites are only a ten minute boat ride from the resort, and each boat will have a small group with a divemaster. You’ll set up your gear for the first dive and then never think twice about it; staff will take care of setting it up for each dive. And there will be a hot shower and snacks waiting for you in the dive shop when you get off the boat. The dive facilities are spacious and accommodating, just like the camera room!  

The resort offers five dives each day, with the option of scheduling night dives or dusk dives to watch the mandarinfish mating ritual. We’ll make at least one 3-tank day trip to Apo Island. Enjoy some of the best diving the area has to offer with a fantastic BBQ lunch cooked on the beach or the boat.

Other Activities

Have a non-diver coming along? Want to take an afternoon off? There’s plenty to do. Snorkel, kayak, golf, hike to a local waterfall, take a sunset cruise, visit the local market, make an appointment (or three) at the on-site spa, or just relax on the beach or by the pool. 

Atlantis Dumaguete

We'll be staying at the Atlantis Dive Resort in Dumaguete. Atlantis’ forty guest rooms and suites are elegantly designed to give you maximum comfort, privacy and relaxation throughout your stay.  Their spa features four private therapy rooms plus a sauna and rain shower area.  Behind the spa is the freshwater pool, perfect for relaxing after a day of diving. 

Toko’s restaurant is right on the beach and offers daily changing menus at both lunch and dinner using fresh local products and flavors made to an international standard. Choose from an extensive list of cocktails and shakes, or sip the best coffee in town while enjoying the wonderful view. 

Travel

You should plan to fly into Manila (MNL) by Saturday, May 21. (That means a Thursday or Friday departure from the East Coast.) If you arrive the evening before, we can reserve a room for you in a nearby hotel for $70/night double occupancy. We will all travel to Dumaguete together on May 21.

We'll return to Manila on Tuesday, May 31 by early- to mid-afternoon. You can plan to fly home or to your next destination that evening or Wednesday. Please email or call the shop before booking your flight!  

Upon cancellation of a reservation for any reason, the refund of the deposit and payments made or due will be contingent upon Blue Planet reselling the participant's reservation. Any refund may also be subject to a $200 cancellation fee and payment of any non-refundable fees imposed by the tour company, dive operator or any other contractor associated with the trip. 

Dive accident insurance is required for all divers on this trip. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Contact us if you need more information.