Philippines: Critter Diving in Paradise

      Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines

      BP
      Blue Planet Scuba
      • Facebook verified
      • Twitter verified
      136 reviews
      May 21 - 31, 2022
      Group size: 7 - 19
      Philippines: Critter Diving in Paradise
      Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines

      Blue Planet Scuba
      • Facebook verified
      • Twitter verified
      136 reviews

      $NaN
      May 21 - 31, 2022
      Group size: 7 - 19

      About this trip

      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!  

      Cancellation Policy

      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. 

      What’s included

      • 10 nights accommodation
        Double occupancy in Deluxe room
      • So many dives!
        Unlimited scheduled boat diving (up to 5 dives a day including night diving)
      • Apo Island trip
        One day of 3-tank diving at Apo Island
      • Enriched Air/Nitrox
        for Nitrox-certified divers
      • All meals
        All meals at Toko’s Restaurant (breakfast drinks, Italian and specialty coffees are included)
      • Domestic flights
        Roundtrip flights from Manila to Dumaguete
      • Taxes, etc.
        Resort & government taxes
      • International flights
        International flights to Manila
      • Scuba equipment
        Only tanks and weights included; rental gear available
      • Tips
        Tips for the resort and dive shop's excellent crew
      • Other beverages
        Beverages other than tea, coffee, and water
      • Marine park fees
        Estimated to be $50 for the trip

      Available Packages

      Deluxe Room, Double Occupancy

      ONE MALE SHARE! The Deluxe Rooms have either a king bed (convertible to 2 twin beds) or a queen bed plus air conditioning, ceiling fan, ensuite facilities with private shower, solar heated hot water, essential toiletries, mini bar, refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, cable TV with free movie and sports channels, in-room safe deposit box and wireless internet. 


      Bringing a non-diving companion? Contact us for pricing!

      $2,985
      Deposit: $500
      Deluxe Room, Single Occupancy

      The Deluxe Rooms have either a king bed (convertible to 2 twin beds) or a queen bed plus air conditioning, ceiling fan, ensuite facilities with private shower, solar heated hot water, essential toiletries, mini bar, refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, cable TV with free movie and sports channels, in-room safe deposit box and wireless internet. 

      $3,460
      Deposit: $500
      Ocean Front, Double Occupancy

      The Ocean Front Rooms have a direct ocean view with a private balcony or terrace complete with a hammock. Each contains a king bed (convertible to 2 single beds) plus air conditioning, ceiling fan, ensuite facilities with private shower, solar heated hot water, essential toiletries, mini bar, refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, cable TV with free movie and sports channels, in-room safe deposit box and wireless internet. 


      Bringing a non-diving companion? Contact us for pricing!

      $3,185
      Deposit: $500


      Itinerary

      Saturday
      Transfer from Manila to Dumaguete

      We will fly as a group from Manila to Dumaguete, where we will be transferred to the resort. Check in at the resort and dive shop, enjoy a welcome drink and shoulder massage and settle in to your room. 


      You can either meet us at the Manila airport or, if you arrive a day or two early, relax at the Manila host hotel (rooms are $140/night).

      Your Organizer


      BP
      Blue Planet Scuba
      136 reviews
      Blue Planet is a different kind of scuba diving organization — aimed at providing the best education and experiences to divers in the Washington, DC area and beyond, while harnessing the excitement and adventure of scuba diving to help protect our fragile oceans.

      Reviews

      AM
      Trips with Blue Planet continue to amaze! The Sea of Cortez liveaboard was great value for the money- comfortable rooms, friendly and capable crew, and highly enjoyable diving. There are lots of moving parts re: a liveaboard and Blue Planet consistently provides excellent support. I highly recommend any and all of their trips!
      By Andy M for Sea of Cortez Liveaboard on Nov 12, 2023
      DB
      Jen is a fantastic trip leader! She really made the trip great! She made everything easy. Thank you!
      By Dee B for St Croix: Escape to the US Virgin Islands on Oct 22, 2023
      Hi Dee! Thanks so much for joining us, we enjoyed adventuring with you. Hope to sea you on another trip soon!
      By Blue Planet Scuba on Oct 22, 2023
      BP
      Another wonderful trip with Blue Planet! Thank you so much for coordinating a day with Dr. German Mendez and the Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program as well as setting up an opportunity for us to volunteer with baby sea turtle hatchlings. Helping to plant coral and release baby turtles into the ocean was truly life changing. Oh and I guess the diving was pretty good too. 😉 Thanks again BP! Looking forward to the next one.
      By Kristin D for September Certification Weekend in Cozumel on Oct 19, 2023
      MS
      Another great Blue Planet trip in the books!!! This was a very laid back and relaxing destination, I enjoyed every minute of it! Our trip leader Jen was awesome she was on top of everything and kept us informed!!! Cane Bay diving was great! The whole crew was very nice, communicated with everyone and was very friendly. I felt like I had already knew them, made me feel very welcomed! The topside events was fun, including the underwater pumpkin carving which I've never carved a pumpkin before and was able to do it underwater..lol Looking forward to our next adventure together some where around the world!
      By MICHELLE S for St Croix: Escape to the US Virgin Islands on Oct 17, 2023
      Thanks for joining another Blue Planet adventure, Michelle. We are so glad you had a great time and congrats on your 300 dive milestone. Sea you again soon!
      By Blue Planet Scuba on Oct 17, 2023
      BP
      This was my Open Diver certification weekend in Conzumel. It was a lot of fun and relaxing, at the same time, hanging out with an amazing group of people. The Resort and the restaurants that we visited during the trip were great (Wet Wendy's - Ask for Alex). Cozumel and the Dive Paradise shop was a perfect setting to complete the training under exceptional Blue Planet instruction and guidance. The training gave me the knowledge and confidence to continue my trip to Costa Rica and dive with family. I really can't express the value I received from my dive certification and my first diving experiences with Blue Planet. Special "Thanks" to Anthony and Joe. A+++++++
      By Jason S for September Certification Weekend in Cozumel on Oct 16, 2023
      So glad you had such a great time, Jason! You were a great student and it was a pleasure having you with us. We can’t wait for the many more adventures to come!
      By Blue Planet Scuba on Oct 19, 2023
      BP
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