Philippines-Experience the Exotic

Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, Dumaguete

AE
12 reviews
Jun 18 - 28, 2025
Group size: 10 - 16
Philippines-Experience the Exotic
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, Dumaguete

12 reviews

Jun 18 - 28, 2025
Group size: 10 - 16

About this trip

Are you ready to embark on an underwater journey like never before? Atlantic Edge Scuba invites you to join our upcoming trip to the tropical paradise of the Philippines! Immerse yourself in the wonders of the deep blue sea, vibrant coral reefs, and the breathtaking beauty of this exotic destination. 

 The Philippines is a fascinating country and one of the top spots to SCUBA dive in the world. It is a country of thousands of islands with many well-known dive locations. It was proving impossible to pick one spot to spend 10 nights, so we decided to visit two very different locations for five nights each to broaden our experience and see more of the country.
We’ll start our trip with four nights in Puerto Galera staying at the Atlantis Puerto Galera Resort. We’ll explore the famous dive sites in this area (most less than five minutes from the resort), as well as a day trip to the world-renowned Verde Island. We will fly into Manila and be picked up as a group, for a two-hour van transfer to the coast and a 30 minute ferry ride to Puerto Galera.
After the four nights in Puerto Galera, we will reverse the transfer back to Manila for a domestic flight south to Dumaguete. We will be picked up at the airport for a 45 minute van transfer to Atlantis Dumaguete Resort. We will stay six nights at the Atlantis Dumaguete Resort enjoying four days of diving including a day-trip to Apo Island. Both resorts have approximately 40 rooms so guests enjoy a warm, family atmosphere in both locations. 




Please do not book your flights until we confirm we have enough people for the trip!





World Class Diving

 We will be diving up to five dives a day in both locations. We will be divided into groups of six or fewer with an experienced Divemaster assigned to each group. Each Divemaster is prepared to do five dives per day and will take any number of people (one or more) from their group on each dive. The boats and Divemasters are ready to go for whomever wants to join them. This means you could potentially complete 30 dives on this trip! Atlantis offers concierge service, which means the Dive Shop staff handles your gear and set up, if you chose to let them. They work overtime to ensure you can simply relax and enjoy the dives. 


Diving Puerto

The diving in Puerto Galera is beautiful with colorful coral and plenty of sea life including reef fish, turtles, eels, and more nudibranchs than you could ever hope to see. The diving around Verde Island is world-renowned for a reason. There are few places to experience the beautiful underwater scenery and schools of fish that we will see there. 


Diving Dumaguete

The diving in Dumaguete is true “muck” diving. It is an absolute macro paradise. We can almost guarantee you will see things you have never seen before. Some examples include Wunderpus and Mimic Octopus; gold, black and blue stripe ribbon eel; Mandarin fish spawning on a night dive; Flamboyant Cuttlefish; several varieties of Mantis; Giant Black Frogfish; Yellow Leaf Scorpionfish; Electric Clam and many more. And don’t forget the day trip to Apo Island with astounding, colorful coral configurations and more sealife to experience.


Lodging

 The style and layout of the two locations are very different. Both resorts are all inclusive with an a la crate breakfast menu and three/four gourmet choices for each of three courses at lunch and dinner (including vegetarian and vegan options). Soda (except one at each meal) and alcohol drinks are not included. The bars are full service with plenty of interesting international and local options from beer to wine and liquor. A tab is run for the five night stay and settled at the end with
cash or card.

Puerto Galera

The Atlantis Puerto Galera is a beautiful property with a Greek Islands (white-washed stucco) theme. It is located right on the Main Street of Puerto Galera (a resort/fishing village) across a brick walkway from the water with a limited beach. The walkway is set up as a “boardwalk” concept and runs the entire length of the village waterfront. The resort is arranged around an internal courtyard with the rooms rising three stories above the pool, spa, restaurant/bar, and dive shop at ground level. One of the two resort bars sets at the entrance and looks out over the water and is a great place to hang out throughout the day as we enjoy up to five boat dives each day. They offer a standard room set up as a double (for a couple) or twin (still double occupancy but for two singles).


 Dumaguete

The Atlantis Dumaguete is built as a tropical paradise with each room offering a full glass wall looking out over the plush tropical greenery. The room options are similar to Atlantis Puerto Galera with a double or twin bed arrangement.
The resort is much more of a beach resort, with rooms arranged along a plush, green walkway (in two story buildings) leading down to the restaurant/bar right on the beach. The approach to diving and overall resort service is similar in both locations so in some ways, when we arrive at Dumaguete, it will feel like we are home again.

Dates and Flights

 DATES AND FLIGHTS

The trip takes place from June 18-28, 2025. All transportation and transfers are included EXCEPT the international flight from your home airport to Manila – round trip. We will need to fly out on June TBA (or TBA depending on layovers and route selected). To be included in the group transfer to Puerto Galera, we will need to arrive in Manila by 9 AM on June 18. We will be picked up as a group and transferred by van and ferry right to the resort. You will most likely NOT WANT TO BE TRANSFERRED OUTSIDE OF THE GROUP TRANSFER. A single transfer is not included and we have been told it will be expensive.
The return from Dumaguete will be a domestic flight back to Manila during the day of June TBA. As most flights back to the states leave in the evening, the typical plan is for the Atlantis staff to transfer us from the domestic terminal to the international terminal for a layover waiting on our homeward flights on the evening of the TBA.

Hotels on either end can be suggested (and possibly arranged) but are definitely not required.
There are several different options available for international flights. We will be advertising our flights a little closer to the trip dates once the airlines have opened their flights for this period.

Trip Cost

Price per diver in double occupancy is $4199

Price per diver in single occupancy is $4899

Price per non-diver in double occupancy is $3099

What’s Included?

10 nights accommodation total

4 nights in Atlantis Puerto Galera

6 nights in Atlantis Dumaguete

All meals at Toko’s restaurant (breakfast drinks Italian and specialty coffees at breakfast are included)
 • Coffee, tea and filtered water

Unlimited Internet access
 • Hotel taxes

Dive Package: 8 days diving (4 days per location) with up to 5 dives daily – up to incredible 40 dives total

1 day at each of the world famous dive sites of Apo and Verde Island

Tanks and weights

Group transfer from Manila to Puerto Galera, Puerto Galera to Manila, domestic flights to and from to and from Dumaguete

What’s not Included?

International airfare

Beverages

Nitrox – $219 for the whole trip – payable on site

Rental gear

Marine Park fee – in Dumaguete ONLY (approximately $24 per dive day) – payable on site

Oslob Whale Shark snorkeling tour (at Dumaguete) – $138 – please book with us before the trip

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS, MARINE PARK FEES OR NITROX

Insurance

Make sure you get insurance .  Trip deposits are non-refundable and trip is non refundable 100 days prior to departure.

Good to Know

  • Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to return home from your trip
  • It is your responsibility to review and meet the vaccination requirements and visa/immigration requirements for the countries you're visiting
  • Your proof of certification and logbook will be checked during check-in at the dive center to clarify level and experience: it is your responsibility to ensure you bring these with you and your diving could be at risk if you do not bring these
  • Please remember it is your responsibility to ensure you are fit to dive and meet the medical standards outlined by PADI
  • Dive times can change due to local weather conditions and it is your responsibility to check in with your dive center after you arrive to confirm the timing of your dives: late check-in could lead to missed dives
  • We recommend you buy travel and trip cancellation insurance. Trip deposits are non-refundable and trip is non refundable 180 days prior to departure.  
  • Ensure you bring suitable electrical adaptors for the country or countries you are visiting
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you comply with the latest Covid-19 measures requested and/or required by the authorities in your home location, in the locations you intend to travel to and any locations you will visit in transit. PADI Travel cannot be held responsible for losses incurred due to your non-compliance with these measures.
  • Travelers are responsible to be aware of covid travel guidelines, local rules, and procedures for the country they are travelling to and to maintain up to date knowledge of any changes regarding entry requirements or local guidelines

What’s included

  • Hotel
    Hotel room for the whole trip, double occupancy
  • Catamaran Transportation
    Catamaran from Dubrovnik to Korcula Island. Catamaran from Vela Luka to Split
  • Diving
    4 days of Diving in Vela Luka
  • Tanks and Weights
  • Dubrovnik Tour
    Your choice! We have 3 that we will offer!
  • Split Tour
    Your choice! We have 3 that we will offer!
  • Non-Diver Tour
    For the non-divers there will be a tour available in Vela Luka
  • Transportation
    From Dubrovnik Hotel to Ferry. From Korcula to Vela Luka. From Split Ferry to Split Hotel.
  • Breakfast
    Provided at Hotels!
  • Trip Swag!
    Commemorative Trip Shirt and Swag
  • PADI Specialty
    Boat Diver! For all certified Divers who attend this trip! Includes the eLearning
  • Dive Leader!
    Atlantic Edge Dive Leader!

What’s not included

  • Airfare
  • Tips/gratuities
  • Lunch and Dinner
  • Gear
    Scuba or Snorkeling Gear
  • Transportation
    From Dubrovnik Airport to Dubrovnik Hotel. From Split Hotel to Split Airport

Available Packages

Diver (Double Occupancy)
Available until December 17, 2025

The deposit is non-refundable UNLESS we do not have enough people for the trip and have to cancel. We will help you book a similar trip! All money paid is non-refundable 180 days out from the trip start date.


If you are registering for yourself and do not have a roommate, we will try and accommodate same sex roommate.  If we can not find you a roommate, you would be required to pay single supplement ($700 additional).

$4,199
Deposit: $500
Non-Diver (Double Occupancy)
Available until December 17, 2025only 2 left

The deposit is non-refundable UNLESS we do not have enough people for the trip and have to cancel. We will help you book a similar trip! All money paid is non-refundable 90 days out from the trip start date.


 If you are registering for yourself and do not have a roommate, we will try and accommodate same sex roommate.  If we can not find you a roommate, you would be required to pay single supplement ($700 additional). 

$3,099
Deposit: $500
Diver Single Occupancy
Available until December 17, 2025only 2 left
$4,899
Deposit: $500

Available options



Your Organizer


AE
Atlantic Edge Scuba
12 reviews
Atlantic Edge Scuba, established in 1993 by current owners John and Abbe Harman, is the D.C. metropolitan area’s premiere scuba diving and snorkeling facility. With nearly 30 years of local experience, we have certified thousands of divers and outfitted hundreds of thousands of snorkelers with premium watersports gear. We are proud to be the exclusive scuba diving outfitter for the National Aquarium in Baltimore, making us the only dive shop in the country able to offer certified divers the opportunity!

Reviews

This is my 4th trip with Atlantic Edge, & I've come to learn that there are great trips in general, & there are great DIVE trips, & the AE trip to Bonaire is a fantastic example of both! With so many options for where & when to dive, Deb & Terry put a huge amount of effort into herding all 24 of us cats on the trip, & from my perspective it absolutely paid off. Bonaire & Buddy Dive Resort are a great place that caters to the needs of whatever a diver might want to do, whether that's getting up early to step into the water right onsite, or taking your rental truck to any of dozens of sites around the island at any other time of your choosing, the only things limiting you are your motivation & N2 limits. Fair warning though: some of the shore entries can be a bit challenging, so you'll want to be fit enough to carry your gear over some rough rocks through moderate surf to get in & out. However, once you are in, the conditions are excellent: warm, good visibility, gentle currents, & lots to see! If you need a break from diving, you could venture into town for an assortment of other distractions, but the food & hospitality at Buddy Dive was plenty to keep me happy with lively evenings eating & drinking with my fellow travelers. It may sound corny, but every time I travel with AE, I reunite with familiar faces & make new friends, & I will definitely be signing up for more.
By Mark F for Scuba Dive in Bonaire on Dec 18, 2023
This was a really great trip. Terry Wells and Debbie Goldstein did a great job organizing and getting all of our divers out every day. The only downside was for those who traveled on American and got stranded for an extra night in Bonaire due to mechanical difficulties with the plane.
By Stephen S for Scuba Dive in Bonaire on Dec 18, 2023
We had a great time - wonderful people, delicious food, & nice accommodations. Ciara put in a lot of work planning so everything went smoothly, & our guides from Arctic Adventures took great care of us once we got there. Although the weather cancelled our ocean dives, AA went the extra mile to ensure the rest of our visit to Iceland exceeded expectations - waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, glaciers, lava tunnels, the Northern Lights, diving the Silfra Fissure, & more were all accompanied by informative, entertaining, & humorous commentary as we toured the southwestern regions of the country. Each night, the Grandi hotel in Reykjavik served as our home base to explore the city & find uncountable places for delicious food of all types, with plenty more attractions of its own. This trip provided a unique experience for divers & an equally enjoyable time for the non-divers in our group. I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat.
By Mark F for Iceland Scuba Adventure and Island Tour - Private Tours for our Group! on Oct 09, 2023
Fantastic trip! Tour operators (Arctic Adventures) were superb and the tour leader was top notch!
By Jennifer C for Iceland Scuba Adventure and Island Tour - Private Tours for our Group! on Sep 14, 2023
You can just dive in iceland, you must also hike on a glacier, walk through waterfalls, tour a lava tunnel and relax in a geothermal lagoon. What an amazing trip that gave me more than I bargained for. Thank you Ciara for organizing this trip and working with Arctic Adventures! I will be returning to iceland in the future!
By David A for Iceland Scuba Adventure and Island Tour - Private Tours for our Group! on Sep 10, 2023
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