Philippines
Puerto Galera and Tubbataha Dive Adventure
March 25-April 6, 2024
With over 7460 islands to explore, the Philippines is one of the world's best spots for scuba diving. Sitting in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the Philippines is one of the most biodiverse areas. During this adventure we'll be headed to two of the sought out diving regions in the Philippines: Puerto Galera and Tubbataha.
Puerto Galera (Port of Galleons) is situated on the Verde Passage, 150 km (95 miles) from Manila. The peninsula is recognized by UNESCO as Man and Biosphere Reserve and received the award as “The Most Beautiful Bay in the World” in 2005, making it the 32nd bay in the world to bag the prize and only the third in the Southeast Asian region. Recognized by UNESCO as one of the most bio-diverse bodies of water on the planet! It has attracted scientists studying the Eco structure of microorganisms, animals and plants. The average water temperature is circa 28°C/ throughout the year, with excellent visibility. Surrounded by beautiful reefs thriving with marine life, fantastic dive sites famous for diversity are just stone’s throw from the resort, most of them within a few minutes boat ride.
Tubbataha sits in the Sulu Sea and is in the middle of the Coral Triangle between Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The Tubbataha Reefs National Parks is an UNESCO World Heritage site. The atolls are made up of the North Atoll, South Atoll and the Jessie Beazley Reef to the northwest of the main atolls and are all part of the park. The diving in Tubbataha is seasonal, with opportunities to see whale sharks and mantas early in the season. Tubbataha is accessed via Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Trip Details:
This adventure begins in Manila, Philippines and takes us to the luxury Edgewater Dive Resort and Spa in Puerto Galera. Here we will spend 5 nights/6 days diving & relaxing. Transit to Puerto Galera is roughly 3 and 1/2 hours via vehicle & ferry crossing. After 6 days in Puerto Galera we will transit & fly to Puerto Princesa to board the beautiful Aggressor Philippines for a journey to Tubbataha Reef.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Pick up in Manila and transfer to Puerto Galera.
Pick Up at 9am in Manila on March 25, 2024.
Day 2-5: Diving & relaxing in beautiful Puerto Galera
Day 6: Transit to Manila and fly to Puerto Princesa and board the Aggressor
Departure from Puerto Galera will be early on March 30, 2024
Day 7-12: Aboard the Philippines Aggressor diving in stunning Tubbataha Reef
Day 13: Disembark the Philippines Aggressor at 8am April 6, 2024, travel home or onward.
Exclusions:
Dive rental gear
Gratuities
Dive courses
International & domestic flights
Dive Insurance & Travel Insurance
Resort:
Drinks at lunch & dinner (water is complimentary)
Spa treatments
Extra dives & Nitrox
Additional excursions
Liveaboard:
$150 USD per person park/port fees
$200 USD per person fuel surcharge - Aggressor announced they are removing fuel surcharges, we'll double check on this.
$100 USD Nitrox (for the week)
Flights to/from Puerto Princesa
12% VAT tax is added to all onboard sales.
Liquor sold on board (okay to bring your own)
Dates:
March 25- April 6, 2024
Duration:
12 nights/13 days
Package Cost: (per person, double occupancy, USD)
Liveaboard room type + Resort room type:
Balcony Suite & Garden View: $4950
Balcony Suite & Sea Deck: $5000
Balcony Suite & Premier Garden Suite: $5050
Balcony Suite & Premier Sea View Suite: $5200
Deluxe Main Deck & Garden View: $4750
Deluxe Main Deck & Sea Deck: $4800
Deluxe Main Deck & Premier Garden Suite: $4850
Deluxe Main Deck & Premier Sea Suite: $5000
Deluxe Lower Deck & Garden View: $4550
Deluxe Lower Deck & Sea Deck: $4600
Deluxe Lower Deck & Premier Garden Suite: $4700
Deluxe Lower Deck & Premier Sea Suite: $4800
Room Types:
Edgewater Garden View
Edgewater Sea Deck
Edgewater Premier Garden Suite
Edgewater Premier Sea Suite
(All rooms at Edgewater can be configured 1 Queen/King or 2 single beds)
Price Includes:
5 nights at Edgewater Dive Resort & Spa
3 meals a day (B, L, D)
2 dives a day and nitrox
Transportation to/from Manila to Puerto Galera & port fees
7 nights aboard the Philippines Aggressor
All meals, snacks and beverages (beer & wine)
Up to 20 dives on 7 night itineraries
Certified guides & small dive groups
Private charter for our group only.
Group size limited to 24 including trip leaders
Presentations on marine wildlife
Travel and explore with a marine biologist and educational expert
Photography and editing advice provided.
Fun, friendly & inclusive atmosphere with experienced group leaders Kim & Amanda
Getting There:
Manila (MNL)
For most travelers, Manila will be your international gateway arrival/departure city. Most major airlines will have flights to/from Manila.
Arrival: Arrive into Manila on March 25, 2024. Most international arrivals are early morning. (You may want to arrive a day or two before and explore Manila). Our transfers to the Edgewater Resort will be at 9am from Manila.
Manila to Puerto Princesa: March 30, 2024 we will transit back to Manila in the morning and catch flights down to Puerto Princesa in the afternoon. There are a few major airlines that fly from MNL-PPS, including Cebu Pacific Airlines and Philippines Airlines. (We will confirm additional details regarding the domestic flights).
Departure: April 6, 2024 we will disembark by 8am. The Aggressor staff will arrange to bring us to the airport or to local area hotels. The airport is very close to where the boat docks, so please book fights from 11am onward.
Philippines Announcement Video-1920.mp4How to Secure Your Spot:
Please note that this trip has limited spots, so you will need to get in quick to secure your booking. The following payments will be required:
$900 USD pp to secure your spot (due at booking)
35% of package price due Sept 10, 2023
Remaining balance due Dec 10, 2023
We will be in touch via e-mail to provide individual invoices and payment details. We would recommend purchasing your flights into Manila as soon as possible to secure reasonably priced flights.
To book and check for available spaces email: info@designedforscuba.com
Terms and Conditions
Designed for Scuba LLC highly recommends you purchase travel and dive insurance as soon as possible after confirming your travel plans.
Evidence of adequate travel and dive insurance must be provided prior to departure.
Bookings made more than 100 days out from the start of a trip require a deposit of $800 US per passenger to secure your booking. The remaining payments dates will be listed on the invoice.
All deposit/s are non-refundable.
Bookings made less than 100 days out from trip commencement require payment in full to secure your booking.
Payment in full is required 100 days out from the start of the trip. We will email you a final payment reminder. No refunds will be given within 100 days of the start of any trip, under any circumstances.
If you cancel your spot more than 100 days before the start of a trip, and we are able to resell/fill the spot, a trip credit for your remaining balance (minus the initial deposit) will be issued for use on another Designed for Scuba, LLC trip within 2 years of the cancellation.
If you cancel your spot less than 99 days prior to the start of a trip, no refund or credit will be issued for deposits that have been paid.
If our In-Country Providers cancel or if aForce Majeure Event occurs, meaning any act of God, war, terrorism, fire, flood or any other extreme weather conditions, loss of power, epidemics or pandemics, industrial disputes, slow-downs or other strike activities, riots or civil disturbances, acts of government, semi government or other authorities, inability to obtain any necessary license or consent and delays caused by sub-contractors, suppliers or other third parties (including telecommunications carriers), material shortages or other disruption to the trip beyond our control, Designed for Diving shall not be held responsible for matters outside of our control or any failure to deliver the trip.
Please ensure you understand our cancellation policy prior to providing any money and agreeing to the booking and trip.
Current Entry Requirements for Philippines
As of April 27, 2023:
At least six (6) months of passport validity remaining at the time of entry
For temporary visitors: valid onward/return ticket
Countries requiring a Visa to enter the Philippines click here. Most travelers (including US, Canada, Australia, UK, etc) can enter for up to 30 days visa free.
Unvaccinated/Partially Vaccinated Travelers: A laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin is required for entry to the Philippines.
Fully Vaccinated Travelers: Pre-departure COVID testing is no longer required for fully vaccinated travelers, to include Filipinos and foreign nationals.
Additional entry details can be found here.