Dive Safari Philippines: Cebu, Bohol, Apo, & Negros

 

New Dive Safaris in the Philippines!

We joined forces with the dive professionals of Easy Diving in Negros and organize 6-day dive safaris from Cebu via Bohol to Negros and back. From October to March, the safari vessels Royo and Goya commute between Sipalay (Negros) and Moalboal (Cebu) regularly back and forth while visiting to the best dive sites the archipelago has to offer.

Cruise with us through the “epicenter” of marine biodiversity on earth, the Visayan Archipelago. The islands of Negros, Bohol and Cebu belong to the coral triangle home to more than 12.000 species of fish. Join us for a great dive adventure and prepared for great diving, good visibility, colorful corals, schools of fish, large predators, and tiny critters.

Check out our dedicated Facebook pages on dive safaris in the Philippines:

• www.facebook.com/PhilippineDiveSafaris 
• www.facebook.com/LastMinuteDiveSafaris

Within 6 days you will see the best dive spots the region has to offer, including Dauin, Apo Island, Siquijor Island, Balicasag Island, Panglao Island, Sumilon Island, Sunken Island and Pescador Island. Even a trip to the Kawasan Waterfalls set in the jungle of Matutinao Nature Park in Cebu is included, with an additional option to visit the Chocolate Hills of Bohol.

Apo Island is one of the world’s best known community-organized marine sanctuaries, and as such it has been well documented by the global science community. At present, the island is home to over 650 documented species of fish and estimated to have over 400 species of corrals.

On Panglao, the Panglao Marine Biodiversity Project found that Panglao alone has more marine biodiversity than Japan and the Mediterranean Sea. For all those who would like to see the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, a day trip can be organized for a surcharge.

Sumilon Island is all of 24 hectares of luxuriant tropical greens enveloped by an astonishing collection of marine flora and fauna teeming in its lucid and azure waters.

Other highlights on this safari are the dive sites of Apo Island, Sumilon Island, Balicasag Island and a wonderful excursion to the Matutinao Nature Park and the Kawasan Waterfalls. Another land trip to the world renown Chocolate Hills in Bohol is optional.

These dive safaris are conducted by divers for divers. We emphazise scuba diving and great dive spot selection, not necessarily the greatest comfort and luxury. Accommodation on land is simple but clean at local beach resorts close to the shore. If you opt to stay on board in one of the cozy bunks you feel like you camping our on sea. Some divers just drop their mattress on the heavy netting between the outriggers and get lulled to sleep by the lapping waves.

More info on dive safaris on this page:

• Dive Safari - Map
• Dive Safari - Dive Sites
• Dive Safari - Itinerary
• Dive Safari - Package Deals
• Dive Safari - Schedules
• Dive Safari - Prices
• Dive Safari - Overview
• Dive Safari - Images & Impressions

 

Dive Safari - Map: Cebu - Bohol - Negros

 

Dive Safari - Dive Spots

 

Balicasag Island - Bohol

Balicasag Island is Bohol's top dive site. It's a combination of dramatic vertical walls, colorful coral and sponge composites, and flourishing habitats of both small tropical reef fish and larger pelagic fish!

 

Apo Island - Negros

Apo Island is a volcanic island covering 12 hectares in land area, 7 kilometers off the southeastern tip of Negros Island and 30 kilometers south of the Negros Oriental capital of Dumaguete City in the Philippines.
The marine habitat around the island is a marine reserve and has become a popular dive site and snorkeling destination for scuba divers. Apo Island is one of the world's best known community-organized marine sanctuaries, and as such it has been well documented by the global science community.

 

 

 

Sunken Island - Cebu

A spectacular dive, for experienced divers only. It's actually an underwater pinnacle, with the summit about 25m below the surface. You have to drop through 25m of open blue water and often strong currents to reach the top of this underwater mountain. Underwater dive spots in Moalboal, photographers love to shoot pictures from the big school of lion fish. Additionally you find frogfish and spanish dancers in this area. And, of course, big pelagics: great school of jacks and tuna, barracuda, grouper and snapper, schools of blue triggerfish and mackerel, as well as the occasional manta ray or shark.

 

 

 

Land Tour to Kawasan Falls / Matutinao Nature Park (included)

A visit to Kawasan Falls and the Matutinao Nature Park is nice break on this safari. After a 30 minute walk through the idyllic tranquility of the jungle we will arrive at the first and biggest fall, as high as 20 meters. Here we can swim and play in fresh and cool water, get a “waterfall massage” on a bamboo raft which is passes under the falls, climb and jump and explore the lush jungle surrounding the canyon. Great fun for everybody!

 

 

Land Tour to Chocolate Hills (optional) - Bohol

Another option on our dive safari: Visit the Chocolate Hills of Bohol.
The Chocolate Hills is a geological formation in Bohol Province, Philippines.There are at least 1,260 hills but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres (20 sq mi).[2] They are covered in green grass that turns brown (like chocolate) during the dry season, hence the name.

 

Dive Safari - Itinerary

Our dive safari run from October to early March; the following dive sites are visited:

Safari Tour 1: Moalboal - Alona Beach - Siquijor - Apo - Sipalay

Day 1: Moalboal - Sunken Island – Excursion Kawasan Waterfalls - Liloan.
3-4 dives. Overnight in Liloan.
Day 2: Liloan - Sumilon Island - Balicasag Island. 3-4 dives. Overnight in Alona Beach, Bohol.
Day 3: Panglao Island, 3-4 dives or 1 dive plus optional land tour to the Chocolate Hills. Overnight in Alona Beach, Bohol.
Day 4: Balicasag Island, Siquijor Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Dauin, Negros
Day 5: Apo Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Dauin, Negros
Day 6: Dauin, Sipalay 2-3 dives. Check-in in Sipalay, Negros.

 

Safari Tour 2: Sipalay - Apo - Siquijor - Alona Beach - Moalboal

Day 1: Sipalay - Basay - Dauin, 2-3 dives, Overnight in Dauin, Negros
Day 2: Apo Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Dauin, Negros
Day 3: Siquijor Island, Balicasag Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Alona Beach.
Day 4: Panglao Island, 3-4 dives or 1 dive plus optional land tour to the Chocolate Hills. Overnight in Alona Beach, Bohol.
Day 5: Balicasag Island - Sumilon Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Liloan.
Day 6: Liloan, Moalboal, Excursion Kawasan Waterfalls. Check in Moalboal

 

Dive Safari - Package Deals

Our dive safaris offer ideal combinations, e.g.:

• 5 days Moalboal (Cebu)
• 6 day dive safari
• 5 days Sipalay (Negros)

We are happy to provide you a complete package including all transfers, accommodation, diving in Cebu and Negros, and the dive safaris. Contact us if you are interested.

 

Safari Schedule Oct 2018 - Jun 2019

 

Safari Schedule Oct 2019 - Jun 2020

 

Dive Safari Rates

• 51,000 Pesos including overnight stay in a beach resort on shore (recommended)
• 43,200 Pesos including overnight stay in bunks on board

 Included: 

• Diving: 3-4 dives a day, depending on the dive sites and dive conditions.

• Accommodation:

  Option 1: Stay on board and sleep in simple but cozy bunks

  Option 2: Stay at shore in a beach resort

 

• Food: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Additionally, other refreshments, snacks and fruits are served. Drinks such as mineral water and soft drinks are free of charge on the ship. Drinks in restaurants, bars and in the resorts are on your own account

Excluded: 

• Equipment rental except weights and tanks.
• Some dive sites charge entrance fees for their marine sanctuaries. Some charge extra for divers using u/w cameras or video. These cahrges are not included in the dive price. Depending on the dive sites, these charges can reach 2000 - 4000 Pesos (50 - 100US$) in total.
• Transfer to beach resorts, airports or piers at the start or end of the safari.

 What to bring: 

• A dive computer is highly recommended.
• Only few clothes are needed. Very important is sun protection such as sun blocker, sun glasses and a hat or cap. A wind jacket in case of bad weather or high waves is recommended. 
• Also bring adaptors for battery charger, batteries and photo equipment, if needed. 

 

Dive Safari - Overview

 

WHAT?	6-day safari from Moalboal to Sipalay and Sipalay to Moalboal, via Bohol
WHEN?	From October to May each year
HOW OFTEN?	Weekly
SAFARI BOATS:	Goya und Royo
DIVE SITES:	Sunken Island, Sumilon Island, Apo Island, Balicasag Island, Alona Beach, Dauin, Siquijor Island, Basay Pier
SPECIALS:	Excursion to the Kawasan Falls Optional: Daytrip to Chocolate Hills
INCLUDED:	3-4 dives a day, all meals, shore trips, accommodation.
EXCLUDED:	Rental equipment, marine park fees, drinks ashore
PRICE:	PRICES: 43,200 Pesos including overnight stay in bunks on board 51,000 Pesos including overnight stay in a beach resort on shore
ORGANIZERS:	Savedra Dive Center – www.savedra.com Easy Diving Beach Resort – www.sipalay.com

More info on dive safaris here

Dive Safari - Images & Impressions

 

Safari Boat Goya

 

 

Transfer to shore by rubber boats

 

 

Sunset on a dive safari

 

Cozy bunks for those who sleep on board

 

 

Dive Safari Impressions

 

 

• For dive safari info in German click here: Tauchkreuzfahrten oder Tauchsafaris Philippinen