Join us on this incredible 6 day/5 night safaris, the only one of its kind, sailing from Moalboal to Sipalay via Bohol (and vice versa), thoughout high season (November to June). The safaris are offered in collaboration with our trusted partners, Savedra and Easy Diving, the exprts in the area’s diving.
This is an incredible trip; a great way to see the Southern Visayas without all that tedious mucking about with long land transfers 😉
Dive sites: Sunken Island, Sumilon Island, Apo Island, Balicasag Island, Alona Beach, Pescador Island
Highlights: Sumilon Island, Apo Island, Balicasag Island
Specials: Excursion to the Kawasan Falls
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Inclusions
- 3-4 dives a day depending on schedule
- All meals and refreshments
- Shore trips
- Accommodation: beach resort or the budget option of bunks on board
Exclusions
- Rental equipment
- Marine park fees
- Drinks ashore
Prices (2024/25 season)
- PHP 75,000
- Single supplement P8,500
- Marine park fees (Estimated P3,000-5,000)
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.
Dive Safari Philippines is the way to go: 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 renowned Chocolate Hills in Bohol is optional.
Dive Safari Philippines is conducted by divers for divers. We emphasize 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.
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! Lots of turtles around here. The schooling jack fish are a trademark of the Balicasag Island.
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.
Dauin – Negros
Famous for muck diving, u/w photographers love it. The sandy slope consists of black volcanic sand and is home to an incredible amount of unique marine critters. Watch out for all kinds of nudibranchs, frogfish, moray eels, harlequin shrimps, ghost pipefish, seahorses, cuttlefish, octopuses and more. This is also excellent for night diving.
Sumilon Island – Cebu
This island of the coast of Cebu, near the whale sharks of Oslob, is a picture perfect island with an extending sandbar. Beware, currents can be very strong at some of the dive spots surrounding the island. Whitetip and blacktip sharks are often seen at greater depth in the currents, schools of barracuda, too. Sometimes the roam through the corals at the reef top in shallower water. There is a marine sanctuary where currents are not so strong, with a nice wall and great marine life:
There will be time on this safari for a frolic in the waterfalls! A 30 minute easy walk will bring you to the first and biggest fall, 20 meters high. You can swim and play in the cool water, climb and (for the brave!) jump. And get a “waterfall massage” on a bamboo raft while it passes under the falls. You’ll also have time to explore the lush jungle surrounding the canyon. Great fun for everybody!
Land Tour to Chocolate Hills (optional extra) – BoholThe Chocolate Hills is a geological formation in Bohol. There are over 1,000 small hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometres. They are covered in green grass that turns brown (like chocolate) during the dry season. Ingenious name!
Safari Tour 1: Moalboal – Alona Beach – Siquijor – Apo – Sipalay
Day 1: Moalboal – Sunken Island – Excursion Kawasan Waterfalls – Liloan.
2-3 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
Safari Schedule
The two Dive Safari Philippines that cruise through the archipelago
The design of dive safari boats are based on traditional Filipino fishing boats, called bankas. The boats used for dive safari are custom-built for scuba diving purposes. Every year, the boats are dry-docked and overhauled in the months of June to September. The management of the boats is Swiss.
