Dive Safaris in the Visayas

Dive Safaris: You like cruising on an outrigger boat from island to island, diving new dive spots every day, spending the nights in beach resorts on different tropical islands? Then a dive safari is definitely the way to go!

For a dedicated diver a dive safari is surely the most convenient way to cruise from island to island, diving the top dive spots of the region. It gives you ample opportunity for excellent diving with 3 to 4 dives a day.

In cooperation with dive safari operator Easy Diving we offer dive safaris throughout the Visayas. The safari vessels, Royo and Goya, are custom build outrigger boats specially build for dive safaris and under Swiss management. From November to March these safari ships tour through the archipelago of the Visayas visiting the best dive spots in the region.

Divers can hop on board and join the trip for a couple of days at any time. The boats are equipped with some small sleeping cabins for adventure and exploring tours to really remote islands, but on the Visaya safari tour divers check-in in beach resorts nearby the dive spots to spend the evening and night in comfort. This gives you the opportunity to retreat if you like some privacy, contrary to live-on-board dive trips where sometimes there is no escape from your dive buddies. So, in the evening, it’s up to you if you prefer to relax in a hammock under the stars or if you want to join the other divers exploring a local “bush-bar” or tourist spot.

Dive Safaris as transfers

Dive safaris are also an excellent means of transfer if you want to visit and stay in several islands. For example, join the trip in Moalboal, dive the marine parks and dive spots of Sumilon Island and Balicasag Island for 2 days, and leave the boat in Alona Beach in Bohol where you might want to stay for a couple of days.

Or stay additional 2 days on board and explore Siquijor and Apo Island, then the boat will drop you at one of the beaches of Negros, or one of the plush beach resorts in the region. Our in-house travel agency will be happy to make all arrangements for you.

Dive Safari Itinerary

Here is the itinerary of the safari when you join the safari boat in Moalboal:

Day 1     Moalboal to Sumilon with an overnight stay in a beach resort in Liloan (South Cebu)
Day 2     Liloan then Balicasag with an overnight stay in a beach resort in Alona Beach (Bohol)
Day 3     Alona Beach to Siquijor with an overnight stay in a beach resort in Apo Island (Negros)
Day 4     Diving Apo Island in the morning, then divers can debark in Dauin, Zambuanga or Sipalay (Negros)

Dive Spots

Usually 3 daily boat dives are offered, with an optional 4th dive at night.

Balicasag Island

Surely one of the best dive spots in the Philippines. Visibility is often superior and you can observe schooling jacks and tuna, colorful reef dwellers like parrot-, trumpet- and cuttlefish,walls with angel fishes, batfishes and so on.

Sumilon Island

One of the first Marine Sanctuaries in the Philippines. The gradually sloping reef offers a good selection of anemones, soft, leather and fan corals, and typical Philippine reef dwellers. White and Black Tip sharks and big school of jack fish are encountered regularly.

Apo Island

Apo Island's Marine Park is not far away from Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros. The Marine Park was founded by the Siliman University in 1982. Because it has been protected for a long time, the corals are spectacular and the variety of fish is abundant. Many butterfly fish, tunicates, angelfish, garden eels and black snappers. Occasionally a white tip shark or a manta ray pass by. U/W photographers count Apo Island as one of the best dive spots in the Philippines.

Schedules

Divers staying in Moalboal can join these safaris at these dates:

Boat	Tour	Departure Date
Goya	Visayas Tour	22-Oct-08
Goya	Visayas Tour	3-Nov-08
Royo	Visayas Tour	6-Nov-08
Goya	Visayas Tour	10-Nov-08
Royo	Visayas Tour	14-Nov-08
Goya	Visayas Tour	18-Nov-08
Royo	Visayas Tour	23-Nov-08
Goya	Visayas Tour	28-Nov-08
Goya	Visayas Tour	12-Dec-08
Royo	Visayas Tour	24-Dec-08
Goya	Visayas Tour	24-Dec-08
Royo	Visayas Tour	9-Jan-09
Goya	Visayas Tour	9-Jan-09
Royo	Visayas Tour	23-Jan-09
Goya	Visayas Tour	23-Jan-09
Royo	Visayas Tour	5-Feb-09
Goya	Visayas Tour	5-Feb-09
Royo	Visayas Tour	19-Feb-09
Goya	Visayas Tour	19-Feb-09
Goya	Visayas Tour	28-Feb-09
Royo	Visayas Tour	3-Mar-09

So if you like to combine your stay in Moalboal with a dive safari, don’t hesitate to contact us and we are happy to make arrangements for you.

Some more tips:

Accommodation: We always stay in nice and clean beach resorts close to the best dive spots. Accommodation is twin share, in simple but clean cottages with fan.

Meals: Included are breakfasts, lunch packs, dinner, snacks, tropical fruits, and drinks like water, coffee, tea, soft drinks and even beer and some bottles of Rhum.

What to take: Few clothes, batteries and films for photographers, lots of sun protection like sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat. Also a rain jacket, and some Philippine Peso for dining, tipping and souvenir buying.