Explore the Philippines on a 6 Day Dive Safari!

6 Day Dive Safaris Philippines: to Cebu, Apo Island, Alona Beach, Balicasag Island, Siquijor Island, Sipalay and Moalboal.

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.

Dive Safari Video

About Philippine Dive Safari

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.

Dive Spots on Dive Safari

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:

Dive Safari Rates

Price

  • 65,000 Pesos including overnight stay in a beach resort on shore (2 divers sharing 1 room, price per person).
  • Our rates are based on double occupancy, if you are traveling alone we can assign you a room mate, if you prefer to have your own room there is a single occupancy charge for the trip of 8,500 PHP per person.

 Included

  • Diving: 3-4 dives a day, depending on the dive sites and dive conditions.
  • Accommodation: Stay at shore in a nice 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 charges are not included in the dive price. Depending on the dive sites, these charges can reach 3000 – 4000 Pesos (60 – 100US$) in total.
  • Transfer to beach resorts, airports or piers at the start or end of the safari.

What to bring

  • Dive computer is a must.
  • Surface Marker Buoy as well.
  • 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 Short Overview

6-day safari from Moalboal to Sipalay and Sipalay to Moalboal, via Bohol
From October to June every year
Weekly
Goya und Royo
Pescador Island, Sumilon Island, Apo Island, Balicasag Island, Alona Beach, Dauin, Siquijor Island, Basay Pier
3-4 dives a day, all meals, shore trips, accommodation.
Rental equipment, marine park fees, drinks ashore
65,000 Pesos including overnight stay in a beach resort on shore

Add-on: 8,500 Pesos Single room surcharge during Visayas safari

Savedra Dive Center –www.savedra.com
Easy Diving Beach Resort –www.sipalay.com

Dive Safari Schedules

The dive safaris vessels commute between 2 destinations, Sipalay in Negros and Moalboal in Cebu. The first dive safari starts in Sipalay and cruises through the Philippine archipelago for 6 days. The dive safari boat will end late afternoon in Moalboal, Cebu. There the divers will disembark and check-in in a beach resort of their choice in Moalboal. A new group of divers will go on board the ship and leave for the next dive safari. The route of the dive safari is now reversed. The dive safari ship cruises for 6 days back to Sipalay in Negros, where the second trip ends. And so on for the whole season. Dive Safaris start in October and end in May every year.

Dive Safari Schedules 2023 / 2024

Sipalay – Moalboal
21 October 202326 October 2023
06 November 202311 November 2023
22 November 202327 November 2023
08 December 202313 December 2023
25 December 202330 December 2023
10 January 202415 January 2024
26 January 202431 January 2024
11 February 202416 February 2024
27 February 202403 March 2024
14 March 202419 March 2024
30 March 202404 April 2024
15 April 202420 April 2024
03 May 202408 May 2024
19 May 202424 May 2024
04 June 202409 June 2024
Moalboal – Sipalay
29 October 202303 November 2023
14 November 202319 November 2023
30 November 202305 December 2023
16 December 202321 December 2023
02 January 202407 January 2024
18 January 202423 January 2024
03 February 202408 February 2024
19 February 202424 February 2024
06 March 202411 March 2024
22 March 202427 March 2024
07 April 202412 April 2024
23 April 202428 April 2024
11 May 202416 May 2024
27 May 202401 June 2024
12 June 202417 June 2024

Dive Safari Schedules 2024 / 2025

Sipalay – Moalboal
21 October 202426 October 2024
06 November 202411 November 2024
22 November 202427 November 2024
08 December 202416 December 2024
25 December 202430 December 2024
10 January 202515 January 2025
26 January 202531 January 2025
11 February 202516 February 2025
01 March 202506 March 2025
16 March 202521 March 2025
01 April 202506 April 2025
17 April 202522 April 2025
03 May 202508 May 2025
19 May 202524 May 2025
04 June 202509 June 2025
Moalboal – Sipalay
29 October 202403 November 2024
14 November 202419 November 2024
30 November 202405 December 2024
16 December 202421 December 2024
02 January 202507 January 2025
18 January 202523 January 2025
03 February 202508 February 2025
19 February 202524 February 2025
08 March 202513 March 2025
24 March 202529 March 2025
09 April 202514 April 2025
25 April 202530 April 2025
11 May 202516 May 2025
27 May 202501 June 2025
12 June 202517 June 2025

The Dive Safari Boats

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.

Dive Safari Boat Goya
Safari boat GOYA

Year of construction: 2005
Length: 23 Meter
Width: 4.5 Meter
Toilet / shower: 1
Engine: 1 Yanmar-Marine-Diesel 120 HP Turbo
Speed: 10 Knots
Reach: 800 NM
Fresh water tank: 600 l
Navigation: GPS, Compass, Sonar
Communication: VHF Radio, Satellite Telephone
Power supply: 12V / 24V DC + 220V
Service boat: Dinghy with 15 hp outboard engine

Dive Safari Boat Royo
Safari Boat ROYO

Year of construction: 2008
Length: 30 Meter
Width: 4,8 Meter
Toilet / shower: 1
Engine: 1 Isuzu GRA1 250 HP
Speed: 12 Knots
Reach: 800 NM
Fresh water tank: 800 l
Navigation: GPS, Compass, Sonar
Communication: VHF Radio, Satellite Telephone
Power supply: 12V / 24V DC + 220V
Service boat: Dinghy with 15 hp outboard engine

Dive Safari map

Safari Map of the Dive Safari Philippines

Here is a map of the showing the route and the islands which are visited on the dive safari. Islands included are Cebu, Apo Island, Alona Beach, Balicasag Island, Siquijor Island, Sipalay and Moalboal.

Map of the dive safari in the Philippines