Travel News

Diverse Travel expands Philippines portfolio

Published

2 months ago

April 25, 2023

Dive travel experts Diverse Travel have expanded their popular Philippines portfolio with the addition of three new resorts and a new liveaboard.

Scandi Divers and Atlantis Puerto Galera Resort are now featured in world-renowned dive hotspot Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro.

Scandi Divers Resort is located on the pristine white sand of Big La Laguna Beach. Surrounded by a tropical paradise with panoramic ocean views, this 40 room resort is a great choice for divers seeking a relaxed atmosphere with easy access to some of the best diving in the Philippines.

Scandi Divers Resort

Atlantis Puerto Galera Resort is part of the popular Atlantis Resorts group, renowned for its excellent amenities and service. The resort’s 40 rooms are attractively situated amongst lovely grounds stocked with plants and flowers, built into the hillside just steps above Sabang Beach.

Puerto Galera has evolved into one of the top diving destinations in Asia. The resort town sits in a natural harbour on the Verde Island Passage, so-called by scientists “the centre of the world’s marine biodiversity.” The waters surrounding Puerto Galera were designated a UNESCO ‘Man and Biosphere Reserve’ in 1973, offering 40+ sites with a tremendous versatility that appeals to divers of all levels. Here, divers can explore shallow coral gardens, exciting drift dives on walls and penetrable wrecks, whilst searching for everything from tiny critters in the bays, to pelagics in the stronger currents in the Passage.

The exceptional range of diving has made Puerto Galera particularly attractive for underwater photographers, and both Scandi Divers and Atlantis Resort boast bespoke camera rooms and superb facilities for photographers.

Moving onto the island of Negros, Diverse Travel is also now featuring Atlantis Dumaguete Resort. This beachfront dive resort incorporates 44 rooms built around a lush tropical garden, and features a pool, spa and waterfront restaurant, in addition to a spacious, well-equipped camera room.

Atlantis Dumaguete Resort Camera Room

Atlantis Dumaguete Resort is perfectly located for divers wishing to discover the superb diving of the Dauin and Dumaguete area, which includes a number of Marine Protected Areas. With its black volcanic sand, Dauin is known as the Frogfish capital of the Philippines, and a unique destination for critter diving. Guests can also take advantage of day trips to nearby Apo Island, Siquijor, and snorkeling with the Whale Sharks in Oslob.

Finally, the addition of the Atlantis Azores liveaboard to Diverse Travel’s programme completes the trilogy of Atlantis Resorts. This 32m dedicated dive motor yacht caters to a maximum of 16 divers in spacious comfort. Seasonal itineraries showcase the best in Philippines diving including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tubbataha Reef, Bohol in the Visayas, Apo Reef and the wrecks of Coron, and Malapascua to Cebu. For divers wishing to embrace even more diversity for a longer stay, Atlantis Azores is ideally combined with a stay on land at the other Atlantis Resorts.

Atlantis Azores Liveaboard

Diverse Travel Product Manager Phillip Connor says:

“The Philippines is a truly amazing destination that offers so much to visitors. The variety of diving experiences, incredible resorts, and legendary hospitality is a potent mix that makes for the perfect dive holiday. Expanding our programme in the Philippines is a natural response to its increasing popularity amongst UK divers. We’re very excited about opening up more opportunities for Diverse Travel guests throughout the world, so watch this space for more developments coming soon!”

Dive holiday packages to the Philippines start from £1,799pp (based on May 2023) and include return flights London to Manila with 32kgs baggage, 7 nights at Scandi Divers in a standard room with a full board meal plan, up to four dives per day incl. tanks and weights, return transfers, local taxes, plus ATOL and full financial protection as standard.

Discover more about Diverse Travel’s Philippines product range at https://www.diversetravel.co.uk/diving-holiday-destinations/philippines-diving-holidays-2/

For more information visit www.diversetravel.co.uk, call 01473 852002, or email info@diversetravel.co.uk.

Header Image: Atlantis Puerto Galera Resort

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Re-introducing Humboldt Explorer – remodeled and ready for divers

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2023

Team Scubaverse

Popular liveaboard, Humboldt Explorer, based in the Galapagos Islands, has been newly remodeled and is back in the water ready for divers. Diving on Humboldt Explorer is already a five-star experience, but now the liveaboard has even better accommodations. It also features a more contemporary salon and sun deck, upgraded dive deck, and fresh plumbing. Humboldt Explorer received the Explorer Fleet’s largest overhaul to date. Short of building a new boat, the liveaboard is brand new!

Stateroom redesign

The staterooms were torn down to their bulk heads; the rooms have had a complete restoration with new walls, new plumbing in the bathrooms, and an installation of new fire protection in electrical outlets and light plugs. The cabins were redesigned with more ambient and neutral colors, plus new floors, doors, art, closets, and dressers. The cabin air conditioner units and entertainment systems have also received upgrades. Guests can be assured they will sleep well on the new Humboldt Explorer.

Upgraded Salon and Dining Area

The salon was modernized with increased ambient lighting and neutral paint colors, new or re-upholstered living and dining room furniture, and new floors and cabinets. Along with these big changes, the salon received new air conditioners and buffet equipment. Up top, the sun deck received new teak flooring and a very attractive bar with grill to allow the chef to make meals upstairs. Two custom designed seats were added on the bow for guests to enjoy the Galapagos’ panoramic views.

Sundeck upgrades

The dive deck had one of the biggest physical changes, with the deck being expanded and raised to a single level to allow easier movement of divers. Outdoor showers were also relocated to the stern and new charging stations were installed. The crew also did maintenance on tank hoses, stainless steel seats, and the diving table.

Dive Deck

Lastly, the engine room had an overhaul of the two MTU series 60 marine machines, changing every part of the engine, leaving it practically new. Maintenance and painting of the bilges was done, and all water circulation and hot water pipes, were upgraded. The compressor, nitrox, 100kw generators, steering system and hydraulic jack all received maintenance or repair. Meaning Humboldt Explorer’s moving parts and safety systems are all operating as good, if not better, than new.

Experience the upgraded Humboldt Explorer for yourself. Contact info@explorerventures.com or visit www.explorerventures.com for more.

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