Travel News
Diverse Travel expands Philippines portfolio
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
Indo Siren, a vessel from the Master Liveaboards Fleet, has been destroyed by a fire this morning. Thankfully, all guests and crew members are safe.
Master Liveaboards have released the following statement:
During our current cruise in Raja Ampat, on the morning of 30th November, a fire broke
out on Indo Siren. At the current time we are still assessing the events around the incident,
and will be working with authorities, so cannot currently comment further.
All guests and staff departed the boat, without further incident. They are now with our
ground crew who have organised accommodations while we assist with all their other
needs going forwards.
We are currently evaluating the issues created by the fire on upcoming trips. Guests who
are likely to be affected by enforced cancellations or changes will be contacted in due time
when plans are finalised.
We are incredibly grateful that this incident was not more serious and that everyone who
was onboard, both crew and guests, are safe and well.
From this November, divers will be able to escape for a winter sun diving adventure to Marsa Alam on Egypt’s Red Sea coast more easily than ever before, with the introduction of new TUI flights from London Gatwick – the resumption of a route that was the victim of the COVID pandemic. Regal Dive, the Red Sea specialist, is thrilled to be offering the new flights alongside the brand new Wadi Sabarah Lodge, which opened in October, for the ultimate Marsa Alam experience.
The service, with a flight time of less than five hours, began on the 2 November and will run twice a week.
DIVING IN MARSA ALAM – THE NEW WADI SABARAH RESORT
Nestled along the enchanting Egyptian Red Sea coast, just a short transfer from Marsa Alam International Airport, the new Wadi Sabarah Lodge is a hidden gem for those seeking diving perfection. The lodge was built by local craftsmen out of coral limestone in the traditional Bedouin style and features 46 striking rooms, and three suites. Each room is en suite and has either sea views or a private balcony. The Lodge has a tempting infinity pool, meditation and massage sessions, and an ever-changing menu of both local and international dishes at the Tamarisk restaurant. The Lodge sits within a calming and beautiful botanic garden, with over 2,000 plant species, many of which are endangered.
The outstanding highlight, is the on-site Emperor Divers dive centre that rubber stamps the lodge’s appeal for divers. Whether an experienced diver or a beginner, the expert team at Wadi Sabarah will ensure that guests’ underwater adventures are truly unforgettable. Marsa Alam is the gateway to the exciting Southern Red Sea and its myriad pristine reefs. Once the preserve of liveaboard boats, this area is now accessible directly from the shore. Diving is a combination of shore dives to the resort’s extensive house reef, or by jeep and truck, or boat day trips to the legendary Elphinstone Reef and Sha’ab Samadai, otherwise known as ‘Dolphin House’. This is virgin diving away from the crowds at its very best.
Price: Regal Dive (regal-diving.co.uk, 01353 659999) offers Wadi Sabarah Lodge from £1,125pp based on 2 sharing, including 7 nights’ B&B accommodation, 15 dive package, tanks and weights, transfers and return flights from London on the new TUI flights.
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