News
Diving with… Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Dumaguete, Philippines
In this ongoing series, we speak with the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…
What is your name?
Ulrika Kroon
What is the name of your business?
Atmosphere Resorts & Spa
What is your role within the business?
Marketing & Branding Manager
How long has the business operated for?
9.5 years
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
I have dived for 21 years and I am now a PADI Master Instructor.
What is your favorite type of diving?
I love macro and underwater photography, so I am really in the best part of the world!
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
Being a luxury boutique resort for divers is quite unusual and we think that people are blown away by the luxury dive service at Atmosphere. We have fantastic diving and we see the most unusual critters in the world but what makes us really stand out is that guests receive the proper VIP-treatment. From private guides and a marine biologist who dives with guests, to hot face towels and somebody putting your fins on. The service will blow you away!
What is your favorite dive in your location and why?
I love our house reef, the Atmosphere House Reef. It is right in front of the resort and it is a protected marine sanctuary, which means that no boats are allowed inside, nor are fishermen. It is very large – it takes at least three dives to dive the whole site – and it has everything from a school of barracudas, a few shipping containers comprising an artificial reef, to mandarin fish mating, pygmy seahorses, lots of frogfish, as well as turtles. We also have a lot of octopus, blue-ringed being a favorite! Such a great mix and only 10 yards from the resort.
What types of diving are available in your location?
Along the Dauin coast where we are located, there is black sand and the dive sites are a mix of sand with critters (pure macro), artificial reefs made from car tyres or metal structures or sunken boats/cars, but there are also very healthy reefs with lots of bigger fish.
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
I get to tell the world about how great Atmosphere and the diving here is! I also make lots of movies showcasing us which is fun. I go to dive shows but I also still teach sometimes and that’s still very rewarding.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
Frogfish! We have so many frogfish – from hairy frogfish to giant frogfish or sargassum fish. They are sort of our mascot, we love them!
Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?
We are always expanding, when it comes to the resort and the dive operation but I can’t tell you any details as I am pretty sure it’s classified…
As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
We are not really facing any problems but I would like to say that one concern that we have is the fiddling with marine life to get good photos. All new divers know that you don’t touch marine life or even the bottom when you dive, not even to get good photos. However we have seen an increase in award-winning photographers (or wanna-be award-winning photographers) who move and manipulate marine life to get that winning shot. It’s a practise that needs to stop and as an environmentally aware dive center and resort, we take it very seriously.
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
Yes, we do most of our dives in marine sanctuaries of which the biggest one is our own house reef, where we pay a certain amount per diver to keep the sanctuary protected. We also sunk three large shipping containers to create an artificial reef a few years ago. We do regular clean-ups, we are super-strict on touching and buoyancy and the resort as a whole is very environmentally friendly – no disposable plastic, printing on recycled paper etc.
How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?
I think it is looking awesome for the future with more and more people getting certified and diving which is great. We wish that more dive centers would be environmentally aware, both when it comes to trash and pollution but also when it comes to handling marine life. All this fish feeding/shark feeding and fishy-handling is not good for the future of the industry.
What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
At Atmosphere you get an amazing mix of some of the world’s best scuba diving. The renowned Apo Island with its pristine corals and innumerable turtles is a short boat ride away. Some of the world’s rarest critters compete for the underwater photographer’s attention along the Dauin coastline. No dive sites are further than 20 minutes away and we have a house reef where you can see virtually everything on your underwater wish list. Add to that the luxury dive service of a five star resort and you’re in diver heaven.
Where can our visitors find out more about your business?
Our website is super-informative and really pretty: www.atmosphereresorts.com but we are also very active on social media so I suggest visiting our facebook and instagram accounts: www.facebook.com/atmosphere.resorts and www.instagram.com/atmosphereresorts.
3rd AUGUST 2024 – 1 or 2 WEEK PROGRAMMES
Daily water programme with Snorkelling & Scuba Diving.
Beginners or qualified, something for all.
Leave the kids with the Splash Team for days of Excitement, Fun & Adventure!
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
There are various options for accommodation with options for 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests.
Eco Huts provide accommodation for families of up to 4. The best option to enhance the adventure and closest to camping with basic facilities. For August we will provide central air cooling for all the Eco Huts.
Deluxe Chalets are only suitable for 2 guests. Fully air conditioned rooms with private bathroom and other facilities.
Boutique Rooms are available for families of up to 5.
Individual bespoke rooms fully air conditioned with private bathroom and other facilities.
Eco Huts: £675 per adult / £425 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Deluxe Chalet: £830 per adult / £505 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Boutique Room: £925 per adult / £550 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
This is a truly unique opportunity to have a Family Desert Adventure totally away from it all! You will be based at the remote Roots Red Sea on the coast of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, 140km south of Hurghada city.
Red Sea Splash main focus is Snorkelling & Scuba Diving but that’s not all, we provide a rounded week of activities in support.
Pool& Field Games – Arts & Crafts
Marine Biology Workshops
Cultural Activities – Orienteering Adventures
Roots Red Sea have established strong links with the local communities of Hamerwain & El Quseir affording our guests to have a true taste of the local culture, SPLASH CAMP embraces this opportunity and bring in the local children to join in the fun with our adventure seekers.
During the day, families are welcome to take part in all activities together or the kids can be left with the SPLASH CAMP team while the parents enjoy the facilities or go diving themselves!
At the end of the day, its family time while the SPLASH CAMP team take a break. For those with the energy, there are family evening activities planned a few evenings.
Open Air Movie Night – Desert Star Gazing Walk & Talk
El Quseir Evening City Tour
The second week is very special, we head off on the Big Blue for a liveaboard safari around Fury Shoals.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
U-8 Splash Club
Sadly we can’t offer Scuba Diving to the Splash Club but we can have lots of fun Snorkelling & Free Diving!
Splash Club includes:
Certified Snorkel Course – Marine ID Games – Intro to Free Diving
Arts & Craft Sessions – Adventure trails – Cultural Playtime – Pool Games
U-12 Explorer Club
In addition to an exciting snorkelling and Free Diving Programme in the Splash Club we can take you under the water on SCUBA to a whole new world of fun and wonder. If you are under 10 your first breath under water will be as a Bubblemaker and continue with daily Seal Team Missions. From 10 we will complete a Discover Scuba Diving experience in the amazing Red Sea. Alternatively we offer a full junior certification programme to become an international qualified Scuba Diver.
U-16 Adventurer Club
For qualified Scuba Divers regardless of age it’s the Adventurer Club and exploration of the local reefs and marine life. There will be 2 dives every day with the Open Ocean marine field station team who will introduce you to Red Sea marine life and workshops on marine research. Alternatively there are opportunities to continue your scuba diving certifications with our instructional team.
Parents are welcome to join the club activities and join the courses.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd!
Large lounge area, spacious sun deck and terrace deck.
Airy restaurant with five tables with up to six chairs per table, serving a varied and delicious menu with special dietary requirements catered for.
The spacious cabins have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
Ample dive deck for divers & snorkelers.
Safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board, swimming, snorkelling or diving.
On board Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Red Sea Splash at Fury Shoals is a very rare opportunity to get involved with marine biology expedition for children and adults. Open Ocean biologists are on board to provide fascinating and entertaining facts about the marine life you will see. The team will provide workshops on marine life identification and survey methods both of which, should you wish, you will have the chance to put into practice during your safari.
The week is open to snorkelers, scuba divers and non divers too!
Fury shoals is perfect for first time mariners as it offers plenty of protection from the weather.
We board at Port Ghaleb on Saturday evening and prepare to set sail early on Sunday morning.
Heading south, our first day will be diving the reefs of Abu Dabbab before sailing overnight to reach our ultimate destination the Fury Shoals.
Here we will spend four days swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving amazing reefs. This includes guaranteed DOLPHIN encounters at Sataya Reef! After the last dive we haul anchor and head back to Abu Dabbab for our final two dives before disembarking our boat BIG BLUE.
Camp Extension Cost*
Adult £650 per adult
Under 16 £350 per child
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
FURTHER INFORMATION – INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM
TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
If you’re passionate about the underwater world, listen up! We’ve got an incredible opportunity for you to experience the vibrant reefs and majestic marine life of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Pure Dive Resort isn’t just another dive centre; it’s a team of experts dedicated to providing world-class scuba diving and freediving adventures around Nusa Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan, and even Bali.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or completely new to the sport, Pure Dive Resort has something for you:
For certified Divers: Discover stunning dive sites, encounter manta rays, seasonal mola-mola (sunfish), and a dazzling array of marine life.
For beginners: Embark on your scuba journey with beginner programs like Try Scuba and Basic Diver, Open Water and Advanced certifications.
Freedivers: Explore the depths on a single breath with guided freediving experiences and courses.
Exclusive Scubaverse Offer: Save on Your Next Adventure
As a valued Scubaverse follower, you get an exclusive 10% discount on any Dive & Stay or Learn & Stay package booked at Pure Dive Resort for 2024. Dive into the crystal-clear waters, explore breath-taking reefs, and create unforgettable memories in this diver’s paradise.
Visit https://www.purediveresort.com/package-offers/ to explore amazing packages and claim your discount with the code: SCUBAVERSE10
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Ready to make a splash?
See you in Nusa Penida!
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