Back to top

8 days/7 nights/14 dives (additional dives, if any, will be free of charge): 2 nights on Apo Island, followed by 2 nights on Siquijor Island, then 2 nights on Panglao Island - last night and dry day on Cebu Island.

• Day 1: pick-up at Cebu airport, no later than 8:30am. 3 hours road transfer to the south of Cebu Island in A/C minivan. Once on the boat, distribution of equipment, briefing, and cruise to Negros, for a lunch in Dauin. Cruise to Apo Island (approx. 30 minutes) with a fun/refresher dive to evaluate everyone's skills and create dive groups. Chances are this will be a muck dive on Negros Island where you could spot turtles, seahorses and blue-spotted stingrays...

• Day 2 and 3: 4 dives in the Apo Marine Sanctuary sites, where turtles, sea snakes, nudibranchs, leaf scorpion-fishes, ribbon eels, are often spotted, as well as schools of jacks, sometimes bumphead parrot-fishes. Most dives end up on impressive coral gardens. 1.5 hour cruise to Siquijor Island.

• Day 4 and 5: 4 dives around Siquijor Island, a place for muck dives, which also features wonderful drop-offs. Batfishes and their juveniles', Ambon scorpion-fishes etc..., and the famous Mandarin fishes, snake eels, clown and boxer shrimps, Spanish dancers and seamoths... Excursion to the Cambugahay falls as a dry activity to get rid off some nitrogen! 2.5 hours cruise to Panglao Island.

• Day 6 and 7: 3 dives in the Panglao area, which also includes Balicasag and Cabilao Islands. Drop-offs and coral gardens, sometimes ending on gardens of herbs. Schools of jacks, turtles, napoleons, file-fishes, pipe-fishes, and for the lucky ones, pygmy seahorses... As an additional dry activity, we recommend a tour to the famous Chocolate Hills, which also includes a visit of the Tarsier Sanctuary and the oldest church of the country.

• Day 8: 1 last dive on the 4 hours cruise back to Cebu Island. Time to rest after an amazing week of diving, with a nice dinner and relaxation time around the hotel's pools. Drop-off at Cebu airport, end of trip with tons of lifetime memories!
   

Planning of dives is subject to adjustments, depending on tides and weather conditions.

For detailed information about what we have seen while diving the area, you can review our logbooks Safari Visayas and Panglao.

Back to top

The boat is a long bangka, the traditional Filipino type of outrigger vessel and is used both as a dive boat and a dive center.

The deck features an area where dive gears are stored and a large rooftop sundeck to relax between the dives. The cabin is comfortable and boasts a spacious and dry storage area for luggage. At the back of the boat are the restroom and the compressor.

It is equipped with all safety equipments required by the Philippines Department of Transportation: life jackets, fire extinguishers, radio as well as medical oxygen and first-aid kits.

Back to top

There is no typical day on the safari. The agenda for each day depends on tides and weather conditions. Although priorities will be focused on diving, each stop provides great fun for everyone. The safari is non-divers and kids-friendly! Fans of snorkeling are always welcome on the boat during dive outings.

Apo: a small island with not much to do, apart from enjoying the wonderful beach right in front of the resort, and that is why we like it!

• snorkeling, massage, resting, reading, swimming, listening to music...
• a 30 min. walk to the other side of the island, passing through the small village and next to the mangrove
• a short hike up the hill to the lighthouse to enjoy a 360° view

Siquijor: a spa and two swimming pools

• snorkeling, spa, lounging by the pools, water games (kayaking, banana boating)
• enjoying a tour to go swimming and jumping by the Cambugahay falls, and lunch - included in the safari package
• pool table and parlor games

Bohol: one of the most picturesque provinces in the Philippines

• snorkeling, massage, lounging by the pool
• a 1/2 day tour to the Tarsier Sanctuary (a protected habitat for the world’s smallest primate) and to the world renowned Chocolate Hills, a collection of at least 1,268 almost perfect domes. The trip also provides an opportunity to visit the oldest church in the Philippines (circa 1595) and to enjoy the intense green of the rice-fields. Not included in the safari package, but strongly recommended (approx. 20EUR/30USD)

Back to top

The Oasis Resort is located right in the center of Alona village, less than a minute away from a white sanded beach. It consists of eight native style cottages, each featuring two spacious rooms independent from one another. All rooms boast private bathrooms with hot shower, A/C, and a small balcony overlooking the pool and the garden that is teeming with flowers and trees.

The restaurant opens up on three sides to offer a great view over the pool and gardens. The resort also provides free Wi-Fi internet service, laundry service, hairdryers and safety boxes.

Back to Top

You can get to Cebu either directly, or via Manila, depending of your city of departure.

Although we strongly recommend you carefully compare airfares, Cebu Pacific seems to be the airline with the most competitive rates. The information provided below is non exhaustive and for information purpose only. For more details, please visit www.cebupacificair.com

Please be informed that Cebu Pacific applies an extra (but very reasonable) charge above 15kg per traveler, it is cheaper if you pay this charge while booking your flight with them.

From Shanghai: overnight flights to Manila, connecting flights from Manila to Cebu

From Beijing: overnight flights to Manila, connecting flights from Manila to Cebu

From Guangzhou: overnight flights to Manila, connecting flights from Manila to Cebu

From Hong Kong: overnight flights to Cebu, or flights via Manila (may require a night in Manila)

From Macau: overnight flights to Manila, connecting flight from Manila to Cebu

From Singapore: overnight flights to Cebu, or flights via Manila

From Osaka (Kansai): evening flights to Manila, connecting flight from Manila to Cebu

From Kuala Lumpur: overnight flights to Manila, connecting flights from Manila to Cebu

From Taipei: overnight flights to Manila, connecting flights from Manila to Cebu

From Saigon: overnight flights to Manila, connecting flights from Manila to Cebu

From Jakarta: overnight flights to Manila, connecting flights from Manila to Cebu

From Seoul/Incheon: overnight flights to Cebu

From Busan: late night direct flights from Busan to Cebu

Back to top

The Philippines has a long history combining Asian, European, and American influences. Before the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, and the Spanish colonization which began in 1565 with the first permanent settlement of Spaniards on the island of Cebu, the Filipinos had a rich culture and were trading with the Chinese, the Indians, and the Japanese. During the Spanish period, numerous towns were founded, infrastructures built, new crops and livestocks introduced, and trade flourished. Spanish missionaries converted most of the population to Christianity and founded schools, universities and hospitals across the islands. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos succeeded in winning their independence. However, the Treaty of Paris, at the end of the Spanish-American War, transferred control of the Philippines to the United States, making the country the first and only colony of the United States. The treaty was not recognized by the Philippine Government, which proclaimed a declaration of war against the United States. Following the Philippine-American War, officially won by the United States in 1902, the United States brought widespread education to the islands. Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly at the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia. They then waged a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. The Philippines regained its independence in 1946. Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, having waged two peaceful, bloodless revolutions in 1972 and 1986 against what were perceived as corrupt regimes. The country is now a vibrant democracy, as evidenced by 12 English national newspapers, 7 national television stations, hundreds of cable TV stations, and approximately 2,000 radio stations.

The Filipino is of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, American, Spanish, and Arab blood. From a long history of Western colonial rules, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders, evolved a people of a unique blend and the Filipino character is a mix of all these influences put together. The bayanihan or spirit of kindship and camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is said to be taken from Malay forefathers. The close family relations are said to have been inherited from the Chinese. The piousness comes from the Spaniards. Filipinos are probably one of the few, if not the only, English-proficient Oriental people today.

The Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally into regions, and each regional group is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects. Tribal communities can be found scattered across the archipelago, where more than 111 dialects are spoken. The Spaniards converted the overwhelming majority of Filipinos to Christianity. The Muslim community represents approximately 15% of the population and can be found primarily in Mindanao. The rest of the population is made up mostly of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhists.

Filipinos are out for fun where-ever possible. Throughout the islands, there are fiestas celebrated everyday and foreign guests are always welcome to their homes. Hospitality, a common denominator in the Filipino character, makes them legendary in Southeast Asia. Perhaps due to their long association with Spain, Filipinos are emotional and passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian.

Back to top