Offering an outstanding range of diving and incredible natural beauty, the Southeast Asian paradise
of the Philippines is now firmly established as a top dive destination for UK divers. With over 7,107 islands surrounded by one of the richest marine environments in the world, the Philippines delivers a spectacular diving holiday.
Forming the tip of the Coral Triangle, these waters are virtually unmatched as the global centre of marine biodiversity and home to thousands of fish and coral species. Divers can discover historic wrecks, plentiful macro life, dramatic wall dives, turtles, mantas, sharks and whalesharks. They can encounter elusive thresher sharks at Malapascua, hunt for critters in Dumaguete and Dauin, and drift over stunning coral gardens and plunging walls in Bohol.
The Philippines’ diversity and geography mean that this is an ideal destination for island hopping. Diving specialist Regaldive offers a choice of tailor-made, multi-centre itineraries that are very popular with their guests. Personalised itineraries are available for a week, 10 to 14 days, or more, and offer the chance to experience the Philippines to the fullest. An 11 night Philippines Island Hopping Holiday taking in the islands of Cebu, Cabilao and Dumaguete starts from just £852pp including 11 night’s bed and breakfast on a twin-share basis, transfers and 16 dives with Sea Explorers. Flights are not included but can be arranged by Regaldive.
The central islands of the Philippines are also ideally explored from a liveaboard and Regaldive guests can enjoy a Southern Visayas liveaboard aboard the magnificent Philippine Siren sailing yacht.
These itineraries can encompass the islands of Cebu, Cabilao, Panglao, Balicasag and Pescador, along with dives at Apo Island marine sanctuary and Dauin. There is also the opportunity to encounter whalesharks, particularly during August and September. Regaldive guests booking to travel before the end of September 2015 can save up to 20% on Philippine Siren trips, a potential saving of £484pp on a 10 night trip. Boat only packages start from £1,612pp (seven nights) and include transfers, full board twin cabin share, diving (three to four dives per day), equipment and your choice of air or nitrox.
With remote regions now opening up to liveaboards, a Philippines holiday also offers divers the chance to explore pristine and rarely dived reefs for a true frontier diving experience. The UNESCO World Heritage Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is one of Asia’s best diving spots and home to hundreds of fish and coral species, as well as 11 types of shark, 12 species of dolphins and whales, and nesting hawksbill and green sea turtles. Tubbataha trips can be booked with Regaldive on both SY Philippines Siren and the lovely motor yacht Atlantis Azores and start from just £2,015pp including transfers, seven night’s full board twin cabin share and all diving.
For further information, or to book, visit www.regaldive.co.uk or call 01353 659999.
