Tailor Made Trip
- A unique journey designed just for you!

At Alternative Dive Travel specializes in tailor-making holidays. This is what we started doing, and it is what we do now – it has been our philosophy right from the start, when the first Dive Worldwide brochure was produced. A tailor-made holiday gives you the freedom and flexibility to travel how, when and where you want to. You are unconstrained by the wishes of a group, and we can design your holiday so that you can do what you want, when you want.

To make this process a little easier, our website shows a whole series of trips, each with names, and each with a specified length. These are all ‘tailor-made’ and they operate without minimum numbers. They are our ideas for your holidays. We have ‘been there and done it’ and we know what works on a trip and what doesn’t. As a result, many of our travellers choose to ‘book their holidays off the page’.

However, all of the trips that we show can be adapted to suit your requirements. We can make them longer or shorter. We can chop bits out of one itinerary and into another. We can combine countries. And in all the countries that we operate, we can design completely different itineraries from scratch.

Philippines

The republic of the Philippines is an archipelago of 7107 tropical islands and islets set in deep blue waters that contain some of the richest marine-life systems on earth. It is the second largest archipelago in the world after Indonesia, though more compact – so inter island travel is easy.

Once a colony of Spain, today the Philippines architecture still reflects the Spanish influence. The Filipino people are a warm and a fun loving race keen to make your stay a pleasurable experience. Travel on the local transportation, the “Jeepney”, public transport vehicles originally adapted from U.S. army jeeps ornately painted.

Manila is the gateway to the Philippines. This bustling city offers international duty free shops, with markets and nightlife to suit everyone. Accommodation ranges from budget to five star hotels.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

CLIMATE: The best time for diving is March to May which sees about 10 – 30 metre visibility in Coron (and about 20-40m in Bohol) It can get a little choppier after that time, and from Sep through to Feb visibility drops down considerably due to strong winds/turbulence and plankton density.

CURRENCY: The peso is the unit of currency. One Australian dollar is worth approximately 42 pesos and one US dollar is worth approximately 48 pesos. The US currency is the most widely accepted currency for travellers cheques.

DRESS: It can be very warm and humid in the Philippines so it is recommended that you take cool, lightweight and crease-resistant clothing. The Locals dress can best be described as lively and informal.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Australian & US passengers travelling to the Philippines require a passport which must be valid for six months beyond your intended stay and an onward or return air ticket. You will then be issued with a 21 day visa on arrival. If you intend to stay longer than 21 days but less than 59 days you must obtain a multiple entry 59-day visa prior to arrival. Visas can be extended within a country for a fee.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: Refer to your doctor for the latest health and inoculations required for this destination.

LANGUAGE: Filipino is the national language. English and Spanish are widely spoken. Many dialects are also in existence.

ELECTRICITY: Electricity is 220 volts.

DEPARTURE TAX: Most taxes are prepaid on your airline ticket.

EL NIDO

El Nido Resort (3 ½ star property)
El Nido Resort is located in the north-western tip of Palawan. The island is a 75 minute charter flight from Manila, followed by a 45 minute boat ride by motorised outrigger. The resort is situated in a cove with a white sandy beach with a breakwater and coral reef. The accommodation is air conditioned cottages, and the international restaurant features fine cuisine with seafood the specialty. The major dive sites are Mantinloc,Tapuitan and Codroa which have fjord type land masses with sheer walls. El Nido is a boutique resort with the emphasis on it’s remote and natural surroundings.

CORON PALAWAN

Coron is has fast become prominent for its excellent wreck diving. Close to the end of World War II, the American Navy discovered a camouflaged fleet of Japanese war ships around Busuanga Island. Taskforce 45 attacked the fleet and sunk 24 ships. Twelve wrecks have been located at diveable limits,  (between five and forty-two metres.)

As well as excellent wreck diving, there are several exquisite coral dives and drop offs. Unique sites include Barracuda Lake at Coron Island and Gunther’s Cathedral. There are many wrecks located only a short boat ride from the island of Coron. The Akitsushima, Kogyo Maru, Irako, and the gun boat Lusong are just a few. The Barracuda lake is a dive not to be missed. It requires a little effort to make the climb, gear laden, to the site but it is well worth it. Water temperatures vary dramatically,(28-36 celsius), unusual scenery  and of course the encounter with the resident barracuda make this dive one to remember.

Most of the Coral diving takes place around Coron Island or the nearby reefs between Coron & Culion. Dive sites like, the Pinochle, Maming corner, the Rocky corner and the Coral garden. These are beautiful dives along the wall’s of Coron Island. The wall’s are filled with a big variety of hard and soft corals, big Fan’s. Perfect dive sites for under water photography with wide angle & macro. Different kind of Nudibranchs, Lionfish, Crocodile fish, Clown fish &, even some times Turtles, Sharks and ray’s!!

Sangat Island Resort
An extraordinary resort concept which will change the way travelers think about and enjoy vacations by providing guests with a relaxing natural experience as an antidote to their stressful ‘high-tech’ everyday life.

Sangat is the only resort island offering diving facilities in Coron Bay with 12 Japanese shipwrecks, some located very close to our beach. Nobody can take you there faster and more comfortably! Why stay in Coron Town when you can combine diving with a unique, natural experience on Sangat with its clear water, white beaches, tropical forests, and fascinating variety of flora and fauna, in an ecologically sound Resort.

Discovery Island Resort

Situated on the small island,Decanituan Island, the resort is just 10 minutes away from the Coron town centre. The resort offers you western standard accommodation, combined with nature & an idyllic island. Friendly staff and good service let you feel right at home here. The Resorts own water shuttle service is available 24 hours to transport you from the Resort to Coron town and back so getting around is easy and convenient. The bungalow style accommodations are built into the hill, with an overlooking view over the bay and in native outlook. All bungalows are with double or twin-bed, bath & toilet overlooking terraces. Equipped with nitrox facilities and close to Coron Bay, this resort is ideal for diving around the famous Coron Bay Japanese wrecks of World War II.

Discovery Island Divers

Equipped with nitrox facilities and close to Coron Bay, Discovery Divers are ideal for diving around the famous Coron Bay Japanese wrecks of World War II. Today, 14 Wrecks are located in dive able depths (between 5 and 40 meters). Most of the sunken vessels were between 100 – 200 meters of length. There are beautiful dives along the walls of Coron Island. There are also coral and drop off dives, lake dives, as well as a great cave dive at “Gunter’s Catherdral”. The wall’s are fi lled with a big variety of hard and soft corals, big Fan’s. Perfect dive sites for under water photography with wide angle & macro. Different kinds of Nudibrunches, Lionfish, Korckodile fish, Clownfi shes, and even some times Turtles, Sharks and ray’s.

PUERTO GALERA

Puerto Galera in Mindoro is known for its exceptionally beautiful little white sand beaches, some fringed with reefs teeming with rich and diverse marine life, and excellent diving spots. It has long been regarded by geologists, botanists, and students of the University of the Philippines as an ideal place to study the ecostructure of plants, animals, and micro-organisms in almost undisturbed natural conditions.

Puerto Galera is accessible by boat from Batangas. There are buses that leave Manila daily for Batangas. Today, Puerto Galera is a major destination for low-budget, fun-loving travellers who seek sun, sand and sea. Many come to enjoy its beaches, which are crowded with hotels, restaurants, discos, and rental services for water activities. The good snorkelling and diving sites are the beaches near Sabang: Coco Beach, Big and Small La Laguna, and nearby Paniquian and Verde Islands. There are dive shops that cater to those who want to enjoy the reefs.

PORTOFINO RESORT

Portofino is a first-class Spanish-Mediterranean design of award winning architectural character with white sand, beach front diving, swimming and dining.

The waterfront resort overlooks a white sand beach and crystal clear waters that have snorkelling and SCUBA diving 40 meters from the waters edge. There are five scuba diving facilities and a fully equipped gym within 200 meters of the site. There are many fine local and European style restaurants within a 10 minute walk in addition to the on site Portofino Restaurant surrounding a beach front waterfall and swimming pool.

Located on the finest white sand beach in Puerto Galera and set in a grove of coconut palms, this condo-hotel is constructed in award winning, Spanish-Mediterranean style architecture…. white wash walls contrast with the red Vigan tile floors and roof. There are fine local woods hewn in a rustic but carefully finished texture complimenting the smooth and rounded plaster finishes.

There are 25 first class, fully furnished, air conditioned residential units (homes) with full cooking facilities in addition to a bar and full service restaurant in the resort.

ACTION DIVERS

PortifinoSituated in beautiful Puerto Galera is Action Divers, which is located adjacent to the Portofino Resort. Action Divers offers the highest standards of personalized service, uncompromising safety and exceptional value. Dive in and discover why discerning scuba divers choose Action Divers for the very best in world-class scuba diving adventures plus kayaking, trekking, golf, sailing, windsurfi ng, fi ne dining and great nightlife! All dive sites (more than 25) are only a 5 – 10 minutes boat ride away from Action Divers which allows you to come back to the dive centre after every dive. This gives you a great fl exibility in your dive planning and other activities between dives. Puerto Galera has some of the best coral and wall diving anywhere in the Philippines, and Action Divers know the area exceptionally well. The team of international dive professionals at Action Divers are dedicated to giving you the best service, best value and the most memorable diving.

BOHOL

Southeast of Cebu, a one hour, forty-five minute flight from Manila lies the island of Bohol. There are direct flights daily from Manila to Tagbilaran City, the access point to Bohol. As you drive through the city you can see the remains of the Spanish rule with a visit to the Baclayon Church a must.

Bohol Beach Club (3 star property)

This is a forty-nine room resort located off Pangaloo Island. All rooms are air-conditioned with ocean views. There is a swimming pool to relax in and activities include: glass-bottom boat, tennis, billiard and table tennis.

Over a dozen dive sites are easily accessible from the in-house dive operation professionally run by the Bohol Beach Club. Concentrating on three dive locations including: Cabilao Island, Panglao Island and Balicasag Island.

Beautiful drop-offs await you, with spectacular coral growths. Gentle drift dives carry you along the walls with the chance of sightings of Hammerheads at certain times of year.

BALICASAG ISLAND RESORT

Hailed as one of the best dive spots in the world, the resort boasts native-inspired 10 aircon duplex cottages(with 2 room/cottage, average size of its room is 19.64 sq.m), has a private toilet/bath and individual veranda where guests may enjoy the breathtaking view of sun, sea and surf. Outdoor bar and an open-air restaurant that serves international and local cuisine. It is ideal for scuba divers and nature-lovers alike.

LIVEABOARD

Southeast of Cebu, a one hour, forty-five minute flight from Manila lies the island of Bohol. There are direct flights daily from Manila to Tagbilaran City, the access point to Bohol. As you drive through the city you can see the remains of the Spanish rule with a visit to the Baclayon Church a must.

OCEANIC EXPLORER

MV Oceanic Explorer is a full service dive cruiser with comfortable cabins, spacious and fully airconditioned. Onboard are the caring and highly experienced crewmembers. They strive to make your stay an extraordinary experience. This vessel will move you to a great diving and let you discover diving Philippines in a Explorer way.

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