Choose Your Activity
Choose Where You Sleep
- M.Y Resolute
- MV Atlantis Azores
- MV Seadoors
- SY Philippine Siren
Philippines Liveaboard Diving
Choose where you sleep
- M.Y Resolute
- MV Atlantis Azores
- MV Seadoors
- SY Philippine Siren
The Visayas, located in the middle of the Philippines, sports a plethora of excellent dive spots while also enjoying a microclimate that allows for diving year round. Joining a liveaboard dive cruise is one the best possible ways to explore such a scattering of sites which would otherwise require island hoping between numerous islands.
Cebu Island is the long, narrow island located right in the middle of the Visayas, and is home to the Philippines' second largest city, Cebu City, equipped with its own international airport. To the west of Cebu, across a narrow strait that is a migration route for whalesharks and home to pods of dolphins, lies Negros Island. To the east lie Leyte and Bohol, each of which offer an array of renowned dive sites.
Some famous dive spots include Siquijor, Cabilao, Balicasag, Apo Island, Moalboal and, off the northern tip of Cebu itself, Malapascua island, one of the few places in the world with its own resident Thresher sharks.
Since liveaboards are relatively new to this part of the Philippines, new dive locations are being discovered every year, making each dive cruise an exploratory event.
Siren
Departing from Cebu the S/Y Philippine Siren cruises southwards to the first stop at Cabilao Island, where steep reef walls are covered with sea fans, corals and sponges. Pygmy seahorses and frogfish are common sightings. Moving on to Balicasag you will dive a variety of sites around the tiny island to see turtles and schools of jacks as well as barracuda and snapper. The dark sand slopes of Dauin are the place to find a myriad of tiny odd shaped bottom dwellers from robust ghost pipefish to pipehorses, waspfish and skeleton shrimps.
Apo Island is a testament to the success of the marine sanctuaries in the Philippines and the pristine corals abound with numerous fish species including redtooth trigger fish, pyramid butterfly fish and blue lined fusileers. Friendly turtles approach divers and at least 8 species of anemone fish can be found here.
Moalboal and tiny Pescador Island: Schools of sardines are known to pass through with hungry thresher sharks in their wake. Whale sharks pass through also in search of a meal and are frequently seen in the channel. Smaller creatures including a wide range of nudibranchs, shrimps and crabs can be found on each reef during every dive.
The calm seas and diversity make the Visayas an ideal diving destination for all experience levels. 10 night trips depart from and end in Mactan / Cebu, whilst shorter trips run between Mactan & Moalboal. We also offer special family trips and photography workshops.
Atlantis
The MV Atlantis Azores runs 6 day cruises to the southern Visayas, including Bohol, Sumilon, Cabilao, Balicasag, Pamilican and Siquijor, and also to Leyte, including Padre Burgos, Sogod Bay, the Liloan Channel, Southern Point, Limasawa Island and San Francisco Bay/Sonok.
M.Y Resolute
5D4N Visayas: Cabilao-Oslob-Sumilon
Itinerary:
Day 1: Embarkation in Mactan. Time permitting, check out dive in the area. Lift anchor for Cabilao after dinner.
Day 2: Cabilao Island
Cabilao diving is an excellent mix of vistas of pristine soft and hard corals as well as macro critters galore. Expect to find steep walls decorated with gorgonians. The shallower reef areas are where seahorses, frogfishes, several types of ghost pipefish, blue ring octopus and nudibranchs abound.
7am - 1st dive (light breakfast is served before) View Point Heavy Breakfast
10am - 2nd dive Light house
12pm - lunch
1:30 pm - 3rd dive Fallen Tree
4pm - 4th dive Looc
5pm - Light snacks
6:30pm - 5th dive Night dive
7pm - Dinner for those who do not want to night dive
8pm - dinner for night divers
Day 3: Oslob
Oslob is now the year round host to the whale sharks and one of the few places in the world where you can dive with them in clear and shallow waters. Please follow the rules set for interacting with them to avoid injury to both divers and these gentle giants.
7am - 1st dive Whaleshark
10am - 2nd Dive Whaleshark
12pm - Lunch
2pm - 3rd dive Sumilon
Move to Balicasag
6pm - night dive
Day 4: BALICASAG
Balicasag Island is one of the most famous dive destinations in the Visayas and remains rightly so. From deep plateaus with a Black Coral forest, to walls festooned with sea fans and shallow areas populated by fields of hard coral, this small island has it all. If you love clown fishes, this is the place to be, as several species reside within the rich coral reefs.
7am - 1st dive Black Forest
10am - 2nd Dive Rudy’s Rock
12pm - Lunch
2pm - 3rd dive Cathedral
4pm - 4th dive Divers Haven
6pm - Lift anchor for Mactan
Day 5: Disembark Mactan after breakfast.
PRICE: USD $1,499 per person based on twin/double sharing
PRICE INCLUSIONS:
- Full board accommodation in a twin sharing cabin
- Meals, snacks, tea, coffee, juice and drinking water
- Diving (4 non deco dives a day), service of a dive master, full dive tanks and weights belts
- Land transfer to/from the ship
PRICE EXCLUSIONS:
- International or domestic air transportation, hotels and meals before and after the cruise
- Dive, travel and medical insurances
- Soft drinks, beer, wine or spirits
- Tips, laundry
- Diving equipment rental
- Nitrox fills
- Park entrance fees
M.Y Resolute also accepts extended 7 to 14 day charters for the Visayas, Southern Leyte, Surigao and Camiguin. Let us show you off the beaten path dive sites such as Cantrasa Reef and the Hagakhak islands in Surigao. Please contact us for a customized itinerary.
Seadoors
Seadoors offers 3 variations on the Visayas dive cruise:
1. Classic Visayas Cruise
2. Southern Leyte and Malapascua
3. Southern Leyte & Camiguin
Cebu Island is in the centre of the Philippines archipelago, 365 miles south of Manila. It is a narrow island about 200 kilometres from north to south with a tropical climate. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport is 30 minutes from the centre of town.
Bohol Island in the south-east offers several unique features including the ‘chocolate hills’ and the presence of small Tarsiers, the world’s smallest primate. The coasts are well protected, and the diving sites are world renowned.
Leyte, further east, is a mountainous island principally covered by forest. To the south it is separated from Mindanao, the Philippines second largest island, by the Strait of Surigao beyond which lies the Pacific Ocean. Seadoors will linger here in search of the big pelagics.
On the North of Cebu island you will discover the fabulous site of Malspascua, at the centre of the strait between Cebu and Leyte, a marine environment livened up by some strong currents and renowned for its resident Thresher Sharks.
To the south of the Visayas just off the north coast of Mindanao lies the volcanic island of Camiguin, in the Bohol sea, offering some majestic dive sites, sparkling white sand beaches, hot springs and more.
The M.Y Resolute
M.Y Resolute (also known as M/Y Vasco) is a Philippine registered Dive and Pleasure Yacht. She has been cruising in the Philippine waters since 1998, She is currently one of the longest running liveaboard vessels in the Philippines and has a highly experienced crew.
M.Y Resolute has an unique history having been a Russian spy trawler during the cold war. A few years after decommissioning, she was bought and converted into a 
full service dive vessel. She has been taking divers to the most exciting as well as remote dive destinations in the Philippines for almost 15 years. She has also participated in several underwater archeological missions (Esperanza, Panagatan cays 1999; Hispaniola 2000; Santa Cruz 2001) and surveys.
Year round, M.Y Resolute travels to many of the best dive sites in the Philippines, including ths Tubbataha Reefs and Cagayancillo Islands in the Sulu sea, Apo Reef and the Coron wrecks of Northern Palawan.
Guest Cabins
The M.Y Resolute accommodates 16 divers in 8 double cabins
6 cabins with 1 twin bed and 1 single bed- 2 cabins with 2 single beds
- 4 bathroom/toilets twin shared between two cabins
- Each cabin with (remote-control) air-conditioners
Other Features:
- Inside saloon with bar and tele/video/stereo
- Fully equipped galley + cold room + dry storeroom
- Deck saloon and upper platform for dining room
- Aft deck platform with diving benches and diving platform + hydraulic crane 1.5t
Diving Lockers: 2 lockers - 1 for storage and 1 for maintenance and spare parts
Scientific Lockers: 2 lockers with aircon
Technical Data
Length: 34,60 m
Beam: 7m
Draft: 2,60 m
GRT: 156T
NT: 47T
Construction Year: 1974
Total Refit: 1994-1996-2010
Engine: Cummins 805 hp 8 cylinders
Generators 220 volts: 160 kvaAC, 4 5 kva AC, 35 kva AC
Power Supply: 220 volts and 24 volts
Fuel: 20 tons
Sailing Range: +I- 3000 miles at 9,5 knots cruising speed
Water: 14000 litres
Electronics: Radar Furuno 72 miles, Depth sounder Furuno, SSB Icom M700' VHF Icom IC- M56, Navtex, 2 GPS, Sarsat, emergency beacon
Safety Equipment: According to SOLAS regulations
Tenders: 2 7 footer 7 5 hp Yamaha; 21 footer 40 hp Yamaha
Crew: 10 + dive team
The MV Atlantis Azores
The Atlantis Azores is a 32m, aluminium hulled motor cruiser, built in Louisiana. USA, in 1989 and refitted as a luxury dive boat in 2005.
SLEEPING
The Azores offers seven deluxe staterooms, each with double and single berths, lavatory and hairdryer, private head and shower, plus one suite on the top deck. 
Rooms are serviced daily.
RELAXING
Common areas include a comfortable lounge with library, a selection o board games, playing cards, a flat screen TV and DVD player and a wide selection of movies and marine videos to watch in the evenings.
Each evening you will be treated to either one of Atlantis’s unique marine life presentations, a picture slide show or a presentation on your next destination.
The Azores features a partially covered sun deck with sun loungers, complete wet bar, hot tub, an assortment of sitting areas with tables, and large swim platform with warm freshwater showers.
DIVING
The Atlantis Azores' spacious dive deck allows divers to gear up in comfort. A roomy three-tier camera table is available for photographers along with a charging station. All divers have their own storage area for dive equipment and there are fresh water showers on the back platform. Most dives are made from two zodiac tender boats with a short ride to dives sites.
EATING
Meals aboard the Atlantis are served in the upper deck dining room and feature food from hearty to light, such as “Mom’s soups”, homemade smoked bacon and ham omelettes, mixes from mild to spicy, small to giant beef burgers, fresh garden salads and muesli with yoghurt and fruit. Themed evening meals include ‘Filipino Delights’, the ‘Seafood Dinner, the ‘Carvery Night’, ‘Asian Fusion Cuisine’ and a ‘Best of Four’...
If you are peckish during the day between dive snacks include homemade cookies and cakes, fresh fruit and mouth watering ‘bites’. The complimentary open bar offers:
- Fresh Blended Juice, Calamansi (local citrus fruit) Juice, Lime Juice, Ice Tea,
- Coffee, Selection of Tea, Milk,
- Filtered drinking water, Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite,
- San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsner, San Miguel Beer Light
- Tanduay Rum (one of the best in the world)
The lunch selection varies between Mongolian Woks, Homemade Pastas and freshly made Panini to order.
THE CREW
The Azores' captain and crew are professionally licensed, as required by the law. Dive instructors and Divemasters are trained and certified by national certification agencies.
The crew conduct regular drills and rescue training.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Construction: Aluminum Monohull
- Length: 107 feet; Beam: 18 feet; Draft: 7 feet, 1 inch
- Cruising Speed: 10 knots
- Range: 2,500 nautical miles
- Year Built: 1989; Year Refit: 2000/2005
- Builder: Seacraft Shipyard, Amelia, Louisiana
- State Rooms: 8; Passengers: 16; Crew: (6+)
Safety - equipment includes:
- First Aid Kit
- Oxygen System with 100% Demand
- Defibrillator
- Automatic Fire Extinguishers & Fire Fighting Equipment
- 406 EPIRB – Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons on the mother boat and both zodiacs
- Life Rafts
- Life Jackets with lights and whistles for all passengers and crew
- Full complement of Safety and Rescue equipment.
Navigation and Communication
- Ray Marine E120 Chart-plotter
- 36 mile Color Radar
- Compass
- Video depth sounder
- GPS-Global Positioning System
- VHF radio
- Single Side Band Radio
- Weather facsimile
- Iridium Satellite Phone and computer station
- Internet and Cell Phone coverage possible on some trips
BOUTIQUE
Shop! The Azores Boutique sells some essential dive equipment such as signal tubes, whistles and flashlights, as well as t-shirts, caps and other souvenirs.
The MV Seadoors
Seadoors is a 25 metre, steel hull motor yacht with two 8m chase boats that accommodates 14-16 divers in 8 spacious and comfortable cabins.
Accommodation
The 6 Standard cabins and 2 Deluxe cabins are all equipped with remote controlled air conditioning units, charging outlets, spacious shelves/cabinets and have their own private bathroom (toilet, hot & cold shower, lavatory and mirror) with towels provided. 
Standard cabins have 1 queen size bed and 1 single bed while the 2 Deluxe cabins have 1 king size and 1 single bed. Each can accommodate 2-3 persons depends on requirements. Room service is available every day.
Saloon
Downstairs, the saloon offers a comfortable space with 2 L-shaped sofas and an entertainment area with remote controlled air conditioning unit, 
charging outlets (for batteries, phones, cameras, laptops, etc.), a 42" flat screen TV, DVD player, and surround sound system. A election of CDs, DVDs and books are also available.
In the front is a covered lounge area with U-shaped sofas and table, providing a relaxing and quiet place for reading books and taking a rest after dives.
Dining
At the stern area of the boat, upstairs, is an open space dining area with bar that gives you an uninterrupted view of the breathtaking panorama of the Islands while dining. It features a long, custom-made dining table seating up to 16 guests, refrigerator, water dispenser and sound system.
5 meals are served each day, buffet style, with unlimited fresh brewed coffee and tea. Fresh fruit shakes and juices are provided after each dive. All non alcoholic beverages are free of charge... Wine and Liquors are also available at the bar at guest’s own cost.
Sundeck
Just above our dining area is a spacious sundeck, with sun loungers, chairs and tables. This is a very relaxing area that allows guests to have a full view of the beautiful and breathtaking landscape of the region.
Dive Deck
Seadoors dive deck is at the lower stern area of the boat where guests each have their own shelf and cabinet for gear storage, and hangers for wetsuits. 2 outside showers are available to freshen up after dives, and two rinsing areas with fresh water for the cameras, regulators and other dive equipment.
Dive tanks are filled with air or Nitrox before each dive. Dive gear is available for rent for those guests who don't have their own, bookable in advance.
Dive Courses
CMAS and PADI Dive instruction is available on board. Please ask for more details.
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The SY Philippine Siren
Built on the Indonesian Island of Sulawesi, the 40 metre S/Y Philippine Siren is a traditional “gaft rigged Phinisi” handcrafted from ironwood and teak. The sister ship to the SY Siren, she operates for part of the year in Indonesia and part in the Philippines - a very welcome addition to the fleet in the Philippines.
Built by divers for divers, the Philippine Siren is a large boat offering spacious cabins that are can be used as doubles or twins. The expansive dive deck is well equipped for underwater photographers and videographers with designated areas for charging and preparation of camera and video equipment.
You will find no other dive liveaboard as beautiful in Philippine waters, and being that she was and not adapted from being a second hand research vessel, the choice is clear.
The S/Y Philippine Siren accommodates up to 16 guests aboard each trip. This ensures abundant space for all guests.
Features of the S/Y Philippine Siren include:
7 sails- An expansive leisure deck area
- A spacious air-conditioned saloon with cocktail bar, 42 inch flatscreen & computer server supporting the inter-cabin network
- covered outdoor dining area
8 large air-conditioned cabins each with their own personal computer, audio-visual entertainment system and ensuite bathrooms with hot water. All rooms are lavished with luxury extra’s including bathrobes, hair dryers, towels, individually controlled mood lighting and individual controls for your air-conditioning unit.
Laundry Service- Massage Service
- Yacht Boutique, offering merchandise such as towels, hats, log books, t-shirts, shorts and lighters just to name a few items
- Enriched Air Nitrox is free for all certified Nirox divers. If you are not a certified Nitrox diver all our instructors can certainly teach you the Enriched Air Specialty
- 2 high-powered Zodiacs accompany the S/Y Philippine Siren
- Kayaks
Specialized features for Underwater Photographers & Videographers include:
- Each cabin is fitted with an individual computer and multiple power sources to facilitate the needs of digital photography. The computer features high end specifications and 20” high definition flatscreens, which are integrated with the yachts network server in the saloon.
- Workstations for the preparation and maintenance of cameras including prep and storage areas
- Large rinse tanks with fresh water solely for cameras and videos.
S/Y Philippine Siren - Yacht Safety:
The S/Y Philippine Siren has been designed and constructed based upon Lloyds Standards, the leading international body of maritime safety standards. The crew has been specially trained in all aspects of safety, emergency and evacuation procedures. The yacht is equipped with the latest safety features including Life Rafts, Life Jackets, Fire Extinguishers, Smoke Alarms, Emergency Long Distance Radios, and Satellite Phones.
