EXAMPLE - Itinerary - Dry Season - January Air 25c water 27c:

13^th January 2021                Fly Heathrow 11:50 to Bangkok 06:15

14^th January 2021                Fly Bangkok 07:45 to Manila 11:55 Transfer from Manila to Puerto Galera for 7 nights

15^th – 20^th Jan 2021             Daily diving (3 dives a day) Check in at the Atlantis Puerto Galera

21^st January 2021                Transfer from Puerto Galera to Manila Fly Manila 19:10 to Bangkok 21:25

22^nd January 2021                Fly Bangkok 00:15 to Heathrow 06:20

Prices:

• 7 nights as per above itinerary - £2189 per person
• 10 nights - £2610 per person
• 14 nights - £3190 per person

CLIMATE

The climate of The Philippines can broadly be described as hot and tropical. Most people visit The Philippines during the dry season. However, many regular visitors attest that the best time to visit is during the wet season and that the proliferation and variety of marine life is best June, July and August.

Dry season: December to May

Wet season: June to November

During the dry season, easterly winds prevail and air temperature is in high 20's to mid 30ºC. February to May are generally the hottest. Wet season winds are from the west, with air temperature in mid to high 20s. You can often strike lucky and have weeks of brilliant blue skies and unlimited sunshine. On the other hand, the rains, when they come, are impressive and prolonged. There are few rivers, so run off and its effect on water visibility is not generally a problem.

The Philippines is a large country and has many climatic variations from east to west and south to north.

Best underwater visibility: April to July

Water temperature average: 24 - 30ºC

TIME

8 hours ahead of GMT.

LANGUAGE

Filipino is Officially the national language of The Philippines. This language is based on Tagalog which is the most widely used of the 70 plus dialects used within the country. English is also prevalent throughout the country, especially in tourist destinations. English is also widely used as the medium for education, communication and business. Eight major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.

CURRENCY

The unit of currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP). 1 Peso = 100 Centavos. The US dollar is the most widely recognised foreign currency. Euros & GBP are also readily exchanged.

The majority of larger towns have ATMs, however, facilities for money withdrawal or changing are far less widespread away from the main centres of population. There are bank machines at the airport. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in most towns, but you may be required to pay an extra 10-15% surcharge for their use. Outside of the main towns, not all places accept credit cards. Please refer to your individual destination notes for each resort, but as a guideline, please see below:

•Malapascua, Ocean Vida and Hippocampus: Credit cards cannot be accepted, please ensure you carry sufficient cash. USD and GBP are accepted and Ocean Vida has a licensed exchange.

•Dumaguete: Banks and ATMs are available in Dumaguete town. Pura Vida and Atmopshere accept credit cards.

•Palawan, Dimakya Island Club Paradise: Accepts credit cards

•SY Philippine Siren: GBP, Euro & USD Currency. Credit card payment only possible when docking at the following ports: Cebu, Philippines. 3% charge applies.

TIPPING

Tipping is expected for many services. The standard is 10% of the total bill or optional where there is a 10% service charge.

Puerto Galera

With the second largest coral reef in the world, 75% of the world’s coral species and a huge variety of dive sites, Mindoro is a dream diving destination. The region’s tropical climate offers year round diving with everything from easy shore dives and deep drifts, to penetrable wrecks.

The main dive area in Mindoro is Puerto Galera. It has something for everyone: offering beginners a protected bay and shallow reef -  whilst more advanced divers are also well catered for at the remote Verde Island, where large pelagic species ride the strong currents in the Verde Island Passage. There are countless dive sites around Puerto Galera and Verde Island, making it ideal for a week’s diving.

Puerto Galera is well known for its excellent dive spots.  The area was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO and has some of the most diverse coral reef diving in Asia. Puerto Galera is located at the very heart of the ‘Coral Triangle’. The area also features numerous pocket beaches and stunning tropical scenery.

Overview

Atlantis Dive Resort Puerto Galera is built into the hill of Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera with a beach front location. The resort is centrally located just minutes from Puerto Galera’s prime dive sites. Atlantis is described by many as one of the most outstanding dive resorts in the Philippines - it is known as the 'Grand Dame' of Puerto Galera resorts.

Puerto Galera is well known for its numerous diving sites. The area was designated, in 1973, a 'Man and Biosphere Reserve' of UNESCO and has some of the most diverse coral reef diving in Asia, as it is located at the very heart of the ‘Coral Triangle’. The area also features numerous pocket beaches and stunning tropical scenery.

ACCOMMODATION

The rooms are very well appointed featuring ensuite facilities, air conditioning, adjustable ceiling fans and solar heated hot water. Wifi is available in all rooms and each room has a fully stocked mini bar, cable TV with free movie and sports channels as well as a safety deposit box. Coffee and tea making facilities are available in suites. A range of room types is available including Deluxe Rooms, Family Suites, Premier Seaview Suites, Seaview Terrace & Coconut Terrace Rooms and Executive & Honeymoon Suites.

FACILITIES

Toko’s Bar & Restaurant has become synonymous with fine dining. Using fresh local produce cooked to an international standard, the restaurant has moved away from a la carte menus to daily changing lunch and dinner menus, theme nights, plus a Mongolian Wok. Guests can choose from an extensive list of cocktails and shakes or enjoy some of the best coffee in town. Toko’s is quoted by the world renowned “Lonely Planet” travel guide book as “world class cuisine”.

Relax alongside the crystal clear freshwater pool during your surface intervals. Pool side service includes snacks and drinks. Shady trees abound around the pool offering the perfect combination of sun and shade.

The Resort's well known beach front “50 Bar”, is where many guests start their evening relaxation before heading off for dinner. Enjoy a great selection of music, one of the finest single malt collections in the Philippines as well as many other class offerings. Meet new friends and enjoy the company of Atlantis staff while overlooking the Verde Island passage and beautiful sunset.

Guests can also enjoy the Resort's wide range of therapeutic and relaxing Spa services.

Puerto Galera Resort has a spacious 17 square metre, climate controlled Camera Room for comfortable pre-dive housing preparation. The room has 30 individual cubbyholes to store equipment with a work surface and there is also two internet-ready desktop PC’s for guests to view their photos and upload to share on Facebook.

Top Dive Sites - Mindoro

The Canyons in Puerto Galera is the most famous dive site, a must visit for all experienced and technical divers. It is here that the currents encourage the abundance of marine life in the area making a massive impact. When currents are strong, the marine life is plentiful and varied. Burly surges along the wall which means divers and fish alike have to seek shelter in one of the three distinct canyons. You will find yourself having a short rest in each canyon surrounded by schools of snappers, jacks, sweetlips, emperor angelfish and barracuda. Recently, there have been sightings of pelagics including mantas, thresher and hammerhead sharks. Resting at the end of this site is a coral encrusted anchor, all that remains of a Spanish Galleon. The Canyons is best dived on nitrox to give you more bottom time to take in all the sights. This is truly a world-class dive that should not be missed.

MV Alma Jane in Puerto Galera is a cargo vessel that was scuttled right in the middle of Sabang Bay in 2005 in an effort to create an artificial reef. Today it lies upright in 30 metres of water and is home to inquisitive schools of batfish, yellowtail fusiliers and drummers around the wreck. The hull is still intact and you can swim into it taking care of sharp edges and lurking lionfish waiting in the shadows for a meal to swim by. There is plenty to explore and you may also come across some smaller critters such as mantis shrimp and morays; stingrays can also be found in the sand around the wreck. 

Dive Site Map

Included

FB, Tanks, weights, belt, guide and transfer between boat / hotel.

Excluded

additional equipment, nitrox.

Luggage Allowance Hold Luggage: 20KG with Philippine Airlines, 30KG with Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Hand Luggage: 7KG with all airlines listed.

Internal Flights & Luggage: When flying between islands with Philippine Airlines you are allowed 10KG hold luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage. Excess luggage will be charged at the airport at PHP200 (VAT inclusive) per kilo - this is around £3 per kilo.

British Citizens do not require a visa for a stay of up 30 days. A 6 month valid passport and returned ticket is required.

Spending money in TBC Resorts and Dive Centre accept credit cards and money exchang service is available in the Hotels and from ATM machines...

All you need to do now is contact the C-Life office for the booking forms.

NOTE:- Full balance required 2 months before departure. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to pay in full by this date. If cancelling it is your responsibility to find an alternative passenger to take your place, or loose your money. Additional costs may apply with name change on documentations.