Trip Report

It was just as awesome as expected.  We ended up being a group of 12.  Here my favorite sighting of the week, a flamboyant cuttlefish:

So you can see the trip description in the pre trip advertisement below, but here is what we did on the day that we transferred between resorts 2 and 3:

Facebook pics!

Pre Trip Advertisement below

Three island, three resorts in two weeks

After years of traveling to the Philippines, we have com up with a dream three island itinerary.  We have picked three resorts on three different Philippine islands, all famous dive site destinations in their own right.  We have arranged mid tip transfers and and included them in the price.  And we crushed it on price, this two week trip is less than one week on most liveaboards.  We are going to see tons of nudibranch, dive Apo Island, see fireflys on the river cruise, dive in a massive bait ball, and scuba dive with WHALE SHARKS!  Sheila and I have done all before, and none of this is a maybe.  This trip is going to rock! And don’t forget an included message at every resort!

Price, $3195 per person, double occupancy

The Epic Itinerary

Oct 28th – arrive Taglibaran and transfer to the Magic Oceans Resort

Oct. 28 to Nov 1 (4 nights) at Magic Oceans, Bohol (Anda area diving)

• 3 days unlimited diving incl. Nitrox at Magic Oceans on Oct. 29, 30 and 31
• 1 beach BBQ between the dives at Magic Oceans
• 1 sunset cruise at Magic Oceans
• 1 unique evening trip to the fire fly’s (millions) at Magic Oceans (see further description)
• 1 massage at Magic Oceans
• Full meal plan less soft drinks and alcohol

Nov 1st – Transfer to Azure resort on the island of Dumaguete via van and ferry (included)

Nov 2nd-Nov 4th

• 3 dives per day with nitrox
• Full meal plan
• One of the days to famous Apo Island
• 1 massage

Nov 5th – the best transfer day ever

• We will check out in the morning and take a boat to Oslob, there we will do 2 dives, one at Sumilon Island, and one that you will never forget with the whales sharks!
• After the dives we will be dropped at the beach with our luggage and transferred by van (approx 1.5 hours) to Magic Island Moalboal, Cebu

Nov 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th

• 5 days Full board at Magic Island, incl. free mineral water, coffee, tea and ice tea
• 4 days unlimited diving incl. Nitrox at Magic Island on Nov. 6, 7, 8 and 9
• 1 beach BBQ between the dives at Magic Island
• 1 massage at Magic Island

Nov 10th – transfer to Cebu Airport

Travel Arrangements

Arrival Flights

You need to arrive Oct 28th in Tagbilaran (either the airport or ferry terminal) transfer to the resort is included.

However you do it, watch the lost day as you cross the date line!

For most people that will mean an arrival on 27th of October with an overnight stay in Manilla with an early morning flight to Tagbilaran.  For those of us in Honolulu that means a Philippine Air flight departing on the 26th of October and arriving the 27th, with a flight to Taglibaran in the morning.  

Alternative: you can fly into Cebu on the 28th and the resort will arrange a $49 transfer to Taglibaran, but must be early enough in the day for the transfer to happen.

Regardless of your flight arrangements (US mainlanders have lots of options), you need to arrive in Taglibaran on the 28th of October to start the trip.  Just let us know when you will arrive and the resort transportation will be there to get you to the first resort.  

Departure Flights

After visiting 3 resorts and doing all kinds of crazy awesome stuff you will be checking out of the last resort on Nov 10th (3 hour transfer to the Cebu airport on the 10th of November is included).

For those of us in HNL that likely means a flight to Manilla with a connection to Honolulu.  Since we pass the date line on the way home, we will get back on the “same” day.  Nov 10th.

Inclusions

Transfer from Taglibaran airport or ferry terminal

4 nights Magic Ocean resort Bohol with unlimited diving

Firefly Tour, Beach BBQ, Sunset Cruise

Transfer to Azure Resort in Dumaguete (ferry and vans)

4 nights at Azure resort with 3 days of 3 dives including one day Apo Island

Transfer to Magic Islands Resorts, Moalboal Cebu via dive boat

Whale Shark Dive, Sumilon Island Dive on transfer day

5 night Magic Island Resort Moalboal Cebu with unlimited diving 4 days

Beach BBQ

Transfer to Cebu Airport

All meals all resorts

One message at each resort (3)

Nitrox on all dives, all 3 resorts

Night dives included in Bohol and Cebu

 

Exclusions

Airfare to Taglibaran

Airfare from Cebu

Alcohol and soft drinks

Rental gear

Tips for resort staff (recommend $10 per day per person)

 

The First Ten Guests

We have room of 10 people on the full itinerary.  After we have booked 10 people the remainder will need to leave the last resort one day early.  Make deposit ASAP as this trip will fill up. For everyone that wants to join the trip after the first ten people you will have to check out of the resort on day early (take $100 of trip price)  If you want to stay in Moalboal town the extra night, and transfer to the airport the next day, we’ll help you arrange it.

 

Payments to Dive Travel Services

 Payment schedule: $500 deposit to reserve a spot.  $500 payment due July 30th, 2019, final payment of $2195 due Sept 14th 2019.   All payments need to be made by check or cashier’s check to Dive Travel Service (not Island Divers). The best way to get that in our hands is mail to PO Box 30108 Honolulu HI 96820, though dropping off at a shop is an option.  If you want to pay by cash you need to make an appointment with Sheila Jordan at divetravel@islanddivershawaii.com  Payments are non refundable for any reason.  That being said we will work with any resort or operator or airline to secure refund if possible.  Don’t count on this though, Dive Travel Services makes commitments based on trip payments, and once resorts have the have the money, getting it back is not very likely.  Get travel insurance from DAN! www.diversalertnetwork.org/travel

Information you should send to us.  

• Passport number – valid for 6 months after last date of travel
• Date of Birth & Redress and Known Traveler numbers if applicable
• your contact phone & email as well as an emergency contact
• any food allergies or dietary restrictions
• your flight details

If you have sent this information for a previous trip, we have it.  Update as necessary.