MV Oceanic Explorer is a 33m motor boat with a steel-hull that cruises some of the best dive sites of the Philippines. This SOLAS-compliant liveaboard accommodated between 15 and 21 guests on diving tours to Tubbataha, Apo Reef and Verde Island.
All 10 cabins have ensuite bathrooms and there are a range of cabins to suit various budgets. All cabins feature ionizers which eliminate 99% if airborne viruses. Deluxe cabins have TV, DVD player and Nespresso machine.
Guests can hang out in the air-conditioned comfort of the indoor lounge/dining room, in the open air lounge, or on the sundeck. The sundeck features both sun loungers and bean bags as well as a Jacuzzi for easing away the day’s diving strains. You can also enjoy a sundowner from the 50 sqm bar. The lounge is equipped with extensive entertainment facilities: TV, DVD player, USB port, sound system, and library of marine and general reading material.
The diving procedures are a breeze on Oceanic Explorer, with a large spacious dive deck with plenty of storage and camera charging spaces. Nitrox is free of charge for suitably certified divers, and 15 litre tanks are available so you can maximise your bottom time. When you return after your dive on 1 of the 2 tenders, you can rinse off in 1 of the 4 warm water showers on the dive deck. If you can’t get enough of being on the water, there are also snorkelling and kayaking opportunities.
10 cabins: There are 3 Deluxe cabins 1 twin on the main deck, 1 twin and 1 double on the lower deck. 2 Standard twin bed cabins on the upper deck. 5 Economy cabins on the lower deck with private bathrooms across the hall: 4 twin bunk bed and 1 triple. Note that the 6ft high ceilings in Economy cabins may make them unsuitable for taller guests.
All the cabins have:
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Windows on the main/upper deck, portholes on the lower deck
- Private bathroom with toilet and hot water shower
- Deluxe cabins have Nespresso machine and TV/media player
- Hand basin, towels, toiletries and hair dryer
- Cabinet and mirror
- Mains outlet 220 and 110 volts - 24 hours per day
- Bedding and storage space
- Life jackets
- Smoke detector
- Fire extinguisher
No. of bathrooms / showers - 10 / 14 - hot water
Tubbataha & Apo Reef (8 Days / 7 Nights - 19 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Apo Reef, Santa Filomena Shoal, Cuyo Island, Tubbataha: Bird Island, Ranger Station, South Rock, Black Rock, Lighthouse Islet
Day 1
You will be greeted at Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) upon arrival on the day departure and transferred to the MY Oceanic Explorer. Boarding is from 16:00 hrs, when the cruise director will welcome you. He will assign your cabin to you, give a boat safety briefing, crew introductions, and explain the plans for the week ahead. You will have time to complete the necessary dive paperwork, familiarise yourself with the vessel and settle in. Dinner will be served as you depart from the port at around 18:00 hrs for the 10 hour crossing. After a good night's sleep, the diving will commence the next day.
Days 2-7
The Tubbataha Reefs National Park is an UNESCO World Heritage site lying in the Sulu Sea in the heart of the Coral Triangle. There are 370 types of coral, 600 species of fish, 12 species of cetacean. The walls are adorned with beautiful soft corals, barrel sponges and lots of cleaning stations. The shallows are made up of hard coral gardens. Due to their isolation, the atolls are a great area for shark action with species such as guitar, blacktips, white tips, grey reef sharks, silkies, hammerheads and whale sharks. Although the macro life is fantastic here, it take a back stage to the big marine life action, such as dogtooth tuna, giant trevally, barracuda, turtles and manta rays. All dives here are day dives. Apo Reef is a great place to see whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, but also manta rays are sometimes spotted here, as well as hawksbill turtles and bumphead parrotfish.
The chef will prepare 3 gourmet meals daily served buffet style. Guests can expect a blend of local fare along with French and Italian influence. A choice of at least 2 entrees is offered at lunch and dinner accompanied by fresh vegetables, a salad, pasta and rice. Snacks and exotic fresh fruits are always available.
After 2 or 3 morning dives on the final full day of the trip, Oceanic Explorer makes its way to Anilao.
Day 8
After breakfast, you will disembark at 8 am. Note this itinerary may operate in reverse order. If your cruise ends in Puerto Princesa you will be transferred back to the local airport or local hotel.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].