MV Oceanic Explorer

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.

Special offers: Extra terms and conditions for new bookings during the COVID reality:

• The Philippines continues to have its borders closed to foreign travellers.

Offer expires: 30 Dec 2020

Dive experience: The operator suggests guests have an advanced open water certification or at least 30 dives logged.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation with air-conditioning, breakfast, lunch, dinner (except final night), snacks, water, juice and hot drinks, local airport transfers, dives (as detailed in the cruises above), nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers, experienced English-speaking divemaster(s) (max 5 divers to 1 DM), tanks, weights and weightbelts.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment (complete set incl dive computer US$ 38 per day), dive computer, port/park fees - Tubbataha US$ 270, Tubbataha & Apo Reef US$ 370. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).

Optional extras: Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, torch (US$ 4 per night), dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.

How to get there: MV Oceanic Explorer uses 2 ports:
Puerto Princesa: This port is used for cruises exclusively to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The local airport is Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS). There are direct flights from Cebu City and Manila, as well as from Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. You will be collected at the local airport at 4 pm and transferred to the yacht.
Anilao: For 'Tubbataha & Apo Reef' trips, Puerto Princesa and Anilao Port are the 2 ports used. Anilao is a 3 hour drive south from Manila International Airport. Manila is the capital city and is well connected with direct flights to much of Asia, Australasia, North America and the Middle East. The national carrier is Philippine Airlines, but there are countless other major airlines that operate flights to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). Note there is no transfer included between Anilao and Manila.
In all cases, you must be onboard by 6 pm for cruise briefing, dinner and departure. The last dive of the trip will be 2 pm on the penultimate day. Disembarkation and relevant airport/hotel transfers will be at 8 am. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Non-diver rate: US$ 200 off the full published price.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 80% of the normal published price.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 10 guests, and 1 extra person can join the cruise in an Economy cabin free of charge (total 11+ guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Please check with us.

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: No. of bathrooms / showers - 10 / 14 - hot water