MV Solitude One

At 52m in length, Solitude One is a very large and spacious steel-hulled liveaboard which visits some of the best dive spots of the Philippines between April and October each year on cruises of 6-10 nights.

The huge dimensions of this Philippine liveaboard mean that you will never feel cramped and everything has a bright and roomy feel. The cabins and private bathrooms are larger than on most other liveaboards and the saloon, outdoor shaded areas and sun deck are also impressively proportioned. If you want to be sociable on Solitude One you can, but equally it’s very easy to find a quiet location onboard if you prefer some privacy.

Solitude One has some excellent features that very few other yachts boast. The cabins all have a flat screen TV with USB media support (so you can enjoy your own videos or music), and a networked system so you can access the boat’s library of movies and TV shows. The electrical sockets are universal and have USB charging ports too. Taller guests will appreciate the added headroom throughout and the extra-long mattresses. Features that underwater photographers will enjoy include the digital studio with computer stations and power surge protection, as well as 2 camera rinse tanks, air gun and special towels for cameras.

Diving is conducted from 2 speedy tenders which come equipped with medical oxygen, first aid, GPS navigation and VHF radios. Equipment rental includes a dive computer, lost diver device, reef hooks and SMBs. All of this adds to the sense that you are in good hands in the Philippines with the liveaboard crew of Solitude One.

Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, airport transfers to and from the boat, dives, experienced English-speaking divemaster, tanks, weights and weightbelts, Nautilus Lifeline, safety sausage and reef hook, VAT/GST on cruise price.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental including computer (US$ 200 per week), marine park fees where applicable: Tubbataha (US$ US$ 96), Sumilon (US$ US$ 7), Oslob (US$ US$ 29), Apo Island (US$ US$ 29), Manila and/or hotel transfers to and from the boat. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.

Optional extras: Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, nitrox (EAN 30%) fills for enriched air divers (US$ 135 for 7 day tour, US$ 20 for each additional day), torch (US$ 40 per week), 15 litre tank (US$ 8 per day), dive insurance (see our insurance program for a competitive quotation), hotel transfers. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.

How to get there: The Solitude One liveaboard uses 3 ports in the Philippines - Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Anilao in Batangas, and Surigao in Mindanao. Boat-airport return transfers are provided by the boat operator.
Puerto Princesa: Direct domestic flight connections are possible from both Cebu and Manila.
Anilao: A minibus transfer service will be provided from Manila.
Surigao: Direct domestic flight connections are possible from Cebu.
The last dive of the tour will be at around 11:00 hrs on the second last day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Diving Environment: The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands within the Coral Triangle. Steep walls, offshore pinnacles, coastal reefs with excellent macro life such as pygmy seahorses and frogfish, and areas with an abundance of whale sharks, plus rare encounters with thresher sharks. Roughly speaking, the 'rainy season' is June to November, and dry season is December to May. The liveaboard operates rom lat April until early October each year. Water temperatures usually range between 27-29°C / 81-84°F, so wear an appropriate exposure suit. Most people are comfortable in a 3 mm full length wetsuit in the Philippines.

Non-diver rate: 10% off the published price.

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

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 10 guests and 2 extra persons can join the cruise in a Stateroom cabin free of charge (total 12 guests or more). Pay for 18 guests and 2 additional persons can join the cruise in a Stateroom cabin free of charge (total 20 guests or more). Pay for 19 guests and 3 additional persons can join the cruise in Stateroom cabins persons free of charge (total 21 guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): See group discounts above.

There are 10 cabins on board. 2 Stateroom double bed cabins (1 on the main deck, 1 on the lower deck), 7 Deluxe double/twin bed cabins (1 on the main deck, 6 on the lower deck) and 1 Standard 4-share cabin on the lower deck. All cabins have private en-suite bathrooms with hot water shower, and many of them have a day bed which may be converted to an extra bed.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 11 / 16