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 the Solitude One 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 liveaboard 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.
There are 10 cabins on board the Solitude One. 3 Stateroom cabins (1 double bed cabin and 1 twin bed cabin on the main deck of the liveaboard, 1 double bed cabin on the lower deck), 6 Deluxe double/twin bed cabins on the lower deck and 1 Standard 4-share (2 single beds and 2 bunk beds) 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:
- Air conditioning
- TV with personal and networked entertainment capabilities
- Windows (main deck cabins), portholes (lower deck cabins)
- Bathroom with toilet, hot water shower and hand basin
- Reading lights
- Bedding
- Towels, toiletries and bathrobes
- Cabinet
- Space for luggage
- Safety deposit box
- Life jackets
- Fire warning system and extinguisher
- Mains outlet 200 & 240 volts - 24 hours
- Day bed (most cabins)
No. of bathrooms / showers - 10 / 10 - hot water
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Trip highlights: shark action, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: North and South Atoll: Delsan Wreck, Black Rock, Washing Machine, North East Wall, Donato's Wall, Shark Airport, Amos Rock, Staghorn Point, Jessie Beazley Reefs, Malayan Wreck
Day 1
Boarding the Solitude One at Puerto Princesa harbour begins in the afternoon. Guests arriving early can proceed directly to the liveaboard. The Solitude One crew will provide a liveaboard orientation and safety briefing, and will have you sign the necessary liability release forms. After you've settled in, dinner will be served. you set sail at sunset for Tubbataha, with an estimated travel time of 10 hours.
Core Days
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the center of the Sulu Sea, is one of the world's most pristine marine sanctuaries. This remote, off-the-beaten-track destination is a diver's dream, where nature flourishes with an astonishing diversity of around 300 coral types and 380 fish species. The park offers an unparalleled environment for advanced divers, featuring exhilarating drift dives along vibrant, healthy walls and reefs teeming with life. The action is non-stop, from thrilling shark encounters and sightings of big pelagics to fascinating macro life, and massive schools of fish. Star encounters might include hammerheads, silvertips, threshers, whale sharks, as well as manta rays, and even guitar sharks and tiger sharks.
Divers with the Solitude One can explore iconic sites like Shark Airport, a resting station for whitetip reef sharks, and the challenging currents of Washing Machine, which tumble divers through exhilarating surges of clear water. The dramatic walls of Amos Rock and Wall Street plunge into the abyss, adorned with vibrant gorgonian fans and sponges that provide shelter for clouds of glittering anthias. Meanwhile, the historic wrecks of the Delsan and Malayan are now thriving artificial reefs, their rusting hulls encrusted with corals and patrolled by curious batfish and elusive octopus, making for an unforgettable expedition into the heart of a protected underwater wilderness.
Final Day
In the morning, enjoy breakfast followed by check-out.
Tubbataha, Apo Reef & Coron (15 Days / 14 Nights - 63 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, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Tubbataha: North and South Atoll, Jessie Beazley Reefs; Coron, Apo Reef, Batangas: Anilao, Verde Island
Day 1
Your liveaboard adventure begins with embarkation at the Puerto Princesa harbour. Upon boarding the Solitude One, the crew will welcome you aboard. This will be followed by a boat orientation and registration session, so please remember to have your certification cards and log books ready. After you've settled in and enjoyed dinner, the liveaboard will depart at sunset, commencing its journey towards Tubbataha. The estimated travel time to the reefs is approximately 10 hours.
Core Days
Your liveaboard adventure begins in the magnificent Tubbataha Reefs National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, your days will be filled with 3-4 daily dives as you drift over some of the world's healthiest corals and largest gorgonian sea fans in typically crystal-clear water. The marine life is breathtaking, featuring clouds of colourful reef fish, large schools of jacks and barracuda, turtles, and several shark species, including the chance for a whale shark encounter. For macro enthusiasts, the reefs are also home to pygmy seahorses and crustaceans. Please note that all dives here are conducted during daylight hours for safety, due to the potential for strong currents.
As the Solitude One liveaboard transitions, you will explore the remote and rarely visited reefs surrounding Cagayancillo island, an off-the-beaten-path destination exclusive to the transit route where you can enjoy great coral and marine life. The journey then continues to the waters around Coron island, where you can explore a mix of beautiful coral reefs, historic World War 2 shipwrecks, and even have the opportunity to spot the elusive dugong.
Next, you will discover the Apo Reef Natural Park, the largest coral reef system in the Philippines. You will dive along miles of pristine reef and walls teeming with fish and sharks, with the possibility of encountering manta rays. Following this, you will visit the world-renowned Verde Island, situated in the Verde Passage, known as one of the planet's most biodiverse marine corridors. The strong currents here nourish incredibly vibrant coral reefs and attract massive schools of both reef and pelagic fish, offering exhilarating, action-packed dives.
On the final day of liveaboard diving, you will experience the best of Anilao, a destination famous for its unique black sand muck diving, which reveals a host of rare and fascinating critters.
Day 15
The final day with Solitude One begins with breakfast, followed by the check-out procedure.
[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].
All main meals with Solitude One are served buffet-style in the indoor dining area, with the option to dine al fresco on the covered outdoor deck. The chef carefully plans a mix of Asian and Western entrees to cater to all tastes.
For breakfast, expect hearty options like eggs, sausages, and pancakes.
Lunches and dinners are varied, featuring multiple dishes at each sitting such as grilled fish, roasted chicken, curries, and pasta, alongside fresh vegetables and salads.
To keep you energised throughout the day, complimentary water, soft drinks, and hot drinks are available - they have a fully automatic (self-service) pressed coffee machine that delivers great latte, cappuccino, espresso or 'long black'.
Additionally, complimentary biscuits and instant noodles are available round-the-clock.
With 5 daily main meals provided, you'll be perfectly fuelled for your schedule of 3-4 dives per day on Solitude One liveaboard cruises.