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.
There are 10 cabins on board. 3 Stateroom cabins (1 double bed cabin and 1 twin bed cabin on the main deck, 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 - 11 / 16
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (7 Days / 6 Nights - 18 Dives)
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
Embarkation at Puerto Princesa harbour starts in the afternoon and guests are collected from Puerto Princesa Domestic Airport Terminal. If you arrive early, please make your own way to the harbour. The Solitude One crew will welcome you and give you a boat orientation and briefing, as well as ask you to sign the liability release forms. Dinner will follow once you have settled in. The boat leaves at port at sunset towards Tubbataha (estimated travel time is 10 hours).
Days 2-6
Tubbataha Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the center of the Sulu Sea, it is made up of South and North Atolls and the nearby Jessie Beazley Reef. It is here that you will find one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. The park is a marine sanctuary in which nature flourishes, a dream place to go for divers like you, where you can find around 300 different coral types and at least 380 species of fish. Groupers, trevallies, Napoleon wrasse, triggerfish, turtles and also grey reef and whitetip reef sharks are present.
3-4 dives per diving day are scheduled on this Solitude One cruise: wake up with a light breakfast of hot drinks (they have a fully automatic (self-service) pressed coffee machine that delivers great latte, cappuccino, espresso or 'long black') and cookies, do the 1st morning dive followed by a full breakfast. A 2nd morning dive will be followed by lunch.
Relax for a couple of hours in the indoor lounge, on the partially shaded sun deck, or in the digital darkroom for safe stowing of camera and video equipment, and charging batteries. The afternoon dive is followed by homemade snacks, while dinner is scheduled after the 4th (night) dive. Main meals are carefully planned by the chef in order to meet the tastes of everyone on board with buffet style Asian and Western entrees.
Day 7
After a big breakfast, check out follows, and a transfer to the airport.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (10 Days / 9 Nights - 30 Dives)
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
Embarkation at Puerto Princesa harbour starts early afternoon. You would be collected from Puerto Princesa Domestic Airport Terminal from 2 pm onwards. However, if you arrived before this time, please make your own way to the harbour. The Solitude One crew will welcome you and give you a boat orientation and briefing, as well as ask you to sign the liability release forms. Dinner will follow once you have settled in. The boat leaves at port at sunset towards Tubbataha (estimated travel time is 10 hours).
Days 2-9
Tubbataha Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the center of the Sulu Sea, it is made up of South and North Atolls and the nearby Jessie Beazley Reef. It is here that you will find one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. The park is a marine sanctuary in which nature flourishes, a dream place to go for divers like you, where you can find around 300 different coral types and at least 380 species of fish. Groupers, trevallies, Napoleon wrasse, triggerfish, turtles and also grey reef and whitetip reef sharks are present.
3-4 dives per diving day are scheduled on this Solitude One cruise: wake up with a light breakfast of hot drinks (they have a fully automatic (self-service) pressed coffee machine that delivers great latte, cappuccino, espresso or 'long black') and cookies, do the 1st morning dive followed by a full breakfast. A 2nd morning dive will be followed by lunch.
Relax for a couple of hours in the indoor lounge, on the partially shaded sun deck, or in the digital darkroom for safe stowing of camera and video equipment, and charging batteries. The afternoon dive is followed by homemade snacks, while dinner is scheduled after the 4th (night) dive. Main meals are carefully planned by the chef in order to meet the tastes of everyone on board with buffet style Asian and Western entrees.
Day 10
After a big breakfast, check out follows, and a transfer back to the airport.
[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].