The MY Stella Maris Explorer represents a modern approach to Philippine liveaboard expeditions, designed to deliver both reach and capacity to premier marine parks. As a 36-meter steel-hulled vessel, it operates scheduled cruises to the remote UNESCO site of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and the expansive coral ecosystems of Apo Reef. Its construction and layout are tailored for these specific open-water safaris, offering a stable platform for up to 21 guests to explore these significant yet seasonally accessible destinations.
Onboard the Stella Maris Explorer liveaboard, accommodation is configured across 3 decks, providing a range of options from economy to deluxe cabins. All are generously sized with private facilities, and the higher-category rooms include touches like personal coffee machines and entertainment systems. This tiered approach allows divers to select the level of cabin comfort that best suits their preferences while sharing access to the vessel's communal amenities.
The social and relaxation spaces of the Stella Maris Explorer are designed with the tropical climate in mind. The main saloon serves as a combined dining and lounge area, while the top deck is a versatile outdoor space. Here, guests can enjoy al fresco meals, relax on sun loungers under a partial shade canopy, or unwind in the Jacuzzi with a view of the sea. These areas facilitate the natural camaraderie that develops on a diving expedition.
A distinct operational advantage of the Stella Maris Explorer liveaboard is its favorable crew-to-guest ratio and structured diving protocol. With a near 1:1 ratio, service is attentive and personalized. In the water, dive groups are kept small, with a maximum of 5 divers assigned to each guide, ensuring a manageable and safe experience even at busy sites. This structure is particularly beneficial for underwater photography or when navigating specific points of interest on a large wreck or reef.
The vessel is notably well-equipped for technical diving interests. Nitrox is included in the cruise price for certified divers, and 15-liter aluminum tanks are available free of charge to extend bottom time. The operation also actively accommodates rebreather and sidemount configurations, with the crew prepared to support these setups. The dive deck itself is functional, featuring multiple freshwater showers for convenient post-dive rinsing.
The Stella Maris Explorer liveaboard is an effective choice for scuba divers seeking a well-organized, capacious vessel to access the Philippines' major offshore parks. Its strengths lie in its structured diving operation, technical support, and range of onboard amenities from a Jacuzzi to varied cabin classes. It suits groups, clubs, and individual travelers who appreciate clear service standards, a social atmosphere, and a vessel built to comfortably handle the demands of reaching the country's most celebrated pelagic environments.
There are 10 ensuite cabins: 3 Deluxe cabins on the main deck (2 double bed, 1 twin bed), 4 Standard twin bunk bed cabins on the upper deck, 1 Premium Economy triple bed cabin, and 2 Economy twin bed cabins on the lower deck.
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
- Hand basin, towels, toiletries and hair dryer
- Deluxe cabin has Nespresso machine and TV/media player
- 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 / 10 - 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
This exciting transit trip commences in Puerto Princesa, aboard the MY Stella Maris Explorer liveaboard. After boarding, the cruise director will welcome you, assign your cabin, lead a mandatory safety briefing and crew introduction, and detail the upcoming week's itinerary. You'll have time to finalize necessary dive paperwork, get familiar with the vessel, and settle in before the trip departs for the prime destination diving sites.
Core Days
The bulk of the liveaboard tour is dedicated to exploring the rich marine ecosystems of the Tubbataha and Apo Reef, forming a spectacular dive route across the Sulu Sea. Apo Reef Natural Park is renowned for its incredible visibility and healthy coral populations. Divers frequently encounter patrolling whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, schools of colorful reef fish, and charismatic creatures like hawksbill turtles and large bumphead parrotfish. Occasional sightings of manta rays are possible here as they feed in the currents.
Santa Filomena Shoal is an isolated seamount and prime aggregation point for pelagic species. The shoal features impressive coral formations and steep walls, making it an excellent spot to drift dive with opportunities to see large schools of jacks and tuna, as well as various shark species utilizing the cleaning stations.
Diving around the waters of Cuyo Island offers a distinct experience, often featuring shallower reefs with diverse macro life and sheltered, vibrant coral gardens. It serves as a great transitional diving area with excellent opportunities for photography.
The Stella Maris Explorer also visits Tubbataha. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a jewel of the Coral Triangle. Its isolated atolls are famous for large pelagic action, including frequent encounters with blacktip, whitetip, and grey reef sharks, alongside dogtooth tuna, giant trevally, barracuda, turtles, and manta rays.
Day 7
On your final day, you will disembark the Stella Maris Explorer following breakfast. You will then be transferred to the Puerto Princesa airport or a local hotel.
Please note that the liveaboard itinerary's operational direction may be reversed.
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: Tubbataha: Shark Airport, Washing Machine, Seafan Alley, Ranger Station, Amos Rock, Black Rock, North Wall, Light House, Delsan Wreck, Staghorn Point
Day 1
Your unforgettable scuba diving adventure begins in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, as you board the MY Stella Maris Explorer liveaboard. Upon arrival, the cruise director will greet you, assign your cabin, conduct a crucial boat safety briefing, introduce the crew, and outline the week's itinerary. You will have ample time to complete dive paperwork, familiarise yourself with the vessel, and settle in before the trip begins.
Core Days
This trip is dedicated to extensive diving in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and jewel of the Coral Triangle, renowned for its spectacular biodiversity, boasting over 370 types of coral, 600 species of fish, and 12 species of cetaceans. This remote destination offers thrilling encounters with large pelagics, including blacktip, whitetip, grey reef, silky, and occasional hammerhead or whale sharks, alongside dogtooth tuna, giant trevally, barracuda, turtles, and manta rays; while the walls are adorned with beautiful soft corals and barrel sponges, the big marine life takes center stage.
Ranger Station is located near the marine park's outpost, this site boasts wonderfully vibrant coral gardens in the shallower areas, transitioning into a healthy wall. It's one of the most reliable locations for encounters with both green and hawksbill turtles, which frequently graze and rest here, offering guaranteed photographic opportunities.
Amos Rock is a truly magnificent and dramatic dive featuring a vertical wall riddled with overhangs, small caves, and crevices. The site is a prime location for spotting larger marine life, with frequent sightings of graceful manta rays feeding in the current, along with patrolling reef and oceanic sharks. The wall itself is richly decorated with soft corals and sponges.
Black Rock is an isolated, exposed pinnacle rising from the deep, making it a magnet for pelagic action. Divers here often navigate moderate to strong currents but are rewarded with encounters with large schools of jacks, barracuda, and tuna, as well as various shark species utilizing the rock as a navigational point.
The shallows of the Staghorn Point are dominated by extensive, healthy fields of staghorn corals, creating a massive, branching underwater landscape. This beautiful, complex habitat is a perfect nursery for juvenile fish and a great place to observe the intricacies of reef ecology in a bright, shallow environment.
Day 7
On your final day, after breakfast, you will disembark the MY Stella Maris Explorer liveaboard and be transferred directly back to the Puerto Princesa airport or a 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].
A typical day on the Stella Maris Explorer liveaboard starts early. The engine slows as the boat approaches the first dive site of the morning. Lights come on in the galley. Coffee begins to brew.
Most days include 4 dives. The schedule is built around the tides and the currents, especially in Tubbataha where drift diving rules. The crew wakes guests around 6 am with a light breakfast: fresh fruit, bread, cereal, and hot drinks. Enough to take the edge off before the first jump. First dive is usually in the water by 7 am. Back on board an hour later, the cook serves a proper hot breakfast. Eggs, sausages, rice, and sometimes a Filipino classic like garlic fried rice or corned beef hash. The dining area is air-conditioned. The tables fill quickly with wet hair and happy divers.
Between dives, the crew handles tanks and weights. Guests rinse cameras, charge batteries, and lounge on the open top deck. The sundeck has a bar area and a Jacuzzi. Some days you will see dolphins from up there. Other days you just lie in the sun and watch the reef go by.
Lunch is served around 12 noon. The Stella Maris Explorer aims to match the quality of the food with the quality of the diving. Meals are buffet style with at least 2 main entrees at lunch and dinner. Expect a blend of local Filipino flavours with French and Italian influence - grilled fish in coconut milk, chicken adobo, pasta with tomato and basil, or a slow-cooked beef stew. Each meal comes with fresh vegetables, a salad bar, a pasta dish, and rice. The cooks use local produce where possible. The bread is baked fresh.
Afternoon dive briefings happen around 1:30 pm. Dive 3 follows. Then a snack around 4 pm - spring rolls, small sandwiches, or sliced fruit. Enough to keep energy up for the last dive of the day, which might be a night dive depending on the site.
Dinner is served around 7 pm. Another full spread: 2 mains, plus sides. One night it might be prawns in garlic butter and roast chicken. Another night, fish curry and vegetable stir-fry. Dessert is simple but welcome: fresh pineapple, mango, or a light cake. The crew sets out the coffee and tea after dinner. Some guests stay at the table to log dives. Others move to the sundeck with a beer or a glass of wine from the bar.
The Stella Maris Explorer keeps the galley open for snacks all day. Exotic fresh fruit is always available - bananas, papaya, sometimes mangosteen or rambutan when in season. If you get hungry between meals, there is something to grab.
Night dives finish around 9 pm. The Stella Maris Explorer often moves overnight to the next location. The crew resets the dive deck. The water maker runs. Tomorrow starts the same way: early, calm, and focused on the next dive.
Breakfast has 2 parts: a light pre-dive spread and a full cooked breakfast after dive one. Lunch and dinner offer variety across the week. The cooks accommodate dietary requests if notified in advance. Vegetarian meals are standard. Vegans and other restrictions need advance notice.
Complimentary drinking water, coffee, and tea are available all day. Soft drinks, beer, wine, and spirits are available for purchase. The bar on the sundeck is a popular spot at sunset.
"
The boat and equipment was good considering it is Philippines. Dive Masters were kind and professional I would say they did good job.
I was supported by Salma at Dive The world who was always helpful, following up the topics and willing to help. Good job." -
Sergio Guadamillas, Switzerland, 18 April 2023 ...
