Dumaguete & Puerto Galera Combo Trip • Diving Vacation in the Philippines with Atlantis Dive Resorts
Go on a diving vacation to the Philippines and stay at Atlantis Resorts in two prime locations. During this dive vacation, you have a – unlimited – dive package. You start at Puerto Galera with its lush coral reefs and then travel on to Dumaguete, the “Muck Diving Capital” of the Philippines.
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Unlimited diving in the Philippines: From coral reefs to macro wonders at Atlantis Dive Resorts.
A diving vacation to Puerto Galera and Dumaguete offers a diverse combination of two distinct underwater worlds within the Philippines. While Puerto Galera is known for its colorful coral reefs, spectacular wall dives, and a wide variety of marine life, Dumaguete is primarily known for its extraordinary macro life on black volcanic sand bottoms. Together, these destinations offer a perfect blend of wide-angle diving and muck diving, with new species to discover every day.
During this diving vacation, you’ll enjoy an unlimited diving package. This means you can go on up to five boat dives each day, giving you plenty of time to explore the various dive sites. Puerto Galera has more than forty dive sites where you can enjoy healthy coral reefs, colorful fish, sea turtles, reef sharks, schools of fish, and unique macro species such as nudibranchs and ghost pipefish.
Dumaguete is known as a destination for lovers of small marine life. The black volcanic sandy bottoms, coral reefs, and artificial reefs provide a habitat for a huge variety of species. During your dives, you’ll search for frogfish, pygmy seahorses, harlequin shrimp, ghost pipefish, octopuses, and many other unique creatures that you won’t find so easily anywhere else.
During this trip, you’ll stay at Atlantis Puerto Galera and Atlantis Dumaguete, two comfortable luxury resorts offering personalized service and professional dive centers. Atlantis Dumaguete is located right on the beach and provides access to more than twenty local dive sites. From here, you can also take day trips to Apo Island and Siquijor. Atlantis Puerto Galera is beautifully situated against the hills of Sabang Beach and is a short distance from more than forty diverse dive sites.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Dumaguette and Puerto Galera
Dumaguete: Good year-round visits, but the dry seasons (March-May and October-November) offer the best conditions for macro diving and trips to Apo Island.
Puerto Galera: Best time is from November to May, mainly because of the calm waters and good visibility on the coral reefs. Avoid the rainy season (July-October) because of the likelihood of rough seas.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving in the Philippines
High season is from December to June. Then a 3mm, shorty or even a skin is sufficient. From July through November it is colder and we recommend a 3 or 5mm if you are chilly.
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Days 1 & 2 | The Trip to the Philippines
Today you fly with an overnight flight Manila. Depending onaf where you depart you fly directly or with a short stopover in 16-18 hours to Manila. Upon arrival is you will be picked up from the airport by one of the Atlantis Dive Resorts. Transfers to Puerto Galera should be done before noon due to the long drive and boat trip to the resort. If your flight arrives in Manila later in the day, you’ll spend the first night in Manila. From the airport it is about a 3,5 hour to the resort with van and boat after which you can recover from your trip in your luxurious room. That evening they serve a delicious à la carte dinner in the restaurant. Enjoy your meal.
Days 3–8 | Diving at Puerto Galera
Today you might start quietly or get up early to grab the first dive of the day. At the Atlantis resorts there is a set dive schedule where you can you can subscribe to. The dive schedule is 08:30, 10:30, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00.
At the dive sites of Puerto Galera, including Odie’s Wall, Manila Channel, Coral Garden and Sabang Wreck, divers can find an incredible variety of tropical marine life of all shapes, colors and sizes. The coral reefs are full of reef fish, nudibranchs, moray eels and, octopuses, sea snakes and many other sea creatures. At certain dive sites, such as Kilima Steps, divers have consistently seen thresher sharks since 2020. Whether you dive on the East Side, Turtle Rock, Horse Head or any of the other dive sites, Puerto Galera offers an abundance of marine life.
Day 9 | From One Paradise to Another
After breakfast you leave around 09.00 again to the airport of Manila and follows a domestic flight to Dauin. That afternoon you will fly around 15:00 in 1½ hours to Dumaguete where you be picked up to go to the Atlantis Resort Dumaguete Dumaguete. From the airport it is about a 45-minute drive. The ladies at the front desk are waiting for you with a big smile to check you in. Your diving suitcase is taken to the dive center, while you are taken to your luxurious room. Of course, the porter will gladly take your suitcase to the room. Time to relax. That evening it is again plenty Enjoy the chef’s cooking skills during your diving vacation in Dumaguete.
Days 10–14 | Diving in Dauin (Dumaguete)
Over the next 5 days, you can go on up to 25 (!) more dives, and as the icing on the cake, enjoy a day of diving at Apo Island. The dive schedule is the same as in Puerto Galera, namely: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.
The dive sites at Dauin and nearby Apo Island offer an amazing variety of marine life to explore while diving. From colorful mandarin fish to beautiful seahorses and mantis shrimp, there is so much to see in the waters of this region. Nudibranchs, octopuses, lobsters, and shrimp can also be found among the coral and rocks. At Apo Island you’ll find bigger stuff like turtles, sea snakes and schools of different fish, including mackerel.
Day 15 | Discover Negros Oriental
No more diving is scheduled today. You can choose to take it easy today or book one of the excursions below, for example:
A tour of Dumaguete City is also a must-do activity. Here you can see sights such as the old clock tower, the Capitol area with sports complex and park, the Similan University Campus with the largest library in Asia, and the botanical and zoological gardens.
Visiting the Malatapay Market is also an essential experience during your vacation. Here you can meet the locals and visit the livestock, fish, fruit and vegetable market. Be sure to taste the local dish lechon baboy, roasted pork, and drink a cold San Miguel beer to top it off.
The “twin lakes ” , Balinsasayao and Danao, are two lakes accessible only by 4×4 vehicles and dirt bikes. Here you can enjoy the pristine flora and fauna and participate in activities such as kayaking, fishing, rock climbing and admiring rare flowers and orchids.
Day 16 & 17 | Return home
On Day 16, you’ll say goodbye to the helpful crew and the stunning view from the beach at Atlantis Resort Dumaguete. They’ll take you back to the airport, where you’ll catch a domestic flight back to Manila. After a 2.5-hour drive, you’ll have time to spend your last Philippine pesos at the airport before flying back to Europe later that day. You’ll return home with a wealth of wonderful memories from your diving vacation in the Philippines and unforgettable diving experiences in Dumaguete and Puerto Galera.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from this trip to the Philippines?
Diving in Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera is one of the most diverse diving areas in the Philippines, with more than forty dive sites around Sabang Beach. You’ll dive along steep coral walls, colorful reefs, and spots with strong currents where large schools of fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks are often seen. Macro enthusiasts will also find unique species here, such as ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses, and nudibranchs.
Dumaguete: A Macro Photographer’s Paradise
The coast of Dumaguete is known for its unique muck diving on black volcanic sand bottoms. This seemingly tranquil environment is teeming with hidden life and is home to frogfish, octopuses, harlequin shrimp, seahorses, and countless colorful nudibranchs. Photographers, in particular, can spend hours here searching for small and rare species.
Diving around Apo Island
On a day trip from Dumaguete, you’ll discover Apo Island, a protected marine area with vast coral gardens and a wide variety of marine life. Large schools of tropical fish and several species of sea turtles inhabit the waters around the island. The clear waters and healthy reefs make this an impressive diving spot where you can fully experience the rich biodiversity of the Philippines.
The accommodations
Accommodation and surroundings during this combination trip
Atlantis Resort - Puerto Galera
Located in the lush hills of Sabang Beach, Atlantis Puerto Galera offers a unique combination of luxury and nature. The resort is beautifully integrated into the landscape and with its warm hospitality, high-end facilities and breathtaking views of the bay, this is an ideal stay for divers and vacationers.
The accommodation features elegantly decorated rooms and suites, equipped with air conditioning, comfortable beds, modern bathrooms and private balconies or terraces overlooking tropical gardens or the ocean. The resort offers a first-class restaurant serving delicious local and international cuisine, and a cozy bar for a relaxing drink after a day of adventure. For non-divers, there are plenty of activities, including snorkeling, kayaking, massages and cultural excursions.
Deluxe Room: These comfortable rooms offer all the conveniences for a relaxing stay, including air conditioning, a minibar, a safe, cable TV and a private bathroom with solar-heated hot water. Perfect for a quiet vacation.
Executive & Honeymoon Suite: Spacious and stylishly decorated, these suites are ideal for couples seeking luxury and romance. They offer extra living space and premium amenities for an unforgettable stay.
Seaview Terrace & Coconut Terrace: Enjoy breathtaking ocean or tropical garden views from your private terrace. These rooms combine modern conveniences with a serene atmosphere.
Premier Seaview Suite: The ultimate luxury accommodation with panoramic sea views, generous living space and high-end amenities. Perfect for guests seeking exclusivity and comfort.
Family Suite: Designed for families, with multiple beds and spacious living areas to make everyone feel at home while on vacation.
All rooms and suites have air conditioning, ceiling fans, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, a minibar, and tea and coffee making facilities (available in the suites).
Atlantis Resort - Dumaguete
Atlantis Dumaguete is a luxury resort located on a long sandy beach surrounded by lush tropical gardens. This stylish and recently renovated resort offers 44 comfortable rooms, each designed to provide peace and comfort, with modern amenities such as air conditioning, spacious bathrooms and private terraces with garden or ocean views.
For non-divers, the resort offers a range of activities, from snorkeling and kayaking to relaxing massages at the spa. The gourmet restaurant serves a mix of international and local dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Atlantis Dumaguete is known for its excellent service and warm hospitality.
Deluxe Room: Features one king bed (convertible to two twin beds) or one queen bed, private bathroom with shower, air conditioning, ceiling fan, cable TV, minibar, refrigerator and safe. Some rooms have an adjoining room with two twin beds, ideal for families.
Garden Suite: Spacious and surrounded by lush gardens, these suites offer additional seating space, luxurious amenities and a serene setting for ultimate relaxation.
Ocean Front Room: With breathtaking ocean views, these rooms are equipped with modern amenities and a private balcony or terrace to enjoy the sea breeze.
Premier Garden Suite: The most luxurious option, with generous living spaces, high-end finishes and direct access to the tropical gardens, perfect for guests seeking extra comfort and privacy.
All rooms have air conditioning, solar-heated hot water, free Wi-Fi and tea and coffee facilities in the suites.
Travel costs
What is included
This dive vacation with unlimited diving at Puerto Galera and Dumaguete can be booked from US$ 6.361 per person based on two people in a Deluxe Room. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are based on low season from July through November. December through the end of June is the high season. Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation to Puerto Galera and Dumaguete in the Philippines? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from US$ 6.361 p.p.
- 7 nights in a 2-bed Deluxe Room Atlantis Resort Puerto Galera
- 7 nights in a 2-bed Deluxe room at Atlantis Resort Dumaguete
- Unlimited boat dives up to 4 dives and 1 night dive per day in Puerto Galera and Dumaguete
- All meals at Atlantis Restaurant (chef-prepared breakfast and three-course lunch & dinner
- Coffee, tea and filtered water are available from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Italian and specialty coffees are not included after breakfast)
- A day trip to Apo Island or similar in Dumaguete
- All transfers in the itinerary
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Manila or Cebu approx. US$ 983
- Domestic flight to Dauin approx. US$ 231
- Marine Park Fee a 300 PHP US$ 6
- Any excursions as described in Day 15
Optional
- Rental diving equipment
- Surcharge upgrade room
- Use of Nitrox US$ 179 per week
- Single room supplement
- Extension of trip
Email this diving holiday
Want to save or share the details of this diving trip with someone? You can do so by sending the trip by email.
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Frequently asked questions about this diving holiday
General diving information
Diving equipment
Both DIN and INT are possible. Adapters are available at the diving school.
Yes, 15L tanks and Nitrox (up to 36%) is available at the resort. Ca. US$ 179 per week for unlimited diving
Yes, you can rent diving equipment here. Ca. €15 per day for full diving equipment.
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
Yes, you can also do excellent snorkeling at this diving destination. There are plenty of shallow dive sites.
On site, book excursions at the reception desk. Furthermore, you can book massage and yoga.
Atlantis resorts are designed for families to go to. Larger rooms with 3 or 4 beds are available.
Yes spa and wellness is available on request at the resort.
Accommodation / Resort
Yes, all rooms have air conditioning in the resort.
Yes there is WIFI in the resort in the public areas. Some rooms benefit from this free wifi along however most rooms are out of range of the free wifi. Our advice is to buy a local phone card.
Yes, there is a restaurant at the resort that serves local and international cuisine. The chef cooks a la carte and a 3-course dinner.
Yes there is a swimming pool available.
During this dive vacation in the Philippines, you will make boat dives on reefs around Anilao and Puerto Galera. Macro, muck at Anilao. Supplemented by drift dives and wreck dives at Puerto Galera.
5 to 20 minutes by boat. Apo Island and Siquijor are a little further sailing from Dauin. Verde Island is also a little further by boat.
Up to 5 dives per day.
Yes, you can join night dives and black water dives. We can arrange this for you in advance. Booking on the spot is also possible.
They are shallow dives so an Open Water is sufficient. Some dives are deeper and with currents then an Advanced Open Water is required.
There is an on-site diving school at both resorts.
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