Luxury diving trip Philippines: Bohol and Dauin – Amun Ini & Atmosphere
During this trip you will discover two exceptional diving destinations in the Visayas: Bohol and Dauin. You will stay in two luxury resorts and combine relaxed diving with exploring special places above and below the water.
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Dive trip Philippines: luxury stay at Amun Ini & Atmosphere
During this trip you will visit two special places in the Visayas, the central part of the Philippines. You start on the tropical island of Bohol, where you spend a week at the luxurious Amun Ini Resort. Located in a quiet bay, this boutique resort combines comfort, privacy and stunning sea views. In addition to diving, Bohol offers plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding area, including the iconic Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier Reserve, waterfalls, rice terraces and quaint villages.
You will then travel on to Dauin, where you will stay at the luxurious Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, right on the beach and a short distance from the dive center. Dauin is known as a top destination for muck diving, where you can explore the dark bottom and discover unusual marine animals, such as flamboyant cuttlefish and unique nudibranchs. But also here you will find colorful coral gardens, varied reefs and wrecks, giving you a varied and impressive diving experience.
This trip offers a perfect combination of comfortable and luxurious accommodation, impressive underwater world and the opportunity to discover special places above water. Of course you can easily extend or adjust the trip; we will gladly advise you which destinations and accommodation best suit your needs.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to the Philippines
You can actually dive well all year round in the Philippines. However, it is good to keep in mind the seasons. We recommend going during the dry season that runs from December to mid-May.
Average temperatures
Wetsuit advice for the Philippines
We recommend a 3mm year-round.
What will you experience on this trip?
View itinerary here
Day 1 & 2 | The journey to the Philippines
Today the journey to the Philippines starts! Depending on where you depart from, you will fly to Bohol with 1 or 2 transfers.
You will first fly to Manila, the capital of the Philippines. The airport here is large and has separate terminals for international flights and domestic flights. Since these are not connected, a transfer is arranged to take you to the right terminal. From Manila, you arrive in Bohol after a one-hour flight. Again, there is a transfer waiting for you to take you to the hotel.
The drive from the airport to Hotel Amun Uni takes about 2 hours. It is not a boring drive, because on the way you already have fantastic views of the blue sea and already get a good first impression of the beautiful island.
Amun Ini is a luxury boutique hotel located in Bohol. There is a private beach and its own dive center. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing here.
Day 3 to 7 | Diving around Bohol
Bohol Island is in the heart of the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world. Here you will find an exceptional variety of coral species, reef fish and sea turtles. Anda, the province where the resort is, is best known for macro. This also makes it an excellent place for underwater photographers.
Daily you will make 2 dives. There are 38 dive sites around the resort, most of which are no more than 15 minutes boat ride away. So there is plenty of variety!
With experienced guides who have thousands of dives to their name, even the rarest animals are found. Think dwarf seahorses, spiny seahorses, numerous nudibranchs, shrimp and crabs, as well as blue-ring octopus, mimic octopus, wunderpus, algae octopus and mandarin fish.
Want to do more dives? Then choose the unlimited dive package.
Day 8 | Discovering Bohol Above Water
Bohol is a beautiful island and well worth spending a full day exploring nature. Around Amun Ini, you can enjoy a wide range of activities, both on water and on land. Take a leisurely motorboat ride along the coast of Anda, go kayaking or paddleboarding, snorkel among colorful reefs, or explore the island by mountain bike or on foot on one of the many hiking trails.
For a true exploration of the heart of Bohol, a visit to the Chocolate Hills should not be missed. These famous grassy limestone hills turn into chocolate brown cones during the dry season, creating a unique natural landscape. Combine this with a stop at the Tarsier Reserve, where you can admire these tiny primates, with their big eyes and size no bigger than a human hand.
Other highlights in the area include the Cadapdapan rice terraces, the impressive Candijay Falls, the mysterious Cabagnow Cave and the charming town of Anda with its long, white sandy beaches. For those who like a touch of mystery, a trip to Lamanok Island is highly recommended: a small island with ancient caves, wall drawings and stories about a legendary sorceress from pre-colonial times.
Day 9 | Transfer to Dauin
After breakfast, get ready for your trip to Dauin. Dauin is in the southeastern part of the island of Negros, just below the larger city of Dumaguete. So it is on another island, and you will go there partly by car and partly by ferry. The drive to the ferry takes about 2.5 hours and the ferry ride takes 2 hours. Upon arrival, a new transfer will be waiting for you to take you to Atmosphere Resorts & Spa.
Dauin is a completely different island from Bohol. There is a lot of volcanic sand, which makes it an excellent place for muck diving. In addition, you can take a boat to Apo Island, a place with beautiful coral. Large parts of the coast are protected natural parks, making the marine life there varied and exuberant.
Day 10 to 14 | Diving around Dauin & Apo Island
For the next few days, you will dive around Dauin. This place is known for the fantastic muck dives, where you look for the tiny creatures in black sand. These dives are very different from the first week of the trip, which is what makes it so fun and varied. You make 2 dives daily.
Around Dauin and nearby Apo Island you will find an impressive variety of dive sites. Off the coast at Dauin, there are numerous dive sites with sandy bottoms, reefs and colorful marine life. The area is known for its rich macrofauna and unusual underwater inhabitants, making each dive a kind of voyage of discovery where you really have to take the time to look closely. In fact, some animals are so small that you really have to stop to look. The dive center’s experienced guides also help you find the most beautiful spots and animals.
A short boat ride from Dauin is Apo Island, surrounded by one of the healthiest coral reefs in the region. Here you will find vast coral gardens, steep walls and vibrant fish communities, including turtles and numerous reef dwellers. Dives range from calm reefs to drift dives along spectacular wall formations.
Day 15 | Discovering Dauin Above Water
On the last day before you start your return journey, you can undertake various activities. Various excursions are organized from Atmosphere, such as a visit to a local market, a coffee plantation or a visit to a local village. You can also go into nature; the surroundings are beautiful. You can take a day trip to Apo Island, where you went diving earlier. Or go even further into nature for a beautiful hike across Mount Talinis.
Day 16 & 17 | Return home
Today you will begin your journey home. The easiest way is to go to Dumaguete by transfer first. From here you will fly to Manila, where you also started your trip. The flight takes one hour. In Manila, you will fly back home on an international flight.
Highlights of this trip
What can you expect from the underwater world in the Philippines?
Macro diving in Anda
The waters around Anda are known for their rich macro life and offer dives where detail is key. The mandarin fish in particular is a special sight here: this brightly colored reef fish shows itself especially during dusk, when it briefly appears above the reef. You will also see dwarf seahorses, ghost whistle fish, various species of nudibranchs, hairy shrimp and small crabs, often hidden among coral and debris, among other things.
Diving around Apo Island
Diving with thresher sharks is a unique experience to be had in Malapascua. These elegant sharks with their distinctive long tails cannot be seen anywhere else with as much certainty as here. In the early morning, they migrate to cleaning stations on the Monad Shoal reef, where small reef fish remove parasites from their skin. Divers wait silently on a plateau about 30 meters deep while the thresher sharks swim slowly by. It’s a magical and serene moment, where you can admire these shy, deep-sea dwellers up close.
Muck diving in Dauin
Muck diving in Dauin is world famous for its black sand where you can find rare and unusual animals, such as frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish and different species of seahorses. This special microfauna makes it a paradise for macrophotographers and lovers of small marine animals. Each dive is a voyage of discovery full of colorful and unique creatures rarely encountered so easily elsewhere. Dauin thus offers an unforgettable diving experience for those who love detail.
The accommodations
The stay and surroundings
Amun Ini
Amun Ini is a small boutique resort located on an expansive beach on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. The resort sits on a three-acre oceanfront property. The resort is beautifully embedded in green, wooded surroundings and overlooks a clear blue sea with an impressive coral reef as long as 15 kilometers. It lies between two bays, allowing you to experience the ultimate tranquility.
At the resort you will find a large terrace with a magnificent view of the sunset, a perfect place to end the day peacefully. In addition, Amun Ini has a spa where you can enjoy various massages and treatments.
The resort’s restaurant works with local ingredients and serves dishes based on family recipes, ensuring pure flavors and an authentic culinary experience.
There are a total of 16 rooms, all with air conditioning. The rooms are modern and comfortable and feature a king-size bed with soft, extra-large pillows, a minibar and contemporary furniture. There is a sofa in each room that can be converted into an extra bed if desired. Some rooms are furnished with twin beds.
All rooms have a spacious outdoor terrace overlooking the sea. From the terrace you overlook the green garden, with the beach below and behind it the sea stretching to the horizon. The terrace is a wonderful place to read a book, meditate or just enjoy nature.
Atmosphere Resorts & Spa
Atmosphere Resorts & Spa is a luxurious and small-scale resort in Dauin, surrounded by tropical gardens with palm trees and sea views. The resort is known for its relaxed atmosphere, personalized service and high-quality facilities. Central to the resort are several swimming pools, with comfortable sunbeds and shaded areas to relax. In addition, the resot is also located directly on the beach.
The Sanctuary Spa is a true oasis of tranquility. This spa offers massages, body treatments and relaxing therapies performed by professional therapists. For those who want to stay active, there is an outdoor gym and regular sports and wellness activities are offered.
The restaurant serves dishes with a strong focus on fresh, local ingredients and international influences. Whether you join us for a sumptuous dinner or a light poolside lunch, culinary enjoyment is the focus here.
Atmosphere Resorts & Spa features a variety of different types of rooms and suites scattered throughout the tropical grounds. All accommodations are spacious and equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, comfortable king-size beds, a luxurious bathroom and a private terrace or veranda.
The Deluxe and Premium Suites are ideal for couples and offer plenty of privacy, with garden or pool views. For extra luxury, there are Pool Suites, with a private plunge pool and spacious terrace, perfect for a romantic stay.
For guests who want more space, such as families or longer stays, there are Garden Studios and Family Suites with separate living areas and extra comforts. In addition, spacious penthouses are available for those seeking maximum privacy and luxury.
The diving school
The diving schools & facilities
Amun Ini Dive
Bohol Island is in the heart of the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world. Here you will find an exceptional variety of coral species, reef fish and sea turtles. Amun Ini Dive offers you the ideal opportunity to discover this underwater paradise. Most of the 33 dive sites are less than 15 minutes by boat from the dive center.
The SSI dive center has lockable storage for diving equipment, rental equipment, a store and a spacious briefing room. For underwater photographers, there is a separate camera room with tables and facilities for cleaning and charging equipment.
4 guided dives are organized daily in the morning and afternoon, complemented by a mandarin dive at 5 p.m. and a night dive at 6 p.m. Nitrox and wifi are available throughout the resort.
Due to its remote location, safety is paramount: deco diving, solo diving and diving deeper than 30 meters are not allowed. In addition, to protect the fragile ecosystem, there is a strict no-touch policy for snorkelers and divers.
Atmosphere Dive center
On the premises of Atmosphere Resorts & Spa is its own dive center. It is a PADI 5-Star Career Development Centre (CDC) with excellent facilities. The dive center is equipped with spacious equipment storage areas, a large briefing and meeting area, an air-conditioned classroom and a camera/photo room where divers can clean, charge and prepare their equipment for the next dive. Nitrox is available free of charge for certified Nitrox divers, and plenty of rental equipment is available for those not traveling with their own diving equipment.
The team consists of experienced PADI instructors and divemasters who teach and guide in multiple languages. Diving is done in small groups of up to 4 divers per guide. You can also go here for various specialty dives, tech dives and you can dive here with a DPV.
Travel costs
What is included
This dive vacation to the Philippines is available from €3,399 per person based on two people in one room. The diving trip can be extended as desired. A number of things are included as standard in this travel package.
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 the possibilities? Get in touch with us!
Included in this trip, from €3,399 p.p.
- Amun Ini, Bohol
- 7 nights in a Deluxe Room
- Stay on a bed & breakfast basis
- Dive package with 10 dives
- Atmosphere Resorts & Spa
- 7 nights in a Deluxe Superior Suite
- Stay on a bed & breakfast basis
- Dive package with 10 dives
- Nitrox for certified divers
- General
- Return transfers
- VZR & Administration fee
Excluding
- Return flight to Cebu from € 900 p.p.
- Domestic flight to Cebu from € 50 p.p.
- Marine Park Fee Bohol (200 PHP per day) = €15 for 5 days
- Marine Park Fee Dauin, ±€ 4 per dive
- Marine Park Fee Dauin, ±€ 8 per night dive
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Amun Ini
- Nitrox (45 USD for 10 dives)
- Night dive (65 USD per dive)
- Rental diving equipment (20 USD per day)
- Rental dive computer (72 USD per week)
- Atmosphere
- Rental diving equipment incl. computer (34 USD per day)
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Diving general
You will make several types of dives during this trip. In Bohol, there are only boat dives. In Dauin, it is a mix of shore diving and boat diving. You will also make macro dives, muck dives as well as reef dives and drift dives. There are many options, so you can discuss with the dive guide what your needs are. The dive center in Dauin is even a tech center, so you can also do technical dives here. It is also possible there to dive with underwater scooters (DPVs) for those who are certified.
Amun Ini: Most dive sites are between 10-15 minutes of boating.
Atmosphere: most dive sites are a short boat ride away. There are 3 boats, 2 of which are speedboats. The longest distance is to Apo Island, this is usually done with the larger boat which is slightly slower, but more comfortable. There are also shore dives.
Amun Ini: this depends on the dive package chosen. Basically there are 4 day dives daily, 1 mandarin fish dive at 17:00 and a night dive at 18:00.
Yes, in both places it is possible to make night dives.
There is no house reef in Bohol; there is a house reef in Dauin.
Yes definitely, PADI courses are offered at both places. You can also take a specialty, for example for DPV if you are interested in this.
Diving schools are located in the resort itself.
Diving equipment
Both tanks are present.
Both diving schools have some 15L tanks. Do have this reserved in advance. There is a surcharge for using these tanks.
Amun Ini: You can dive here with nitrox. The cost is 5 USD per tank. If you have a dive package with 10 dives, it costs a total of 45 USD. If you use the unlimited dive package, it costs 16 USD per day.
Atmosphere: the use of nitrox is free for certified divers.
Yes, you can. At Amun Ini, a full set costs USD 20 per day. A computer you rent separately costs 72 USD per week.
At Atmosphere, you pay $34 USD per day for a full set including a computer.
Other activities & excursions
There are lots of things to do for non-divers, the scenery on both islands is beautiful. We have provided tips for excursions in the description on days 8 and 15. Feel free to ask at the resort what there is to do and what suits your interests. You can book excursions directly here.
Accommodation
Yes
At the rersort in Dauin and Siquijor, there is a swimming pool. Malapascua does not have a pool.
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