Solitude One Liveaboard & Solitude Acacia Resort Anilao

Fantastic combination scuba diving vacation to the Philippines. You’ll first dive the breathtaking Tubbataha Reef with big stuff and lots of action! Then you continue to Anilao to spot the small, colorful creatures.

Travel period

April, May, June

Features

Boatdiving

Starting from

17 days from US$ 5.902 p.p.

The best of both worlds with Solitude in the Philippines

On this trip, you’ll discover two extraordinary diving destinations in the Philippines that couldn’t be more different from each other underwater. You’ll begin aboard the luxury liveaboard Solitude One, which will take you to the world-famous Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is accessible for only a few months each year and is among the best-protected reef areas in the world. Here, you’ll dive past vast coral reefs, steep walls, and enormous schools of fish, while reef sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, and other large marine life are frequently spotted.

After the liveaboard, you’ll continue on to Anilao for a stay at the comfortable Solitude Acacia Resort. Here, the focus shifts from large to small. Anilao is known worldwide as one of the best destinations for macro diving. Together with experienced guides, you’ll search for colorful nudibranchs, frogfish, pygmy seahorses, shrimp, octopuses, and countless other remarkable creatures hiding among the reef and sandy bottoms.

This combination showcases just how versatile the Philippines is as a diving destination—from spectacular reef dives in remote Tubbataha to discovering the smallest and most extraordinary underwater creatures in Anilao.

Best time to visit for a diving vacation to Tubbataha and Anilao

Due to the protected status of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, diving is only permitted between March and June. During this period, weather conditions are most favorable, and liveaboards can safely reach the remote reef.

Anilao, on the other hand, is an excellent diving destination year-round. The best conditions are between November and June, when visibility is generally at its best and the sea is calmest. Between July and October, diving is still possible, but there’s a higher chance of rain, currents can increase, and visibility is often poorer.

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 get cold quickly.

What will you experience on this diving vacation?

View itinerary here

Days 1–3 | The Trip to the Philippines

Your trip begins with an international flight from Europe to Manila. You can choose a direct flight with KLM or a connecting flight with a short layover, for example in Singapore, Dubai, or Istanbul. After arriving at the Manila airport, you’ll go through customs and pick up your luggage. In the arrivals hall, a driver will be waiting to take you to a comfortable hotel near the airport.

After a relaxing night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, you’ll depart the next morning on a Cebu Pacific domestic flight to Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan. Upon arrival, the crew of the Solitude One will be waiting for you. After a transfer of about 20 minutes, you’ll board the liveaboard, where you’ll be welcomed by the crew.

After dinner, the Solitude One leaves the harbor and sets course for the remote Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The crossing takes about ten hours. While you sleep, the ship sails to one of the most spectacular diving areas in the world, so you can start diving right away the next morning.

Days 4–7 | Diving in the North and South Atolls of the Tubbataha Reefs

The next four days will be entirely devoted to diving in the impressive Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. You’ll make up to four dives each day and, depending on conditions, explore the most beautiful dive sites in North Atoll and South Atoll. Nearly all dives are drift dives, where the current carries you past steep walls, colorful coral gardens, and expansive reefs.

Tubbataha is known for its exceptional biodiversity and excellent visibility, which often exceeds 30 meters. During your dives, you’ll be surrounded by enormous schools of barracuda, snappers, fusiliers, and jackfish. You’re also very likely to encounter various species of reef sharks, including gray reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and blacktip reef sharks. Sea turtles, eagle rays, and manta rays are also regularly spotted here. With a little luck, you might even spot a whale shark.

Some well-known dive sites you might visit include Shark Airport, where gray reef sharks often patrol along the reef edge, Washing Machine, famous for its powerful currents and large schools of hunting fish, and the Malayan Wreck, a cargo ship over 150 meters long that is now completely overgrown with coral and home to scorpionfish, coral devils, moray eels, and countless other reef dwellers.

The captain decides which dive sites you’ll ultimately visit based on weather conditions, currents, and visibility. That’s why every liveaboard trip in Tubbataha is just a little bit different.

Day 8 | Last day of diving at Tubbataha Reef

On the last day of diving, you’ll visit Jessie Beazley Reef, a remote reef northwest of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Here, you’ll make up to two more dives before the Solitude One sets course back toward Puerto Princesa.

Jessie Beazley Reef is known for its healthy coral reefs, large schools of reef fish, and excellent chances of encountering sharks. Gray reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and blacktip reef sharks are regularly spotted here, and schools of barracuda, tuna, and jackfish are also frequently seen. With a little luck, you might even spot a manta ray or a whale shark. After these final dives, the return trip to Palawan begins, where you can reflect on a special week in one of the most beautiful diving areas in the world.

Day 9 | From marine life to the macro wonders of Anilao

Today you’ll say goodbye to the Solitude One and fly back to Manila in the morning. Fortunately, your diving adventure isn’t over yet.

From the airport, you’ll be taken to the Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao. Depending on traffic, the transfer takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Like the Solitude One, the resort is part of the Solitude World family. So you can once again count on excellent service, comfortable accommodations, and a professional dive team.

For the next seven nights, you’ll be staying in a quiet bay in Anilao, where a completely different underwater world awaits you. While Tubbataha is known for its spectacular reefs, large schools of fish, and sharks, Anilao is world-famous for its exceptional macro life. Together with experienced guides, you’ll search for colorful nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, shrimp, octopuses, and countless other remarkable creatures that are masters at camouflaging themselves among the reef and the sandy bottom.

Days 10 & 11 | Relaxing in Anilao (or doing extra dives)

Over the next two days, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the amenities at the Solitude Acacia Resort. Take a refreshing dip in the pool overlooking the sea, book a relaxing massage at the spa, or find a quiet spot with a good book. At the restaurant, you can enjoy delicious dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

Would you rather go diving right away? Of course, that’s an option too. Anilao is world-renowned for its exceptional macro life and is the ideal place to join our experienced guides in searching for nudibranchs, frogfish, pygmy seahorses, shrimp, octopuses, and other extraordinary creatures.

Days 12–14 | Diving in Anilao

Macro diving in Anilao: A world of small wonders

Anilao is a true paradise for macro enthusiasts! With Acacia Divers, the resort’s on-site dive school, you’ll go on two dives a day for three days at various dive sites in the area. It’s a 10- to 30-minute boat ride from the resort to the dive sites. You’ll be on the lookout for seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish, and other fascinating tiny creatures. The dive guides have a keen eye and are happy to point out the most beautiful details. With a dive ratio of 2 divers to 1 dive guide, you’ll get all the attention and guidance you need.

During your stay in Anilao, you’ll also go on one Blackwater dive . It’s a special night dive where you’ll have the chance to see fascinating creatures from the depths come to the surface. These are animals you’d normally never see. You’ll dive over deep water, guided by a rope with lights attached. This allows you to get a good look at these animals’ migration. It’s truly a unique experience, and Anilao is one of the best places in the world for blackwater diving. You can read more about these dives in the blog.

Days 15–17 | Relaxing and heading home

Today it’s time to say goodbye to Anilao. Since you won’t be diving today, you’ll have a no-dive day. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, take one last look out over the bay, or relax by the pool for a while before you’re picked up for your transfer to Manila Airport.

From Manila, you’ll fly back to Europe, where you’ll arrive the next day. You’ll look back on a remarkable diving trip during which you discovered two completely different sides of the Philippines—from the spectacular reef dives, healthy corals, and encounters with sharks in the remote Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park to the fascinating macro life of Anilao. A combination that shows why the Philippines is among the most beautiful diving destinations in the world.

Highlights of this trip

What can you expect from this trip to the Philippines?

Tubbataha Reefs National Parks

The Tubbataha Reefs are open to divers for only a few months each year. During the liveaboard, you’ll explore one of the best-protected marine nature reserves in the world, where vast coral reefs, steep walls, and enormous schools of fish alternate. You’ll have a high chance of encountering gray reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays. Due to their remote location, the reefs are exceptionally healthy and rank among the most beautiful in the Philippines.

From Pelagic to Macro

This trip showcases the underwater diversity of the Philippines. In Tubbataha, it’s all about impressive reef dives, large schools of fish, and pelagic species. You’ll then travel to Anilao, where the focus shifts to the ocean’s smallest inhabitants. Together with experienced guides, you’ll search for nudibranchs, frogfish, pygmy seahorses, shrimp, and octopuses. A unique combination of two completely different diving experiences.

Luxury Travel with Solitude

You’ll travel aboard the Solitude One liveaboard and then stay at the Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao. Both are part of Solitude World and are known for their excellent service, comfortable accommodations, and professional dive operations. From the crew on board to the guides in Anilao, you can count on personalized attention, well-organized dives, and high-quality service that will make this trip especially comfortable.

The accommodations

The stay and surroundings

Liveaboard Solitude One

The Solitude One is not just another liveaboard; it is a sailing boutique hotel where service and comfort take center stage. With only eleven cabins, accommodating up to 24 guests, the Solitude One offers an intimate and personalized experience. You have a choice of four different cabin types:

Quad Cabin: Ideal for families or groups of friends, this cabin features two bunk beds and offers enough space and privacy for four people.
Deluxe Cabins: These stylish cabins feature a comfortable double or twin bed, private bathroom with shower and toilet, air conditioning and ample storage space.
Staterooms: Enjoy extra luxury and space in a Stateroom. These cabins feature a king-size bed, sitting area and private bathroom with shower and toilet. Some Staterooms even have a private balcony!

Each cabin is designed with an eye for detail, comfort, and functionality. Extra-long beds measuring 1.90 meters ensure a good night’s sleep.

On board the Solitude One, you will enjoy delicious meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The menu is varied and offers something for everyone, from international dishes to Filipino specialties. The chef takes into account allergies and dietary requirements. Relax on the spacious sun deck with Jacuzzi, where you can enjoy breathtaking sea views. Or settle down in the cozy lounge with bar, where you can have an evening drink with your fellow divers. For the necessary relaxation, there is also a library with a selection of books and movies.

The Solitude One features a spacious dive deck with individual storage for your equipment, a camera rinse tank, and a separate camera room where you can edit your photos and videos. The experienced and helpful staff is always ready to assist you in preparing your dive equipment and ensure that your diving experience is as comfortable as possible.

Solitude Acacia Resort

The Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao is an oasis of tranquility and luxury, located on a private beach overlooking the beautiful Bay of Balayan. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, this resort offers the perfect setting to relax after your diving adventures. Whether you choose a romantic getaway, a family vacation or a diving trip with friends, Solitude Acacia Resort has something for everyone.

The resort offers several room types, each with its own character and stylish decor:

Superior Rooms: These comfortable rooms feature a double bed or two single beds, a private bathroom with shower and toilet, air conditioning and a balcony overlooking the garden.
Deluxe Rooms: Enjoy extra space and comfort in a Deluxe Room. These rooms feature a king-size bed, a sitting area, a private bathroom with shower and toilet, and a balcony with sea views.
Suites: For the ultimate luxury experience, choose a Suite. These spacious suites feature a separate bedroom with a king-size bed, a living room, a private bathroom with shower and toilet, and a spacious balcony with breathtaking sea views.

All rooms feature modern conveniences such as a flat-screen TV, a minibar, a safe and free Wi-Fi.

Enjoy the many facilities the resort has to offer, such as an infinity pool overlooking the sea, where you can cool off after a swim. Indulge in a massage at the spa, where you can choose from a wide range of treatments. Or relax on the beach with a good book and soak up the tropical sun. In the evening, dine in the atmospheric restaurant, where you can enjoy delicious meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The resort also has its own diving school, Acacia Divers, which will take you to the best dive sites in Anilao.

The diving school

Learn more about the dive center

Acacia Divers

Acacia Divers is the on-site dive school at the Solitude Acacia Resort. With a guide-to-diver ratio of one guide for every two divers, you’re guaranteed the best guidance. The experienced and passionate dive guides know the dive sites of Anilao like the back of their hand and are happy to point out the most beautiful details of the underwater world. They specialize in finding the most elusive macro creatures, such as seahorses, nudibranchs, and frogfish.

Acacia Divers features modern facilities, including a dive center with a spacious gear room where you can safely store your own diving equipment or use high-quality rental gear. There is a rinse tank for both diving equipment and cameras, as well as a Nitrox fill station.

Travel costs

What is included

This dive vacation combining diving Tubbataha Reefs and diving Anilao can be booked from US$ 5.902 per person based on two people sharing a Deluxe cabin on the Solitude One liveaboard a Deluxe room at the Solitude Acacia Resort. The dive trip can be extended as desired. A number of items are included as standard in this travel package.

Prices are based on the season of April, May and June when the season of Tubbataha is. Year-round diving in Anilao is excellent. The Solitude Acacia Resort can therefore be booked separately. 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 Tubbataha and Anilao? Get in touch with us!

Included in this diving trip, from US$ 5.902 p.p.

Excluding

Optional

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Frequently asked questions about this diving holiday

General diving information

What kind of diving do you do here?

During this dive vacation in the Philippines you will make boat dives on reefs around the Tubbataha Reefs. In Anilao you will make boat dives focused on macro and muck diving.

How far are the dive sites away?

Diving in Anilao is 5 to 30 minutes by boat from the resort. During the liveaboard Tubbataha, it is a few minutes by speedboat to the dive sites.

How many dives can I make per day?

During the liveaboard Tubbataha you will make 3 to 4 dives on days 2,3,4 and 5. On day 6 you will make 2 or 3 more. Diving at Anilao there are 7 dives included in this trip. You can extend this package.

Can I do night diving here?

Yes, you can dive at night during the liveaboard Tubbataha. At the Solitude Acacia REsort in Anilao, you can also do night dives and even black water diving.

What certification do I need for this combination trip?

To fully enjoy all dives, an Advanced Open Water certification is required because there are current dives at Tubbataha. For diving Anilao, an Open Water certification is sufficient.

Is the diving school close to the resort?

The diving school Acacia Divers is on-site at the Solitude Acacia resort.

Diving equipment

Are the tanks DIN or INT?

Solitude has dive tanks with DIN connections. Don’t worry if you have an INT regulator, there are plenty of adapters available!

Are there any 15L tanks?

In the Philippines, divers use 80 cu ft tanks (about 11 liters) and 100 cu ft tanks (about 13 liters). You can use a 100 cu ft tank, which is slightly smaller than a 15L tank but larger than the standard tank. The rental fee for this tank is 10 USD per day.

Can I dive here with nitrox?

Yes, you can dive with nitrox at both locations.

Soltitude One Liveaboard: 135 USD for the entire week

Can I do side-mount diving here?

Yes, although there is a small additional charge. On board the Solitude One Liveaboard, using an additional 80 cu ft air tank costs 10 USD per day. If you dive with nitrox, it costs 28 USD per day. You’ll often get a discount if you use this setup for the entire week.

Can I rent diving equipment here and what is the cost?

Yes, you can rent diving equipment here. Ca. €12 per day for full diving equipment.