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
Features
Starting at
The best of both worlds with Solitude in the Philippines
Combine the adventurous liveaboard Solitude One (itinerary: Tubbataha Reefs) with a relaxing stay at the Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao.
This trip offers the best of both worlds: the adrenaline of big life diving in Tubbataha, followed by the tranquility and fascinating details of muck diving in Anilao.
Tubbataha Reefs = sharks and coral
Prepare for world-class diving in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most pristine marine ecosystems in the world. Here you will dive among colorful coral reefs, teeming schools of fish and impressive shark species such as gray reef sharks, whitetip sharks and, with a little luck, even whale sharks. The Solitude One will take you to Tubbataha’s best dive sites.
Anilao = macro-wonderland
After your liveaboard adventure, an oasis of calm awaits you in Anilao. This area is known for its macro life, with seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish and other fascinating little creatures hiding in the coral gardens and sandy bottoms. Anilao is a true paradise for underwater photographers! Relax at the Solitude Acacia Resort, enjoy the facilities and explore the underwater world with Acacia Divers’ experienced guides.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Tubbataha and Anilao in the Philippines
Tubbataha has a protected status therefore diving is only allowed between March and June. In Anilao you can dive all year round. Although the high season is from November to June. In the low season from July to October, visibility may be slightly less and there is more chance of currents.
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
Day 1 to 3 | The journey to the Philippines
Your trip begins with an international flight from Europe to Manila. The flight can be direct with KLM or via short change in Singapore, Dubai or Istanbul, for example. Once you arrive in Manila you will go through customs and collect your luggage. In the arrival hall the driver of the hotel will welcome you. They will take you to a good hotel near the Manila airport.
Enjoy a comfortable overnight stay and a delicious breakfast before taking a domestic flight the next morning with Cebu Pacific to Puerto Princesa on Palawan. Here the crew of the Solitude One is ready to welcome you, after a 20-minute transfer on board. After dinner, the Solitude One sets sail for the beautiful Tubbataha Reefs. The trip takes about 10 hours, so when you wake up you’ll be there!
Day 4 | Tubbataha Reef: Shark Airport
Get ready for five days of diving fun in the breathtaking Tubbataha Reefs National Park! You will make 3-4 dives daily, mostly drift dives, as there is almost always current. Visibility is crystal clear and chances are you’ll spot large schools of fish, turtles, sharks and even whale sharks.
Shark Airport: Get ready for take off.
Today you’ll dive at Shark Airport, one of Tubbataha’s most iconic dive sites. This spot lives up to its name: you’ll be surrounded by gray reef sharks here! They patrol the edge of the reef and often come very close. Besides sharks, you can also see large schools of fish here, such as barracudas, triggerfish and snappers. The coral reefs here are beautiful and intact, with a great diversity of hard and soft coral.
Day 5 | Tubbataha Reef: Washing Machine
Washing Machine: A whirlwind of fish!
Hold on tight, because today you will dive at Washing Machine! This dive site is known for its strong currents, which take you along a colorful coral reef. The currents bring lots of food, so large schools of fish can be seen here. Look out for tuna, mackerel and barracuda hunting in the current. You also often see white tip sharks and turtles here.
Day 6 | Tubbataha Reef: South Atoll
South Atoll: Mantas and more!
Today you will explore South Atoll, a vast area with several dive sites. Here you have a chance to see manta rays getting cleaned at the cleaning stations. Many sharks can also be seen here, including gray reef sharks, white tip sharks and black tip sharks. The coral reefs here are healthy and diverse, with many different types of coral and fish.
Day 7 | Tubbataha Reef: Malayan Wreck
A wreck and underwater mountains in Tubbataha
Besides colorful coral reefs and encounters with sharks, Tubbataha also offers fascinating wrecks and underwater mountains. On Day 7 you will dive at the Malayan Wreck, a 150-meter cargo ship that sank in 1981. The wreck is now covered in corals and home to a wide variety of marine life, including scorpion fish, lionfish and moray eels.
Day 8 | Tubbataha Reef: Black Rock
This day you will visit Black Rock, an underwater mountain with steep walls where large schools of fish patrol, such as barracudas, triggerfish and snappers. With a little luck, you will also see sharks and manta rays here.
Enjoy one last 2-3 dives in the breathtaking Tubbataha Reefs National Park. As the sun slowly sets and sets the sky ablaze, we sail back to Puerto Princesa. On board we toast the past few days with cocktails and delicious snacks. After midnight, we dock in the port of Puerto Princesa, where you spend another night aboard the comfortable Solitude One.
Day 9 | From big life to the macro wonders of Anilao
Today you say goodbye to the Solitude One liveaboard and fly back to Manila in the morning. Your diving adventure continues happily ever after!
From Manila, you will be transferred to the Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao, where you will stay for the next 7 nights. Here an oasis of tranquility and a very different underwater world awaits you. In fact, diving in Anilao is known for its macro life, a nice contrast to the pelagic fish you saw with diving in Tubbataha.
Day 10 & 11 | Pool, spa and culinary pampering
Take the next few days to recover from your liveaboard adventure and enjoy the facilities of the Solitude Acacia Resort.
Take a dip in the pool overlooking the sea, indulge in a massage at the spa or relax on a lounger with a good book. The resort also offers several restaurants where you can enjoy delicious meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Feast on the culinary cooking skills of the chef.
Is wellness not quite your thing? Then of course you can just extend your dive package to include diving on these days.
Day 12 to 14 | Seahorses, nudibranches and angler fishing
Macro diving in Anilao: A world of small wonders
Anilao is a true paradise for macro lovers! With Acacia Divers, the resort’s on-site diving school, you will make two dives a day for 3 days on different dive sites in the area. From the resort, it is a 10- to 30-minute boat ride to the dive sites. You will look for seahorses, nudibranchs, frogfish and other fascinating little 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 get all the attention and guidance you need.
Blackwater Diving Anilao: An unforgettable dive at night
During your stay in Anilao, you will also go on one Blackwater dive. A lamp on a rope lures fascinating creatures from the depths to the surface, bringing you face to face with aliens you would normally never see.
This unique way of diving is perfect for divers looking for something different from the standard dive. Whether you are an underwater photographer hunting for unique images, or just curious about the secrets of the deep sea, Blackwater Diving in Anilao is sure to amaze you.
Day 15 - 17 | Relax and return home....
On day 15 you will have a“no dive day” to relax and enjoy your last day in Anilao. After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Europe. Enjoy some more of the beautiful views of Anilao before getting into the ups and downs at the airport. You look back on an unforgettable diving vacation Philippines, full of adventure, luxury and wonderful underwater encounters.
You spent the past two weeks experiencing the best of both worlds : the excitement of shark diving in Tubbataha and the tranquility and fascination of macro diving in Anilao. A trip never to be forgotten!
The accommodations
The stay and surroundings
Solitude One - A sailing boutique hotel - Tubbataha
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 attention to detail, comfort and functionality. As one guest wrote online, “The cabins are spacious and luxurious, with great attention to detail. I felt right at home!” Extra-long beds of 1.90m ensure a good night’s sleep, so you can start your diving adventures fresh each day.
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 - Relax in a tropical paradise.
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 dive shop
Learn more about the dive center
Acacia Divers - Your guide to the underwater world of Anilao
Acacia Divers, the on-site diving school at Solitude Acacia Resort, offers top quality diving experiences with personal attention. With a dive ratio of 2:1 (one guide to two divers), you are guaranteed the best guidance and safety. 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 hidden macro creatures, such as seahorses, nudibranchs and frogfish.
Acacia Divers – small groups, experienced guides and top-notch facilities
Acacia Divers has modern facilities, including a dive center with a spacious equipment room, where you can safely store your own diving equipment, or use high-quality rental equipment. There is a rinse tank for both dive equipment and cameras, and a filling station with Nitrox facilities.
In addition to great diving, Acacia Divers also offers a variety of dive courses, from beginner to advanced. Want to get your PADI Open Water or improve your diving skills with an Advanced course? It’s all possible! Also for specializations such as night diving, wreck diving and underwater photography you can come to Acacia Divers. Whether you are an experienced diver or you are about to make your first dive, at Acacia Divers you are in good hands. They make sure your diving experience in Anilao is safe, comfortable and unforgettable.
Travel costs
What is included
This dive vacation combining diving Tubbataha Reefs and diving Anilao can be booked from US$ 5.351 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?
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Included in this diving trip, from US$ 5.351 p.p.
- 6 nights in a 2-bed Deluxe cabin aboard liveaboard Solitude One
- Accommodation obv full board including snacks and coffee, tea and water at Solitude One liveaboard
- 18 dives at Tubbataha Reefs with Solitude One
- 7 nights in a Deluxe room at the Solitude Acacia Resort
- Full board accommodation at the Solitude Acacia Resort
- Dive package consisting of 6 dives + 1 black water dive with Acacia Divers
- 1 night in double room in a luxury hotel in Manila
- All necessary transfers tbv program
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight to Manila US$ 935
- Domestic return flight Manila - Puerto Princesa US$ 125
- Marine Park Fee Tubbataha US$ 125
- Spa treatment
Optional
- Night dive surcharge US$ 73
- Rental dive equipment US$ 31 per day
- Upgade cabin and/or room
- Surcharge single cabin or room
- Extension of trip
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Diving general information
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The diving school Acacia Divers is on-site at the Solitude Acacia resort.
Diving equipment
Solitude has dive tanks with DIN connections. Don’t worry if you have an INT regulator, there are plenty of adapters available!
Rent your complete diving equipment aboard the Solitude One for US$ 291 per week. At the Solitude Acacia Resort, rent dive equipment for US$ 16 per day.
Yes, you can rent diving equipment here.
Approx.
€12 per day for full diving equipment.
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
Tubbataha is not suitable as a snorkeling vacation. At Anilao, however, it is suitable for snorkeling.
You can book a massage, get culinary pampering from a chef and, of course, you can also book a day trip in Anilao.
It is not a trip to experience with small children
Yes there is a spa and wellness is available at the Solitude Acacia Resort.
Accommodation / Resort / liveaboard
Yes, all rooms and cabins have air conditioning.
Yes there is WIFI at the Solitude Acacia Resort. On the liveaboard Solitude One there is sometimes coverage but usually not.
Yes, there is a restaurant at the resort that serves local and international cuisine. You will stay on a full board basis on board and at the resort.
Yes, there is a pool at the Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao. The Solitude One liveaboard has a jacuzzi.
Yes, all cabins have en-suite bathrooms
Yes, you will stay on a shared cabin basis. Man-man/woman-woman split. You pay a surcharge for the cabin for single use.
The night dive is usually from the diving platform. The daytime dives in most cases from a speedboat.
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