NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR  Puerto Galera, the Philippines

We are booked into the resort for 6 nights – arriving on 25 November and leaving on 1 December 2018. There is a five-day dive package of three boat dives per day included in the cost of the trip. It is up to you whether you use all of your dives. We will have a day’s diving at Verde Island where there is the opportunity to get some deep dives in.

We are booked into the resort for 6 nights – arriving on 25 November and leaving on 1 December 2018. There is a five-day dive package of three boat dives per day included in the cost of the trip. It is up to you whether you use all of your dives. We will have a day’s diving at Verde Island where there is the opportunity to get some deep dives in.

Far from the noise and smog of the city, Puerto Galera is a secluded tropical getaway where tourists are few, and the scuba diving is unmatched. The wide sandy beaches give way to crystal clear waters, where diving within the reef transports you to a marine world teeming with colour and life.

Scandi Divers is based on an oceanfront resort in Puerto Galera, on the tropical island of Mindoro, about 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of Manila.

Located on gorgeous Big La Laguna Beach, where the sand is white and the diving is simply stunning, Scandi Divers Resort, is your home away from home.

Diving the amazing reefs in Puerto Galera brings you face to face with more biodiversity than the Caribbean and Great Barrier Reef combined! This is what makes Puerto Galera one of the most popular Scuba Diving destinations in the Philippines, and is well known in Scuba communities all over the world.

With over 40 dive sites within just ten minutes boat ride of the resort, you are never far from the action.

There are plenty of other things to do in Puerto Galera. There are waterfalls, treks, a fair size go karting track with 200cc karts, golf and shooting galleries with rounds of ammo at less than $1. It is cheap and easy to hire a moped or an off-road motorcycle should you wish to explore.

In November/December the weather is perfect in Puerto Galera – warm but not humid during the day and comfortably warm in the evenings. The water temperature on the sites will be around 28 degrees.

The diving here has something for everyone from macro paradise to caves, walls, drop offs and adrenaline pumping drift dives especially around Verde Island. The channel between Puerto Galera and Verde Island, known internationally as the Verde Island Passage, is “the centre of the centre of the world’s marine biodiversity” according to American scientists – making Puerto Galera’s underwater world a favourite amongst dive enthusiasts.

Getting there

Puerto Galera is located on the north shore of Mindoro Island, 150 kilometers south of Manila and 14 nautical miles away from Batangas City. We have private transport included in our package to whisk you to the resort from metro Manila then back to Manila or back to Manila Airport if you are travelling home.

From Perth you have several options. Many airlines fly to Manila normally through a hub such as Singapore, Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur. We do not involve ourselves in booking flights for you but we are more than willing to help you out. Some people may want to extend their stay or meet up with others afterwards or go somewhere else before heading home. If you book your own flight you have control of your own destiny and it is usually easy to change your itinerary if need be.

You need to be in Manila on the morning of Sunday, 25 November 2018. The private coaches taking us to our private ferry will leave the City Garden Grand Hotel, Makati Manila at 11:00am on Sunday, 25 November 2018. We will then connect with a private boat to get us to Scandi Divers in Puerto Galera. We would suggest staying in the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati on Saturday, 24 November 2018.

http://www.grand.citygardenhotels.com/

We are in resort for 6 nights at Scandi Divers from Sunday, 25 November 2018. Check out is at 11.00am on Saturday, 1 December 2018. From there we grab the private ferry then a private coach to Manila. You can fly straight home or extend your stay in Manila. Most people already booked have opted to spend 1 night in the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati.

If you are planning on heading straight home, subject to Manila traffic, our transport should reach Manila Airport at about 4.00pm on Saturday, 1 December 2018.

You are welcome to extend your stay at Scandi Divers or wherever you like. we have negotiated cheap rates if anyone wants to do this.

The Cost of the Trip

For a Poolside Room

$1345 with a 15-dive package and breakfast each day on a twin share basis

$1495 for sole occupancy of a room

$790 for a non-diver sharing with a diver (includes breakfast and all boat trips)

For a Deluxe Beach View Room

$1405 with a 15-dive package and breakfast each day on a twin share basis

$1595 with a 15-dive package for sole occupancy of a room

$850 for a non-diver sharing with a diver (includes breakfast and all boat trips)

Deposit/Terms and Conditions

A deposit of $450 is required now to book with the balance due by 21 September 2018. This is non-refundable and non-transferable so please make sure you are 100% committed. If people back out we have to sort out name changes, itinerary details, re-advertise the place and this costs us.

As soon as we book your package we pay your accommodation in full, we can’t get that back. It is up to you to cover the trip with insurance. We understand you may have an issue which means you cannot come on the trip after booking and paying your deposit. It is up to you to insure yourself against any factors which may impact financially on you before during or after the trip.

It takes a lot of time and effort to arrange these trips. We are providing professional diving staff to look after you during the trip. These staff have an extensive knowledge of the Philippines, having stayed in the hotels we are recommending and having stayed and dived in Puerto Galera and at Verde Island many times over recent years. They are often required to help you to sort issues out above and below the surface during the trip They invest a good deal of time answering enquiries, sorting out equipment, researching logistics and ensuring you have a good time.

You are not booked on the trip until we receive a deposit from you. If your deposit comes in after the trip is full we will refund it. Please do not book any flights or stop-over accommodation until you receive confirmation from us.

It is up to you to book flights and get to the front entrance of the City Garden Grand Hotel, Makati, Manila for 11:00 am on Sunday, 25 November 2018. There is no compensation or refund for part missed itineraries, accommodation etc. If you are delayed your personal travel insurance should cover this. If you are not well enough to dive again your travel insurance should cover this. As soon as you pay your deposit or book your flights you should arrange travel insurance. Please ensure this insurance covers scuba diving to the depth you intend to dive to.

It is up to you to dive to your level and competency. You must abide by the safe diving practices outlined to you by Diving Frontiers and Scandi Divers. You must sign a liability release with Scandi Divers prior to accessing any diving services. If you are an open water diver you will not dive deeper than 18 metres on any dive. We recommend completing your advanced open water course prior to or during the trip. Although most of the dive sites are gentle the better dive sites are subject to strong currents and some overhead environments particularly around Verde Island and the passages nearby.

Unless otherwise stated accommodation in Puerto Galera is on a twin share basis. It is easier if you specify who you want to share with. If you do not specify a person we will attempt to match roommates to the best of our ability. If there are no twin rooms left to share you may be placed in a single room. This will be at an extra cost which will be communicated to you nearer to the time and subject to agreement between yourself and Diving Frontiers

You are responsible for getting yourself to and from Perth Airport or wherever you fly from and all associated costs. You are responsible for getting to and from Manila Airport and to and from any elective stopover accommodation and all associated costs. Accommodation anywhere but Puerto Galera between 25 November and 1 December 2018 is not included, you need to arrange this and pay for it if taking the option to extend your stay.

There is no refund for diving services included in the package which you do not use for whatever reason. There is no refund for accommodation included in the package which you do not use for whatever reason. Diving Frontiers or Scandi Divers accept no responsibility for loss or damage to your property or diving equipment. Hire equipment is available for $100 for the entire trip if pre-booked.

All prices quoted are accurate to the best of Diving Frontiers’ knowledge. However, changes in exchange rates & other charges mean prices may be subject to change. Diving Frontiers will communicate with you as soon as practicable to inform you of any changes.

It is advisable to contact Travelvax on 1300 360 164 regarding medical advice and immunisations.

What is included:

Private coach and boat transfer to Scandi Divers, Puerto Galera on Sunday, 25 November 2018 at 11:00am leaving the City Garden Grand Hotel, Makati, Manila, the Philippines, (if you elect to travel at a different time or on a different date or miss this timeline the cost of transfers is your responsibility and no refund will be given).

Private coach and boat transfer to the City Garden Grand Hotel, Makati, Manila leaving Scandi Divers, Puerto Galera on Saturday, 1 December 2018 at approximately 11.00am (if you elect to travel at a different time or on a different date or miss this timeline the cost of transfers is your responsibility and no refund will be given).

The service of tour leaders whilst using the scheduled transfers and whilst in resort at Puerto Galera.

Five days boat diving with Scandi Divers - three boat dives per day (two dives on the Verde Island day) – a total of 15 dives during the stay. The diving package is tanks and weights only with normal air. Nitrox is an extra charge. Dives at Verde Island may incur an additional charge for lunch and marine park fees and are subject to weather conditions and at the diving operator’s discretion.

You are welcome to arrange extra dives at a discounted rate and add them to your included package.

For more information or to book on: