Tubbataha Transition Charter and Dumaguete Resort
As some of you may know, this trip is only available once or twice a year and reservations are sold out 3 years in advance! With special consideration from the owners of Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards, we have been able to charter their liveaboard past the normal reservation window into 2027! And we jumped at the opportunity!
There is no set itinerary for a transition charter, but generally it is 3 days of Tubbataha and the rest of the time around Dumaguete, Balicasag & Oslob. The Tubbataha Reef is only accessible 3 months out of the year, so the reefs are pristine. All charters require a minimum of 25 dives and Advanced Diver certification.
Diving in Tubbataha
Tubbataha is located in the Sulu Sea, at the center of the Coral Triangle between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Rarely visited due to its location and its status as a marine preserve, Tubbataha is made up of two reefs, simply referred to as the North and South Reefs. The North and South Reefs both enclose a sandy lagoon. On the southern tip is an islet with a lighthouse. This is used as a rookery for birds and is frequented by turtles.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to no less than 573 species of fish, 373 species of corals, 11 species of sharks, 12 species of dolphins and whales, nestling hawksbill and green sea turtles.
The atolls that make up Tubbataha Reefs are all completely uninhabited except for a small ranger station situated on North Atoll. With nowhere to stay on the atolls themselves and with the nearest port around 10 hours away, these spectacular dive sites can only be reached via liveaboard.
Diving in Dumaguete
With its black volcanic sand, Dauin is known as the Frogfish capital of the Philippines, and a unique destination for critter diving. Atlantis Dumaguete is located minutes away from over 20 local dive spots, most of which are marine protected areas, and offers day trips to the nearby Apo Island, Siquijor and snorkeling with the Whale Sharks in Oslob... or diving with them if you're on the Azores!
This beachfront dedicated dive resort incorporates 44 rooms built around a lush tropical garden and a waterfront restaurant. They offer up to 5 guided boat dives per day, a spacious camera room, a pool and a spa, everything to create a dive vacation of a lifetime!
Apo Island, just across the water from Dumaguete, is home to over 650 documented species of fish and estimated to have over 400 species of corals. Most of the Philippines’ 450 species of coral can be found here, from tiny bubble corals to huge gorgonian sea fans and brain corals.
We strongly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance.
We REQUIRE that DIVERS have Dive Accident Insurance.
Cash Price Available:
- Call for the cash price
Availability: Contact us for booking information
We strongly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance.
We REQUIRE that DIVERS have Dive Accident Insurance.
Inclusions:
Azores
- 7-nights deluxe dbl occ accommodations
- 3 days diving in Tubbbataha, remainder in or around Dumaguete, Balicasag, & Oslob
- Oslob Whaleshark dive
- All meals & snacks onboard
- Complimentary local soft drinks
- Social servings of local beer
- Social servings of wine with dinner
- Diving (up to 5 guided dives per day including night diving)
- Tanks & weights
- Use of Lounge, Deck and TV areas
- Air fills
Dumaguete
- 1 hour massage (A thank you gift from Sandbar Diving) to help you relax
- 5-nights deluxe dbl occ accommodations
- All meals at Atlantis Restaurant (chef-prepared)
- Coffee, tea and filtered water
- Unlimited internet access
- Unlimited scheduled boat diving (up to 4-day dives and 1 night dive per day)
- One day trip to Apo Island or similar
We strongly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance.
We REQUIRE that DIVERS have Dive Accident Insurance.
Exclusions:
Azores
- Nitrox – $162 per person weekly (2024 price if paid at time of booking, otherwise pay on the boat whatever current rate is at that time)
- Rental Equipment
- Marine Park Fees – 2023 rates were $137 weekly paid to boat crew - subject and likely to change*
- Land tours, if available*
- Transfers to/from embarkation/disembarkation – 2024 rates are $140 per person - subject and likely to change. This rate includes roundtrip domestic economy airfare between Manila and Puerto Princesa, round trip AC van between the international terminal & domestic terminals in Manila when applicable, roundtrip transfers between Puerto Princesa airport and Azores, personal airport meet and greet, and luggage assistance.
Dumaguete
- Nitrox – $120 per person (2024 price if paid at time of booking, otherwise pay at the resort whatever current rate is at that time)
- Rental Equipment
- Marine Park Fees – 2023 rates were $3.75 per day dive and $8.88 per night dive - subject and likely to change*
- Land tours, if available*
- Transfers to/from embarkation/disembarkation – 2024 rates are $121 per person - subject and likely to change. This rate includes roundtrip domestic economy airfare between Dumaguete and Manila, AC van between the international terminal & domestic terminals in Manila when applicable, roundtrip AC transfers between the Resort and Dumaguete Airport, personal airport meet and greet, and luggage assistance
* Guests are responsible for paying for marine park fees, land excursions and day trips at the resort or Azores as appropriate. Rates are subject to change.
We strongly recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance.
We REQUIRE that DIVERS have Dive Accident Insurance.
Deposits and Cancelations
Payment info
$300 non-refundable deposit at booking.
Balance Due - June 1, 2026 - Balance due will be charged to "credit card on file" unless other arrangements have been made. Cash customers, please pay prior to that date to maintain cash discount.
Cancelations
No refunds or transfers are given on unused portions of diving or in the event of inclement weather. All deposits are non-refundable. Cancelations prior to June 1, 2026 may receive a refund less the deposit, cancelations on June 1, 2026 or after are non-refundable.