Do I need a certification to join?

Yes—participants must be certified divers. Advanced Open Water is helpful for deeper or drift dives; bring your certification card.

Are domestic flights included?

No—international and domestic flights are not included. Transfers between islands are arranged separately; allow buffer days for weather delays.

How many dives per day?

Up to four dives daily, depending on the day’s itinerary and local conditions; expect a mix of boat and shore dives.

Many operators in these areas offer Nitrox; request it in advance if you are certified and want longer no-decompression time.

What wildlife can I expect?

Common encounters include green sea turtles, schooling pelagics near walls, and abundant macro life such as nudibranchs and shrimp.

What should I know about conservation?

Operators promote no-touch policies and reef-safe products; Apo Island and other reserves are community-managed to support reef recovery.

Philippines 2-Week Diving Getaway: Puerto Galera to Dumaguete Reefs

Headed to the Philippines for two weeks of diving? The Philippines 2-Week Getaway takes you from Puerto Galera’s shallow coral gardens to the legendary muck and walls around Dumaguete and nearby Apo Island. This trip, operated out of Clearwater, Florida, blends high-frequency diving—up to four dives a day—with local knowledge of some of the country’s healthiest reefs.

Start in Puerto Galera, on the northern tip of Mindoro, where sheltered bays open onto coral slopes, gorgonian fans, and patch reefs. Expect lively hard-corals, schooling fusiliers, and frequent visits from green sea turtles. The area is famous for accessible house reefs and steeper walls at sites such as Crocodile Island, where currents sweep nutrients along vertical faces and attract larger pelagic life.

Week two relocates to Dumaguete on Negros island and the neighboring Apo Island marine reserve. Here the underwater landscape shifts: coral terraces and dramatic drop-offs give way to muck sites and world-class critter photography. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, ornate shrimp, and tiny seahorses that favor the fine sand and rubble. Apo Island’s community-managed reserve is a standing example of local conservation that helped reefs recover through coordinated no-take zones and sustainable fishing practices.

What makes this itinerary special is its contrast—soft, shallow coral gardens perfect for relaxed drift dives, then tight, detail-rich muck diving that rewards patient observers. With up to four dives a day, photographers and marine-life hunters can chase specific subjects at prime times. Surface intervals usually occur on small boats or beachside cafes, giving you time to compare sightings and swap photo tips.

Logistics: flights and domestic transfers are not included; departures are organized from Clearwater, Florida. The trip is ideal for certified divers comfortable with multiple daily dives and for travelers who want guided access to protected marine areas. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a reliable dive computer, and a compact camera setup for macro work.

Accommodations vary from simple beachfront guesthouses to dive resorts that offer rinse tanks, camera tables, and daily boat runs; confirm gear storage and charging before you go. Medical-evacuation services are limited on smaller islands, so buy dive insurance that covers multiple dives per day and emergency evacuation. Plan domestic connections with at least one buffer day for weather between flights. For divers seeking abundant reefs, macro critters, and community-led marine protection, this two-week route delivers sustained, varied diving and a view of reef recovery in action.