Philippines Resort
Snorkeling Trip
Join This 13 Day Safari Exploring Abundant Coral Triangle Reefs From Two Resorts
November 13-25, 2021
We are so happy to announce this fantastic snorkeling trip to the Visayan Island group in the heart of the Philippines. You will be visiting two different resorts, one in Moalboal on Cebu Island, and one on Cabilao Island. From these resorts you will be snorkeling a range of reefs with varied underwater topography and marine life in abundance. This part of the world is within the Coral Triangle, which is considered the epicenter of marine biodiversity in the world.
This trip is being run by our new partner and friend Ben and his team. Based in the U.K., they are experts in the Coral Triangle, run amazing excursions, and have a great appreciation for the underwater world.
This small group trip (16 snorkelers + guide) is an exceptional value for a 13 day remote adventure filled with fantastic reefs and beautiful landscapes.
Where in the World Do You Get to Snorkel?
You will start this Philippines snorkeling trip by flying into Cebu Airport before transferring by road to Magic Island Resort in Moalboal. You will spend six nights at this wonderful resort, exploring the local reefs abundant with life, like giant schools of sardines, walls full of gorgonians, many sea turtles, groupers, and maybe an illusive Mandarinfish.
Next you will travel by road and boat to the wonderful Pura Vida Resort on Cabilao Island. You will spend six nights there, exploring the reefs rich with colorful reef fish, frogfish, sea snakes, nudibranchs, anemonefish, and more turtles. On your last day you will be transferred again by boat and road back to Cebu Airport where your trip will end.
More About Magic Island Resort & Reefs
Located in its own private corner of Moalboal, Magic Island Resort makes for the perfect tropical escape. A small number of air-conditioned, traditional style cottages are set around the property, offering spectacular views out to the landscape of eastern Cebu and the Tenon Sea.
There’s a pool to cool off in between snorkeling excursions and plenty of loungers for lazy afternoon book reading. In the evening you can head to the terrace for starlit drinks. Full board is provided with delicious international fare in their ocean view, open air & open kitchen dining area.
For five days your group of snorkelers will have 3-4 snorkeling sessions per day by private boat to spectacular local reefs. And the stunning house reef straight off the beach is open all the time with its lively corals and abundant fish.
The group will snorkel at Panagsama which is well known for schooling sardines in the hundreds and thousands - you may see their extraordinary formations as they shift and change shapes as predators approach.
You also will visit Pescador Island - an uninhabited islet where you may to see turtles, soft coral and sea fans, barracuda, sea stars, lionfish, and whitetip sharks if you are lucky.
There is an optional day canyoning on the Montaneza River, including a half day visit to the magnificent Kawasan Falls where you can swim in the crystal clear water with a barbecue lunch to follow.
More About Pura Vida Resort & Cabilao Island Reefs
Situated on the northeastern point of isolated Cabilao Island off of Bohol is Pura Vida. The resort is multistory and stretches from a white sandy, palm tree fringed beach up onto an overlooking cliff-side. Pura Vida has only 20 rooms in total, ensuring that one still gets personalized service and an intimate environment. The air-conditioned rooms are spacious and decorated with modern flair, and all offer lovely sea views. The restaurant and bar area provide the perfect spaces for socializing or relaxing after a day of snorkeling. Full board is included and a wide range of different European and Asian dishes are available. There is also a spa that offers a wide range of treatments.
For five days you will have 2-3 snorkel sessions from Pura Vida's comfortable snorkel boat. Pura Vida also has a house reef which is great for exploring at your leisure and makes for easy access to a relaxing snorkel.
The plunging walls and beautiful reef sites are colorful and abundant with life. The sea grass attracts turtles to many of the sites, and the areas of sandy bottom and coral bommies allow for amazing critter hunting.
Depending on the sites, one can hope to see frogfish, various nudibranchs, crabs and shrimps; barracuda, eagle rays and white tips; large gorgonian fans and plenty of healthy soft corals.
Sites such as Gorgonia Wall, which is covered in soft corals, is perfect in the afternoon where the sun drenches the reef in light whilst Lighthouse is a sloping reef which attracts plenty of fish life.
Trip Details & How to Sign Up
This is a small group trip and we expect it to fill quickly. Your spot is reserved with your deposit. Contact Ben below for deposit instructions.
Trip Date:
November 13-25, 2021 - Two double occupancy rooms available.
Price:
$3450 US per person (Twin/Double Share)
Single Person Supplement: $500 US
The initial deposit for this trip is $400 US per person. At 12 months before departure there is a $600 US per person interim deposit. There is a second interim deposit of $1000 due six months before departure. The final balance will be due three months before departure. A few payment options are available including debit and credit cards.
Individual travelers - Ben will happily find someone of the same sex for you to share a room with to avoid the single person supplement. If he cannot find you someone, no single supplement surcharge will apply.
Inclusions:
- Transfers: Cebu Airport – Magic Island – Pura Vida – Cebu Airport, including business class ferry tickets
- 6 nights Superior Deluxe Cottage at Magic Island Resort with full board (all meals)
- 5 days 3-4 boat snorkeling sessions per day from Magic Island
- Unlimited house reef snorkeling at Magic Island
- 6 nights Deluxe Room at Pura Vida Resort with full board (all meals)
- 5 days 2-3 boat snorkeling sessions per day from Pura Vida
- unlimited house reef snorkeling at Pura Vida
- Services of snorkel guide throughout
- Marine park fees
Exclusions:
- International flights (booking available on request)
- Snorkeling equipment
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, laundry and general sundries
- Spa services
- Canyoning from Magic Island
Trip Organizers
Ben and his U.K. based team are the organizers and leaders of this trip (more about them below). Galen & Nicole from TropicalSnorkeling.com are promoting this trip, but all signups, trip organization and payments are made to and managed by Ben's team. TropicalSnorkeling.com does receive a referral fee in exchange for promoting the trip, at no extra cost to attendees.
How to Sign Up or Learn More?
Use the contact form below to contact Ben and his team to request more information about them and express your interest in signing up. They will get back to you shortly with full details.
More About Ben & Our Partnership
Ben (pictured with Nicole) is our friend and snorkeling trips partner. He and his team are based in the U.K. and have around twenty years of experience guiding in Asia and beyond. He has been running his own business since 2010 and is primarily offering guided snorkeling trips, but he started with diving. He began offering snorkeling specific trips because he was aware that snorkelers often get the short end of the stick when thrown in with divers. He and his team love the freedom and low stress of snorkeling, and are very aware of the different needs of snorkelers versus divers, in terms of the reef depth, and calm surface conditions needed.
From our
experience going on one of his snorkeling trips we found it very well
organized, the guides were fantastic and very helpful, and the underwater experiences were exceptional. Snorkeling
groups really get the benefit of all of Ben and his guides' years of
experience in the water, and with different resorts and liveaboards.
All
of his trips are small groups of 12-18 guests, or with a similar ratio
of snorkelers to guides. And for where they visit, and how packed they
are with experiences, they are affordable.
His company is licensed and insured. Barring extreme circumstances they do not cancel trips, and all funds are held in a trust until the trip is completed giving you 100% financial security if they or any of their suppliers go out of business before the trip happens.
Learn More About the Resorts
Magic Island Resort Page
Magic Island TripAdvisor Reviews
Pura Vida Resort Page
Pura Vida TripAdvisor Reveiws