Philippines Practicalities
Travelling within the Philippines can be made exceptionally easy when you book with Worldwide Dive and Sail. We offer a range of domestic flights, hotels, transfers and short excursions that can be arranged before or after your trip. We wish to provide you with an all round service to ensure you get the most out of your liveaboard diving safari in the Philippines.
- Getting There
- On Arrival
- Staying There
- Tours & Activities
The Philippines has two International Airports; the Ninoy Aquino Internal Airport, Manila and the Mactan International Airport, Cebu.
If you are taking out Southern Visayas, Southern Leyte or the extended 13-night Tubbataha liveaboard diving safaris, we recommend booking your international flight into and out of Mactan International Airport, Cebu. The Cebu Yacht Club, from where the S/Y Philippine Siren will depart, is a 5-minute car ride from the airport and we include your local transfer in the trip price. You may opt to arrive into Cebu on the morning of departure, however your flight should arrive no later than 12pm. International flights after your cruise should depart no earlier than 2pm on the day of disembarkation to ensure you have enough time to check in.
If you are taking our Coron/Batangas or Batangas/Coron itineraries we recommend booking your international flight into and out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila.
Departures from Coron require a short domestic connection from Manila (MNL) to Busuanga Airport. Post cruise a pre-organised minibus will be waiting to take you to Manila.
Departures from Batangas require a 3hr minibus transfer from Manila on the day of departure. Our transfer minibus has 3 collection locations; St.Giles Hotel, Shangri-La Makati and the Dusit Thani Hotel. Post cruise we transfer you to the Busuanga Airport for your domestic flight to Manila.
For either itinerary, we recommend spending at least one night either side of your cruise in Manila, to ensure you are well rested and on time for your domestic flight or minibus transfer.
Passengers travelling within the Philippines are required to pay airport terminal fees.
These fees range from 20PHP – 200PHP for domestic flights and 750PHP for outbound international flights. Please ensure that you retain enough Philippine Peso cash to pay these fees upon departure.
Citizens of most Western nations will be given a 21 day visa upon arrival into either Manila or Cebu International Airports. You must present a current passport, with validity of at least 6 months beyond the date of your travel, and an onward air ticket. Citizens of China, India and socialist countries must arrange a tourist entry visa prior to travel to the Philippines or entry will be denied.
If you intend to stay longer than 21 days but less than 59 days you may obtain a multiple entry 59 day visa from your nearest Philippines consulate, prior to arrival. You may also extend your tourist visa from 21 days to 59 days, once in the country, at one of the many travel agencies for a nominal fee.
It is the responsibility of our guests to ensure they have the correct visa and fulfill the requirements for entry into the Philippines.
For up-to-date information please visit the following website: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/consular/visa.htm
Each hotel offered by Worldwide Dive and Sail, comes with a range of room options to suit every budget and guest needs. Below are some examples you may choose from. Please contact our reservations team for a full list of hotel and resort choices to compliment your liveaboard diving safari in the Philippines.
Manila:- Dusit Thani Hotel is very popular with Siren Fleet guests travelling via Manila. It offers excellent quality for the price, great food within the hotel and good amenities in the rooms.
Rates start at €89.00 for Deluxe Double / Twin
Cebu:- White Sands Hotel is a cozy family owned establishment offering a bit of a rustic appeal perfect for the minimalist traveler. All rooms have En-suite facilities, internet, mini bars and refrigerators. There are three different restaurants to choose from as well as a fitness centre.
Prices from: €110.00 for Deluxe Double/ Twin
Dauin:- Atmosphere Resort located near the coastal town of Dauin, boasting eight spacious boutique style suites, four garden apartments and two penthouses. The resort also offers a beach side pool, professional dive center, restaurant and full spa services.
Price from: €150.00 for a Suite
Dive and Stay Packages are also available or why not check our S/Y Philippine Siren/Atmosphere combination trips for an all-inclusive 14-night experience?
Coron:- Sea Dive Resort, a small family owned property features 26 all-local architectural style guestrooms with functional amenities. Guests can enjoy great local food at the in house restaurant and a variety of day trips or tours can easily be arranged and booked through the resort.
Price from: €36.00 Deluxe Double / Twin
Puerto Princesa:- The Royal Oberoi a smaller resort than most in the region, offering personalised service and is located just 15 minutes from our meeting point and from the Puerto Princesa airport. Amenities include a bar/lounge, fitness center, heated spa and massage service, and free high speed Internet and WiFi. Rooms feature air-conditioning, cable TV and minibar. Dive packages are also available.
Price from: €76.00 for Superior Deluxe Double / Twin
With over 7,000 Islands, divers visiting the Philippines are spoiled for choice when it comes to tour options and additional activities.
The Worldwide Dive and Sail team offers a wide range of options including an extended Cordillera Rice Terraces tour in Luzon, Kayaking through underground rivers in Palawan or visits to the tarsier monkeys and the Chocolate Hills in Bohol all designed to complement your dive liveaboard safari.
Cordillera Rice Terraces, 3 days/2 nights
The perfect partner tour to our Coron/Batangas itineraries. Departing from Manila you travel high into the Cordillera Mountains for Panoramic views over the ”amphitheater style” rice terraces and a short hike down to the river valley. Day 2 incorporates a more extensive 4 hour hike through the terraces to the Tappiyah waterfalls.
Bohol Island Day Tour
Explore the island of Bohol with our 1 day tour incorporating the Hinagdanan Cave, the Historic “Blood Compact” site, a cruise in the Loboc River and a visit to the geological wonder of the Chocolate Hills before a sunset visit to the tarsier monkeys – the world’s smallest primate. Prices start from 35Euro per person including transportation, entrance fees, lunch and English speaking guide. We can arrange a transfer to Bohol Island prior to or after your Southern Visayas or Southern Leyte dive safari.
Palawan Experience, 6 days / 5 nights
Offers a superb addition to our 6-night dive trips to Tubbataha. Transfer to El Nido airport where you will be met and transferred by banca to Miniloc Island. Sheltered lagoons and stunning bays are perfect for exploration, snorkeling, kayaking and overnight camping. Visit the Aberrawan River for a mangrove and caves kayak tour before returning to El Nido for a final relaxation at the Miniloc Island Resort.
These are just some of the many flight, hotel, transfer and tour options to choose from when you book with Worldwide Dive and Sail. Prices for these add-ons vary depending on the time of booking. Prices listed on our website are for guideline purposes only. Please contact our reservations team or ask your tour operator for further details.
