After the success of our most recent ‘special’ tour in June, we were asked by several clients who couldn’t make the dates at such short notice, to organise some more. We have really worked hard to get some stunning deals from the resorts – only available on these packages. So, by popular demand, here are our first offerings (with more to come later!):

PALAU & SUBIC ADVENTURE TOUR 17 Jan 09 to 31 Jan 09

We have put together a superb trip which doubles up the wrecks of Subic Bay with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Palau. Although Palau is in Micronesia, it can only be accessed from Manila – hence our idea of making it a part of our tour! Jan Acosta, our Operations Manager, has just come back from a trip to Palau – and has not stopped raving about the fantastic diving he experienced there. Paula & I, plus our daughter Charlotte & partner Matthew have decided to go whatever - and any of you who want to join the trip are welcome! Jan is determined to go again, so already 5 of the 15 places available are gone before we have even advertised it!

As a warm-up we are going straight from the airport at Manila to Subic Bay (around 3 hrs by road). We are going to be hosted here by George Ang Dy Pay – a larger than life technical diver and wreck expert who runs the Boardwalk Dive Shop in Subic. Subic Bay is an incredible sheltered bay used in turn by the Spanish, US, Japanese, then US again, as the base for their respective Far East fleets. The result is a plethora of wrecks from Galleons through to WW2 warships & planes.

Well, after all that excitement we get a free day to explore the exotic island of Palau, before flying back to Manila, & then on to UK – arriving back on Saturday 31st January. Some, like Paula & I, might wish to exercise the option to stay on in the Philippines for a few more days at no extra cost (subject to flight availability). We can make your hotel bookings for you on request.

I’m sure you will agree that this is going to be the trip of a lifetime! The cost, if booked now, will be only £1950 all-inclusive (ie no extras except drinks & tips plus any local & airport taxes) for the 2 week trip.  Unfortunately we cannot guarantee to hold this price due to possible fuel surcharges & exchange rate fluctuations in the future. If booked now, a £900 deposit is required, in order to secure & buy the flights; and the price is then guaranteed for you. The balance will be due 8 weeks before departure.

SAMPAGUITA TOUR 3 May 09 to 17 May 09 (open to non-divers)

Sampaguita is a stunningly beautiful resort near the village of Moalboal, some 3 hrs drive from Cebu. We are planning to depart London on Sunday 3rd May & fly straight into Cebu, thus avoiding transfers from Manila.

Sampaguita Resort is built in traditional local style, with huts constructed of rattan & palm leaf. Dining is open-air & buffet style. Have a look at their website: www.sampaguitaresort.com to get an idea of what they are like – just the sort of resort we love. They are offering us 10 days unlimited diving on some stunning sites. Fantastic for non-diving partners as well – they can either lounge on a tropical beach, or come out (totally free!) on the dive boats & snorkel the reefs.

We have a strict maximum of only 22 places for this trip – some of those are already spoken for by participants on our most recent trip, so don’t hang around too long before booking!

Diving is from the traditional Filipino bangka – a twin-outrigger wooden boat which comes in a variety of sizes. They make great dive boats, and are easy to get back in to (important to those of us who are getting older!).

There is plenty to see locally as well – villages, markets & an orchid farm are all within walking or motorcycle taxi distance. On the last day, we have laid on a trip to the famous Kawasan Falls, where you can cool off under the dramatic waterfalls. We fly out of Cebu on 16th May, arriving London on Sunday 17th May. This is a fantastic deal – a 14 day, unlimited dive trip to a stunning tropical resort for only £1525 (and yes, that includes the flights as well!). The price really is all-inclusive – the only extras are drinks, tips, & the local marine park tax (currently around $10). The non-diver price is only £1425 as well (and don’t forget the free snorkelling from the dive boat when accompanying a diver).

CORALS & COCONUTS TOUR

This is our current ‘starter pack’, & very popular for those who are diving the Philippines for the first time, or who just want a relaxing but fun exotic dive trip. The tour covers 15 days, departing on a Saturday and returning on a Sunday. It can be taken anytime, either as individuals or groups, and is suited to both divers & non-divers. The package costs from as little as £1600 (all-inclusive) depending on numbers & dates, & includes 26 dives. We spend a week in each of two resorts, one in Anilao (about 2 hrs from Manila) & the other on the island of Puerto Galera (a 1 hr ferry ride away). For many of us, after a great day’s diving, a trip to Happy Hour in the exotic Point Cocktail Bar overlooking Sabang Beach is a memory to be cherished. Many a birthday, wedding anniversary or first sighting of a pygmy seahorse has been celebrated here in style. The final night is spent in a hotel in Manila with opportunities for shopping & for tourism. Call or email us for more details.

7107 ISLANDS – WATER TEMPERATURE 28º

Don’t forget how many islands there are here to explore! Go Dive Philippines are THE experts on diving the Philippines – we only take you to resorts which we have checked out personally, & which are locally owned, managed & run. We do not contribute to international conglomerates which invest in glamorous resorts – we want our hard-earned cash to go to local communities, which in turn helps to protect the fragile marine environment.

If you don’t fancy any of our advertised tours, just contact us & we will tailor something to suit you. We like family trips, group trips, educational trips, individual tours. We are working hard to accommodate disabled divers as well – please contact us to discuss your requirements. By all means, book you own flights if you prefer. We are open to every option – we will make it work for you!