Stay with the Best - Dive with the Best
SOLD OUT -
Accepting
Requests for
Stand-By! |
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April 18-27,
2008
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8 days and 7 nights stay at the Atlantis Beach Resort
in Puerto Galera (Double Occupancy)
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6 Days of Boat Diving (4 Dives per day)
- All Meals Included
- Includes transportation from/to the Airport in Philippines
- Includes direct flights from San Francisco (SFO)!
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Atlantis Beach Resort
Atlantis Beach Resort is anything you want it to be
when its comes to scuba diving: Your base from which to explore thirty or
more dive sites within ten minutes travel time, the place to start your
adventures and become certified, your door to Nitrox, technical diving or
Rebreather adventures, or the ideal location to take your diving further and
improve your existing skills or try your hand at brand new ones.
The Atlantis Beach Resort offers a relaxed surrounding
from which to explore the countless underwater wonders of the Philippines. The
32 bedrooms of Atlantis Puerto Galera are built into the hills of Sabang Beach,
in many travel guidebooks and magazines Atlantis is quoted as one of the most
outstanding resorts of the Philippines with it's award winning (Flintstones)
design. Divers return time and time again to explore the 30 plus dive sites
just minutes away from the resort.
Puerto Galera, Mindoro Island
Puerto Galera, one of the oldest Spanish settlements in the Philippines., was
founded in 1572, becoming the first provincial capital on Mindoro Island. It is
situated on the northern peninsula of the island, approximately 160 km from
Manila. As early as the 10th century, Chinese, Malay and Indonesian merchants
were already doing business with local traders, and Puerto Galera is where the
replenished their provisions.
Mindoro Island is separated from Luzon by the Verde Island Passage. Waters are
flushed by the current of the South China Sea, resulting in strong currents of
up to 6 knots. This makes the area well known for its spectacular, exhilarating
drift dives. The Verde Island Passage is very deep so clear water is very
common to the dive sites of Puerto Galera, along with a fantastic variety of
underwater flora and fauna.
The diversity of hard and soft corals, along with hundreds of species of
tropical fish life makes Puerto Galera one of the most popular dive
destinations in the Philippines. The 5 km foreshore of world class dive sites
is a protected area and marine sanctuary. Visibility varies from 10m/30ft to
30m/100ft, sometimes even better depending on water temperature, current
strength and wind direction. The best diving conditions are usually from April
to September, as water temperature reaches 29 C, the seas are at their calmest
and visibility is at its clearest. In December, water temperature can drop to
as low as 22 C on the deeper dives due to thermo clines caused by upwelling of
clear, cooler water. However, conditions remain good enough for year round
diving.
Dumagette, Negros Island
ATLANTIS is located on a beautiful 1.5 kilometer stretch of uninterrupted
golden sand. The area hosts only but a handful of resorts, of which ATLANTIS is
in a distinctive world class of its own. The immediate vicinity is perfectly
suited for diving and endless other water sporting activities. On exciting
excursions with jungle trips, cave exploring, hiking to the mountain lakes,
hill walking to the waterfalls and hot springs, you will get to know the
diversity of the amazing island of Negros. Alternatively, Atlantis is equally
suited for romantics and those who just want to relax. Guests describe ATLANTIS
DUMAGUETE as a serene native paradise, hosting modern amenities, a pleasing
blend of tradition with a distinctive touch of luxury (truly a heaven away from
home)".
Set in secluded private grounds, ATLANTIS BEACH RESORT is one of the more
unique privately owned ‘boutique style’ resorts in Asia. Designed with the
elegance of Asian architecture, and constructed from indigenous Filipino
materials, the tranquility of another world is clearly visible. Come and
discover a refreshingly different lifestyle and decompress from all of life’s
pressures.
Opened in late 2000, by 2001 ATLANTIS had already welcomed guests from six of
the seven continents of the world (they still today, await a gues or
guests from Antartica). We are pleased to continually welcome back guests from
Europe, Korea, China/Hong Kong, Australia, the Americas, Africa and of course
the Philippines.
Feel like you're in your own private estate.
Diving in the Philippines
Puerto Galera offers more or less 40 prime dive sites. The sites are between 5
meters to 132 feet depth and the water temperature is ranging between 78 - 74
degrees. Since Puerto Galera is considered as warm water diving area 3mm thick
wet suits are the norm. The tide exchange is from a few inches up to 6 feet.
The selection of the dive sites depends on the tidal exchange and the slack
tides, which is an important part of dive planning. The currents which is
common in the area are often brisk and unpredictable, creating conditions which
may at times prove challenging for novice divers.
Shallow, no-current or very slight current sites are always available for
beginners. The visibility is ranging from 50-80 feet average and on special
days even up to 100 - 115 feet.
Big fishes like White tip Sharks, Barracudas, Tunas, even Eagle Rays, Turtles
can be seen on selected dive sites like the popular Canyons, Shark Caves,
Boulders, especially so on a drift dive during big tide exchanges.
On the house reef wreck, thriving fish life like batfish, angelfish,
surgeonfish, wrasses, butterfly fish and other reef dwellers are already more
than enough for a 36 exposure film. Aside from rarely seen exotic fishes like
Spanish Dancer, harlequin ghost-pipefish and at least 5 different colors of
camouflaged frogfish, fire gobies and blue-ribbon eels.
It is highly recommended for underwater photographers and marine biologists and
enthusiasts alike since it has a lot to offer like the varied species of soft
corals, gorgonians, crinoids, colorful sponges and turnicates, crustaceans and
shrimps, not to mention the most popular invertebrate subject amongst
MACRO-PHOTOGRAPHERS, which has various colors, shapes and sizes the
"NUDRIBRANCHS". The house reef alone which is just directly in front of the
dive shop can already satisfy the urge to shoot various subjects for underwater
photographers.
For almost 50 years Puerto Galera has attracted experts studying the
ecostructure of micro-organsims, marine life, animals and plants. The
University of the Philippines Marine Biological Station was set up in 1934 and
in 1974, the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program International declared the area a
research center and the reefs a marine reserve. The great ecological complexity
and the abundant species have earned Puerto Galera a reputation as the best
dive area in the Philippines and maybe in Asia.
More
Information
For more information on the Atlantis Beach Resort - visit their website
at
http://www.atlantishotel.com/puertogalera/resort
Diver's Alert Network
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Are you a member of DAN?
If not, maybe it's time you become one. Before you leave on your trip
sign up today to become a member of DAN and receive valuable benefits and only
DAN Members are eligible for DAN's Diving Accident Insurance Plan.
Sign up here!
For more information regarding Diver's Alert Network (DAN) - See:
http://diversalertnetwork.org
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Come experience the history and adventure of the Philippines!
Refund Policy
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If more than 180 days prior to departure date: Full Refund.
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If less than 180 days, but more than 90 days prior to departure: Forfeiture of
$500.00 (US$). Any deposits over $500.00 (US$) will be refunded.
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If 90 days or less prior to departure date: NO REFUNDS.
CST-2034050-40
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