Dive VIP - Puerto Galera

I posted this in the diving section but thought people here might know as well!

Dive VIP - Puerto Galera

Has anyone heard of these people???

http://www.divevip.com/index.html<BR><BR>I'm looking at doing my PADI open water in the Philippines in October and they seem to have a special on for 5 days accom and the Dive course for $330 USD.
It seems pretty cheap and I would like to know if they are reputable.

Thanks

I checked PADI and didn't find them. My personal practice is to go with the 5 star PADI shops and ask these questions:

Do they have their own boats (shared boats can get crowded and scare the fishies)?

What's the diver to divemaster ratio? Less is better

But check with them. Their site looks good. No one will misrepresent themselves as PADI. Also, I note there are a ton of resorts in Sabang so you could still get a pretty good deal...

hey guys, i just called them because i am interested to and the guy i talked to sounded legit. The only thing to keep in mind is that you must already have your scuba diving liscense for the $220 package and that their transportation has a service fee (120US each way); also, only breakfast is included.

hope that helps!

also when are you thinking about going? I'll be traveling solo from Osaka from the 17th to 24th and company is always great :) In any case, it'll be nice to hear about any other research you have done on the phillippines or this area in particular.

Cool. Did you happen to ask them if they were PADI certified??? I'm planning on doing my open water with them.
I'm planning on going from the 27 or 28th of october, so I might just miss you!

yes they are legit, and the price is about right. Their sister shop (Action Divers) on Small La Laguna beach has been around for about 20 years and I did my OW with them.

Nice website, but don't expect to see Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Dolphins or even sailing bancas as depicted on their homepage.

Action Divers are fine so if you want to phone them up they will be able to reassure you ( or not as the case may be)

If you want to make your own way then a taxi from Manila to Batangas pier is around 2500 pesos or the "Seakat" bus from City State Tower hotel leaves the hotel at 8 am and the through fare to Sabang inc banka is around 600 pesos one way or the regular public bus from Jam transit Buendia is around 200 pesos to Batangas Pier then about 200 pesos banka fare Journey time around 2-3 hours to Batangas - last Banka around 4 pm

You often see dolphins on the banka from batangas but I've not seen one on a dive and you will have to go to Boracay for the sail bankas

Awesome!
Thanks guys! i'll book them!

There are tons of PADI dive shops in that area (Sabang, etc.) usually offering competitive rates and package deals. I wouldn't be scared to just show up this time of the year and look/ask around.

I'd highly recommend South Sea Divers, on Sabang Beach. Sky Tellman, the owner, is a generous, helpful and professional guy and the dives are good value, well-managed and varied. If you give Sky a call before you arrive he can organise your accommodation and transport too.

Sky's contact details are:
email dive@southseadivers.com
phone 63 43 287 3052
cell 0920 284 8982

We have done HD video assignments in Puerto Galera (Sabang), Anilao and we just did one in Bohol and Panglao/Balicasag Islands.

If you follow the below link to the Philippine section of our dive travel community, you can watch all the HD dive videos that emphasize critters. The Anilao HD footage was used by a Philippines TV network along with footage from an interview they did of me.

Here's the link: http://scubamagazine.net/forumdisplay.php?f=181

Dave "The Publisher"
http://www.ScubaMagaqzine.net Underwater Photo
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