The Southern (Visayas-Camiguin) Route  - Cruise Itinerary

Apo Island-Siquijor-Balicasag-Camiguin-Dinagat-Southern Leyte-Cuatro Islands

The Southern Route covers some of the best island diving this 7,107 island archipelago has to offer. The marine sanctuaries of Apo Island and Balicasag boasts of well-known 4 and 5 star rated dive sites where healthy fish populations and photogenic fields of hard and soft corals await visiting divers.

Going into the waters of Dinagat Island means going into areas not normally accessible to divers due to lack of both tourist and diver infrastructure. Be among the lucky few to visit reefs not even known to guidebooks.

The upcoming dive destination of Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte, also known as an area frequented by Whale sharks is one of the premier project areas of the UK based Coral Cay Conservation.. Aggressive and active enforcement of marine laws and the establishment of fish sanctuaries have resulted in a prolific marine life and one of the most beautiful wall dives in the country.

Day 1 - Mactan, Cebu

After checking in, you will be shown to your cabin where you can settle in. Please take the time to head to the dive deck and get your equipment requirements sorted out. A ship’s briefing will be held before dinner.

Day 2 - Apo Island and Siquijor

We arrive early in the morning at the rocky Apo Island, one of the pearls of the Visayas region (not to be confused with Apo Island of the Apo Reef National Park in Mindoro). There is excellent snorkeling and diving around the island which is a showcase of the successful partnership between fishermen and divers.

One of the Philippine’s oldest established sanctuaries, and the model used by the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, USA, it is frequented by divers coming from the mainland of Negros Oriental. We will be doing 2 dives before lunch at Apo  and then 2 more dives in Siquijor’s shallow reefs in the afternoon.

Day 3 - Balicasag & Panglao

We depart early in the morning for our next destination, the island of Balicasag. Balicasag is considered to be one of the best diving sites in the Visayas region. Balicasag is a natural reserve and it offers a huge variety of beautiful corals and colourful fish for snorkelers and divers alike. Giant Sea fans can be seen along its magnificent UW walls.

Expect to see a tornado of jacks near the sanctuary

All of our dives today will be around Balicasag and Panglao island.

Day 4 - Camiguin Island

We arrive at Camiguin Island early in the morning and explore a diversity of sites. The island boasts boats of soft coral-covered lava pinnacles, off -shore sea mounts, fringing reefs to vertiginous walls and we will be able to explore the black coral forests that abound in Camiguin waters. Called “Black Coral”  because the stems are shiny black when dried and processed, they are actually large, almost tree-like bushes whose leaves are similar to pine needles. They come in fluorescent colors of orange, green or ghostly white.

Day 5 - Dinagat Island

Very few travelers get to this remote island due to the lack of tourist facilities. Being on board the HCA enables us to visit this fantastic island, where the north western coast is spectacular. Tall limestone rocks rises vertically from the sea, and reminds one of the karst limestone cliffs of Coron, Palau and Halong Bay in Vietnam

Divers will be exploring walls as well as fringing reefs today.

Day 6 - Leyte Island, Sogod bay and Coral Cay Conservation

Sogod Bay boasts of a marine sanctuary in every barangay along its boundaries. As a result, the reefs in Sogod Bay contain a large , healthy variety of marine life, including the gigantic whale shark from November to May. Sloping reefs covered with both hard and soft corals, as well as one of the most beautiful wall dives in Asia can be found here.

Sogod bay is also home to the UK based foundation Coral Cay Conservation (CCC). Invited by former Governor Rosette Lerias, CCC established their camp at the Napantao Dive Resort in 2002 and its volunteers have been assisting the local government in the research, gathering of baseline data and conservation of the marine life in the bay.

Day 7 - Cuatro Islands

On Cuatro Islands (4 islands) you can get the ultimate experience of white beaches and a variety of dive Sites. There are no diving infrastructure on the island so our guests will be among the few to explore pristine reef systems.

Day 8 - Cebu

After an overnight voyage we arrive at Cebu at breakfast time. After breakfast it is time to say goodbye and leave the ship after a week packed with wonderful experiences and memorable moments. (B)

In case of inclement weather:
The ship moves from island to island through sheltered waters. In case of inclement weather, we will anchor in a safe lagoon and await better weather. Safety always comes first on our adventure cruises, but it is extremely rare that we have to skip a day’s program.