Location
The Philippines is around 15-20 hours flight from the UK. Although composed of 7,107 islands (7,108 at low tide), with a total coastline longer
than that of the USA, most of the population of the Philippines lives on just 11 islands. Most travellers will enter the Philippines through Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB) airports.
The reefs are spectacular in the Philippines, with plenty of fish list buzzing around. Moalboal, Bohol and Puerto Galera are all super locations for reef divers. Snorkel with whalesharks in Oslob. Thresher sharks have made Malapascua famous whilst Sangat is wreck heaven. Love macro? Make a beeline for Anilao or Dumaguete. The selection of critters rivals anything you could find in Indonesia.
Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here
Updated DEC 2024
Weather and Climate
The dry season in the Philippines runs from December to April, making it a popular time for divers. May and November are transitional months with air temperatures climbing. June to September is the wet season, as the weather becomes stormier. The Philippines dive resorts are typically well sheltered from the worst, but you can expect to experience rain showers.
Travel
Flight options
Our holidays to the Philippines can be quoted with most major airlines. We are however able to book most major airlines. Popular options for the Philippines include Cathay Pacific, Singapore airlines, Qatar, Emirates, Malaysian, KLM and Etiad.
If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday.
If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to the Philippines, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Stopovers
With a huge range of airlines to fly with, you can easily build in a stop over either on your way to or on your way back from the Philippines. Simply talk to your travel consultant about adding a stop over into your itinerary.
Arrange before you go
Visa requirements
UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 30 day visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here to review
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Immunisations
Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice for the required travel immunisations for your destination: click here to go to the NHS
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will also be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here for more info on Lounge Pass
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here for holiday extras
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival in your Philippines destination, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. Some reps are able to meet you airside. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it.
If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
If you have a hotel en route please follow any specific instructions in your travel documents. Where possible, you will be met by a representative who will assist in taking you to your hotel. If using a shuttle service, please arrange your return shuttle time back to the airport at the hotel check in.
Domestic flights are common in the Philippines and run frequently. Manila airport is a large airport with several terminals. If you have to move between terminals, please allow between 30 and 60mins to allow for local traffic. Please ensure you leave plenty of time for check in or transit between flights (usually 4 hours min). Domestic flights can typically only be booked with a 20kgs hold allowance as standard. Excess baggage costs around $2-$5 per kg per way. Hand baggage limits can be strictly enforced on domestic flights.
Due to local traffic and road conditions, land journey times can be difficult to predict. We recommend you take water with you and keep any essentials in your hand baggage to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
Departures
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally.
On leaving the Philippines there is an airport tax of 750 PHP which must be paid in cash.
Info
Tipping
A Fuel Surcharge may be charged per Person per night if International Crude Barrel average price within 60 of embarkation date is equal to USD70 or higher.
Currency
Currency is in Philippine Pesos (PHP). Credit cards are widely accepted in resorts, hotels and upscale business services. Solitude One also accepts credit card (Visa/Master Only, Applicable Facility Fee) payments on board for any incidentals incurred during your stay. Please inform the cruise directors at least one night before your disembarkation that you would like to pay these expenses with a credit card.
Phone coverage
Pre-Paid SIM cards are easily accessible! In fact, they are available as soon as you exit from the baggage collection at the airport! There are 2 major mobile telecoms providers – GLOBE and SMART. But being out at sea, especially in Tubbataha, you can be sure that there is no mobile signal
Plugs and electricity
Universal sockets (EU, USA, AUS, UK, CN, etc) are used on board Solitude One including USB charging outlets
Extras
Hire equipment
Kit hire must be prebooked but is paid for locally onboard. Please contact to our travel team for more information.
Extras
All courses must be prebooked and are paid for on board. Please speak to your travel consultant for current course prices and options
Souvenirs
There is an on board boutique selling a wide range of souvenirs including tshirts, jewellery and marine art. All stock items are subject to availability
Nitrox/Gas
US$8 per dive OR US$135 for 7 days/6 nights Tubbataha itinerary, with subsequent additional use for US$20 per day
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for Solitude One is 30% of your liveaboard package. This will be due once your holiday has been confirmed. Your balance will then be due 90 days before travel.
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX.
All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge.
Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees.
We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
Plus Solitude 1 will offer 150USD on board credit per person (Can only be used for Alcohol consumption, laundry, VSAT internet data, equipment rental and EANitrox. Others not mentioned will not be allowed and cannot be exchanged for cash), and a cabin upgrade (if available at check in). Cannot be applied to special offer trips.
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
As standard your trip is based on a deluxe cabin space on a full board basis, and cabin upgrades are available
3 or 4 daily guided Boat Day-Dives (Including 1 Night Dive) All dives are subject to our No-Fly/Altitude Minimum 18 Hours Policy & cruise itinerary (which may change due to weather and/or level of diving experience of the guests). No dives on disembarkation date
All non alcoholic drinks are included in your full board package
Return transfer to and from the local airport (EXCEPT MANILA Airport) of the location and dates of the cruise embarkation/disembarkation (Pickup/Drop-off other than Airport, especially Manila is subject to additional charge)
Excluded
This holiday does not include any international flights to Puerto Princessa for Tubbata itineraries(PPS). Ask for a competitive quote to add international flights and any Philippines extensions. Manila transfers and hotel extensions can be added on request.
Excluded are alcohol, additional kit hire, nitrox, 15lt or sidemount tank hire. Marine Park Fees, Photography Permits, Diving Permits. I.e, Tubbataha Marine Park Fees (5000PHP per person)
Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the guides and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.