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
If you are fully vaccinated, you can enter the Philippines provided you:
have acceptable proof of vaccination;
have valid tickets for your return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination;
your passport is valid for at least 6 months;
have registered for an e-TRAVEL Pass prior to your arrival.
The requirement to hold a return onward ticket is waived if you are a spouse and/or child of a Filipino citizen or a former Filipino citizen with balikbayan privileges.
You are considered fully vaccinated if you received the second dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose vaccine more than fourteen (14) days prior to the date and time of departure from your country of origin. Your vaccine must either appear on the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration or have received Emergency Use Listing by the World Health Organization.
Fully Vaccinated travellers do not need a Test for domestic flights
The Philippines will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record.
Foreign nationals aged 15 years or older who are not fully vaccinated are required to present a remotely supervised or a laboratory-based rapid antigen test which is negative of COVID-19 and which was taken no more than 24 hours prior to departing for the Philippines.
From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.
It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 28DEC 2022
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
Regular Entry 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
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: 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
Please ask for a quote to add international flights from the UK to your holiday. We can book most major scheduled airlines including regional UK departure points
Currency
The peso is the national currency however in resort, US Dollars, Euros, peso (local currency), Visa and MasterCard can all be used. Please be aware you may be charged a surcharge to pay by card transactions. USD notes should be in smaller denominations, new and in good condition.
Phone coverage
Phone coverage is generally very good around this area - please check with your phone provider about any applicable charges for the Philippines
Plugs and electricity
All rooms are fitted with two round pin sockets (European standard) and the electricity is 220v
Extras
Hire equipment
Kit hire can be arranged in resort and is paid for locally
Extras
PADI dive courses can be arranged - please ask for more information about pre-booking
Souvenirs
The dive centre has a small, limited shop on site
Nitrox/Gas
Available
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for a holiday to Malapascua is £500-£800 per person, although this will depend on your exact flight option and travel class. Larger deposits may be required for some flight options (eg premium economy/business class).
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 loyalty discount is all about! If you have booked directly with Scuba Travel, on your 3rd full price holiday you will automatically be eligible for a loyalty discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction. We are always happy to offer discounts as described below but these are not cumulative and we do not offer further discounts on special offer prices.
5% off for loyalty customers
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Your holiday includes international flights from the UK, airport transfers, 7 nights deluxe room (full board, 2 people sharing). Full board works on a tab system. Breakfast is buffet style. You then have 1350PHP to cover lunch, dinner and soft drinks.
As standard 10 boat AIR dives are prebooked - please ask to prepay for additional dives or nitrox
A return transfer from Cebu airport to the resort is included
Excluded
Any additional services in resort (spa, land tours, additional dives, kit hire, private guides, nitrox and special trips) are paid for in resort. Alcohol and some soft drinks are an extra charge. Local park fees 150PHP per day can only be paid in peso
Special day trips, night dives, kit rental and any applicable nitrox or local park fees are paid locally.
Please ask for a quote to add international flights from the UK to your holiday. We can book most major scheduled airlines including regional UK departure points
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 staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
House Reef
Skill level: Novice | Ave Depth: 10 | Max Depth: 15Exotic’s own protected area where the fish are plentiful, House Reef is not to be missed. Starting at 5 meters and gently sloping to 13, it’s a great place to work out the kinks after some time out of the water. Amongst the scattered coral and patches of sea grass, a wide variety of fish and macro life can be found. Artificial structures are everywhere, including coral encrusted jeepneys, large concrete and wire structures and a few old boats. This is an excellent night dive. In February 2008 Exotic House Reef received the Environmental Achievement Award issued from Project Aware.