Hillside chalet
Each hillside chalet, abundantly ventilated by mosquito-netted windows, includes spacious western-styled bathroom facilities, overhead ceiling fans, ample electrical lighting fixtures and 220-volt electrical outlets.
Sangat Island Dive Resort | Dive Philippines
If you want a secluded diving holiday in the Philippines that brings mind blowing wreck diving and sumptuous reef diving to your doorstep then look no further. The tiny island of Sangat lies on the north of Coron Bay in Palawan and is your gateway to a Philippines diving adventure like no other. Forget the Japanese fleet of Truk Lagoon! The aquamarine waters around Sangat are the resting place for no less than 11 World War 2 warships, sub chasers and supports vessels from the Japanese Imperial fleet. Like their sister ships, the wrecks are covered from bow to stern in corals and home to the myriad of fish that characterise Philippines diving. This is the creme de la creme of scuba diving holidays without a doubt!
Sangat Island Dive Resort has been welcoming divers and non divers alike for over 30 years. In this time they have lovingly built more than just a hotel. There are only 21 chalets across the entire resort and all are offered on a full board basis. Pick from the charming hillside chalets (9 rooms) or beach chalets (8 rooms). 2 additional beachside chalets have air-conditioning and hot water. The restaurant prides itself on the wide range of tasty fresh meals prepared by their chef each day including freshly caught seafood. At the end of the day, relax at the magical Rock Bar to watch the sun go down and exchange stories with fellow guests about yet another perfect day
The Wrecks
Between the Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June 1944) and the Battle of Leyte Gulf (23-26 Oct 1944) the Japanese fleet was moved for safety from Manila Bay to Coron Bay which was thought to be a safer anchorage. However the US Navy were aware of the fleet's movements and on the 24th of September began what was at the time the longest air raid sortie ever mounted. The Akitsushima and Okikawa Maru were the first ships to be attacked and despite their armaments, were no match for the air forces. The Olympia Maru was the next target. In rapid succession the Japanese vessels were sunk, with the Kyokuzan Maru being the last to sink. Today these wrecks lie smothered in corals at depths that range from recreational to technical, a permanent testament to the men that lost their lives that fateful day. Whilst some have suffered significant damage in the sinking, the wealth of artefacts that can still be seen, especially inside, is quite incredible.
Divers will instantly be drawn to the many varied wreck and reef dives. The wreck diving is incredible. The famous Okikawa Maru and Irako Maru wrecks are a must see but do not over look the equally impressive other wrecks, most within a short boat ride. Dive on lavish coral gardens of Dynamite Point reef or speeding drift at Calumbuyan reef. The bio diversity is never ending and wreck or reef, diver or snorkeler, you can find grouper, tuna, lion fish and snapper. Sea snakes wiggle along the reef top. Follow the guide to see the miniscule macro life, brightly coloured nudibranchs, rare crustaceans and sea horses. Take a trip to the Barracuda lake to warm yourself on a dive in geothermal waters. Or spend a rest day touring the bay from the kayaks. At Sangat you can do as much... or as little... as you like. Book your dream diving holiday to the Philippines today and escape to another world.
Beachside chalets
Sangats' beachside chalets significantly larger and taller than our other beachside accommodations. It offers a 6 by7 meter living/bedroom area with two double-beds, spacious western-styled bathroom facilities and a bay-view terrace.
Beachside chalets with AC
There are 2 additional beach side chalets with AC
Covid Information for Sangat Island Dive Resort
Please ask about the latest in resort covid requirements, where applicable.Country Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here Updated DEC 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
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
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
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
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 and technical 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
Nitrox is available locally and costs around 400PHP per fill
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for a holiday to Sangat Dive Resort 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 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.
Included
Our standard package includes 7 nights in a hillside chalet on an full board basis - optional room grades available As standard 10 boat AIR dives are prebooked - please ask to prepay for additional dives 1 night Manila hotel (B&B) and return domestic flight from Manila to the resort are 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 can only be paid in peso. Excess baggage on your domestic flights can be prebooked via the resort but is added to your room bill. Special day trips, night dives, kit rental and any applicable nitrox or local park fees (50 pesos per dive) 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.
Few scuba divers realise that Truk is not the only place you can dive with Japanese war wrecks. Sangat, located in the Philippines, has plenty of coral smothered wrecks to dive, far from the crowds of other divers. This is a wreck diving holiday like no other. See the anti aircraft guns, cranes, warships and sub chasers all in one historical journey into the region's past. There are reef dives as well that will suit all experience levels with an abundance of bright corals and vibrant marine life. There are deep water penetrations to be made as well as caves to explore. This is a Philippines diving holiday at it's most secluded with the breath taking backdrop of the Calamian Islands to complete a magical recipe.
TAO Sangat dive resort have been diving these waters for over 15 years and know every ripple and drop off, every engine room and hold penetration. The centre was completely refitted in 2008 to bring it up to the standards of today's discerning diver. As a PADI and SDI facility, the diligent instructors can teach courses for all levels including kid's courses (aged 8+). A wreck or deep diver specialty are well worth taking whilst staying here. The wrecks lend themselves well to nitrox, technical and rebreather dives. Sangat dive centre can custom blend the right mix for you as well as teach technical courses so you can take your diving even deeper!
- PADI & SDI training
- Open & closed circuit diving
- Seldom dived wreck dives
- Reef dives for all levels
- Boat, shore or kayak dives
There are 3 main types of diving on offer at TAO Sangat dive resort. The house reef and Coral Gardens can be dived from shore. For a dive with a difference, why not grab one of the centre's kayaks are paddle out to your next descent point. The majority of dive sites, including the formidable wreck dives, are reached by boat. The go fast boats are kitted out for divers and designed to speed you along to your chosen site as quickly as possibly. Groups are limited to 4 or 8 divers. The larger outriggers are traditional banka boats and can take up to 16 divers - perfect if you are diving with friends of your club. No matter how you get there though, the experienced dive guides will lead your through those hard to find nooks and crannies.
Lusong Reef
Skill level: Novice | Ave Depth: 8m | Max Depth: 15mNudibranch, huge fan corals, barrel sponges along with the incredible marine life you would come to expect from the Philippines make up Lusong Reef. Easily a relaxing dive with a gentle current often adding a drift aspect to the area. Turtles can frequently be seen on this 2 kilometre long reef on the western edge of Lusong Bay.
Okikawa Maru
Skill level: All levels | Ave Depth: 18m | Max Depth: 26mThe Okikawa Maru is a 200m sunken tanker smothered in coral! The top deck ranges from 10 to 16 making this a great dive for all levels. Stronger currents and a shallower top deck make this the perfect dwelling for marine life and coral varieties. You can explore her innards through its multiple penetration access points.
Morazan
Skill level: All levels | Ave Depth: 18m | Max Depth: 26mThe huge cargo compartments and the engine room are easily accessed on the Morazan. The port side lies 14-18m below the surface making this a great dive for all levels.
Calumbuyan Reef
Skill level: All levels | Ave Depth: 15m | Max Depth: 34mBetween the Okikawa and the Akitsushima, the Calumbuyan reef offers 2 sites of interest. The east side of the island is a perfect shallow dive with the southern side offering a channel current of up to 3 knots. great for those who love a drift dive.
Olympia Maru
Skill level: Advanced | Ave Depth: 22m | Max Depth: 30mSitting upright on the sea bed, the Olympia Maru offers many easy penetration points into it's different cargo areas. At 160 meters there are plenty of offerings in marine life too. Large schools of Banana Fish, Giant Bat Fish and Giant Puffers can be found around the bow, stern and masts.
Akitsushima
Skill level: Advanced | Ave Depth: 25m | Max Depth: 38mThe Akitsushima stands out due to her huge sea plane crane, anti-aircraft guns and munition loading conveyors. This 180 meter warship now lies on her starboard side after being hit amidship, sinking almost immediately. Giant Grouper, Barracuda, Tuna and Bat fish are now her residents.
Irako Maru
Skill level: Advanced | Ave Depth: 28m | Max Depth: 40mUpright on the seabed this huge 200m refrigeration vessel offers some great penetration opportunities. The machine shop is of particular interest where the metal lathe and bench drill sit along with other metal production tools and machinery.
Kyokuzan Maru
Skill level: Advanced | Ave Depth: 28 | Max Depth: 40mIncredible visibility is offered around Maricaban Bay, where the Kyokuzan makes its bed, upright on the sand. The upper decks range from 22 to 28m with easy penetrations into the cargo holds taking you deeper, Japanese staff vehicles and trucks can easily be recognised.
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Sangat Island Dive Resort offers just 1 open air restaurant and 2 bars situated beach side of this private island.
Closing hours at the bars are dictated by the guests.
Sangat Island Restaurant
Freshly prepared and healthy globally infused cuisine makes up the menu of Sangat islands restaurant. Fresh Seafood, Chicken and Pork make up the delicious buffet along with a large variety of vegetable, fruits and salads. Assorted snacks and refreshments are available between the fixed buffet time table to.
Sangat Island Bar
Fully stocked with international and local tibbles. A pool table and a conversation lounge offer great oppertunities to relax after a great days diving.
Rock Bar
Open air seating with a panaramic view over the amazing beach front. Lose yourself in the stunning views by day or immerse yourself in the stars by night.
Sangat Island Dive ResortFar East,Philippines
See our holidays tab for package options. Please ask for a quote to add international flights from the UK
Forget Truk! Those in the know dive the WW2 Japanese imperial fleet wrecks in Coron with TAO Sangat resort in the Philippines
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Sangat Coral Gardens
Skill level: Novice | Ave Depth: 5m | Max Depth: 10mBetween the resort and the hot springs lies the Sangat Coral gardens. An officially recognised and protected marine sanctuary. Vertical drop offs and small caves make up alot of the topgrahy of this relaxing little dive site.