The SY Philippine Siren, a luxury yacht, is constructed from ironwood and teak in the same traditional Indonesian style as her sister S/Y Siren.  The 40-metre yacht carrying seven sails is being used for this very exciting 10 day trip concentrating around the Indonesian island of Komodo and the Sunda Islands. She can comfortably take care of up to 16 guests on each trip; however we are selling spaces for only 12 guests. This allows for better personal tuition, less crowding underwater and plenty of space for kitting up your camera equipment.

S/Y Philippine Siren offers an expansive leisure deck area, a spacious air-conditioned saloon with cocktail bar, a dining area and 8 large air-conditioned cabins, each with their own personal computer, audio-visual entertainment system and ensuite bathrooms with hot water. All rooms are lavished with luxury extra’s including bathrobes, hair dryers, towels, individually controlled mood lighting and individual controls for your air-conditioning unit. You will find a Laundry Service on the Yacht, as well as a Massage Service! Ideal for those sore muscles between dives.

SY Siren provides Enriched Air Nitrox (this is included in the price) and all equipment and facilities required by underwater photographers.

This is a special charter for photographers whether new or experienced. There will be plenty of dedicated camera only rinse tanks for your equipment, charging points and work tables. Each suite has an individual computer to allow downloads of the days photos and allows you to edit your work.

Gerald and I will be on hand to offer advice, techniques, and will give constructive feed back on your pictures. We will give fun and informative talks, demonstrations of our own work and will even give advice on editing your pictures with the use of a computer.

This trip is best suited to those with a digital camera, whether compact or SLR. Those that own film cameras are welcome but will find the lack of processing opportunities frustrating as they watch their fellow guests download their pictures. This trip is also open to Videographers and again the facilities onboard cater for your needs.

Itinerary: Southern Visayas from Mactan island to Apo island

Up to 35 dives including up to 6 night dives

Day 1 - Depart Mactan Island (2 dives)

We will board the SY Philippines Siren at around 2pm close to the airport on Mactan Island. We set sail and after a briefing we shall dive the sites around the island.

Dive 1 - Tambuli: An easy shallow dive to reacquaint oneself with diving.

Dive 2 - Marigondon: A reef wall with a drop to 55m with nice corals and fish life.

Dinner will be around 7pm and a night dive after is possible.

Day 2 - Cabilao Island (4 dives)

Departing early for Cabilao Island, where we shall spend the whole day.

Dive 1 - Hammerhead Point: This dive has everything, but most divers hope to see the hammerhead sharks.

Dive 2 - Southwest Point: Teeming with corals and fish life, a great drift dive.

Dive 3 - Southwest Point: Travelling in the opposite direction this site offers enormous gorgonian sea fans and lots of black coral.

Dive 4 - Optional night dive.

Day 3 - Panglao Island & Balicasag (4 dives)

Departing early for the island of Panglao for 2 dives and then onto Balicasag for 2.

Dive 1 - Duljo Point: Chance of seeing some large pelagics however the wall is covered in corals and the fish life includes Jacks, Batfish, Wrasse, Groupers, Napolean Wrasse and Whitetip and Grey Reef Sharks.

Dive 2 - Napaling: This wall has everything from the shallows to the deep.

Dive 3 - Pamilacan Island: Manta Rays are often seen here.

Dive 4 - Southwest / Southeast wall: Both world class dives with tuna and sharks.

Day 4 - Siquijor Island (4 dives)

Dive 1 - Tonga Point: Prolific fish life and excellent corals.

Dive 2 - San Juan: Ribbon Eels are common here.

Dive 3 - Paliton Wall: Beautiful corals including large barrel sponges.

Dive 4 - Daquit Shoal: famous for ?cathedral? overhangs made up by Gorgonians.

For dinner we shall anchor in a beautiful bay around the island which will be unveiled in the morning.

Day 5 - Apo Island (4 dives)

Spending the day at what many people believe to be the Philippines most successful

Marine Sanctuary. A visit to see the islanders is an option.

Dive 1 - Coconut Point: Strong currents attract fish including shoals of barracuda.

Dive 2 - Cogon Point: An overhang wall with prolific fish life and stony corals.

Dive 3 - Marine Sanctuary: Manta Rays,Turtles and shoals of Jacks are common.

Dive 4 - Mamsa Point: Sloping reef with Blacktip and Whitetip Sharks.

Day 6 - Apo Island (4 dives)

Another great day diving around Apo Island where we will enjoy 3 day dives and a night dive. Further sites include Olo Point, Old Volcano, Jigdup Reef and Sunken cemetery. We say our final farewell to Apo Island and then head toward Dumaguete.

Day 7 - Dumaguete (4 dives)

We spend the whole day here as it offers a variety of dives.

Dive 1 - Tacot: This site often attracts large pelagic species.

Dive 2 - Calong Calong Point: many varieties of soft and stony corals and reef fish.

The remaining dives will be spent in the muck diving sites where Frogfish and Ornate Ghost Pipe fish can be found. The Pier is a favourite as Mandarin Fish can be found there.

Day 8 - Dumaguete & Cebu (4 dives)

We do 2 more dives around Dumaguete before heading North to Cebu Manta Rays can be spotted at dive sites such as Looc and Liloan Point.

Day 9 - Cebu and Sumilon Island (4 dives)

We stay around Cebu looking to dive with more Mata Rays before moving off to Sumilon Island. Sumilon Island continues to offer the possibility of spotting Manta Rays as well as sea snakes, turtles and a variety of sharks.

Day 10 - Baliqasac & Cabilao (2 dives)

We depart early and do the first dive at Baliqasac to see if we can spot Manta Rays and Hammerhead Sharks. Our last dive will be around Cabilao island with a final chance to see Hammerhead Sharks. We then head back to Mactan island where we spend our last night.

Disembark the next morning following breakfast.