MY Palau Sport is a 38-meter steel-hulled twin-engine liveaboard yacht, operating diving cruises to Tubbataha - the Philippines’ premiere dive destination - as well as Apo Reef and the famous wrecks of Coron Island. The boat was designed and built as a dive yacht that puts the safety and comfort of divers at the forefront.
The Palau Sport liveaboard can comfortably accommodate 24 guests in twin berth bunk bed cabins and queen bed suites, all with en-suite bathrooms. Guests are asked to refrain from charging their electrical devices in their cabins. Instead there is a large charging station located on the upper deck that provides adequate power sources and universal sockets where guests can charge all their devices. The area is monitored by crew to ensure the safety of all items.
One of the highlights of each Palau Sport cruise are the sumptuous buffet meals with a selection of Filipino, Continental, and Asian dishes. Meals are served in the air-conditioned dining hall of the liveaboard or al fresco on the canopied top deck (weather permitting). After a full day of scuba diving, guests can unwind with their favorite cocktail from the bar, it is located next to the dining hall and serves some of the finest wines, beers, and mixes. The hall also serves as the main entertainment zone for those who would like to edit and stream their dive footage.
Dive operations on the Palau Sport are conducted on the customized dive boats. The 32 ft canopied chase boats were uniquely designed to give divers ease and functionality when preparing for a dive. These 15-diver capacity boats are equipped with individual dive cradles positioned in the center aisle. Not only does this make gearing up a breeze, but it also protects diver gear from unwanted bumps and scratches. The ease of hopping on and off is also a great feature - with steps on both
sides, transferring to and from the main vessel is made almost effortless.
The Palau Sport dive deck is one of the biggest and most professionally equipped in the Philippines. There are 24 individual diver stations and storage bins for scuba gear, nitrox, cameras for rent, wash bins, shower areas, air nozzle cleaning jets, a clean common bathroom and ample hanging areas for wetsuits to dry.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (7 Days / 6 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Tubbataha - North Atoll: Malayan Wreck, Shark Airport, Washine Machine, Sea Fan Alley, Terraces; South Atoll: Ko Ok, Delsan Wreck, Lighthouse, Triggerfish City, Black Rock; Jessie Beazley Reef
Day 1
You will be met at Puerto Princesa Airport and transferred to the port for boarding during the afternoon. The Palau Sport will depart from port late afternoon bound for the famous Tubbataha National Park. There will be a boat briefing and a discussion on the plans for the coming days. Dinner will be served as you make your way across the Sulu Sea.
Core Days
Tubbataha is a World Heritage Site and is considered part of the 7 Wonders of Nature in the World. Located in the center of the Sulu Sea, it is made up of the South and North Atolls, and the nearby Jessie Beazley Reef. You will find one of the most pristine coral reef systems in the world and it is home to a great diversity of marine life. Whales, dolphins, reef sharks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse are among the key species you can see. The spectacular reefs are home to 300 coral species, 400 fish species, and numerous bird life.
Delicious meals will appeal to every diver's appetite and taste, involving Filipino, continental and Asian Fusion cuisine. Meals are served buffet style in the dining hall or al fresco on the canopied top deck. A pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served. There is an on-board cash bar that serves wines, liquor and beers.
On the penultimate day you will make 2 or 3 dives, then the boat will depart back to port.
Day 7
The boat will arrive at Puerto Princesa early morning. After breakfast, the crew will transfer you to the airport or nearby hotel.
Tubbataha & Apo Reef (9 Days / 8 Nights - 27 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Tubbataha - North Atoll: Malayan Wreck, Shark Airport, Washine Machine, Sea Fan Alley, Terraces; South Atoll: Ko Ok, Delsan Wreck, Lighthouse, Triggerfish City, Black Rock; Jessie Beazley Reef; Cuyo Island, Apo Reef, Anilao
Day 1
You will be met at Puerto Princesa Airport and transferred to the port for boarding during the afternoon. The Palau Sport will depart from port late afternoon bound for the famous Tubbataha National Park. There will be a boat briefing and a discussion on the plans for the coming days. Dinner will be served as you make your way across the Sulu Sea.
Core Days
Tubbataha is a World Heritage Site and is considered part of the 7 Wonders of Nature in the World. Located in the center of the Sulu Sea, it is made up of the South and North Atolls, and the nearby Jessie Beazley Reef. You will find one of the most pristine coral reef systems in the world and it is home to a great diversity of marine life. Whales, dolphins, reef sharks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse are among the key species you can see. The spectacular reefs are home to 300 coral species, 400 fish species, and numerous bird life.
Apo Reef Natural Park is one of the most popular dive destinations in the Philippines and has an extensive wealth of marine life, with plentiful batfish, surgeonfish, snappers, fusiliers and trevallies. There is great macro life including tunicates, nudibranchs and sea slugs, but also large schools of large pelagic fish, dolphins, sharks (blacktip/whitetip/grey reef, and thresher sharks), barracuda and manta rays.
Anilao is the birth place of scuba diving in the Philippines and is one of the world's best muck dive destinations. As well as being the "The Nudibranch Capital of the World", there is an unbelievable number of shrimps and crabs, rhinopias, blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus and wonderpus, lacy and weedy scorpionfish, stargazers, pygmy seahorses, bobbit worms and frogfish.
Delicious meals will appeal to every diver's appetite and taste, involving Filipino, continental and Asian Fusion cuisine. Meals are served buffet style in the dining hall or al fresco on the canopied top deck. A pre-breakfast, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served. There is an on-board cash bar that serves wines, liquor and beers.
On the penultimate day you will make 2 or 3 dives, then the boat will sail to port in Batangas, arriving during the evening.
Day 9
After breakfast, the crew will transfer you to Anilao or Batangas City.
Note: sometimes trips run in reverse. Check exact port details above.
Apo Reef, Coron, Palawan & Dugongs (14 Days / 13 Nights - 35 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs/manatees, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Anilao, Puerto Galera, Apo Reef, Coron: Barracuda Lake, Siete Picados; El Nido, Black Island, Calauit Dugong Point, Linapacan, Sibaltan
Day 1
Board the Palau Sport liveaboard at Danglayan Port, Batangas City in the afternoon. After settling in, you'll receive a comprehensive boat and safety briefing from the crew, followed by a discussion of the exciting dive plans for the coming days. Enjoy your first dinner on board as we set sail towards the legendary muck diving paradise of Anilao.
Core Days
This liveaboard diving expedition is designed to showcase the stunning diversity of the Philippines' central islands. The route is flexible to maximize conditions, but the adventures will include:
Anilao: The birthplace of Philippine scuba diving and a world-class muck diving destination. Explore volcanic sand slopes that are home to an unbelievable array of critters: rhinopias, blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus, pygmy seahorses, and countless rare nudibranchs, earning it the title 'The Nudibranch Capital of the World'.
Apo Reef Natural Park: A UNESCO-declared protected area and the second-largest contiguous coral reef system on Earth. Descend onto pristine walls and channels teeming with vast schools of snapper, jacks, and batfish. Keep an eye on the blue for sharks (including thresher sharks), dolphins, manta rays, and towering barracuda vortexes.
Coron Bay: Home to a legendary fleet of WWII Japanese shipwrecks. Drift along vibrant walls at sites like Siete Pecados, a cluster of coral islets where sea turtles are commonly seen grazing on the lush seagrass beds. Then, experience Barracuda Lake, a thermocline lake where fresh and saltwater meet, creating a bizarre, shimmering effect and unique diving conditions.
Sibaltan & Linapacan: Discover the raw, untouched beauty of the northern islands. Pristine coral walls in Linapacan plunge into abyssal depths, often patrolled by pelagics. The waters around Sibaltan offer vibrant reefs and the rare chance to search for the enigmatic dugong at Calauit Dugong Point.
El Nido & Black Island: Marvel at the dramatic karst limestone formations that continue underwater into caverns and swim-throughs. At Black Island, explore extensive coral gardens, underwater caves, and perhaps even a hidden wreck, all surrounded by stunning scenery.
Puerto Galera: Renowned for its exceptional biodiversity.
Day 14
Enjoy one final breakfast on board, sharing stories and photos with new friends. You will then disembark at Coron Port, marking the end of your incredible 2-week liveaboard safari.
Please Note: This itinerary is a sample and may run in reverse, beginning in Coron and ending in Batangas. Always check your specific departure and arrival ports.
Coron & North Palawan
Trip highlights: manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Coron, Calauit, El Nido: Linapacan, Sibaltan
Day 1
Board the Palau Sport liveaboard in the picturesque Coron Bay. After settling into your cabin, you'll receive a comprehensive boat and safety briefing, followed by a discussion of the exciting dive plans for the coming week. You'll set sail in the early afternoon, with dinner served as we make our way to our first iconic site: the otherworldly Barracuda Lake.
Core Days
This expedition is designed to showcase the incredible diversity of Northern Palawan and Coron's legendary wrecks. Dive into history in the best wreck diving location in Southeast Asia. Explore the massive, beginner-friendly Olympia Maru and the unique Akitsushima, a Japanese seaplane tender. These colossal relics, now adorned with soft corals and home to vast schools of fish, offer an unforgettable experience. Don't miss Barracuda Lake, also in Coron, a geothermal lake within a volcanic crater where fresh and saltwater meet, creating a bizarre thermocline and stunning rock formations. You'll also dive sites like Siete Pecados, known for its lush coral gardens and abundant marine life.
Then journey to Linapacan, an area reputed to have the clearest waters in the world. This remote archipelago is a paradise for underwater photographers, featuring stunning coral gardens, dramatic drop-offs, and a small wreck to discover. It's raw, untouched diving at its finest. You'll also discover the thriving Sibaltan reefs and exciting pelagic action of this little-explored region. Sibaltan is home to manta ray cleaning stations and fantastic healthy reefs that are full of life, offering thrilling dives for all levels.
The cruise includes a unique eco-tourism highlight with a trip to the seagrass meadows of Calauit, North Busuanga. Here, you have the rare chance to snorkel and observe the gentle, endangered dugong (sea cow) in its natural habitat - a magical and respectful wildlife encounter.
On the penultimate day, you'll enjoy 2-3 final dives before the Palau Sport begins its return journey to Coron, arriving in the evening for a final night on board.
Final Day
Enjoy one last breakfast on board, sharing stories and photos with new friends. The crew will then transfer you to Busuanga Airport or to your Coron hotel, marking the end of your incredible week-long liveaboard adventure.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
Meals on board Palau Sport are usually served in the fully air-conditioned dining hall. On special occasions and when weather permits, meals may also be enjoyed al fresco on the top deck of the liveaboard, overlooking the sunset and the open ocean.
Pre-breakfast (6-7 am):
*A light meal served before the first dive, includes coffee or hot chocolate.
Main breakfast (8:30-10 am):
*Daily-changing buffet selection. Examples include eggs, rice, cereal, ham or sausages, local pork, vegetables, breads, pancakes, or French toast.
Lunch (12-2 pm):
* Buffet-style meal with changing menu based on fresh availability. Options may include rice, vegetables, pasta, chicken, pork, beef, or seafood. Soup, salad, and dessert served daily.
Snacks (3-4 pm):
*Light snack served in the afterno. Complimentary coffee and hot chocolate available.
Dinner (7-9 pm):
* Buffet dinner with rice, vegetables, or pasta. A selection of chicken, pork, beef, or seafood dishes. Soup, salad, and dessert included.
Beverages:
* Complimentary drinking water, coffee, and hot chocolate.
A full bar is available in the dining hall serving sodas, beer, liquor, and other beverages (purchased separately).
Special highlights:
*For Tubbataha liveaboard trips, Palau Sport guests may visit the Ranger Station, depending on tide conditions.
* For Southern El Nido trips, a beach party may be arranged on the 3rd or 4th day, subject to weather and schedule.
Special dietary restrictions are accommodated where possible, but please note that limited ingredient availability in Puerto Princesa may affect menu options.
