Atlantis Dive Resorts

General Information

Arrival:  Please check for details of what is included in your package; typically all land, air and sea transfers are included as well as “meet and greet” at the airport.  If you are not traveling with a group or tour leader please ensure you have the resort contact details with you.

Travel to Puerto Galera:  Is a two hour van/bus ride followed by an hour’s bangka (large out rigger boat with inboard diesel, seats approximately 20-24 persons comfortably. Boats are private) ride.  Once you meet your driver (usually with a sign with client or group name) upon exiting baggage area, your luggage will be loaded by our staff.  The van or bus will usually stop at a service station for refreshment.  Please note that neither the beach where you meet the boat or the boat it self have toilets.

Unlimited Day Diving and Diving rules: Up to four scheduled day boat dives every day; your guide will discuss sites and preferences with you and ensure you get the most from every dive.  Currents, conditions and logistics require that all dive groups stay together at all time; typical dive time is 45-60 minutes with a maximum depth of 100 feet (30m) (as general policy Open Water Divers will only be allowed on dives below 60feet (18m) or night dives if they can show proof of previous experience and exhibit adequate in-water skills, adventure training dives are available); for divers with a desire to dive beyond 60 minutes please contact your group leader or agent for options and prices.  Both locations require divers to exhibit good buoyancy control at all times, to respect the underwater environment and not wear gloves.

What’s NOT included in your package: Airport departure tax of Php 750 collected at the airport in peso cash or USD (equivalent) (For guests traveling to Dumaguete domestic terminal fees of Php 200 in Manila and Php 50 in Dumaguete).  Breakfast drinks (tea/coffee and juice) are included but other drinks with or without meals are not.  There are charges for night dives, equipment rental, Nitrox fills (please ask about unlimited Nitrox packages) and day trips.  In Dumaguete there are also charges for camera and video camera use (imposed by local sanctuaries; not Atlantis).

For Technical Divers: Please clarify your equipment requirements and dive plans with the resort prior to arrival.

Travel Documents: Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months and that you have an onward or return ticket with you.  U.S. and European nationals automatically receive a 21 day tourist visa on arrival.  For guests staying longer or with other passports please either contact the resort or see www.immigration.gov.ph.  For a speedy check in we also request all guests to fill in our check in form prior to arrival; please see your group leader/agent or email us for a copy.  Please also bring copies of your diving and travel health insurance with you

Diving Documents:  Please bring your certification card and log book; if you require Nitrox please bring a Nitrox certification card; if you plan to do technical dives please bring appropriate documentation with you.  All divers are asked to sign a waiver on arrival.  Please ensure that any diving medical concerns are addressed before you travel.

Front Desk Services Available:  At the front desk you can arrange to have laundry done, book massages, wake up calls or arrange excursions.  You can also change money or request cash advances.

Room Amenities:  All Atlantis rooms have climate controlled air conditioning, four-speed fans, fully stocked mini-bars including emergency toiletries (prices are very reasonable), cable TV (with free movie, sports and news channels), digital safety box for your valuables and solar heated water.  Tap water in the room is not drinkable.  (Most upgraded rooms in Puerto Galera included internet access, coffee & tea making facilities and your own DVD player.)

Towels:  Bath towels are provided in rooms along with a token for one additional beach towel each day; there is a charge for extra beach towels.

Internet Access and Phone Calls:  Our rooms do not have phones but you make phone calls (local or international) from the front desk during opening hours.  Wireless and LAN internet connection is available at both resorts from either our desk top computers or your own lap top.  Please ask for details and rates.

Clothing and What to Bring: Dress is very casual and traveling light is recommended – swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts and possibly a sweat shirt or light jacket for the evenings.  Neither resort has specific dress codes.  Hat, sunglasses and sun screen/protection are of course highly recommended; the sun is very intense even on partially cloudy or cooler days.

Temperature (approximate averages):

Dumaguete tends to be a little warmer than Puerto Galera on average

If you plan to dive a lot we recommend bringing extra layers, a hooded vest or thicker suit as during the week you will loose body heat despite the warm water.   Full wet suits, shorties and vests are available for sale in Puerto Galera.

Electricity:  Power at both resorts is 220V.  Transformers (to 110V) are available for camera/battery charging and so forth.

Cameras and Film: Both resorts can arrange for processing of film through the front desk; you will also find plenty of dedicated rinse areas and matted surfaces to work on.  Puerto Galera features a dedicated “multimedia suite” with additional facilities including air gun, lighted work bench, storage facilities and more.

Dive Courses:  Most PADI courses from kids programs to professional training are available at both resorts; if you would like to use your time to improve your skills such a Nitrox or Naturalist Course please contact your tour organizer for details; it is possible to exchange dives for dives courses.  If you haven’t dove for a while both locations offer scuba tune ups and in Puerto Galera you can try tech diving, take tech courses or a tech dive package.

Currency and Money:  The local currency is the Philippines Peso (Php).  You may change USD for Php at the front desk; USD cash may be accepted at some local establishments.  You may settle your bill at the resort for incidentals such as mini-bar, souvenir items, drinks etc with USD cash, Peso Cash, USD travelers cheques (please bring the receipt of proof of purchase), VISA, MASTERCARD or AMERICAN EXPRESS (there are no charges for using credit cards).  You may withdraw peso cash from the front desk; there is a 10% processing and credit card charge for doing so.  There are no ATMs at either location.

Medical: Both resorts have comprehensive medical plans for diving and non diving emergencies; if you have particular medical concerns or conditions you thing we should be aware of please contact us.  Guests are required to have both medical and diving health insurance.

Neither location is considered a risk with Malaria; but inoculations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus are recommended along with consulting your physician with regards to other questions you may have about traveling to the tropics.

We strongly recommend drinking plenty of water and other non alcoholic fluids during your stay.

Food/beverages: If you have special dietary requirements please contact us or your group leader ahead of your arrival.  We offer a wide range of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages throughout the day (diving is prohibited after drinking alcohol)

Water and Food Safety: Atlantis prides itself on being the top resort in both markets it services. Water served in the resort restaurants is safe to drink. Tap water is not. We recommend you brush your teeth with and drink only bottled water, available in the mini-bar. Both dive shops also have a bottled water dispenser for after dives free of charge however we kindly ask that bottles not be filled from these dispensers.  We highly recommend that you eat all your meals in the resort. While many will tell you it is ok to eat food from local establishments and street vendors be advised this is the third world and refrigeration is many times non existent.  Items the locals or even expatriates living there have no problem consuming can make those unaccustomed quite sick.

Trip Insurance: In addition to medical and diving health insurance we also highly recommend each guest purchases trip cancellation and interruption insurance; this will protect you from financial disappointment in case unforeseen circumstances prevent you from making your trip.

Gratuities: Gratuities are not included in your package and are not mandatory.  If you feel the Atlantis Team helped make your trip enjoyable may we suggest a gratuity of approximately 10% of your package price.  Envelopes are provided at the resort where you may choose individual team members, departments or the whole staff with whom to share your tip.  You may charge your gratuity to your credit card but would prefer cash if possible.

Shopping:  Atlantis stocks a large range of scuba equipment, T-shirts and souvenir items including some of the best local handicrafts available in the Philippines . Batteries, film, toiletries and so forth are also all available either at Atlantis or locally. 

Entertainment: Both resorts have friendly beach bars where the dive staff gather in the early evening; please join them for a drink or to catch up filling in your log book, or just to watch the sun go down.  Marine Life and video presentations are also arranged on selected evenings; both resorts have kayaks for rent, billiards tables and exchange paper-back book libraries.

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