LIVEABOARD ROUTE

Philippines Explorer I — Ultimate Visayas: Dauin to Donsol — 10 Nights

A ten-night expedition from Dauin to Donsol linking macro-rich Negros, Central Visayas shark and reef sites, and the pelagic waters of the Bicol region.
Vessel Philippines Explorer I
Country Philippines
Duration 10 nights
Estimated diving Approximately 31 dives
Embarkation Dauin, Negros Oriental
View Departures & Cabins Explore the Itinerary

The route

Route Overview

A ten-night expedition from Dauin to Donsol linking macro-rich Negros, Central Visayas shark and reef sites, and the pelagic waters of the Bicol region.

This route currently links 12 exact departures visible in the Inseanq recording dated 2026-08-27.

Wildlife encounters, exact dive sites and daily sequence are never guaranteed.

Day by day

Operator Itinerary

This is the operator’s indicative itinerary. The captain and cruise director may change the sequence according to conditions, safety and marine-park regulations.

Official source: Ultimate Visayas 10N Dauin - Donsol.pdf. The full operator itinerary is retained as the source of truth. The exact daily sequence, dive sites and land activities can change according to weather, sea state, permits and safe operations.

Diving profile

Diving Ultimate Visayas: Dauin to Donsol

Diving overview

Diving is guided from the liveaboard and/or its tender(s), with the exact number of dives and sites determined by the itinerary, conditions and safe-operating decisions.

All divers must hold a valid certification, carry a dive computer, SMB and audible signalling device, and have appropriate dive insurance and completed waivers.

Conditions and experience

Conditions vary significantly by region and season. Currents, visibility, swell and site access are assessed by the captain and dive team for each departure.

Underwater photography

Both Philippines Explorer vessels provide dedicated camera support appropriate to their size. Bring critical spares, batteries and storage media; natural encounters cannot be guaranteed.

Representative dive areas

  • Dauin and Apo Island
  • Central Visayas
  • Malapascua region
  • Ticao / Bicol region
  • Donsol

Listed sites are representative and cannot be guaranteed for a specific departure.

Marine highlights

  • Macro life
  • Turtles
  • Thresher sharks
  • Manta rays
  • Reef biodiversity
  • Pelagic encounters

Wildlife encounters are natural and are never guaranteed.

Best suited to

Multi-region Philippines diving Underwater photography Macro and pelagic variety

Plan the region

Related diving destination guides

THE VESSEL

Philippines Explorer I

A 43.96m expedition liveaboard for up to 21 guests, rebuilt from a former Royal New Zealand Navy dive-support vessel with hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, gyro stabilisation, pool, spa and extensive camera facilities.

Philippines Explorer I is a 43.96m steel expedition vessel with an offshore and naval heritage. Originally built in the United Kingdom in 1979, she served as HMNZS Manawanui (III) before later environmental-recovery work and a complete 2026–2027 refit for expedition diving.

The refit combines hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, advanced gyro stabilisation and long-range capability with guest spaces including a resistance pool, wellness centre, craft brewery, camera workstations and large outdoor viewing areas.

The vessel accommodates a maximum of 21 guests across 11 cabins.

Operated by Philippines Explorer

Vessel type Steel ice-class expedition mono-hull; complete liveaboard refit 2026–2027
Length 43.96 m / 144.23 ft
Beam 9.53 m / 31.27 ft
Guest capacity 21
Cabins 11

Shared spaces

Saloon and dining lounge, professional galley, Beach Club, resistance pool, wellness/spa centre, onboard craft brewery, reading library and panoramic viewing areas.

Dining & dietary needs

International cuisine from a professional galley. Vegetarian and selected dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.

Dive deck

Large dive equipment and work-station area. Diving is conducted from three tenders: two 8m tenders and one 6m tender.

Dive tenders

Three tenders: 2 x 8m with twin 150hp four-stroke engines and 1 x 6m with 140hp four-stroke engine.

Camera facilities

Dedicated camera workstations with multiple charging sockets, dedicated camera rinse tanks, air gun, 220V universal sockets and voltage-stabilised surge protection.

Rental equipment

Rental dive equipment is available at additional cost. Current sizes, inventory and prices are confirmed before travel.

Safety equipment

MF/HF/SSB communications, VSAT satellite phone/internet, AIS, EPIRB, life rafts, emergency survival equipment, semi-automated fire suppression, GMDSS distress alert, medical oxygen and comprehensive first aid. Each diver receives a Weatherdock AG Marine Rescue AIS.

Navigation equipment

Furuno full-ECDIS GPS chart plotter, long- and short-range radar, weather plotting, depth sounder and local navigation charts.

Languages spoken

  • English

ON BOARD

Vessel gallery

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Images courtesy of Philippines Explorer. Cabin category crops are derived from the official Philippines Explorer I Vessel Data Sheet supplied by the operator.

ACCOMMODATION

Explore cabins and current departure rates

View cabins & departures
Philippines Explorer I

Dates, cabins and prices

Departures & Cabin Options

Choose a departure and the exact cabin or berth mix you need. You can request several cabins, individual berths and different guest allocations in one enquiry; availability and final allocation are confirmed by the independent liveaboard operator.

Find a departure

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