🐋 PHILIPPINES: GENTLE GIANTS OF SOUTHERN LEYTE

📅 Fixed Date: March 05 – 17 (13 Days / 12 Nights)

📋 EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte remains one of the best-kept secrets of the Philippines. Completely untouched by mass tourism, this isolated marine sanctuary serves as a vital feeding ground for migrating Whale Sharks between November and May. We base this expedition in a boutique beachfront resort in Padre Burgos. Divers will experience breathtaking walls, pristine hard coral reefs, and world-class macro night diving, while everyone joins the dedicated, non-intrusive ocean safaris to swim alongside the largest fish in the sea in a 100% wild and natural environment.

• Rendezvous Point: Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)

• Diving Logistics: 18 reef/wall/night dives + 1 full day Whale Shark Safari

• Group Size: Maximum 12 guests

🗺️ DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

🛫 DAY 1: Arrival in Cebu & Scenic Transfer

• For Everyone: The expedition crew gathers at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). We board a private, business-class fast ferry across the Camotes Sea to Leyte. Upon arrival, a private air-conditioned VIP van transfers the group to our boutique beach resort in Padre Burgos. Welcome dinner.

🐠 DAY 2: Check-Dive & Traditional Hilot Massage

• Divers (2 Dives): Morning check-dives at the Padre Burgos House Reef. A beautiful, easy slope perfect for buoyancy adjustments and catching a first glimpse of the local turtle population.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Guided snorkeling over the resort’s house reef, followed by your first traditional Philippine Hilot massage (a therapeutic deep-tissue ritual using warm coconut oil).

🏝️ DAY 3: The Historic Limasawa Island

• Divers (3 Dives): Crossing over to Limasawa Island to dive the majestic Lighthouse Wall. Dramatic vertical drop-offs with huge green sea turtles, sea snakes, and schools of midnight snapper.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Land excursion to Limasawa Island. Visit the historic First Mass shrine, hike to the island's lighthouse for panoramic ocean views, and enjoy shallow snorkeling in the turquoise lagoon.

🦈 DAY 4: THE WHALE SHARK SAFARI (The Main Event)

• For Everyone (Joint Boat Program): We leave the scuba gear behind today. We board a traditional Filipino outrigger boat (Banka) and head out with local spotters to track wild Whale Sharks in the bay.

• The Experience: This is a 100% natural interaction—no feeding, no baiting, and no crowds. Everyone slips into the water with mask and snorkel to swim alongside these gentle 10-meter giants. Lunch is served on board.

🧱 DAY 5: The Vertical Wall of Napantao

• Divers (3 Dives): Diving Napantao Marine Sanctuary—officially recognized as one of the finest wall dives in Asia. A massive twin wall dropping to 50 meters, completely blasted with vibrant soft corals, massive sea fans, and patrolled by giant trevally.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Guided snorkeling right over the reef crest of Napantao (where the coral wall begins just two meters below the surface). Second Hilot wellness massage in the evening.

🦐 DAY 6: Macro Magic at the Jetty

• Divers (2 Day Dives + 1 Night Dive): Two afternoon wall dives followed by an absolute bucket-list experience: a night dive underneath the Padre Burgos Jetty. This site comes alive at night with Frogfish, Seahorses, Bobtail Squid, and Blue-Ringed Octopuses.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Private Filipino cooking masterclass with the resort’s head chef, learning to prepare local specialties like Kinilaw (fresh ceviche) and Adobo.

🛶 DAY 7: The Hidden Lagoons of Tanga-an

• Divers (3 Dives): Exploring the vibrant reefs of Tangaan Sanctuary and Medicare Reef. Excellent hard coral health with a high density of colorful reef fish.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Coastal exploration tour via sea kayak and paddleboard through the mangrove channels and hidden lagoons of Tanga-an.

🐢 DAY 8: Return to Limasawa’s East Coast

• Divers (3 Dives): Diving the soft coral slopes of Adrian’s Cove and Adrian’s Wall on the eastern side of Limasawa Island.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): A full day of pure relaxation on a secluded white sand beach on Limasawa. Private beach picnic and fresh coconuts.

🐚 DAY 9: The Ghost Ship & Critter Hunt

• Divers (3 Dives): Diving the artificial reefs and sandy slopes of Banka Wreck, searching for rare nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and flamboyant cuttlefish.

• Non-Divers (Spa): Third premium body massage + afternoon relaxation by the infinity pool overlooking Sogod Bay.

🐬 DAY 10: Deep Blue Patrols

• Divers (2 Dives): Two final deep wall dives around the outer pinnacles of the bay to capture wide-angle shots.

• Non-Divers: Dolphin-watching cruise around the mouth of Sogod Bay where pods of wild spinner dolphins are frequently spotted playing in the waves.

• For Everyone: Final gear washing for divers. Large beach BBQ farewell dinner with a traditional lechon (roast) and live acoustic music.

🛑 DAY 11: Transfer Back to Cebu (No-Fly Window)

• For Everyone: The mandatory 24-hour No-Fly window begins. We pack our bags and take the private air-conditioned VIP van and fast ferry back to Cebu City. Check-in at a luxury 5-star hotel in Cebu.

🏛️ DAY 12: Mandatory Terrestrial Day – Cebu Heritage Tour

• For Everyone: A relaxed city day to discover Cebu's colonial history. We visit the 16th-century Magellan’s Cross, the historic Basilica del Sto. Niño, and Fort San Pedro. Followed by an afternoon of luxury shopping for souvenirs and local pearls. Final group dinner.

🛫 DAY 13: Homeward Bound

• For Everyone: Private transfer to Cebu International Airport (CEB) for your international flights back home to Europe. End of services.