🐚 PHILIPPINES: ROMBLON’S RARE CRITTERS

📅 Fixed Date: May 14 – 26 (13 Days / 12 Nights)

📋 EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

Romblon Island is the undisputed capital of ultra-macro diving in the Philippines and a legendary insider-secret among professional underwater photographers worldwide. Famous for its pristine white marble geologies, this isolated island features unique marine ecosystems that host some of the rarest, most surreal micro-creatures on Earth. It is the absolute global hotspot for the legendary Phantom Nudibranch (Melibe colemani) and the elusive Butterfly Sea Slug (Cyerce nigra). Based in a secluded boutique resort, this expedition offers unparalleled macro encounters alongside a gorgeous parallel program of marble carving tours, island hopping, and premium wellness for non-divers.

• Rendezvous Point: Tugdan Airport, Romblon (TBH) via Manila (MNL)

• Diving Logistics: 18 specialized ultra-macro dives (Superb visibility, slow-paced for photography)

• Group Size: Maximum 10 guests (Ultra-limited tier)

🗺️ DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

🛫 DAY 1: Journey to the Marble Kingdom

• For Everyone: Arrive at Manila International Airport (MNL) and board our short domestic flight to Tugdan Airport (TBH) on Tablas Island. Our private air-conditioned VIP van and private outrigger boat transfer the group directly to our boutique eco-resort on Romblon Island.

• Evening: Welcome sunset cocktails, expedition briefing, and a fresh Mediterranean-Filipino fusion dinner by the beach.

🐠 DAY 2: Sandy Slopes Check-Dive & Traditional Hilot Spa

• Divers (2 Dives): Morning check-dives at Logbon House Reef. Explore the clean, white sand slopes and shallow seagrass beds—a pristine macro sanctuary perfect for testing camera strobes, macro lenses, and fine-tuning buoyancy.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Guided snorkeling over the shallow coral gardens of Logbon, followed by your first traditional Philippine Hilot massage using virgin coconut oil and warm herbal wraps.

🦋 DAY 3: The Quest for the Butterfly Sea Slug

• Divers (3 Macro Dives): Diving the famous Caves and Stark Sanctuary sites. Today we target the Holy Grail of sea slugs—the stunning, jewel-like Cyerce species (Butterfly Sea Slugs) found crawling on the specialized algae here.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Private sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) tour around the dramatic, untouched limestone cliffs surrounding the resort.

👻 DAY 4: The Phantom Nudibranch Experience

• Divers (2 Day Dives + 1 Night Dive): Two afternoon macro sessions followed by an incredible night dive at Agpanabat Jetty. This is the premier site to find the translucent, ghost-like Melibe colemani (Phantom Nudibranch) and specialized ghost pipefish.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Private Filipino weaving masterclass at the resort. Learn the traditional art of crafting items from local Nito vines with native island artisans.

🏛️ DAY 5: Terrestrial Adventure – Marble Artisans & Historic Romblon

• For Everyone (Joint Terrestrial Day): Romblon is known as the "Marble Capital of Asia." We spend a fascinating day on land visiting a private mountain marble quarry and watching master craftsmen hand-carve massive blocks into intricate sculptures. Followed by a heritage tour of the 15th-century Spanish Fort San Andres and a scenic lunch in town.

🦄 DAY 6: Pygmy Squids & Ghost Pipefish

• Divers (3 Dives): Diving Lanas Station and Gabi Reef. Search for the world's smallest cephalopod—the Idiosepius Pygmy Squid—alongside robust and ornate ghost pipefish hiding in the sea fans.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Second boat trip out for premium snorkeling over the crystalline reef crests of Cobrador Island. Second deep-tissue wellness massage in the evening.

🏝️ DAY 7: The Unspoiled Sands of Cobrador Island

• Divers (3 Dives): Exploring the outer walls of Cobrador Wall and Nagoso Cave. A wonderful shift to vertical walls with incredible 40-meter visibility, green sea turtles, and large pelagic fish.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): Private boat beach safari to the powdery white sands of Nagoso Beach on Cobrador. Enjoy a secluded beach picnic, fresh local mangoes, and sunbathing.

🦐 DAY 8: Tracking the Skeleton Shrimp

• Divers (3 Macro Dives): Diving San Pedro and Bangug Island, searching the hydroids and soft corals for neon-colored skeleton shrimp, hairy shrimps, and rare tiger shrimps.

• Non-Divers (Snorkel & Spa): A full day of pure luxury and pampering at the resort’s wellness pavilion, including a fresh marine algae body scrub and a third premium body treatment.

🐬 DAY 9: The Marine Sanctuaries of Tablas

• Divers (2 Morning Dives): Two final morning macro dives to capture close-up portraits of rare nudibranchs for your logbooks.

• 🎒 Premium Add-on: Blue Hole Expedition. An advanced afternoon excursion across the strait to Tablas Island to dive the famous Looc Blue Hole—a dramatic vertical underwater sinkhole.

• Non-Divers: A sunset island-hopping cruise around the bay to observe wild sea birds and enjoy refreshing cocktails on board.

🛑 DAY 10: Final Photo Edits & Start of No-Fly Window

• Divers (1 Morning Dive): One final shallow dive at 9:00 AM to conclude the underwater itinerary, officially starting the 24-hour No-Fly countdown. Afternoon spent carefully packing macro lenses and camera rigs.

• Non-Divers: Sunset beach yoga session followed by a final relaxation ritual by the pool.

• For Everyone: A grand beach BBQ farewell dinner featuring fresh catch of the day, live music, and a slideshow of the best underwater photos taken during the week.

⛴️ DAY 11: Return Journey to the Capital

• For Everyone: The No-Fly window concludes. Private transfer via outrigger boat and VIP van back to Tugdan Airport for our domestic flight to Manila (MNL). Check-in at a luxury 5-star hotel in Manila.

🏛️ DAY 12: Mandatory Terrestrial Day – Intramuros & Pearls

• For Everyone: A relaxed day exploring the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila, discovering its Spanish colonial architecture. Followed by an afternoon dedicated to high-end souvenir shopping for world-famous Philippine South Sea pearls. Final group celebration dinner at a premium rooftop restaurant.

🛫 DAY 13: Homeward Bound

• For Everyone: Private transfer to the international terminal for your flights back home to Europe. End of services.