Dive Review of Atlantis Dive Resorts in
Philippines/Puerto Galera

So sorry your experience was so bad, especially after the good service you had at the same place before. Us divers must start setting our bars much higher and in accordance with the $$$ spent and the long times it takes to get to Philippines/Indonesia/South Pacific etc. The more we keep going to receive bad service, the more motivated resorts and liveabords will be to try hard to earn our business.

Dear Rose, It seemed like you had a bad experience on your 4th trip to the Philippines. We are very concerned to hear that the fish are looking diseased, if you could give us some information on that we can look into it. You are correct about the kidnapping but this happened in Mindanao and I think most governments have warnings about visiting this area. I would also like to clarify for you that there is no Mosque being built across from Puerto Galera. Its is going to be a statue of the 'Mother of Mary' You can find more on the subject here www.montemaria.com.ph/products/motherofallasia Lets hope that you will give the Philippines another chance on another day. I'm sure that everything cannot go wrong for you again and you would enjoy it like your first 3 trips.

While I can't know all factors on the loser's experience it isn't like mine going there for multiple trips. Myself and dive buddies always get 60 minutes in slow groups and great resort service. FYI _ the Mosque comment is ridiculous as 85%+ of the country is Catholic and safer that American cities. As to the jumping back in I suspect there might have ben currents etc as the guides routinely have a few thousand dives in their backyard and would likely have retrieved their light faster and safer.

While I can't know all that went on my experience at both Atlantis locations was quite the opposite. 60 minute dives slowly led, plenty of marine life and food and hotel service that is great. As far as the Mosque and kidnapping comments that's ridiculous fear mongering. The country is 85%+ Catholic and safer than 90% of America cities. Finally as to jumping back in I suspect the guides who all have a few thousand dives in there locale and know currents etc. could have easily retrieved it faster and safer. I've been to Australia, PNG and many Pacific locals but return regularly to the Philippines for great diving at a great valued price.

Apologies for the first post and typo mis-spellings. But I don't agree at all with this review nor the October Undercurrent comments on Atlantis resorts. I also have found number of dives is meaningless. Good resorts all do a warm up dive especially after guests have done long travel, likely are tired etc.and this is a good practice IMHO. It also allows the guides to observe the experience level of each diver. Just one guy's 2 cents.....

I'm surprised you'd resort to name calling. I am entitled to give an honest critique of my experience. I asked 12 local people about whether the structure was a mosque and was told it was. I made the assumption they knew what they were talking about. Obviously, I was wrong. As for the dive light. The dive master found the light; we aided in the search. The dive master was reprimanded along with us upon our return for having taken the time to find it. There is a schedule after all. Even if we do not agree, we do not break the rules of a given resort. As for "fear mongering" there were 4 people kidnapped from a dive resort in the southern islands. I have never been to a hotel in the US where the undercarriage of a vehicle was checked for bombs. It was in Manila at our hotel. I did give the resort a 5 star for inexperienced divers.

Rose, no intent to debate your comments if you found the manager a bit restrictive.I and the recent 86 reviews have found Atlantis a well run resort is all. Plenty of marine life to see also but no, it isn't a Manta / shark haven. The security concerns you saw in Manila are present in lots of places these days is all. The dive schedule you mention is the norm but I've never see any guest reprimanded as usually it's their boat / guide for the stay. But if you want to do 5 dives for approximately 60 minutes including safety stop and get safe surface intervals they have a pretty efficient system is all I meant. For high western standards in service, food and efficiency plus the wonderful Philippine people I just thought your review made it sound very bad. Too each his own....

PS - My first comment didn't mean to be typed Loser. It was user but somehow got posted. Which is why I re-posted. If that's what you're referring to name calling I apologize for and as you say each Undercurrent subscriber is entitled to share they own experiences and opinion.