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For Divers since 1975 The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 |
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Atlantis Dive Resorts: "Still a Great Diving Destination", Nov, 2016,by Dennis A McCrea, WA, US ( Sr. Reviewer 7 reports with 6 Helpful votes). Report 9308 has 1 Helpful vote.
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No photos available at this time | |||
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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| Accommodations |  |
Food | |
| Service and Attitude | |
Environmental Sensitivity | |
| Dive Operation |  |
Shore Diving | N/A |
| Snorkeling | N/A | ||
Overall Rating |
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| Value for $$ | |
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| Beginners | |
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| Advanced | |
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| Comments |
This is the 4th time I've visited, and the diving is still great, and the resort has not disappointed. Wet and rainy conditions limited our visibility to 20-40 ft for the first 3 days, but cleared up with sunshine for the remaining days.The resort was in a state of flux due to groups coming and going, and it was apparent that there were a few staffing changes happening. Very few familiar faces from the last visit 3 years ago. For the diving information. They have changed their briefings and policy from 3 years ago. Dive times are limited to 50 minutes and 60 to 70 ft depth maximum. There is still plenty to see, but a major disappointment for me as a photographer hoping to get pictures of the life at deeper depths from previous visits. 32% Nitrox is available, but you need to analyze your tanks carefully. Mixes ranged from 30.9% to 33.2%, but since you're limited in depth, it isn't a deal breaker if you want the extra safety. They do take your tank and BC out to the boat (max 6 people) and you walk to the boat with fins and mask, so Booties are a must. The other change we encountered during the week was constantly being shuffled from one dive guide to another. If you get a chance, ask for Ambo, one of the best guides. Also didn't like being put with divers not on Nitrox or inexperienced divers that sucked air and shortened the dive time or caused us to spend 20 minutes at 20 ft at the end of the dive. Returning to the surface with 1200 to 1500 psi was not my idea of "getting our money's worth". The rooms are basic but very well kept. Plenty of Hot water and clean towels. The resort provides filtered water in a bottle that is refilled everyday by the room staff. The lighting in the rooms is very dim, but there is a camera room downstairs with multiple charging outlets and compressed air for photographers. They have an onsite pool and spa, and they offer a "signature massage" 90 minutes for $35. I did take advantage of that! The onsite (4 star) restaurant offers sit down service, you just have to decide what you want to eat. Lunch and dinner offer 4 new choices everyday on a blackboard. Usually, fish, pork, pasta, and vegan. Coffee, tea, and water are included. Wine at dinner is extra. The resort is located "on the main drag" of town. This isn't a problem because the town consists of dozens of other resorts and traffic is limited to walking since no streets exist. The resort also has a waterfront bar aptly named "The 50 Bar". Local beers run about $4 USD and cocktails and import beers $5 - $6 USD. Expect to pay about $4 USD for soft drinks. |
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| Websites | Atlantis Dive Resorts | ||
Reporter and Travel |
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| Dive Experience | Over 1000 dives | ||
| Where else diving | Caymans, Bahamas, Dominica, Belize, Bonaire, Roatan, Cozumel, Hawaii, Philippines, California, Florida, Washington | ||
| Closest Airport | MNL | Getting There | Fly into Manila and resort provides 2 hr ride to Batangas, and then a 1 hr boat ride to Sabang Bay where the resort is located. |
Dive Conditions |
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| Weather | sunny, rainy, cloudy | Seas | choppy |
| Water Temp | 81-83°F / 27-28°C | Wetsuit Thickness | 7 |
| Water Visibility | 20-80 Ft/ 6-24 M | ||
Dive Policy |
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| Dive own profile | no | ||
| Enforced diving restrictions | 50 minutes for maximum depth 60-70 ft | ||
| Liveaboard? | no | Nitrox Available? | yes |
What I Saw |
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| Sharks | None | Mantas | None |
| Dolphins | None | Whale Sharks | None |
| Turtles | > 2 | Whales | None |
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best): |
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| Corals | |
Tropical Fish | |
| Small Critters |  |
Large Fish | N/A |
| Large Pelagics | N/A | ||
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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| Subject Matter | |
Boat Facilities | N/A |
| Overall rating for UWP's | |
Shore Facilities | |
| UW Photo Comments | No storage on the boats except on the floor. The dive shop has dedicated camera tanks for storage between dives and soaking at the end of the day. Great camera room for charging batteries and compressed air for servicing at the end of the day. | ||
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above. |
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