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Dive Review of Atlantis Dive Resorts in
Philippines/Negros

Atlantis Dive Resorts: "Atlantis Dumaguete", Nov, 2015,

by Jeff Robertson, CA, US (Contributor Contributor 15 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 8765.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Please refer to my trip report for Atlantis Puerto Galera for general comments about the Atlantis resorts operations. I visited both the Puerto Galera and the Dumaguete resorts in November 2015. This report specifically relates to my experience at Atlantis Dumaguete.

Atlantis Dumaguete Resort is about a 30 minute van ride from the airport. It is nicely situated on the beach on the East side of the Negros Island in the Philippines. Resort staff met us at the airport in an air conditioned van and the company Jeepney to take us to the resort. Upon arrival, I was immediately impressed by two things; the uniformed guard at the gate and the tropical setting and lush landscaping of the resort itself. A very South Pacific feeling. The two story buildings have thatched palms over the roofs and sit amid a winding pathway past the pool and spa to the beach. There you’ll find the front desk, dive shop, storage room, showers, rinse tanks, boutique and a dedicated camera dry room before arriving at the bar and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating areas.

The rooms are well appointed with all the amenities you’d expect including comfy beds, in suite baths, AC, personal safes, a lighted closet and balconies or patios with a drying rack and lounge furniture or hammock, depending which level your room is on. I stayed in a second floor room with balcony and hammock that was perfect.

Very similar to my experience at PG, all of the people that comprised the various operations staff at Dumaguete were exceptional. From the grounds crew to the dive staff and to the front desk and the restaurant staff. from the moment we arrived at the resort we had a warm feeling of being welcomed by everyone we encountered, most calling us by name. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. They certainly live up to their motto to "Arrive as guest... Leave as a friend!"

Most of the diving at Dumaguete is considered “muck diving” not on coral reefs, but in rocky corners and sandy patches that have an incredible amount of sea life and little critters. During this trip I saw many amazing animals including pygmy seahorses, blue ringed octopus, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, many different varieties of pipefish, snake eels, frogfish, garden eels and many other critters. On a single dive I saw 2 blue ringed octopuses, 3 cuttlefish, an ambon scorpionfish and mimic octopus and other myriad things too numerous to mention. Incredible! At one point I offhandedly asked our dive master Paul (Pablo Tegio) if there was a chance that we might see something specific on one of the dives. He said that he would take us to a place where that was possible, but he couldn’t promise anything. You’ve all heard this before, but in this case it turned out to be the dive of my trip. I saw things that I had never seen before. I was blown away. Thanks Paul.

Also included are trips to outer islands for more reef / wall type diving, which are incredible. Be sure to consider doing the Apo Island and Siquijor Island trips. For the last day (usually non-dive day) there is the chance to take an excursion to swim with whale sharks at the island of Cebu. I was hesitant about doing this since it seemed somewhat contrived with the rangers introducing krill into the water to attract the whale sharks, but I am glad I did.

Lastly I want to give big thanks and a shout out to the entire dive crew especially Gene, Ambo, Neal, Art and Jun, including service staff Cathy, Ed, Grace, Jason and Joanna. Dek and Marco too. Thanks again everyone for making my stay a great experience.
Websites Atlantis Dive Resorts   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Carib, Bahamas, Pacific
Closest Airport Dumaguete Getting There A one hour domestic flight from Manila.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 20-80 Ft/ 6-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Stay in sight of the group, respect the environment, keep good buoyancy.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks > 2
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals N/A Tropical Fish N/A
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments Dedicated fresh water rinse tank on shore for cameras only and a large dry room for photographers with plenty of 110 & 220 outlets, air hoses, towels, storage cubes and work space.
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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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