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Dive Review of S/Y Philippine Siren in
Philippines/Tubbataha, Negros, Cebu

S/Y Philippine Siren: "Great trip! Tubbataha was the highlight!", Jun, 2018,

by Leslie Chow, CA, US ( 2 reports with 6 Helpful votes). Report 10321 has 6 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments We just returned on the transition trip (from Tabbataha to Sebu) in May/June 2018 and had a terrific time!

The diving in Tubataha is refreshingly untouched (due to no-fishing) with Whale sharks, reef sharks, tuna and trevali as well as myriads of smaller fish. great trip with a variety of dive types (reef, wall, muck, big and small stuff etc.). Muck diving in Dauin (on Negros island)was great with many amazing creatures (sea horses, ambon scorpion fish, ornate ghost pipe fish, razorfish, crustaceans of all sorts; frog fish, odd pipefish, cepholopods and + ... seemingly everywhere you look. Much more life than Lembeh straits and much less depressing trash than Lembeh. The boat was comfortable (we stayed in the smaller double cabin # 1, larger bathroom, smaller cabin, very comfortable but with anchor noise when anchored {bit most of the dives/overnight locations were mooring or untethered].

Very safety oriented with great briefings and excellent processes. Crew was amazing - helpful, friendly, organized and competent. Separated trash/recycling on the boat for lower guilt./hopefully lower eco impact. Great recharge stations. Appreciated that the cabins had individual climate control. Cruise director Shu (and assistant Ed) were great - hospitable, organized, positive and energetic! Although this was their last trip (they are transferring to Indo-siren in Sept), we dove with incoming Cruise director Kristy and Asst cruise director Jonah (divemaster for the past 2 years in the P-Siren, she is great!) so I think the cruise is in good hands. As a gluten-free diet troublemaker, Chef Boy did a great job with gluten-free substitutes! We had our anniversary on the cruise and the crew gave us a surprise shout out underwater and in our cabin... so sweet and super fun! thanks to my husband for leaking the anniversary to Ed and and Shu.

Areas for improvement: wished they had fresh seafood. all seafoof was frozen due to no -fishing on site at Tabbataha but could have gotten fresh fish in Negros/Cebu region from local fisherpeople. Also wish there had been an ice machine (for drinks and injuries). the Salon area mid ship was hot and ac was off/not much ventilation. wish there had been an outdoor shaded area to hang out. outdoor upper lounge area was sunny or could stay in shaded dining area midships although that was not ideal for lounging as it was a dining area
Websites S/Y Philippine Siren   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving N. CA, Hawaii, Red Sea, Myanmar/Burma Banks, Galapagos, Palau, Yap, Guam, Mexico, Sulawesi/Indonesia, Wakatobi/Indonesia, Fiji, Bshamas, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, Florida, Israel/Mediterranean
Closest Airport Cebu and Puerto Princessa Getting There for us it was SFO to Hong Kong to Cebu to Puerto Princessa outbound and Cebu- HK -SFO return. HK-Cebu on Cebu Pacific, Cebu - PP on Asia Pacific. both local airlines were fine. UA SFO to HK delayed 12 hours due to mechanical then crew then catering
issues.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy Seas calm, choppy, currents
Water Temp 78-85°F / 26-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 25-75 Ft/ 8-23 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 1 hr per dive due to boat schedule; nitrox limits, 4 dives per day
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks > 2
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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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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