This exceptional island-hopping adventure from one palm-fringed tropical island to another, starts in the chilled out beach resort of Puerto Galera, and culminates in Coron to snorkel or dive on a fleet of Japanese WWII shipwrecks, and to kayak around spectacular, towering limestone islands. This is an ideal trip for divers of all levels and non-divers too.

Bookings close for the March run of this trip at the end of this month, January, due to high demand for rooms at the lovely Sangat Island Reserve. The March departure is guaranteed to go. If you have a group of 4 or more, we can tailor a similar trip to your own dates and objectives.

Full description on the Symbiosis Custom Travel website here.

The Philippines Island Hopping, Diving & Kayaking Safari is an exceptional adventure, hopping from one palm-fringed tropical island to another by traditional, outrigger boat (banca), culminating in Coron to snorkel or dive on a fleet of Japanese shipwrecks, and to kayak around spectacular, towering limestone islands. This is an ideal trip for divers and non-divers together.

Scheduled, join in trips in March and April 2012

Offer: 30% off Southern Visayas dive cruise
Boat: S/Y Philippine Siren
Dates: 3rd to 13th July 2012
Price: was 2600 Euro NOW 1820 Euro per person sharing

This 10-night sailing cruise departs from and returns to Cebu with dives at Cabilao, Balicasag, Pescador & Dauin. Combines the sea-fan covered walls and fields of table corals with macro critter paradise. See seahorses & frog fish, thresher sharks and even whale sharks!

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to book

The Philippines Department of Agriculture is putting in 30 million Piso to restore the 2,000-year old Ifugao Rice Terraces, often described as the 8th Wonder of the World, to their former glory.

Batad Village & Rice Terraces in 1990 before typhoons and neglect destroyed sections of them. Photo by Chris Gow

The Ifugao Rice Terraces are considered an UNESCO World Heritage site, and have been declared by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation as a Globally-Important Agricultural Heritage System.

Alcala said the P30 million is an initial amount, with P10 million coming from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for the repair of the damaged portions and the enhancement of the irrigation systems for the terraces in the village of Batad. The remainder will come from the National Rice Program for the reinforcement and upgrade of similar terraces in four other sites.

These include the picturesque Banaue rice terraces that can be seen at the Danara Viewpoint and the terraces in Mayoyao, Hapao and Kiangan.

Full story by MARVYN N. BENANING in the Manila Bulletin

The best way to explore the amazing rice terraces of the Ifugao, Botoc and Kalinga tribes of the Philippines Cordillera is to make a trek from village to village, staying at small guest houses and as guests of local tribal families. Here’s how.

Several special offers are now available throughout the month of November for Siren fleets. Check it out!

Philippine Siren – Sailing from Puerto Princesa, the S/Y Philippine Siren brings you to the atolls of Tubbataha and Jessie Beazley reef for opportunities to see many different shark species – in 2011 guests sighted hammerhead, whale, tiger, white tip, silver tip and grey reef sharks – there are also vast schools of fish and a variety of turtles.
Date: 14-20 MAR 2012 (6 nights)
Location: Tubbataha
Price: was EUR 1,800 / NOW EUR 1,620 (10% off)

Mandarin Siren – Departs from Sorong for 10 nights diving the islands of Waigeo, Batanta, & Misool as well as the many sites in between. Wobbegong sharks, pygmy seahorses, wonderpus octopus and schools of bumphead parrotfish are to be expected, along with manta rays, reef sharks and fantastic corals.
Date: 01-11 FEB 2012 (10 nights)
Location: Raja Ampat
Price: was EUR 2,600 / NOW EUR 2,255 (15% off)

Maldives Siren – The 10-nights cruise departs from Male and ends in Khaadhoo on Laamu Atoll, diving Ari, Thaa, and Nilandhe atolls. Dive a wide variety of kandus and thilas and enjoy seeing reef sharks, macro life and even the occasional blue whale!
Date: 01-11 JUNE 2012 (10 nights)
Price: was EUR 2,600 / NOW EUR 2,210 (15% off)

Indo Siren – Departs from Bima Bay – a macro critter hotspot – for a 10-night Komodo safari which includes Castle & Crystal Rocks where white-tip, black-tip and grey reef sharks can be seen hunting and being cleaned. Manta and eagle rays are also likely and colourful corals and huge schools of fish round off the trip nicely!
Date: 19-29 AUG 2012
Location: Komodo
Price: was EUR 2,600 / NOW EUR 2,340 (10% off)

Note: applicable to all bookings made and confirmed in the month of November 2011

Contact Symbiosis to book your slot.

45 Day Short Notice Special Offer at Atlantis Resorts in either Puerto Galera or Dumaguete.

Location: Atlantis Resort Puerto Galera or Atlantis Resort Dumaguete, Philippines
Offer: 15% Discount on bookings made within 45 days of arrival.

Guests can make new reservations at either Atlantis Puerto Galera or Atlantis Dumaguete and receive 15% off the normal, all-inclusive prices when booked within 45 days of arrival.

Conditions
This can be a stay of any length, subject to availability.
Available on new bookings only
No free spaces for groups
Cannot be used in conjunction with any other special or discount
Transfers and Nitrox are not included in the special offer
45 Day Special offer cannot be combine with the promo season rates

A stay of 12 nights or more will get an additional 5% discount

Combination Stay
Book a combination stay (eg. P Galera + Dumaguete) of minimum 12 nights (min. 7 nights in one resort plus min. of 5 in the other) will also get an additional 5% discount.

Enquiries and bookings to Symbiosis Custom Travel

Expedition Fleet in the Philippines has the following group deals in addition to the 5% discount offer to individuals (see earlier listing):

Pay for 7 divers, one goes free
Pay for 15, 2 go free
+ Free Nitrox

Boats that this offer applies to are:

Stella Maris
Apo Explorer
Borneo Explorer
Oceanic Explorer

1. Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines
What?: 7 night stay, full board, with unlimited scheduled boat diving plus 2 days trips to Apo Island
Where?: Atlantis Dive Resort, Dumaguete, Philippines
Price: USD1,299 per person sharing
When?
15-22 Oct 2011
22-29 Oct 2011
19 -25 Nov 2011
03-10 Dec 2011
10-17 Dec 2011
17-24 Dec 2011
All of Jan & Feb 2012

2. Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental, Philippines
What?: 7 night stay, full board, with unlimited scheduled boat diving
Where?: Atlantis Dive Resort, Puerto Galera, Philippines
Price: USD1,199 per person sharing
When?
29 Oct – 05 Nov 2011
12 -19 Nov 2011
10-17 Dec 2011
17-24 Dec 2011
14-21 Jan 2012
21-28 Jan 2012
28 Jan-04 Feb 2012

Web page for this one coming soon.

Resort rates above are per person double occupancy and include 7 night’s accommodations, all meals at Toko’s restaurant (breakfast drinks, Italian and specialty coffees at breakfast are included), coffee, sea and filtered water are available from 600am to 600pm (Italian and specialty coffees are not included after breakfast), unlimited Internet access, two day trips to Apo Island or similar (Dumaguete only), unlimited scheduled boat diving (typically up to 5 dives per day including night diving).

Contact Symbiosis to find out more.

To celebrate the DIVE 2011 Show in Birmingham UK this weekend, here are some excellent deals for diving in Puerto Galera, the Philippines

Resort: El Galleon, Puerto Galera

PACKAGE 1 WEEK / UNLIMITED DIVES
Price: EUR 492.20 per person sharing a room, single room: EUR 724.70
Additional day with diving: EUR 54.60 pp sharing or EUR 72.10 single
Includes: private transfer airport to El Galleon Beach Resort return, 7 nights share a/c Poolside room with American breakfast, unlimited day-diving (tank, w-belt, boat and guide).
Non-diver: EUR 266.80 pp sharing, single EUR 499.30.
Additional day: EUR 22.40 pp sharing or EUR 39.90 single.

PACKAGE 2 WEEKS / UNLIMITED DIVES
Price: EUR 819.80 per person sharing a room, single room: EUR 1,157.30
Additional day with diving: EUR 54.60 pp sharing or EUR 72.10 single
Includes: private transfer airport to El Galleon Beach Resort return, 7 nights share a/c Poolside room with American breakfast, unlimited day-diving (tank, w-belt, boat and guide).
Non-diver: EUR 401.20 pp sharing, single EUR 738.70.
Additional day: EUR 22.40 pp sharing or EUR 39.90 single.

PACKAGE 3 WEEKS / UNLIMITED DIVES
Price: EUR 1,202.00 per person sharing a room, single room: EUR 1,662.00
Additional day with diving: EUR 54.60 pp sharing or EUR 72.10 single
Includes: private transfer airport to El Galleon Beach Resort return, 7 nights share a/c Poolside room with American breakfast, unlimited day-diving (tank, w-belt, boat and guide).
Non-diver: EUR 558.00 pp sharing, single EUR 1,018.00.
Additional day: EUR 22.40 pp sharing or EUR 39.90 single.

ALL ABOVE PRICES ARE NET AND MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME

Bookings should be made to Symbiosis Custom Travel before 31 October 2011.

Come and dive at one of these resorts (Malapascua Legend Resort, Oasis Resort, Sumisid Lodge) and enjoy extra free dives for the confirmed booking as follow:

*For every 5-nights booked, get 1 FREE guided day dive. Or, book 12 days or more, receive 2 FREE guided day dives.

Package price:
- For 5-nights stay in A/C Deluxe Poolside with breakfast/8 dives @ Malapascua Legend: EUR 334/per person/sharing or EUR 484 for single occupancy
- For 5-nights stay in A/C Deluxe Poolside with breakfast/8 dives @ Oasis Resort: EUR 309/per person/sharing or EUR 409 for single occupancy
- For 5-nights stay in A/C Deluxe with Fullboard/8 dives @ Sumisid Lodge: EUR 384/per person/sharing or EUR 434 for single occupancy.

Packages exclude: Marine Park fee and transfers between destinations/airport.

Conditions: vaild till 31st Sept 2012; must be booked by 15th Nov 2011.

Contact Symbiosis for further details

5% discount off all Expedition Fleet liveaboard cruises to Tubbataha Reef in 2012.

Boats: Apo Explorer, Borneo Explorer, Oceanic Explorer, Stella Maris
Offer: 5% Discount on published prices
Validity: Must be booked, and deposit paid, before the end of October. Balance must be paid by 15 December.

Check the links above for more information. The Tubbataha season is short, starting in early March and ending in early June.

Make bookings with Symbiosis Custom Travel.

Please note: with the DIVE 2011 Show in the UK taking place this weekend, 22/23 Oct., spaces will fill fast.

Resort: Turtle Bay, Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines
Offer: 10% discount on rooms, meals and dives from now until 31 Jan 2012, (excluding dates 21 to 31 Dec)
Validity: For bookings made before 31 Oct 2011

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel to book now!

Where: Southern Visayas from Mactan – Diving Cebu, Bohol, Pescador, Apo and Negros islands
Boat: Philippine Siren
Dates: 03 to 13 July 2012
Price: € 1,820 per person sharing (reduced from € 2,600)
Validity: Must be booked before 30 November, but beware! The Dive 2011 Show in the UK takes place on 22/23 Oct where this special deal will be on offer. Book before then to avoid disappointment.

To book or for more info contact Symbiosis Custom Travel

10% Discount on a 6 night dive cruise to the awesome Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea, Philippines, aboard the Philippine Siren

Dates: 14 to 20 March 2012
Price: € 1,620 per person sharing cabin (normally: €1,800)
Validity: Must be booked before 30 November 2011

This is a special offer for the Dive 2011 Show in Birmingham, UK, (22 to 24 Oct.) and will not last long. Get in early to avoid disappointment!

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel NOW