Philippines Explorer Two | Visayas

Boat

Philippines Explorer Two is a small private-charter yacht for couples, families and groups of friends who want diving, snorkelling and island travel without sharing the vessel with a large liveaboard group. It carries a maximum of six guests with five crew, creating a very different product from the operator's 21/22-guest Explorer One.

The GRP yacht was built in 2008 and, according to the operator, completely rebuilt in 2022 for extended South-East Asian cruising. A current specialist seller displays “2008 / 2026” as the build/renovation line, but the operator does not describe a second complete 2026 rebuild. Website copy should use the supported 2022 rebuild and request the scope of any later work before claiming a new refurbishment date.

Official dimensions are 23.85 metres long, 5.54 metres wide and 1.75 metres draft. Twin Volvo Penta D6 engines rated at 480 hp each give an average cruising speed of approximately 7.5 knots. Two 35 kW Kohler silent generators and a Seakeeper gyro stabiliser are intended to improve rest at anchor and comfort underway; neither feature guarantees a motion-free cruise.

A watermaker rated at 300 litres per hour supports the four cabins and crew. Diving and shore transfers use a five-metre tender with an 85 hp outboard. The published safety inventory includes AIS, radar, EPIRB, SART, DSC-VHF radio, two eight-person life rafts, lifejackets, oxygen and first-aid kits, fire and bilge alarms, Seakeeper stabilisation and Starlink hardware.

The yacht is arranged over three decks. Indoor areas are air-conditioned, while the open kitchen connects to an al-fresco dining deck. Forward sun pads, shaded seating, a flybridge lounge and open stern areas allow a six-person group to spread out. A Garmin Fusion sound system is integrated through the boat. Current photographs show the vessel previously carrying the name Oneironaut; this is the same yacht now marketed as Philippines Explorer Two, not another boat.

Asian and Western dishes, beach barbecues and informal meals are central to the private-yacht style. The operator states that all meals, soft drinks, coffee, teas and herbal infusions are included. Wine is available but is not listed among standard included beverages. Dietary needs should be submitted early, and severe allergies require an individual galley assessment.

Beyond scuba, the vessel lists snorkelling equipment, towables, fishing gear, two Seabobs and two Fliteboards, one inflatable and one rigid. Availability depends on route, maintenance, local rules, guest ability and crew supervision. The presence of fishing gear does not permit fishing inside a marine sanctuary, and powered boards may be restricted in protected or busy waters.

An onboard masseuse is advertised as a feature, but the current extras sheet prices massage separately. Starlink is also optional and paid. Mobile and satellite service can be interrupted by terrain, weather or technical conditions, so the yacht should not be sold as a guaranteed remote office.

No accessible-cabin standard, lift or step-free route is published. All public cabin listings place accommodation on the lower deck, reached by marine stairs. Tender boarding, raised thresholds and moving decks require balance and transfer ability. Guests with reduced mobility or medical devices should request a written assessment before booking.

Cabin

Philippines Explorer Two has exactly four guest cabins: two shared double rooms and two single rooms. All have natural light, individually controlled air conditioning, an ensuite bathroom with hot water, storage and access to universal electrical sockets. A current specialist listing places every category on the lower deck; the operator confirms the features but does not publish numbered cabins.

• 1 Premium Suite — maximum 2 guests: a full-beam cabin with queen-size bed, sofa seating, workspace, smart television and surround-sound speakers. The large ensuite includes a rain shower, basin, WC and panoramic ocean-view window. The detailed cabin page specifies a 100% natural-latex mattress, while the general boat page uses “custom Tempur-pedic” wording. Because those are not the same material or brand, request the current mattress specification rather than repeating both as fact.
• 1 Deluxe Suite — maximum 2 guests: a full-beam bow cabin with a double bed, windows on both sides and a skylight that also functions as an emergency hatch to the main deck. It has a desk and an ensuite with shower, basin, WC and ocean-view window. The bow position and hatch should be discussed with anyone sensitive to hull movement, deck noise or emergency-access arrangements.
• 2 Comfort Cabins — maximum 1 guest each: one cabin is on the port side and one on the starboard side. Each contains one single bed, a private ensuite with shower, basin and WC, plus storage and a small work area. They are not twin-share rooms and should not be described as accommodating two guests each.

The capacity calculation is 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 6 guests. The operator's four-cabin headline can be misleading if a seller assumes eight double places; only the Premium and Deluxe are shared categories. A six-person charter uses all four cabins.

The public pages do not provide floor areas, mattress dimensions, cabin numbers, wardrobe measurements, safes, hairdryers, minibars or connecting doors. The Premium is clearly the largest comfort category, but “full beam” also describes the Deluxe bow room and does not establish equal size. No extra bed or sofa-bed occupancy is advertised.

All cabins are ensuite, unlike some small-yacht layouts that use a shared day head. The Premium rain shower is specifically confirmed; the Deluxe and Comfort rooms have standard showers. Bath products, linen changes and housekeeping frequency should be checked on the dated offer even though towels and toiletries appear in current specialist listings.

The former Oneironaut photographs show a Premium double cabin, another double room and bathrooms. They support identity and general finish, but an image cannot establish which exact cabin a guest will receive. Ask for a rooming list with the Premium, Deluxe and the two named Comfort allocations.

Solo travellers normally occupy a Comfort cabin only as part of a private group charter unless the operator advertises a cabin-share departure. The yacht is primarily sold for exclusive use; per-cabin pricing and roommate matching should not be assumed from the schedule page.

Diving

Philippines Explorer Two is fully equipped for recreational air and Nitrox diving. The published inventory comprises 10 twelve-litre cylinders, 2 fifteen-litre cylinders, an air compressor, air bank and Nitrox system. The five-metre tender carries divers to sites and handles pickups, allowing the mothership to remain at a comfortable anchorage.

The operator deliberately limits scheduled routes to a maximum of three dives per day, often two. This creates time for cruising, snorkelling, island visits, watersports and relaxed meals. It is not the right product for a diver who expects four or five dives every day, and the ceiling does not guarantee three dives on arrival, wildlife, transfer or final days.

Standard pricing includes scheduled diving when the charter is booked on a published dive itinerary. Nitrox and rental equipment are excluded under the general terms. A full rental set currently includes wetsuit, BCD, regulator, mask, snorkel, boots, fins, weight belt, DSMB and reel; computer and torch cost separately. Larger or additional cylinders also carry a charge.

The operator cannot support rebreathers. Do not infer technical gas, boosters, oxygen/helium, bailout or a technical guide from the Nitrox plant. Published operations are open-circuit recreational diving unless a bespoke contract states otherwise.

Optional Advanced Open Water and Enriched Air practical training, refreshers and selected specialties may be arranged. Course rates do not include required PADI eLearning or the certification card. A course can also conflict with route conditions or limited instructor time, so it must be confirmed before embarkation.

The itineraries range from reef and macro diving to current-influenced shoals. Monad and Kimud are associated with thresher-shark activity; Gato includes a tunnel environment; Manta Bowl and Ticao Pass can have strong current; Southern Leyte mixes walls, coral gardens and macro sites. Certification alone does not guarantee participation in every profile. Recent experience, buoyancy and guide approval matter.

The operator's general terms do not set one minimum certification or logged-dive number. Ask for route-specific requirements, especially for Ticao Pass and overhead sections at Gato. A diver without appropriate cavern or overhead training should remain in open water and follow the guide's alternative plan.

Whale-shark, manta, thresher, dolphin and turtle encounters are possible but never guaranteed. The Southern Leyte programme identifies the Pintuyan whale-shark initiative as snorkelling only. Oslob activity should also be confirmed as scuba or snorkelling and explained with the applicable wildlife code.

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and should cover scuba, hyperbaric treatment, evacuation and repatriation. The group must respect no-fly guidance even when a morning dive is listed as “possible” on Day 7. Flights should be booked from the final approved dive time, not the marketing outline.

Other Information

The operator's general terms apply to both vessels, while the invoice defines the private charter and route-specific details.

Unless the selected offer states otherwise, the voyage price includes:

• Exclusive or booked use of Philippines Explorer Two under the contracted private-charter format
• Accommodation in the confirmed cabin allocation for up to six guests
• Full-board meals and snacks between meals
• Standard non-alcoholic beverages; the vessel page specifies soft drinks, coffee, teas and herbal infusions
• Scheduled activities named as included in the itinerary
• Scheduled diving when the charter is sold as a dive itinerary
• Applicable taxes where required by law

Normally excluded, optional or payable separately:

• International or domestic flights, hotel nights, visas, airport taxes and transfers
• Marine-park, conservation, port, government, photography and dive permits
• Rental dive equipment, Nitrox, computer, torch and larger or extra cylinders
• Alcohol, including wine, beer, spirits and cocktails
• Massage, laundry, Starlink internet and satellite communication
• Courses, eLearning, certification cards, private instruction and specialty services
• Insurance, medical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation
• Gratuities, personal purchases, merchandise and bank/payment fees
• Any fuel surcharge applied under the operator's terms

The current extras list gives transparent but changeable examples. A full equipment set costs USD 180 for six nights and excludes computer and torch; Nitrox is USD 100 for six nights. Wi-Fi is USD 30 for a six- or seven-night cruise, laundry USD 1 per item and massage USD 45 per hour. A dated invoice should replace these examples before a customer commits.

Beer, wine, spirits and cocktails are charged individually, and the operator currently applies a 4.5% surcharge to Visa or Mastercard payments onboard. Cash in Philippine pesos or US dollars is accepted. The wine “available” wording on the vessel page is not an all-inclusive bar promise.

Philippines Explorer Two's published programme consists of three seven-day / six-night routes, each normally departing on a Wednesday. They are intentionally paced at no more than three dives daily and often two, with quiet anchorages and reduced night navigation whenever possible.

Every day-by-day plan is a sample. Weather, tide, wildlife, port access and guest ability can reverse, replace or remove a stop. As a private charter, the yacht can also build a custom programme, but distance and safety still control what is practical.

Malapascua: Sharks and Shoals — Dauin to Malapascua

This northbound Visayas journey connects volcanic Dauin with Malapascua, using whale-shark activity, the Moalboal sardine coast, quieter islands and thresher-shark shoals as its route structure. The operator also sells the same journey in reverse. The sample below follows the published Dauin-to-Malapascua direction.

Day 1 — Dauin embarkation: board, allocate cabins, complete yacht and dive safety briefings, check certification and rental gear, then move to a quiet anchorage for sunset. The official sample specifies no diving on this day.

Day 2 — Oslob and Bais Bay: the programme begins with a whale-shark activity at Oslob before cruising toward Bais Bay for possible dolphin watching around sunset. The operator does not state on this page whether the Oslob encounter is scuba or snorkelling, so the final trip sheet must clarify method, timing and wildlife rules.

Day 3 — Pescador Island and Moalboal: diving or snorkelling may focus on Pescador's reef structure and the Moalboal sardine aggregation. Crowds, current and local access affect the order. A sardine encounter is natural behaviour, not a staged guarantee.

Day 4 — Sipaway Island: reef diving breaks the journey north. The small-yacht format supports two or three carefully timed activities rather than rushing through multiple distant sites.

Day 5 — Gato Island: Gato is known for reef scenery, sharks and its tunnel. Overhead passage requires the right training, conditions and guide approval; guests who do not qualify should receive an open-water alternative.

Day 6 — Kimud and Monad Shoals: early dives target the current and cleaning-station windows associated with thresher sharks. The crew may choose one shoal more than once rather than promise both. Negative entries or blue-water procedures can apply.

Day 7 — Kimud and Maya/Malapascua disembarkation: a final Kimud opportunity is possible before cruising into Maya Port or the Malapascua area. The exact endpoint and transfer between island and mainland must be written on the booking. The final dive is conditional on safe no-fly timing.

The reverse Malapascua-to-Dauin trip follows the same geographic corridor but should not be described by mechanically reversing every meal, dive or wildlife time. Tides, daylight and port logistics create a different operational sequence.

Malapascua: Mantas and Sharks — Malapascua to Donsol

This one-way route links Malapascua with the Ticao Pass and Donsol region. It is the stronger option for confident divers interested in shoals, current and large pelagics, yet it still retains time for non-divers and sheltered evenings. Reverse Donsol-to-Malapascua departures are also published.

Day 1 — Malapascua embarkation and check dive: board and complete briefings, then make a check dive around Chocolate Island or Malapascua if conditions and timing allow. The yacht seeks a quiet anchorage for sunset.

Day 2 — Kimud and Monad Shoals: early tender runs target the best current and cleaning-station windows. Thresher sharks are a possibility, not a guarantee. Group procedures established on the check dive determine who can join the more demanding profile.

Day 3 — Kimud and Gato Island: a further shoal opportunity can be combined with Gato's reef and, for suitably trained divers, its tunnel. The route may omit an overhead swim-through even when Gato remains on the programme.

Day 4 — Sambawan Islands: island scenery and reef diving break the passage toward the Bicol side. Snorkelling or time ashore can be scheduled for mixed groups when access and weather permit.

Day 5 — Tatus Island and Ticao San Miguel: the yacht enters the Ticao region, where tidal flow becomes an important planning factor. Dive count and site order are shaped around safe current windows.

Day 6 — Manta Bowl and Donsol: the published highlight is Manta Bowl, a current-influenced site associated with manta rays and occasional whale sharks. Divers need disciplined entries, buoyancy and group contact. Donsol provides a surface or wildlife context, but the exact activity is departure-specific.

Day 7 — possible morning dive and Donsol disembarkation: an early dive may be offered if conditions and travel plans allow. It is explicitly possible rather than guaranteed. Disembarkation details and onward transfer must be confirmed before booking flights.

Choose this route for pelagic potential and a true one-way yacht journey. Do not choose it on the assumption that both mantas and whale sharks will appear on the same dive, even though such encounters are possible in Ticao Pass.

Southern Leyte: Macro and Wide Angle — Anda Return

The Southern Leyte programme is planned as a quieter return cruise using healthy walls, hard-coral gardens, macro areas and a snorkelling-based whale-shark initiative. The operator advertises Anda to Anda, but its Day 1 line says Dauin. This unresolved error must be corrected on the booking before transfers are purchased.

Day 1 — embarkation and Anda-area check dive: assuming the advertised Anda start is correct, board, brief and make a check dive in the Anda area before a quiet sunset anchorage. If Dauin is actually the start, distance and transfer arrangements change materially.

Day 2 — Anda: coral walls, turtle habitat and drift diving allow the team to assess current comfort. Two well-timed dives can leave room for snorkelling or coastal exploration.

Day 3 — Limasawa Island: hard-coral gardens and walls form the day's wide-angle focus. Tender operations and tidal direction control site selection.

Day 4 — Napantao, Santa Paz or Malitbog: Napantao Marine Sanctuary provides wall scenery, while Santa Paz or Malitbog may be added for guests who want macro subjects. The slash in the official programme represents choice, not a promise to complete every site.

Day 5 — Tangkaan and Padre Burgos: further Southern Leyte reefs combine coral, fish life and possible macro searches. The crew chooses the sequence according to sea state and group interest.

Day 6 — Pintuyan whale-shark initiative: the operator explicitly describes this encounter as snorkelling only. Participation follows the local initiative's rules, animal presence and sea conditions; no sighting or minimum water time is guaranteed.

Day 7 — return to Anda and disembarkation: cruise back to the confirmed port, settle onboard extras and transfer ashore. The sample does not promise a final dive. Safe flight and altitude timing remains the guest's responsibility.

This route is best for mixed groups who value both macro and reef scenery and prefer shorter passages. The private yacht can adjust time between photographers, snorkellers and divers, but it cannot create whale sharks or override sanctuary rules.

Custom Private Charter

Philippines Explorer Two is also promoted for custom itineraries. A private group can emphasise diving, snorkelling, watersports, island walks or relaxed anchorages, but the advertised yacht rate does not automatically convert any wish list into an approved route.

A useful custom brief states guest ages, certification and logged dives, number of divers and non-divers, preferred ports, available nights, must-see interests, dietary needs and desired activity balance. The operator can then price crew, fuel, permits, park fees, rental and transfers accurately.

For six guests, the rooming plan uses the Premium double, Deluxe double and both single Comfort cabins. A group of three couples cannot occupy three equivalent double suites; two people must accept single rooms. Cabin reality should shape the charter proposal before money changes hands.

Avoid joining distant regions in one short cruise. Malapascua to Donsol already uses a full week, and Dauin to Malapascua is a one-way expedition. A return charter from a single port needs a smaller radius or more nights. The master retains the final route decision.

Typical Day and Activity Balance

An active day normally begins with an early briefing and tender dive, followed by breakfast. A second dive can be timed for the next tide, with lunch and a longer rest afterward. A third dive may be offered in the afternoon, while snorkelling, Seabob use, a shore visit or sunset time fills the remainder.

This rhythm works well for a couple where only one person dives or a family with mixed interests. It also means a dedicated high-volume diver should compare the product carefully. The operator openly says “maximum three, often two,” and the website should preserve that honest positioning.

Powered boards, towables and fishing are not automatically available at every anchorage. Crew supervision, marine traffic, protected-area rules and equipment maintenance control their use. Alcohol is served only after activities when the cruise director considers it safe.

Choosing the Right Route

Choose Sharks and Shoals for a broad Visayas journey with Moalboal, Oslob, Gato and the Malapascua shoals. Choose Mantas and Sharks for a more current-influenced one-way crossing toward Ticao Pass and Donsol. Choose Southern Leyte for walls, coral gardens, macro opportunities and a calmer return format.

Non-divers should not select by animal names alone. Some shoals offer limited sheltered snorkelling and require early tender departures. Southern Leyte and the central Visayas can provide more varied surface activity, but every day remains dependent on sea and local access.

Photographers should discuss camera storage, charging, rinse arrangements, private-guiding needs and the balance between macro and wide-angle subjects. The public technical page does not specify a dedicated camera room, so one should not be promised.

Ports, Transfers and No-Fly Planning

The three itineraries use several geographically separate gateways: Dauin, Malapascua or Maya, Donsol and Anda. A “Malapascua” disembarkation may involve Maya Port on Cebu plus a small-boat transfer. Donsol access often connects through Bicol airports and road transport. Anda requires its own Bohol transfer plan.

Flights, hotels and transfers are excluded unless a dated offer adds them. Arrive with a buffer day, especially when changing domestic flights or carrying dive gear. A missed departure caused by airline, baggage or immigration delay is the guest's responsibility under the booking terms.

After the final dive, follow the cruise team's no-fly and altitude instructions. A possible Day 7 dive can conflict with a same-day flight. The safest schedule keeps a post-cruise night ashore or obtains written approval of the intended flight time.

Before departure, the final information pack should confirm the exact pier, boarding time, tender arrangement, contact number, first meal, last meal, final dive, disembarkation and transfer. This is particularly important for the published Anda/Dauin inconsistency.

Responsible Wildlife and Flexible Operations

The most valuable encounters occur when the group gives animals space. Do not chase whale sharks or mantas, block thresher-shark cleaning stations, touch coral or force an overhead route for a photograph. Snorkellers follow the same guide rules as divers.

The master may change course, remain at a sheltered anchorage or cancel an activity when conditions make it prudent. Private charter does not remove these safeguards. A successful Philippines Explorer Two cruise is measured by a well-paced week and appropriate encounters, not by completing every marketing highlight regardless of tide or weather.