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Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

Debhi

26/06/2018

The good: The crew was outstanding! The food was very good! There was plenty of room for all 27 guests and crew. It never felt crowded. They had a pretty good system for rotating divers on the...

Description

Boat

Discovery Palawan is a 43.88 meters long and 8.5 meters wide steel yacht, built and powered for comfort, safety and stability. It can cruise at 7 knots and has 220 volt power on board.

Previously named Hans Christian Andersen, was built in 1972 in Groningen, Holland. The initial idea was to create a luxurious sailing-ship for cruising around the Caribbean.

Discovery Palawan was later rebuilt as a navigation training ship then refitted in 2006 with a new and more powerful engine with all modern navigational equipment, then she was moved to the Philippines to serve as an adventure cruise ship.

Discovery Palawan was renamed in 2013 and underwent a USD 1.5 million renovation for a fresh, modern look.

On the main deck, there is an indoor saloon which also used as a camera Room, with lots of tables and charging stations. Just outside of the salon/camera Room, there are large rinse tanks for cameras. And the upper deck has a very pleasant outdoors eating area.

The dive deck is also located on the upper deck and once the gear is set up, the crew will carry it into the tender boat. All you have to do is wear your wetsuit and your mask.

Discovery Palawan is ideal for families with children, the boat sails from island to island in sheltered waters. Every day there is the opportunity to go ashore to discover beautiful beaches, local fishing villages and local markets.


Cabin

Discovery Palawan has 20 guest cabins, it can welcome max. 32 divers/38 non-divers on board.

All cabins have private bathroom with towels, toiletries, hairdryer (on request), personal climate control, cabinet...etc.

2 Deluxe Twin Cabins :
Located on the upper deck, each cabin comes with two single beds side by side, windows.

2 Deluxe Double Cabins :
Located on the upper deck, each cabin comes with one double bed, windows.

1 Family Cabin :
Located on the lower deck, this cabin comes with 2 single beds + 1 elevated double bed, suitable for 4 guests, portholes.

2 Standard Double Cabins :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with one queen-size bed, portholes.

13 Standard Cabins :
Located on the lower deck, each cabin comes with two single beds side by side, portholes.


Diving

  • 3 dives per day + alternating additional sunset/night dives.
  • No night dives are allowed in the Tubbataha Marine Park.
  • Usually, no dive on the embarkation and disembarkation day.
  • Only 1 - 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
  • All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
  • Divers must have at least 50 logged dives due to safety reason.

Other information

  • Nitrox:Available with additional cost
  • 15L Tanks:Available with additional cost
  • REBREATHER Dive:Not available at the moment
  • Technical Dive:Not available at the moment
  • Dive Equipment Rental:Available with additional cost.
  • Dive insurance:Divers must have valid dive insurance
  • Wi-Fi Internet :Not available at the moment
  • Laundry Service:Available with additional cost
  • Massage Service:Not available at the moment
  • Payment on board:Cash only (USD/PHP)
  • Crew Number:23, include 3 - 4 dive guides

Itineraries

Tubbataha

Day 01 – Embarkation in Puerto Princesa Port, between 2 – 4pm
Day 02 – 4 dives in TRNP (Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park) (no night dive)
Day 03 – 4 dives in TRNP (no night dive)
Day 04 – 4 dives in TRNP (no night dive)
Day 05 – 4 dives in TRNP (no night dive)
Day 06 – 3 dives in TRNP and Jessie Beazley (no night dive)
Day 07 – Disembarkation in Puerto Princesa Port after breakfast, 8am onwards

Divers must have at least 50 logged dives due to safety reasons. No refund will be given and will be banned from diving if DFC finds out that the guest has less than the required logged dives.

Book a flight to Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) on your account. If arriving on the day of departure, please book a flight that arrives before 4pm. We will not entertain guests arriving 4pm onwards. Embarkation time at port is between 2 – 4pm only.

Upon arrival at the airport, kindly proceed to the arrival exit and look for our staff holding a Discovery Fleet banner.

If you are staying in a hotel in Puerto Princesa City prior trip departure, we provide free transfer to the boat as long as your hotel is located within 10km from Puerto Princesa Port. Please inform us in advance so we can arrange this for you. The boat manager will contact your hotel when the transfer is on its way to pick up the guests (no exact time will be provided).

Disembarkation time is after breakfast, 8am onwards. Please provide us with your return flight in advance so we can arrange your free transfer to airport or hotel as long as located within 10km from port.


CEBU - MALAPASCUA - VISAYAS

Day 01 – Embarkation in Cebu Yacht Club between 2 – 4pm
Day 02 – Kalanggaman (3 dives)
Day 03 – Monad Shoal/Malapascua/Gato (3 dives)
Day 04 – Pescador Island & Moal Boal (3 dives)
Day 05 – Oslob – Sumilon (3 dives)
Day 06 – Cabilao Island (3 dives)
Day 07 – Disembarkation in Cebu Yacht Club between 8 – 10am

Book a flight to Mactan – Cebu International Airport (CEB) on your account. Embarkation time at Cebu Yacht Club is between 2 – 4pm.

Disembarkation time is after breakfast, between 8am – 10am. Please provide us with your return flight in advance so we can arrange your free transfer to Mactan Airport (CEB)


APO REEF- CORON

Day 01 – Embarkation in Bauan Port, Batangas between 1 – 3pm
Day 02 – Apo Reef Natural Park (3 dives)
Day 03 – Barracuda Lake, Twin Peaks, Siete Pecados (7 islands), Maquinit Hotspring, Kayangan Lake (3 dives)
Day 04 – Sangat & Culion Islands (3 dives)
Day 05 – Calumbuyan & North Cay Islands (3 dives)
Day 06 – Club Paradise, Dimakya Island (2 dives)
Day 07 – Disembarkation in Bauan Port, Batangas approximately 11am – 12nn

Book a flight to Manila (MNL) on your account. Embarkation time in Bauan Port, Batangas is between 1 – 3pm. Transfer from Manila Airport to Bauan Port on extra cost (inquire with us). Travel time from airport to port is approximately 2.5 hrs. If you will be using your own transfer, the port entrance fee will be on your own account. The driver should bring the vehicle’s Official Receipt and Registration Certificate as required by port.

Disembarkation time in Bauan Port, Batangas is approximately 11am – 12nn.


NATURE ESCAPE CEBU

Day 01 – Embarkation in Cebu Yacht Club starting 11:30am
Day 02 – Oslob & Sumilon (3 dives)
Day 03 – Apo Island (3 dives)
Day 04 – Cabilao ( 3dives)
Day 05 – Disembarkation in Cebu Yacht Club after breakfast between 8 – 11am

Book a flight to Mactan – Cebu International Airport (CEB) on your account. Embarkation time at Cebu Yacht Club is 11:30am. Disembarkation time is after breakfast, between 8am – 11am.

Schedules & routes

27/03/2025 to 02/04/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

03/04/2025 to 09/04/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

10/04/2025 to 16/04/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

17/04/2025 to 23/04/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

24/04/2025 to 30/04/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

01/05/2025 to 07/05/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

08/05/2025 to 14/05/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

15/05/2025 to 21/05/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

22/05/2025 to 28/05/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

29/05/2025 to 04/06/2025

Tubbataha Reef

Discovery Palawan is not in operation anymore.

Prices & conditions

Included

  • Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
  • VAT and local taxes
  • Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
  • Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
  • Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
  • Dive guide service
  • Use of Kayaks or/and SUPs
  • Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
  • Boat accident insurance
  • Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
  • Cabin cleaning service

Not included

  • Domestic flights in destination country
  • Marine park fees & Port fees
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Alcoholic beverage
  • Soft drinks
  • Dive equipment rentals
  • Larger tank (15 L)
  • Nitrox fills
  • Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
  • Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
  • Crew gratuity

Useful information

Philippines

Period : Liveaboards trip can be offered year round, best diving season depends on the location.

Visa's : Nationals from the vast majority of countries, including all ASEAN countries, can enter the Philippines without a visa for a period not exceeding 30 days. Central Asia and India citizens need a visa before arriving. Please check with the nearest consulate of the Philippines about the most-updated imformation.

Climat : There are 3 seasons. The dry/cool season is from December to February(best for Visayas), the mainly dry/hot season is from March to May (best for Tubbataha) and the rainy season is from June to November(best for Coron) with the occasional typhoon from June to September. Average temperatures are 25°C to 32°C.

Water : Water temps stay upwards of 27°C through most of the year

Clothing : Light clothes and sun protection is essential while visiting, but a light jacket is good for possible cooler evenings.

Plugs : Type A electrical plug most commonly found (but type B and C sometimes used) 220V @ 60Hz

Flights : International airports are located in Cebu, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles, Davao, Kalibo, Laoag, Manila and Zamboanga. With daily domestic connections everywhere around the country.

Currency : Local currency is Philippine Peso (PHP), other currencies can be easily changed at banks or money changers, and international ATM's are available. Credit Cards are widely accepted but when travelling to outer island it is recommended to carry sufficient amount of Philippine pesos.

Diver's reviews (2)

Debhi, 26/06/2018

The good: The crew was outstanding! The food was very good! There was plenty of room for all 27 guests and crew. It never felt crowded. They had a pretty good system for rotating divers on the zodiacs. 4 teams and 2 boats. They listed order of launch every day. The bad: It advertises a/c in the rooms, but 80-82 degrees does not count as airconditioned. They did put fans in the room though which helped it be bearable to sleep The public bathrooms stunk so bad. Occasionally our room bathroom smelled as well. The boat should put in a ventilation system. The Nitrox compressor went out and they had to get their sister ship to come by the next day to fill up tanks. Although weather was bad and cut our trip in Tubbataha short, I believe some of the time we only did 2 dives/day because of shortage of tanks. Of the 9 days, there was only 1 day they did 4 dives. Most days were 2 and some 3. Never got to dive Coron due to coast guard prohibition for 3 days due to weather (not the boats fault). Water in the bathroom after a shower did not readily drain and you ended up going to the bathroom later with your feet in 1" of water. If you disconnected the sink drain, you could get the water to drain. Tiles were cracked and moved because of it and I'm sure there was mold underneath.

Lars, 06/05/2014

I've been on this boat last april and it was the only possibility to fit my schedule. I enjoy the whole trip as the crew and diving team know perfectly the area and show us the best they could. Diving in Tubbataha was super good and we got lots of encounter where the best was hammerhead shark, eagle rays and sail fish. reefs were really nice and colorful. Cabin are well maintained and clean and food was good the whole trip, better than on land...i would recommend this boat as a solo divers i meet nice other people on boat. Lars.

Photos

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