Asia Grand View

Overview

Welcoming and friendly, Asia Grand View Hotel is located inside lush gardens and tranquil surroundings, offering guests a lovely piece of tropical heaven. With an in-house dive centre and only a stone’s throw from the world renowned wrecks of Coron Bay, this is the perfect choice for divers.

Enjoy the beauty and wonders of Coron from the stunning setting of Asia Grand View Hotel. The hotel is located in the province of Palawan, the Philippines' last frontier. Coron Bay is remarkable for its access to wreck dives, rich marine life, lush green mountains and rich flora and fauna. Asia Grand View Hotel has been inspired by the contemporary Asian arts, crafts and charming underwater scenery of Palawan.

Coron is world-famous for its remarkable dive sites and diving spots. Asia Grand View Hotel lets you experience world-class wreck diving, with outstanding reef and coral diving. Extended dive safaris are also available. One of the hotel's pools is specially designed for dive training. 

The hotel’s elevated position gives the restaurant and bar a stunning view of Coron Bay. The hotel has spa and massage facilities for guests to unwind and relax.

Accommodation

Asia Grand View Hotel has just 20 guest rooms, comprising of Superior Garden View, Superior Bay View and Deluxe Pool View Rooms. All rooms are elegantly decorated in an oriental style and are spacious, with verandas or balconies, flat screen TV’s, mini-bar, complimentary wi-fi, air-conditioning and en-suite facilities.

Facilities

Hotel guests are accommodated on a bed and breakfast basis. Lunch and dinner can also be enjoyed in the bright and airy Bayview Bar & Restaurant that offers tasty local and international dishes. With excellent views of Coron Bay from the restaurant and bar, it is especially popular at cocktail hour, when guests gather at the poolside bar, or by the restaurant, to watch the sunset. Romantic candle-lit dinners can also be arranged for that ‘special occasion’.

The main hotel pool is open from 7am to 11pm, with an infinity edge that draws the water into a waterfall, over the dive pool. The hotel also has a spa & massage area that can offer guests the ultimate in relaxation, pampering and rejuvenation of mind, body and soul!

Aqua Dive run the in-house Dive Centre. There is no shore diving from Coron Town. The transfer from the Hotel to the Pier, where the Dive Boats depart from is around 5 to 10 minutes. The closest dive site is then just 15 mins journey time by boat.

The dive centre usually offers 2 or 3 tank boat dives every day, departing between 9am and 10am. Lunch and refreshments are provided on board.  For Divers requiring only a single dive then either a morning or early afternoon dive can be arranged.

There are over 10 different wrecks to dive and most are very close to Coron Bay. All of the wrecks are remarkably intact structurally (though most of the artifacts have been removed and non-metallic materials have corroded away) and some stunning penetrations and swim-throughs are possible. All the big wrecks are either upright or on their sides.  A few have huge blast holes which allow masses of natural light to penetrate deep into the wrecks, making for a magical experience for the novice wreck diver! Nitrox is available at an extra charge and local Marine Sanctuary Fees apply.

Location

Asia Grand View Hotel is reached by a 1 hour flight from Manila Airport to Busuanga Airport, followed by a 30 minute drive from Busuanga Airport to the hotel. The dive centre is located on site.

Dive info

Diving in CORON

Coron is located in the south east corner of Busuanga Island, in the province of Palawan. This diverse region is known as the last frontier of the Philippines and is home to some spectacular scenery, ranging from limestone cliffs, thermal lakes and underwater caves. Jacques Cousteau described this area of the archipelago as “the most beautiful place I ever explored.” With over 1,800 islands, pristine beaches, world-class diving and a diverse wildlife you will understand why.

Coron Bay is synonymous with divers worldwide as the wreck diving mecca of the Philippines, with relatively easy access to more than 10 WW2 wrecks at varying depths, including Akitsushima, Taiei Maru and Olympia Maru. Intermingled with picturesque reefs that are teeming with aquatic life and rarely any challenging currents, this makes Coron a suitable dive destination for all levels of dive qualification.

WRECK DIVE: IRAKO

A large Japanese refrigeration ship (9723 tons), located at the mouth of Coron Bay and probably the best wreck dive in the Philippines. At just over 146m long and 19m wide, The Irako is reasonably intact and because of the normally good visibility, you know you are diving on a big shipwreck! Big groupers, schools of tuna and yellow fin, lion fish, scorpion fish, sea turtles and huge schools of Jacks live around the wreck. There is a beautiful deep penetration through the engine room for trained, experienced and properly equipped divers.

WRECK DIVE: OKIKAWU MARU (also known as TAEI MARU)

A Japanese tanker, approximately 168m long. This wreck is totally covered with beautiful corals and offers a large variety of marine-life. The deck is between 10m and 16m and is good for wreck dive beginners. There are many penetration possibilities for advanced wreck divers including penetrating up the propeller shaft from the outside of the ship all the way into the engine room. Strong tidal currents often do affect this wreck. Diving in strong currents lets you see the most fish as it creates an exhilarating habitat for a significant and diverse quantity of marine species. At the bow you can see a school of snappers and huge bat fish holding position into a slight current. Large fish shelter out of the current behind crumpled metal and inside of the deckhouses .There is also a large resident grouper near the bottom.

WRECK DIVE: KYOKUZAN MARU

Unlike most of the other wrecks you may wish to dive on a trip to Coron, Kyokuzan Maru is not in Coron Bay but is found in a small bay to the north of Busuanga island, practically on the flight path of Francesco Reyes airport. This Japanese freighter measures about 152 m long and lies almost upright at an average 30m depth; she provides a beautiful wreck dive experience. In excellent condition, this huge sunken ship usually has about 20 metres visibility and ideal diving conditions. In the cargo rooms hold Japanese cars and trucks can be found and provides shelter to batfishes, fusiliers and trevallies. Barracudas and rays are frequently sighted.

BARRACUDA LAKE

A very unusual dive site, located North West of Coron Island, famous for its varying thermoclines. Barracuda Lake is a freshwater lake sitting in an extinct volcano crater. It is about 40m deep and surrounded by sharp limestone cliffs and a truly beautiful place. After a boat ride from Coron Island, you climb for 5-10 minutes with full dive gear on your back! Intriguing underwater rock formations, not much fauna but you can still spot Gobies, Shrimps, Groupers and sometimes even Barracuda! You can dive Barracuda Lake all year long and it is also a popular snorkelling spot.

This freshwater lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs and served by a hot spring. Water temperature varies from 27- 40°C and the transition between cold to hot water can provide a shock, although you can see the change approaching where the water temperatures merge. There are numerous shells on the bottom, shrimps on the walls and a few rabbit fish in the shallows and is an in-water experience that can be appreciated by divers and snorkelers alike. 

APO REEF

Famous for its dramatic drop-offs down to 400 metres, the steep walls of Apo reef (not to be confused with Apo Island, Dumaguete) are covered with corals, sponges, tunicates, nudibranchs and slugs. Green and hawksbill turtles and a multitude of fish including damselfish, butterfly fish, batfish, surgeonfish, snappers, fusiliers and trevallies can be expected. Where strong currents are present, there is the increased chance of sighting mantas, barracudas and sharks. NB: This is a full day excursion from Coron Town and can only be organised locally, subject to availability.

Getting to Coron

Coron is reached via an internal flight from Manila to Busuanga Island (approx. 45 minutes). Malaysian Airlines, via Kuala Lumpur or KLM, via Amsterdam fly daily into Manila. Philippine Airlines flies direct daily London to Manila. In Busuanga, you will be met and transferred overland to Coron.

Overnights in Manila

These can be arranged as part of your package with transfers, typically at the A Venue Suites, a modern 3+* property in the bustling district of Makati with good shopping and local eating choices. An upgrade to the Dusit Thani or New World Hotel, Makat can also be offered.

Dive prices

AQUA Dive Centre

Aqua Dive Centre is situated on-site at Asia Grand View Hotel and offer daily boat dives as well as SDI and TDI  courses. Night dives are also offered, subject to minimum numbers.

The Wrecks of Coron are recognised as one of the best wreck diving destination in the world. There are nine recognised WWII wreck dive sites within a short boat ride of Coron, many of them only an hour from the Resort. The Wrecks of Coron comprise of eight major wrecks and three minor wrecks. Most are about 14 nautical miles from Coron Town.  

Divers can enjoy wreck diving, coral gardens, wall diving, night diving, cavern and cave diving, all within easy reach of Aqua Dive Centre.

Packages of 1, 2 or 3 tank dives are normally offered every day on boats taking 8-10 divers. The boat departs the hotel at around 8:00am and returns around 4:00pm. Divers need to sign-up the day before diving, before 5:00pm, to secure their place on the next day’s dive outing. All divers are required to dive with a computer. Lunch and refreshments can be purchased on board. 

Dive Packs

We recommend that you book your dive packs with Regaldive prior to departure, in order to secure your diving or course and so that the dive centre is expecting you. Options available include 4 and 6 days diving packages (with 2 or 3 dives per day).  Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Note: All divers must dive with a computer.

Dive Courses

A range of diving courses is available for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details.

Extras in Resort

Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.

• Apo Reef:  This is not normally part of the package. Special trips can be orgnanised on a request basis, but are not guaranteed 
• Coron Wrecks Marine Park Fee:  Peso 50 per visit
• Skeleton Wreck on Coron Island fee:  Peso 100 per vist
• Lunch:  Can be organised with the hotel:  Peso 300 per lunch

Equipment Rental per day - Payable locally:

• Full equipment (excludes computer): PHP 880
• Dive computer:  PHP 300
• Wetsuit:  PHP 300
• Torch:  PHP 300
• Regulator:  PHP 300

Resort info

The Philippines is an island nation located in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital city. The Philippine archipelago comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. These islands are home to spectacular scenery, pristine beaches, incredible sights and lively cities. Dramatic drop offs, wrecks, caves and a richly varied marine life also guarantee fabulous diving. Combined with the renowned Philippine hospitality and warmth, an unforgettable dive holiday awaits.

You will find a true blend of cultures; the people are generally of Malay descent, but Philippine history has introduced Chinese, Spanish and American elements as well. The Philippines is a predominantly Christian country where eight out of ten Filipinos are practising Catholics. Filipino hospitality is legendary and the Philippines is the fiesta nation of Asia. Fiestas celebrate harvests, births and victories, as well as religious events. The Filipinos like to party and celebrations are found in every ethnic group and may be large regional events or small local happenings.

Resorts have been hand picked, not only for their comfort and surrounding scenery but most importantly, for their proximity to incredible dives sites. Whilst out of the water guests can relax on some of the best beaches in the world, enjoy the local markets, festivals and sights or even spend a night in the exciting and bustling Manila or more laid back Cebu.

As the Philippines is a strong Catholic nation, festive holidays such as Easter are very busy. Either book well in advance, or avoid the main religious holiday periods where possible.

Climate

The climate of The Philippines can broadly be described as hot and tropical. Most people visit The Philippines during the dry season. However, many regular visitors attest that the best time to visit is during the wet season and that the proliferation and variety of marine life is best June, July and August.

Dry season: December to May
Wet season: June to November

During the dry season, easterly winds prevail and air temperature is in high 20's to mid-30's°C. February to May are generally the hottest. Wet season winds are from the west, with air temperature in mid to high 20's°C. You can often strike lucky and have weeks of brilliant blue skies and unlimited sunshine. On the other hand, the rains, when they come, are impressive and prolonged. There are few rivers, so run off and its effect on water visibility is not generally a problem.

Please note that the Philippines is a large country and has many climatic variations from east to west and south to north.

Best underwater visibility: April to July
Water temperature average: 24-30°C

Time

8 hours ahead of GMT.

Language

Filipino is officially the national language of The Philippines. This language is based on Tagalog which is the most widely used of the 70 plus dialects used within the country. English is also prevalent throughout the country, especially in tourist destinations. English is also widely used as the medium for education, communication and business. Eight major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP). 1 Peso = 100 Centavos. The US dollar is the most widely recognised foreign currency. Euros & GBP are also readily exchanged.

The majority of larger towns have ATMs, however, facilities for money withdrawal or changing are far less widespread away from the main centres of population. There are bank machines at the airport. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in most towns, but you may be required to pay an extra 10-15% surcharge for their use. Outside of the main towns, not all places accept credit cards. Please refer to your individual destination notes for each resort, but as a guideline, please see below:

• Malapascua, Ocean Vida and Hippocampus: Credit cards cannot be accepted, please ensure you carry sufficient cash. USD and GBP are accepted and Ocean Vida has a licensed exchange.
• Dumaguete: Banks and ATMs are available in Dumaguete town. Pura Vida and Atmopshere accept credit cards.
• Palawan, Asia Grand View: Accepts credit cards. Also ATM available in Coron Town.
• SY Philippine Siren: GBP, Euro & USD Currency. Credit card payment only possible when docking at the following ports: Cebu, Philippines. 3% charge applies.

Tipping

Tipping is expected for many services. The standard is 10% of the total bill or optional where there is a 10% service charge.

Travel info

Flight Information

Regaldive can offer packages to the Philippines on a number of different airlines.

London - Manila: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines and KLM all fly daily via their national hubs.

London - Cebu: Singapore Airlines via Singapore on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday;  Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong daily.

Carry-On Luggage Restriction: 

Philippines Office for Transportation Security has issued new rules that include 'Scuba Diving Equipment' (including regulators) on the list of blunt instruments that are not to be in carry-on/cabin baggage on flights originating within the Philippines. Please ensure that all scuba equipment is secured within checked-in baggage on all domestic flights and on all departing international flights.

Internal flights:
Manila - Cebu: Multiple daily flights
Manila - Busuanga: 3-4 flights daily
Manila - Dumaguete: 3-4 flights daily

Baggage on internal flights:
The below only applies only to extra flights within the Philippines built into your itinerary, not if it is part of your international ticket.

Baggage allowance: Checked bag - 20kg / Hand baggage - 5 to 7kg. Please note that the internal flight to / from Busuanga (Palawan). This is a shorter air strip and the airline may not permit any extra weight.

Payment for extra kilos on check-in (guideline):
Cebu Pacific: Php 150 per kilo
Philippine Airlines: Php 169 per kilo

Transfers

Whichever island you are staying on, you are met at the airport/ferry port and transferred to your resort. Whether by flight, jeepney, car or banca boat, there are fantastic sights to enjoy on your journey there and back. Although some transfer can take up to a whole day, most clients pass feedback that this was a very interesting part of their overall trip.

The below information is to give you a general idea of transfer times between regions; actual transfer times may differ slightly according to individual arrangements and ferry timetables, tides etc.:

Cebu - Dumaguete: 4 - 5 hours by vehicle, ferry and hotel shuttle
Cebu - Bohol / Panglao / Cabilao: 3 to 4 hours by vehicle, ferry, vehicle
Cebu - Malapascua: 4 – 5 hours by vehicle and outrigger
Cebu – Moalboal: 3.5 hours by vehicle

Dumaguete - Bohol / Panglao / Cabilao: 3 hours by hotel shuttle, ferry and vehicle or 3 to 4 hours by Outrigger conditions permitting
Dumaguete - Malapascua: 8 - 9 hours by vehicle, ferry, vehicle and outrigger

Panglao - Cabilao: 1.5 - 2 hour vehicle and boat
Panglao - Malapascua: 7+ hours by vehicle, ferry, vehicle and outrigger

Cabilao - Malapascua: 7+ hours by vehicle, ferry, vehicle and outrigger

Manila - Cebu: 1: 15 hour by internal flight
Manila - Coron, Palawan: 2.5 hours by internal flight and hotel shuttle
Manila - Puerta Galera: 3 hours by vehicle and boat
Manila – Anilao: 2.5 hours by vehicle
Manila – Caticlan, Boracay: 2 hours by internal flight, vehicle and boat

Passports

Please always check your own entry requirements regardless of your nationality. Your passport should always have at least 6 months validity on date of return from travel. Always check for last minute changes in entry requirements and other nationalities should check with their consular office.

Visas

British nationals can enter the Philippines without a visa for an initial period of 30 days. You can also get a tourist visa from the Philippine Embassy before you travel, which will allow an initial 59 day stay. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate.

Vaccinations

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or GP. Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider. We recommend protection, as a minimum, against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.

Prices

At Regaldive, we offer tailor-made scuba diving holidays to the Philippines, including flights from the UK, transfers, accommodation and your scuba diving activities.

The price panel above provides an indication of a lead-in price for your holiday, based on the cheapest time to travel. Prices shown are per person, and based on two persons sharing. 

Our friendly and experienced team can arrange holidays of varying durations for singles, couples, friends and dive clubs. We can also advise you on the best time of year to travel to maximise your scuba diving experience, and receive the best value for money. Flights from regional UK airports may be available, depending on your destination and date of travel.

We can also arrange extensions to your diving or snorkelling holiday, including cultural tours, nature and wildlife-focused activities, plus city breaks.

Please call 01353 659999 or e-mail Regaldive, using the link below, for a quotation.

Our Price Promise

At Regaldive we are committed to offering you the best possible value for money on all our diving holidays. That's why we offer you a price match promise. Learn more about our promise to you.

Offers

Reviews

We had some super days on the dive boats & on local trips

"We had a wonderful holiday & both enjoyed visiting Coron, it is a Town lived in by the local Filipinos which is not an artificial holiday venue. There are some very good restaurants to eat at in Coron.

The scenery is dramatic & we had some super days on the Dive boats & on local trips, which involved visits to near by islands, lunch on those islands & snorkeling.

The Diving is well organized by "Sea Dive" I have enjoyed the trips with them. The wreck dives were excellent, "Sea Dive" made arrangements for me to dive as many wrecks as was practical in the reduced days available to me.
"

Graham and Dawn - UK

8

Guest rating: 8/10 (1 vote)

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