Sipalay

Sipalay Dive Centre is Swiss managed and on-site at Sipalay Easy Diving resort on the west coast of Negros Island in the western Visayas region of the Philippines. The PADI 5-star IDC centre offers daily boat diving to the local sites as well as a comprehensive range of courses including technical instruction and Sidemount diving. Night dives are available, and Nitrox is free of charge. In addition, there are regular day trips to both Danjugan and Turtle Island (also suitable for snorkellers).

There are over 40 dive sites to explore, all within a 15-minute boat ride from the resort. Join the experienced guides on one of 5 local Banca boats all custom designed for divers. The local area is an underwater paradise waiting to be discovered. Diving in small groups, up to 4 boat dives are scheduled every day, plus easy access to the house reef. Enjoy pristine reefs and an abundance of marine life, drop-offs, coral gardens, walls, wrecks, and an incredible variety of critters, perfect for macro photographers.

The Dive Centre has a classroom and camera room, and full equipment rental is available (Scubapro). It is possible to be a coral gardener by getting involved and contributing to the local reef-building project. For non-divers, there are Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP), kayak and mountain bike rentals, plus 3-D archery, snorkelling and guided tours to the local markets.

Just over an hour away by boat, there are regular day trips to Danjugan Island and Turtle Island, both with a Marine Sanctuary, available for both divers and snorkellers (local charge).

Dive Packs

We recommend that you book your dive packs with Regaldive prior to departure, to secure your diving or course and so that the dive centre is expecting you. Options available include a 10 or 20-dive package with air or Nitrox (for free). 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 comprehensive range of diving courses are available for those looking to learn to dive or further their education including technical certification. Please enquire for details.

Extras in Resort

• Marine park fees
• Dive equipment rental: Full equipment is available to hire, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuit with booties, dive computers, full set excl. computer, torch, 15L tank

The Philippines is an island nation located in South East 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 in 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 dive 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 in 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 the high 20s to mid-30s. February to May are generally the hottest. Wet season winds are from the west, with air temperature in the mid to high 20s. 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 runoff 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). 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.

Tipping

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

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 via their national hubs.

London - Cebu: Singapore Airlines via Singapore; Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong

Carry-On Luggage Restriction

Philippines Office for Transportation Security rules 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

Manila - Busuanga

Manila - Dumaguete

Getting to Sipalay

Negros Island can be reached by domestic flight from Manila to either Bacolod airport in the north or Dumaguete in the south. Sipalay is equidistant from both. Travel to resort is 3.5 to 4 hours by car and is arranged at time of booking.

Depending on your other travel plans and chosen airline, at least one overnight stay may be required to ensure you have the best option on your journey to resort. Get in touch with our Regaldive team to make your holiday arrangements.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.