The Philippines Aggressor travels to some of the best dive sites in the Philippines, including the stunning Visayas and the world-famous Tubbataha Reef. There are four different itineraries to choose from, lasting either 7 or 10 nights depending on the tour, allowing you to dive with thresher sharks, whale sharks, huge schools of fish, turtles as well as fascinating macro life such as ghost pipefish, wasp fish and nudibranchs.
The Tubbataha cruises last 7 nights and take divers to an unspoilt UNESCO World Heritage Site that is only accessible for a few months of the year. With a special camera room, a spacious dive deck, tenders and nitrox, the yacht offers ideal conditions for a relaxed and comfortable diving safari.
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The Philippines Aggressor, part of the renowned Aggressor fleet since 2021, has been specially designed for safety and comfort. With her bright, modern and stylish design, she offers first-class accommodation for unforgettable diving safaris in the Philippines. The yacht has a total of 12 cabins with double or twin beds, spread over two decks and offering different categories for different budgets: Deluxe Lower, Deluxe Main and Balcony Suite. Each cabin is equipped with a private bathroom, individually adjustable air conditioning, a TV monitor with media player and a hairdryer.
On the upper deck there is a spacious lounge with comfortable sofas, a flat-screen TV and a bar that leads onto an outdoor terrace - the perfect place to end the day with a cocktail. The dining area on the main deck impresses with large panoramic windows and serves a varied selection of American, local and grilled specialities. Complimentary drinks and a limited selection of local beer and wine are also included.
The best of the Visayas Islands is a vast area with and home to some of the best diving the Philippines has to offer. The itinerary is chosen after guests have boarded and is based on weather, sea conditions and visibility, and the most favourable route is chosen.
From soft coral covered walls to black sand dives to thresher sharks, huge schools of sardines, turtles, schools of jackfish and whale sharks. On the macro side, there are fascinating creatures such as wasp fish, ghost pipefish and many other unique bottom dwellers offering great diversity.
Arrival:
Guests will be met at the airport by a Philippines Aggressor staff member in an Aggressor uniform shirt at 4pm on the day of the charter start and taken to the yacht.
All guests must be on board by 6pm for the yacht briefings and dinner before departing for the first night anchorage with the first dive the following morning.
Sample itinerary
- Embarkation day - The arranged pick-up from the airport is from 4pm to 5pm for the transfer to the yacht for boarding.
Guests can board between 4pm and 6pm. Everyone must be on board by 6pm. Dinner is served at 6pm, followed by a briefing and safety briefing on the yacht. - Diving the next morning.
- On the last day of diving, the yacht returns to the harbour in the afternoon. Dinner will be taken ashore and the staff will recommend nearby restaurants. This is the only meal that is not included in the tour price.
- Disembarkation day - check-out is at 8 am. The staff will be happy to help you organise transport to the airport or to a nearby hotel if you are extending your stay.
The last dive is on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are advised to wait 24 hours after the last dive before flying.
Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The exact route and locations visited may change depending on local regulations, guest experience, weather and logistics and are at the captain's discretion.
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Double Twin Deluxe lower deck
- 2 single beds
- Adjustable air conditioning
- En-suite bathroom
- max. 2 guests
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Double Deluxe Main Deck
- 1 double or 2 single beds
- adjustable air conditioning
- En-suite bathroom
- max. 2 guests
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Double Deluxe Balcony Suite
- 1 double king-size or 2 single beds
- Adjustable air conditioning
- En-suite bathroom
- max. 2 guests
Included:
VAT, airport transfers, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, tea & coffee, drinking water, snacks, full board (all meals), night dives, dive packages, cabin towels, complimentary toiletries.
Required extras:
National park fees (105-210 USD per trip).
Optional extras:
Tips, rental equipment, nitrox (100-150 USD per trip), nitrox course, diving courses, shore excursions, snorkelling set.
Prices for rental equipment
Rental equipment is available on this ship. Please indicate on the booking form what you need. Details below of what is included and the additional prices.
- 15 litre tanks 75-120 USD per trip
- Regulators 60-90 USD per trip
- BCD 60-90 USD per trip
- Fin 50-75 USD per trip
- Mask 50-75 USD per trip
- Nitrox bottle 100-120 USD per trip
- Snorkelling set 50-75 USD
- Torch 8 USD per day
- Dive computer 60-90 USD per trip
- U/W camera rental 100 USD
- Full equipment (with: Regulator, BCD, fins, mask, snorkelling set, torch, dive computer) 175-260 USD per trip
- Wetsuit 50-70 USD per trip
- Air temperature: Temperatures are warm all year round, with highs between 28.0 °C in February and 30.5 °C in May.
- Water temperature: Water temperatures vary between 27.4 °C in February/March and 29.9 °C in May/June, providing ideal conditions for diving activities.
- Rainfall: The rainiest months are July and June, while February and March are the driest months.
Geographical location & size
The Philippines is a south-east Asian island state in the western Pacific. It consists of 7,641 islands and covers a total area of approximately 300,000 square kilometres. The archipelago lies between the South China Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east and the Celebes Sea to the south. The Philippines is indirectly bordered by Taiwan to the north, Malaysia and Indonesia to the south and Vietnam to the west.
Population
With over 114 million inhabitants (as of 2024), the Philippines is one of the most populous countries in Southeast Asia. The capital Manila is the economic and cultural centre, while the largest city Quezon City is located within the Metro Manila region. The population is ethnically diverse, with the majority belonging to the Austronesian group.
Languages
The official languages are Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English. In addition to these, there are over 170 regional languages and dialects, including Cebuano, Ilocano and Hiligaynon.
Economic situation
The Philippines is one of the emerging countries with an up-and-coming economy. The most important economic sectors are
- Service sector (BPO industry, tourism, trade)
- Agriculture (rice, coconuts, bananas, fishing)
- Industry & manufacturing (electronics, textiles, shipbuilding)
- Remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), which account for a significant portion of GDP
Despite a growing GDP, there are still economic challenges such as social inequality, unemployment and corruption.
Religions
The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian country in Asia:
- 80 % of the population is Roman Catholic
- 10 % Protestant Christians
- 6 % Muslims, mainly in Mindanao and the Sulu Islands
- Small minorities of Buddhists and traditional indigenous faiths
Culture & society
Filipino culture is a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Spanish and American influences. Festivals (fiestas), music, dance and strong family ties are characteristic features.
Importance in the Pacific
The Philippines are strategically important as they serve as a maritime hub between Asia and the Pacific. It has strong geopolitical significance, particularly in relation to tensions in the South China Sea.
Conclusion
The Philippines is a fascinating country with a rich culture, breathtaking landscapes and a fast-growing economy. Despite challenges, it offers great opportunities for investment, tourism and international co-operation.