Marie-Inès Liveaboard, Philippines

MV Marie-Inès liveaboard was first launched in June 2019 and has been recently refurbished. The project was undertaken by the owner, who entrusted it to two young architects and Filipino marine engineers. The boat was designed to be functional and comfortable for diving and snorkelling cruises in the Philippines region.
Marie-Inès Philippines is a 25-metre diving boat with a 6.5-metre beam, 1-metre draft, and cruising speed of 10 knots. The boat accommodates up to 16 passengers in 8 rooms on the main deck and operates with 10 crew members plus 1 course director.

Boat Interior

The main deck of Marie-Inès liveaboard has 8 rooms for up to 16 passengers. Each room has a private toilet, hot shower, and individually controlled air conditioning.
The upper deck has a large air-conditioned restaurant where meals are served as an all-you-can-eat buffet with self-service. Water and hot drinks are available 24/7. The kitchen is located next to the restaurant, where meals and snacks are prepared.
The kitchen staff offers local and international cuisine using selected local fresh products. A typical day starts with morning coffee or tea and seasonal fruits. After the first dive, breakfast is served as a buffet with toast, eggs, pancakes, fruit salads, sausages, bacon, and other options. Lunch and dinner include local and international dishes from a changing menu. An afternoon snack is served after the third dive.
All non-alcoholic drinks are included throughout the liveaboard tour. Alcohol is available at an additional charge. Water, coffee, and fruit juices are available at all times, and a refrigerator is available for guest use. Specific dietary requirements can be catered for.
The lounge area has seating for relaxing or watching television. A large number of electrical outlets are provided for using or recharging computers, phones, and cameras.
The upper floor has a sun deck covering the full surface of the boat, with exterior access from the restaurant. Sun protection is provided under a canvas roof, with benches and tables for relaxing in the shade after a dive and enjoying the 360-degree view of the landscape.

Dive Deck

The boat is equipped with 2 x 185 HP marine diesel engines, a diesel capacity of 1,300 litres, 2 generators supplying 24-hour 240-volt power, and a 10,000-litre fresh water capacity supplied by an onboard desalination unit.

At the stern of MV Marie-Inès liveaboard, the divers’ platform has equipment allocation for each diver. Lockers are provided, along with 2 external showers, towels, and a dedicated water tray for cameras. A large low platform near the water’s surface allows diving directly from the boat when the site is accessible. The boat is equipped with 2 Bauer Poseidon compressors and 1 Nitrox membrane system.

Safety

Diving and onboard safety are supervised by qualified instructors and dive masters, with a ratio of 1 guide for each group of 4 guests. The Captain’s Bridge is located at the front of the boat and houses the navigation control room and the necessary safety and navigation equipment. A CCTV network is installed throughout the boat. For all trips and expeditions on board MV Marie-Inès and when travelling throughout the Philippines, passengers are strongly recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation, and electronics cover. Policies should also include hospitalisation and repatriation. For diving, insurance covering dive injuries is mandatory. Coverage for treatment in a hyperbaric chamber is strongly recommended. Diving insurance from DAN Europe or DAN America is recommended. Philippine law requires clients to sign a waiver of liability.

Itineraries

Marie-Inès liveaboard Philippines offers diving and snorkelling cruises across several of the country’s best-known diving regions, including Tubbataha, Coron, Malapascua, Southern Leyte, Bohol, and Dauin. Each route brings a different side of the Philippines into focus, from remote reef systems and historic wrecks to shark encounters, macro life, and colourful coral gardens.

Tubbataha is one of the Philippines’ most remote and highly regarded reef destinations, known for wide reef walls, strong marine biodiversity, and blue-water diving. Divers can expect dramatic drop-offs, large schools of fish, reef sharks, turtles, and the possibility of larger pelagic encounters. This itinerary is especially suited to divers looking for a more expedition-style Philippines liveaboard experience, where the focus is on remote reefs and open-ocean marine life.

Coron offers a very different style of diving, with wrecks as the main focus. Divers can explore historic shipwrecks, swim through large structures, and see how coral growth and reef fish have transformed these submerged remains into artificial reefs. This itinerary is well suited to divers interested in wreck diving, atmospheric underwater landscapes, and a more technical-looking environment, even when dives are planned within recreational limits.

Southern Leyte is known for varied reef diving, healthy coral areas, and seasonal big-animal possibilities. Depending on timing and conditions, divers may encounter reef fish, turtles, schooling fish, and larger marine life. This itinerary offers a quieter Philippines diving route with a mix of reef scenery and the feeling of exploring a less crowded region.

Non-diving Activities

Non-divers are welcome on board and can snorkel with supervision. Kayaks and paddles are available during breaks between dives.

Photographers Facilities

The divers’ platform has a dedicated water tray for cameras.
The lounge area has a large number of electrical outlets for using or recharging computers, phones, and cameras.

Cabin Types

MV Marie-Inès liveaboard Philippines has 8 rooms on the main deck for up to 16 passengers. The configuration includes 2 rooms with queen-size beds and 6 rooms with double beds. Each room has a private toilet, hot shower, and air conditioning