Philippines Explorer II Liveaboard, Philippines

Day 1: Dauin - Embarkation (no diving), take a quiet anchorage for sunset

Day 2: Whalesharks at Oslob before cruising to Bais Bay for dolphin watching at sunset

Day 3: Pescador Island / Moalboal

Day 4: Sipaway Island

Day 5: Gato Island

Day 6: Kimud Shoal / Monad Shoal

Day 7: Kimud Shoal final dive opportunity before cruising into Maya Port/Malapascua for disembarkation

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1: Dauin - Embarkation (no diving), take a quiet anchorage for sunset

Day 2: Whalesharks at Oslob before cruising to Bais Bay for dolphin watching at sunset

Day 3: Pescador Island / Moalboal

Day 4: Sipaway Island

Day 5: Gato Island

Day 6: Kimud Shoal / Monad Shoal

Day 7: Kimud Shoal final dive opportunity before cruising into Maya Port/Malapascua for disembarkation

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1: Malapascua - Embarkation and check dive at Chocolate Island/Malapascua, take a quiet anchorage for sunset

Day 2: Kimud & Monad Shoal

Day 3: Kimud & Gato Island

Day 4: Sambawan Islands

Day 5: Tatus Island & Ticao San Miguel

Day 6: Manta Bowl & Donsol

Day 7: Possible morning dive before disembarkation in Donsol

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Dauin | Embarkation
Welcome aboard Philippines Explorer II.
Please arrive at the vessel by 2:00 pm (14:00). Following a welcome drink, cabin orientation, and safety briefing, there will be ample time to settle into life aboard, prepare dive equipment, organize camera systems, and become familiar with the vessel before the expedition begins.
As evening approaches, enjoy your first dinner on board while meeting fellow photographers and discussing the exciting days ahead.

Day 2:
Dauin & Zamboanguita
The expedition begins in one of the world's premier macro-diving destinations.
Dauin and nearby Zamboanguita are famous for their volcanic black-sand slopes and extraordinary diversity of marine life. Frogfish, seahorses, nudibranchs, octopus, shrimps, and countless other subjects provide endless opportunities for photographers.
With up to four dives throughout the day, there is plenty of time to search for rare critters and begin building an impressive portfolio of macro images.

Day 3:
Apo Island
Today we explore Apo Island, one of the Philippines' most successful marine sanctuaries.
Healthy coral gardens, dramatic reef walls, schooling fish, and frequent turtle encounters provide a completely different photographic experience from Dauin's muck-diving environments. Wide-angle opportunities abound, while colourful reef scenes offer endless creative possibilities.
Following three dives at Apo Island, we return to Dauin where an optional night dive may reveal some of the reef's most fascinating nocturnal creatures.

Day 4:
Pamilacan & Panglao
Today's diving combines pelagic action with vibrant reef photography.
Pamilacan Island is known for its steep walls, healthy reefs, and nutrient-rich currents that attract schools of jacks, barracuda, and other larger marine life. The dramatic underwater landscapes make this a favourite destination for wide-angle photography.
Later, we continue to Panglao, where sites such as BBC and Gak-ang offer a mixture of colourful reefs, macro subjects, and excellent conditions for both wide-angle and close-focus work.

Day 5:
Cabilao
Cabilao is widely regarded as one of the Visayas' most rewarding dive destinations.
Crystal-clear water, healthy coral reefs, dramatic walls, and abundant fish life create excellent conditions for underwater photography. Schools of jacks, turtles, reef fish, and occasional pelagic visitors are regularly encountered.
With two or three dives throughout the day, there is ample opportunity to explore the island's diverse underwater landscapes and photographic subjects.

Day 6:
Capitancillo & Kalanggaman Island
Today's diving begins at Capitancillo, a remote reef system known for its clear water, colourful coral formations, and abundant marine life.
Following the morning dives, we continue to the spectacular Kalanggaman Island. Famous for its dazzling white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, Kalanggaman offers beautiful opportunities both above and below the surface.
As evening approaches, join us on the beach for a memorable barbecue dinner under the stars before spending the night anchored in the calm waters surrounding the island.

Day 7:
Kimud Shoal & Chocolate Island
An early start brings us to Kimud Shoal, one of the most reliable locations in the Philippines for encounters with thresher sharks.
Watching these elegant sharks glide through the blue water provides one of the expedition's premier photographic opportunities and a highlight for many underwater photographers.
Later, Chocolate Island offers a complete contrast, with gently sloping reefs, colourful corals, and an abundance of macro life hidden amongst the reef structure.

Day 8:
Kimud Shoal & Gato Island
Depending on conditions and guest preferences, the day may begin with an additional opportunity to photograph the thresher sharks of Kimud Shoal before continuing to Gato Island.
Gato is one of Northern Cebu's most diverse dive destinations. Famous for its Tunnel, dramatic limestone formations, colourful reef walls, and resident whitetip reef sharks, the island offers a wide variety of photographic subjects.
Macro enthusiasts and wide-angle photographers alike will find plenty to keep their cameras busy throughout the day.

Day 9:
Pescador Island & Moalboal
Today we explore the waters surrounding Pescador Island, one of Cebu's most celebrated dive destinations.
Steep walls, healthy coral growth, schools of fish, and dramatic underwater scenery provide excellent opportunities for wide-angle photography. The famous Cathedral adds another unique dimension to the day's diving.
Later, we visit Moalboal's legendary sardine run, where millions of sardines move in constantly shifting formations, creating one of the most spectacular wildlife photography opportunities in the Philippines.

Day 10:
Oslob & Sumilon Island
An early start provides the opportunity for an encounter with the whale sharks of Oslob.
Photographing these gentle giants in the calm waters of southern Cebu offers a memorable finale to the expedition and a chance to capture one of the ocean's most iconic subjects.
Following the interaction, we continue to nearby Sumilon Island for a final dive among healthy reefs, clear water, and colourful marine life before returning to Dauin.

Day 11:
Dauin | Disembarkation
After breakfast, it is time to disembark in Dauin.
Over the course of eleven days, this photography expedition explores a remarkable cross-section of the Central Visayas—from the macro-rich muck-diving sites of Dauin and Zamboanguita to the coral reefs of Apo Island, the walls of Cabilao and Pamilacan, the thresher sharks of Kimud Shoal, and the sardine run of Moalboal. Combining exceptional diving with dedicated photographic opportunities and expert guidance from Gerald Rambert, the journey offers an inspiring platform for photographers of all experience levels.
Whether your goal is to improve your skills, expand your portfolio, or simply enjoy some of the finest underwater photography opportunities in the Philippines, we look forward to welcoming you aboard and sharing this remarkable adventure with you.

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons

Day 1:
Dauin - Embarkation (no diving), take a quiet anchorage for sunset

Day 2-10:
Whalesharks at Oslob before cruising to Bais Bay for dolphin watching at sunset
Pescador Island / Moalboal
Sipaway Island
Gato Island
Kimud Shoal / Monad Shoal

Day 11:
Kimud Shoal final dive opportunity before cruising into Maya Port/Malapascua for disembarkation

Routes can be affected by adverse weather conditions and unforeseen events, force majeure or other similar reasons