Dolphin

Location: Philippines

Rating: 4.5/5 (83 reviews)

Dolphin

About Dolphin

Embark on an unforgettable diving adventure aboard the Dolphin, a comfortable liveaboard exploring the vibrant underwater world of the Philippines. Discover pristine reefs and abundant marine life in style.

The Philippines is a diver's paradise, a sprawling archipelago renowned for its extraordinary marine biodiversity, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking coral formations. From the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tubbataha Reef to the dramatic walls and vibrant ecosystems of Apo Reef and Coron, this region promises encounters with a dazzling array of species, including majestic whale sharks, graceful manta rays, schooling hammerheads, and a kaleidoscope of reef fish. Water conditions are typically warm and inviting, offering excellent visibility for exploring these underwater wonders. The MV Dolphin is perfectly positioned to navigate these rich waters, providing unparalleled access to some of the planet's most spectacular dive sites. Diving from the Dolphin is a seamless and exhilarating experience designed for both seasoned divers and those looking to expand their skills. The vessel boasts a well-appointed dive center, ensuring all your gear needs are met. With two dedicated diving skiffs, divers are swiftly transported to the best spots, maximizing bottom time and minimizing travel. Nitrox is available for extended dives, and the experienced dive guides, intimately familiar with the local sites, lead small groups to ensure personalized attention and optimal wildlife encounters. After each thrilling dive, convenient on-deck rinse showers allow for easy cleanup, while dedicated camera facilities cater to underwater photographers. Life aboard the Dolphin seamlessly blends adventure with comfort. Guests can retreat to one of the 10 fully air-conditioned cabins, including luxurious VIP suites with private bathrooms and mini-bars, providing a tranquil haven after a day of exploration. The expansive upper deck is a social hub, featuring comfortable sun loungers and a shaded area perfect for relaxation or enjoying the panoramic ocean views. For evening entertainment, the deck transforms with BBQ facilities and even a dance floor, fostering a convivial atmosphere among fellow divers. Thoughtful amenities like charging stations, a library, and audio-video entertainment ensure a pleasant journey. Culinary delights are a highlight of any Dolphin voyage. Guests are treated to gourmet, all-inclusive meals served buffet-style, featuring a delicious blend of Western and local cuisine. The onboard chefs are adept at catering to various dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan options, ensuring everyone enjoys their dining experience. Snacks are available throughout the day, and the full bar offers complimentary soft drinks, beer, and wine, along with welcome cocktails to kick off your trip. Special dinners and beach BBQs add an extra touch of magic to the dining experience, complemented by the attentive and friendly crew. This robust steel-hulled liveaboard, built in 1996 and last renovated in 2017, measures 31 meters in length with a 6.5-meter beam, providing a stable and spacious platform for up to 18 guests. Powered by two 500 HP Yanmar Turbo Diesel engines, she cruises comfortably at 8 knots with a top speed of 9 knots. With 9 cabins and 10 bathrooms, the Dolphin ensures ample space and privacy for all on board. Her substantial water capacity of 30 tons and a freshwater maker producing 400 liters per hour guarantee comfort even on longer itineraries. The Dolphin primarily sails to the iconic Tubbataha Reef from March to June, offering a prime window to experience this marine sanctuary at its best. Transfers are included from the airport and hotels, making your journey to and from the liveaboard hassle-free. This vessel is ideal for divers seeking a comfortable and well-organized expedition to world-class dive sites, with a focus on exceptional marine encounters and a friendly, hospitable atmosphere.

Vessel Specifications

Cabins

Itineraries

Tubbataha to Puerto Galera Expedition 2027

Duration: 20D/19N

Embarkation: Puerto Princesa

Welcome to the M/Y Dolphin Experience! * We will pick you up at your hotel or the airport. * Be ready to board the Dolphin between 2PM and 6PM. Once everyone is onboard, we will begin the ship briefing. * Ship Briefing: Meet the crew! Meet the ship! & setting expectations. * Fill out paper work, get your rental gear if needed. * Our dive team will divide our divers into three groups. * Dinner is served at 7PM. * Coordinate with our dive team to setup your equipment and be ready to DIVE. * We dep

Apo Reef - Coron - Tubbataha Expedition

Duration: 9D/8N

Embarkation: Anilao

This expedition explores three of the Philippines' most diverse marine environments. Divers experience the dramatic walls of Apo Reef before heading to Coron Bay to explore historical World War II shipwrecks. The journey concludes at the pristine, biodiverse reefs of the Tubbataha UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tubbataha to Puerto Galera Expedition

Duration: 20D/19N

Embarkation: Puerto Princesa

Welcome to the M/Y Dolphin Experience! * We will pick you up at your hotel or the airport. * Be ready to board the Dolphin between 2PM and 6PM. Once everyone is onboard, we will begin the ship briefing. * Ship Briefing: Meet the crew! Meet the ship! & setting expectations. * Fill out paper work, get your rental gear if needed. * Our dive team will divide our divers into three groups. * Dinner is served at 7PM. * Coordinate with our dive team to setup your equipment and be ready to DIVE. * We dep

Tubbataha Reefs+

Duration: 8D/7N

Embarkation: Puerto Princesa

Welcome to the M/Y Dolphin Experience! * We will pick you up at your hotel or the airport. * Be ready to board the Dolphin between 2PM and 6PM. Once everyone is onboard, we will begin the ship briefing. * Ship Briefing: Meet the crew! Meet the ship! & setting expectations. * Fill out paper work, get your rental gear if needed. * Our dive team will divide our divers into three groups. * Dinner is served at 7PM. * Coordinate with our dive team to setup your equipment and be ready to DIVE. * We dep

Tubbataha - Dauin - Cebu Expedition

Duration: 12D/11N

Embarkation: Puerto Princesa

This expedition through the central Philippines offers an extensive exploration of diverse marine ecosystems. Begin with the isolated reefs of Tubbataha, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its extensive coral formations, reef sharks, and pelagic encounters in open ocean conditions. Transition to the macro-rich volcanic sands and vibrant coastal reefs of Dauin, a region celebrated for its unique critters and muck diving opportunities. The journey concludes with the diverse dive sites around C

Anilao - Verde Island - Puerto Galera

Duration: 7D/6N

Embarkation: Anilao

Embark on a captivating journey through the Philippines' underwater realm, experiencing up to 22 dives across a dynamic itinerary. Your adventure begins with an exploration of varied dive sites, transitioning between drift dives along vibrant walls and exhilarating pinnacles teeming with life. Subsequent days unfold with more opportunities to discover the Philippines’ magnificent marine biodiversity, as you search for majestic pelagics and delve into an array of coral formations. The rhythm of t

Anilao - Apo Reef - Coron - Anilao

Duration: 7D/6N

Embarkation: Anilao

This Philippine diving adventure explores the pristine reefs and vibrant ecosystems extending from Anilao to Coron. Expect a diverse underwater landscape, from macro-rich slopes in Anilao to the dynamic pelagic encounters at Apo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for sharks and large schools of fish. The journey concludes in the historic waters of Coron Bay, where shallow coral gardens meet fascinating World War II wreck dives. This itinerary offers a comprehensive experience of the archip

Cebu - Malapascua - Puerto Galera

Duration: 9D/8N

Embarkation: Port of Cebu

This extraordinary Philippine diving expedition charts a course from the vibrant reefs of Cebu, renowned for vibrant macro life and the occasional thresher shark encounter, northward to Malapascua, a global hotspot for these magnificent pelagics. Crossing the Visayan Sea, the journey continues to Puerto Galera, offering a kaleidoscope of reef formations, diverse nudibranchs, and teeming fish schools. Divers can anticipate a broad spectrum of marine environments, from coral gardens and wall dives

Tubbataha Reefs

Duration: 7D/6N

Embarkation: Puerto Princesa

Welcome to the M/Y Dolphin Experience! * We will pick you up at your hotel or the airport. * Be ready to board the Dolphin between 2PM and 6PM. Once everyone is onboard, we will begin the ship briefing. * Ship Briefing: Meet the crew! Meet the ship! & setting expectations. * Fill out paper work, get your rental gear if needed. * Our dive team will divide our divers into three groups. * Dinner is served at 7PM. * Coordinate with our dive team to setup your equipment and be ready to DIVE. * We dep

Coron - Apo Reef - Wrecks - Coron

Duration: 7D/6N

Embarkation: Coron

Explore the vibrant dive sites of the Philippines on this itinerary, journeying between the historical wrecks of Coron Bay and the biodiverse reef systems of Apo Reef. Coron offers a unique opportunity to explore a fleet of well-preserved Japanese warships, now artificial reefs teeming with marine life. Apo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site, presents extensive coral gardens, diverse fish populations, and chances to encounter sharks and pelagic species. This trip balances intriguing wreck explor