Palau Sport

Location: Philippines

Rating: 4.3/5 (42 reviews)

Palau Sport

About Palau Sport

Embark on an unforgettable dive safari through the Philippines aboard the Palau Sport, a newly renovated liveaboard offering exceptional access to world-class dive sites and comfortable accommodations.

The Philippines, an archipelago renowned for its unparalleled marine biodiversity, beckons divers with its vibrant coral reefs, dramatic walls, and encounters with magnificent pelagic species. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tubbataha Reef, teeming with sharks and pristine corals, to the diverse ecosystems of the Visayas and the historical wrecks of Coron, this region promises a kaleidoscope of underwater adventures. Exploring these pristine waters, the Palau Sport offers a dedicated platform for divers to immerse themselves in the heart of this aquatic wonderland, providing comfortable access to some of the planet's most sought-after dive locations. Diving from the Palau Sport is a well-orchestrated experience designed for maximum enjoyment and safety. Guests can anticipate up to four dives daily, guided by seasoned dive masters and instructors who possess extensive local knowledge. The vessel is equipped with a spacious dive deck, ensuring ample room for preparation and post-dive activities, complete with rinse hoses and individual gear cradles on its two tenders to protect your equipment. Nitrox is readily available for extended bottom times, and the crew's expertise ensures that divers of all levels can explore the Philippines' underwater marvels with confidence, whether it's navigating vibrant reefs or delving into historical wrecks. Life aboard the Palau Sport balances adventure with relaxation. The vessel accommodates up to 24 guests in 13 fully air-conditioned cabins, each featuring en-suite facilities for privacy and comfort. Beyond the cabins, guests can unwind in the air-conditioned indoor saloon, enjoy the fresh sea breeze on the sun deck, or gather in the outdoor lounge area, which offers stunning sunset views. Thoughtful amenities like charging stations, non-smoking rooms, and daily housekeeping contribute to a pleasant and hassle-free journey, ensuring every moment on board is as enjoyable as the dives. Culinary delights are a highlight of any liveaboard experience, and the Palau Sport excels in offering a satisfying dining experience. Meals are served buffet-style in the dining and bar hall, featuring a diverse spread of Western and local dishes. Guests can savor four main dishes, complemented by fresh salads, comforting soups, and delightful desserts. The culinary team is adept at catering to various dietary needs, including vegan and vegetarian options, upon request. Complimentary drinking water, tea, and coffee are always available, and a selection of fine wines, beer, and other alcoholic beverages can be purchased to complement your meals, creating a convivial atmosphere. Built in 1990 and meticulously renovated in 2022, the Palau Sport is a robust 38.35-meter steel-hulled vessel designed for extended dive expeditions. She comfortably hosts 24 guests across 13 cabins, ensuring a personalized experience. With a cruising speed of 8 knots and a top speed of 15 knots, she efficiently transports divers between sites. The vessel boasts a substantial water capacity of 20 tons and a fuel capacity of 20,000 liters, supported by two freshwater makers, ensuring self-sufficiency during longer voyages. Her two tenders are perfectly suited for dive site transfers, enhancing the overall diving logistics. For those embarking on a Philippine dive adventure, the Palau Sport typically departs from Puerto Princesa for its Tubbataha Reef itineraries from March to June. For trips to the southern archipelago, including Apo Reef, Coron, Busuanga, and the Visayas, specific embarkation details will be provided based on the itinerary. Return airport transfers are an optional extra, with costs ranging from 150-180 USD per trip, and hotel transfers are also available at a similar rate. Guests are advised to confirm transfer arrangements well in advance of their trip.

Vessel Specifications

Cabins

Itineraries

Regular trip Tubbataha (Puerto Princesa - Puerto Princesa)

Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Embarkation: Puerto Princesa, Philippines

This cruise offers an exploration of the world-renowned Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests will experience exhilarating wall dives, encounters with sharks, and explore vibrant coral gardens. The itinerary covers both the North and South Atolls, including dives on historic wrecks, providing a comprehensive tour of one of the Philippines' most pristine marine environments.

Transition Trip 1 — Anilao to Tubbataha (Anilao - Puerto Princesa)

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Embarkation: Anilao, Batangas, Philippines

A repositioning safari that opens the Tubbataha season by sailing the MY Palau Sport from Anilao down through Apo Reef and the remote Cambari Island before reaching the UNESCO-listed Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Expect a mix of macro-rich warm-up dives in the north and signature wall and reef dives at both North and South Atolls, finishing with disembarkation in Puerto Princesa.

Extended Tubbataha Reef Safari (Puerto Princesa - Puerto Princesa)

Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Embarkation: Puerto Princesa, Philippines

An extended Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park safari giving guests two additional days of diving compared with the standard week. The Palau Sport rotates between the North and South Atolls of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, with multiple visits to flagship sites such as the Malayan Wreck, Shark Airport, Black Rock and Lighthouse Islet.

Transition Trip 1 - Southern Trip: Apo - Coron - El Nido (Danglayan Port, Batangas - Coron Port, Palawan)

Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights

Embarkation: Danglayan Port, Batangas

This extensive 13-day diving journey navigates from Batangas through the Philippines' most celebrated underwater sites, concluding in Coron. The trip is designed for experienced divers and features the vibrant ecosystems of Apo Reef alongside the historic WWII shipwrecks of Coron Bay. Divers will explore a variety of underwater environments, from pristine coral walls and caves to encounters with diverse marine life, making for a comprehensive Philippine diving adventure. Max guests on this trip

Regular Trip - Southern Trip (Coron Port, Palawan - Coron Port, Palawan)

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Embarkation: Coron Port, Palawan

This ten-day journey explores the diverse marine ecosystems of Palawan, beginning and ending in Coron. The trip features diving on the historic World War II wrecks in Coron Bay, exploring the vibrant reefs of Calauit, and visiting the manta-rich waters of El Nido and Linapacan. Guests can anticipate encounters with a wide array of sea life, including sea turtles, reef sharks, and large pelagic species, set against a backdrop of colorful coral gardens.

Regular Trip - Southern Trip

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Embarkation: Coron Port, Palawan

This diving cruise explores the rich marine biodiversity of Palawan, Philippines. The journey includes visits to the historic World War II wrecks of Coron, the vibrant coral reefs near Calauit, and the manta ray habitats of El Nido and Linapacan. Guests can anticipate encounters with sea turtles, various shark species, and large pelagic fish amidst colorful coral gardens.