Philippines Aggressor II

Location: Philippines

Rating: 4.8/5 (27 reviews)

Philippines Aggressor II

About Philippines Aggressor II

The Philippines, an archipelago within the Coral Triangle, presents a significant hub of marine biodiversity.

The geological forces that formed the Philippine archipelago also sculpted its underwater world. Volcanic seamounts rise from the depths, while deep trenches carve through the seafloor, creating a complex bathymetry that drives oceanic currents and isolates marine populations. This topographical diversity supports everything from sheltered coral gardens rich with macro life to exposed walls and channels attracting large pelagic species. Within this dynamic setting, the Philippines Aggressor II operates as a modern platform, designed to navigate these diverse waters and provide direct access to the country's most significant dive regions. Dive operations are organized for efficiency and guest comfort. Divers prepare their equipment on a spacious dive deck with individual stations and ample storage for personal gear. Water entries and exits are conducted from large, dedicated tenders, minimizing time spent on surface transfers and allowing for precise drop-offs at key points on the reef. An indoor camera room with charging points and compressed air provides a controlled environment for photographers to maintain their equipment. All dives are led by experienced local guides who are fluent in the area's currents and ecosystems, with nitrox available for certified divers. Life aboard centers on comfort and relaxation between dives. The vessel accommodates up to 26 guests in 13 staterooms, available as either Balcony Suites or Deluxe Staterooms. All cabins feature private ensuite bathrooms and individual climate controls, offering a quiet space to recharge. Social activity flows between the air-conditioned interior salon and lounge and the multiple outdoor relaxation areas. The partially shaded sundeck is a popular location for observing the passing seascapes, providing both loungers and deck chairs for unwinding in the sea breeze. The onboard chef prepares a menu that combines international dishes with local Filipino influences, ensuring a varied culinary experience throughout the trip. Meals are generally served buffet-style in the main salon, creating a communal atmosphere where guests can share stories from the day's dives. The galley team is adept at accommodating a wide range of dietary requirements when given advance notice. In addition to the three main meals, fresh snacks and fruit are available all day. Weather permitting, an outdoor barbecue station offers an alternative alfresco dining experience. Launched in 2024, the Philippines Aggressor II is a modern, purpose-built vessel constructed with a focus on stability. The 42.7-meter steel hull has a wide 8.5-meter beam, providing a solid platform that minimizes roll and enhances passenger comfort, especially during open-water crossings. With a cruising speed of 8 knots, the ship efficiently covers the distances between remote island groups. The vessel carries a maximum of 26 guests, a capacity supported by robust onboard systems for power generation and freshwater production, ensuring self-sufficiency on extended itineraries far from port. The vessel's schedule is designed to follow the best diving conditions across the Philippines. Itineraries typically focus on two primary regions: the protected Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, accessible from approximately March to June, and the diverse sites of the Visayas, including areas like Malapascua and Bohol, which are visited during other parts of the year. Departures are commonly from ports such as Puerto Princesa for Tubbataha and Cebu for Visayas trips. This liveaboard is well suited for experienced divers comfortable with currents and wall diving, as well as underwater photographers seeking a stable platform with dedicated camera facilities.

Vessel Specifications

Cabins

Itineraries

Tubbataha Atoll Expedition

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Embarkation: Puerto Princessa, Philippines

This 8-day itinerary explores the Tubbataha Reefs National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Sulu Sea. As part of the Coral Triangle, this protected area offers exceptional biodiversity. The trip covers the North and South Atolls as well as Jessie Beazley Reef, featuring drift dives along vibrant walls. Divers can anticipate encounters with numerous shark species, including hammerheads and whale sharks, alongside manta rays, turtles, and large schools of pelagic fish.

Best of Visayas (8D7N)

Duration: 8D7N

This eight-day liveaboard journey explores the Visayas, a premier diving destination in the Philippines. The itinerary is structured to showcase a variety of underwater environments, from vibrant coral gardens and walls to potential encounters with diverse marine life.

Visayas South (8D7N)

Duration: 8D7N

Explore the vibrant coral gardens and rich biodiversity of the Visayas South aboard an 8-day, 7-night liveaboard journey. This itinerary focuses on the abundant reefs of the southern Visayas, renowned for macro life, schooling fish, and occasional encounters with larger pelagics like thresher sharks and mantas. Divers can expect a mix of sloping reefs, dramatic walls, and strong currents in certain areas, providing diverse conditions. The trip offers extensive diving opportunities, primarily wit

Visayas and Cebu Route

Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights

Embarkation: Cebu, Philippines

This itinerary explores the diverse diving opportunities in the Visayas Islands, a region renowned for its underwater beauty in the Philippines. The specific route is determined onboard, taking into account current weather and sea conditions, as well as visibility. Divers can anticipate encountering a wide array of marine life, from large pelagics like thresher sharks and whale sharks to schools of sardines and various macro critters.

Tubbataha/Visayas (Puerto Princesa - Cebu)

Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights

Embarkation: Puerto Princesa, Philippines

This unique journey unites two of the Philippines' most esteemed diving locales as the ship moves from Puerto Princesa to Cebu. The schedule highlights supreme diving within the UNESCO-designated Tubbataha Reefs National Park, a location renowned for its untouched atolls and substantial pelagic inhabitants. It further delves into key spots in the Visayas, including Apo Island and Bohol, celebrated for their flourishing coral formations and diverse macro life. This distinctive path provides a com

Best of Visayas - Visayas Islands (Cebu - Cebu)

Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

Embarkation: Cebu, Philippines

This flexible itinerary explores the diverse underwater landscapes of the Visayas region, including areas around Cebu and Bohol. The exact route is adapted to prevailing conditions to ensure the best possible diving experience. Divers can expect a wide array of encounters, from large pelagics like thresher and whale sharks to massive schools of sardines. The trip also features vibrant soft coral walls, black sand muck diving for critters like ghost pipefish, and abundant turtle sightings. Max g

Best of Visayas - Visayas Islands (Cebu - Cebu)

Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights

Embarkation: Cebu

This itinerary explores the diverse underwater landscapes of the Visayas region, with a flexible route determined by local conditions upon boarding. Divers can experience a wide range of environments, from walls adorned with soft corals to muck diving on black sand. The area is rich in marine life, offering potential encounters with thresher sharks, whale sharks, large schools of sardines and jacks, and turtles. Macro enthusiasts will also find plenty to see, including unique creatures like wasp

Best of Visayas - Visayas Islands

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Embarkation: Cebu

This journey visits top aquatic sites within the Visayas archipelago, an area noted for varied underwater habitats. The exact path depends on atmospheric conditions, ocean currents, and water clarity, guaranteeing prime underwater excursions. Divers might see thresher sharks, extensive sardine schools, sea turtles, and numerous small marine creatures. Max guests on this trip: 26.

Best of Visayas - Visayas Islands (Cebu - Cebu)

Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights

Embarkation: Cebu, Philippines

This itinerary explores the diverse diving opportunities in the Visayas Islands, a region renowned for its underwater beauty in the Philippines. The specific route is determined onboard, taking into account current weather and sea conditions, as well as visibility. Divers can anticipate encountering a wide array of marine life, from large pelagics like thresher sharks and whale sharks to schools of sardines and various macro critters. Max guests on this trip: 26.