ATMOSPHERE RESORT Snorkel SCUBA family cultural expedition June 28 – July 7 2015 - Diver Suite/Apartment - Triple share $3,269.00 Non Diver Suite/Apartment- Triple share $2,752.00 You might remember me writing this in a recent update – “Those of us who have been to Atmosphere Resort, Dumaguete on the island of Oriental Negros (quite a mouthful!) will remember fondly the superb resort and the varied and interesting diving. Being one of the first groups to visit the resort, we enjoyed very special deals when Atmosphere was newly opened in 2011 and 2012. Now we would need to find over $4500 for a similar trip (ouch!) I do hope to return to Atmosphere one day but find it hard to justify this price increase.” At that point I negotiated with two other resorts and had settled on Pura Vida Resort, near Dumaguete. Not quite Atmosphere (nowhere is…) but a very good resort nonetheless. But then, a strange thing happened. Gabrielle Holder, Manager of Atmosphere Resort, heard at a Philippines Dive Expo that my group was planning to visit and stay at Pura Vida, and she was “heartbroken” (her words!) Gabrielle rang me that Saturday morning, begged, pleaded and made me an offer too good to refuse. Basically, we are getting 2010 accommodation package rates – which works out to be nearly a 40% discount. Unheard of. This ends up being pretty much similar to the 2014 Aiyanar trip, by the time we consider the addition of an extra night in Manila and the domestic flight. And Atmosphere is clearly a notch up the scale on Aiyanar. Atmosphere is a brilliant dive resort and if anything, there have been significant improvements since our last trip. The fine ‘a la carte’ cuisine and the sensational bar service are better than ever and will be something of a contrast to the buffets at Aiyanar! Visit http://www.atmosphereresorts.com/eat/eat.html for menus and the Wine List. The Spa Sanctuary is also first class. Visit http://www.atmosphereresorts.com/spa/spa.html for a listing of treatments. But like Aiyanar, this is a fantastic dive operation with every facility for divers of all experience levels. Atmosphere is a resort with no compromises. And for the photographers there is a well-equipped Camera Room and now a Marine Biologist, Daniel Geary, on staff. Important note: This is not a Peninsula School Trip! I must make it clear from the start that the basis of these trips has now changed. Peninsula School has changed its Legal Liability and Risk Assessment procedures in a manner that makes it very difficult to run these trips as they once were. This will have no impact whatsoever on the trip. This trip is thus fully open to the public and the only difference will be a slightly more relaxed tour leader around the bar at sunset! Please also note that school dive gear will not be available to borrow for the trip, but we will be selling the school stock cheaply prior to the expedition (more details later). Also please note a change in Travel Agent – for this trip I am using the services of Tracy Price of Dive Adventures (please do not contact Ian Lockwood of Allways!!). Highlights of this area’s diving include – Apo Island Marine Reserve (blue water; coral reef slopes; currents; turtles; school of Bigeye trevally; thriving fish life); Siquijor – blue water coral wall dives; Dauin – Dumaguete coastline (mixture of macro “muck” diving; lots of unusual critters interspersed with beautiful coral bommies); Oslob – where we will again snorkel with several huge harmless Whale Sharks – this is not to be missed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hXZnI9dqgI – 60 minutes report on Oslob. N.B. Atmosphere only allow snorkelling at Oslob in accordance with WWF guidelines.
Our first trip to Atmosphere Resort in The Philippines Islands in July 2011 was incredibly successful. - This is one of the best dive trips I have experienced in over 30 years of amazing diving! Some of the best dive sites I have seen and arguably the best dive resort I have visited. A frequent remark from our group was… “….Wiggsy…we can’t fault this place…”. This is how I saw Atmosphere Resort – I posted this review on tripadvisor soon after my
return “Best dive resort I have ever seen - and I've seen a lot of them.” (tripadvisor) by Alan Wiggs Pure and simple - this is an amazing location and a superb dive resort. I was lucky enough to take a large group to Atmosphere, and by midday on the first day I had secretly decided that this was my new favourite place in the world and I've dived the Maldives; Solomon Islands; Sipadan; Palau; Vanuatu; Fiji; Tahiti and the Cook Islands (many of them several times). By the time I'd had lunch at the superb open air beachside restaurant and done my first dive, I'd decided that this place was a sure bet and would be the venue for next year's trip back to back (normally we go somewhere different each year).This is like a Dive Resort built from the ground up for divers, by a team of consultants - they have thought of every possible feature to improve your comfort and safety. And it is all done with such style. There are no compromises - it is rare to be at a resort where everything just simply works so well. The rooms are superb (we were in a 200 sq. metre penthouse that was well lit and beautifully appointed. Always plenty of hot water lots of power points...brilliantly lit, tastefully decorated - modern but stylish. Neat as a pin. And with a view over manicured gardens that are beautifully landscaped and slope gently down to the very chilled pool/bar area and the beach. The pool is big and at 3 metres deep is designed for SCUBA training, but also perfect for a leisurely dip. The pool bar is the hub of social activity and offers great coffee (the iced coffees are just about a major food group in themselves); fruit smoothies; cheapish cocktails and cold San Mig beers. OK - the beach is ordinary, but Atmosphere don't hide that - it is greyish sand with a lot of pebbles (take beach shoes or dive bootees to board the boats) but it is still rather attractive and presents gorgeous views across to magical Apo Island. And just off the beach is some of the best House Reef diving I have ever seen. Only metres from shore we saw turtles in the shallows; young solitary Great Barracuda; Banded Sea Kraits; healthy corals and schools of Butterfly and Angelfish. There were even Frogfish one day in the shallows visible from the dive boat. 200 metres to the left there are guaranteed Mandarin Fish at the Bahura House reef (as in hundreds of them). The dive operation is professional and extremely well organised. They even have an air-conditioned camera room set up with work benches'/charging station with air blower nozzles and a camera pro in residence (who proved extremely useful when I had some strobe synch. issues! ..... Well done Steve!) Divers each have a storage cubicle in the drying room and all you need do is look after your wetsuit; booties and camera. Everything else is washed; stored and handled for you. WARNING: do not come here unless you like to be spoilt rotten. If you have some weird fixation about washing your own gear, then, you certainly can if you must. But you will find no fewer than 3 deck hands fussing around you supporting tanks and putting your fins on for you. The most common comment I heard from my group was "These guys cannot do enough for you". They even anticipate your needs and do stuff before you've even asked. It is full on luxury diving - complete with hot moist cologne face towels after the dive and loads and fruit; cookies and hot coffee/tea. The restaurant is brilliant - crisp linens; polished glasses and an impressive menu that includes local dishes; lots of seafood and amazing desserts. The Penna Cotta and "BTS" {Better Than Sex} Chocolate cake were my favourites. Presentation is equal to a top restaurant here in Melbourne. And 500 bottles of French Wine in the cellar!? And yet this was not an expensive package at all relative to Pacific destinations such as Fiji and Vanuatu. We loved the place and the general opinion was that we could not beat (yet alone equal) what we had at Atmosphere. Further research: www.tripadvisor.com
www.atmosphereresorts.com
www. http://www.panomnio.com/clients/atmosphere/ (great 360° panoramas) http://issuu.com/alanwiggs/docs/the_perfect_mix (Sportdiving magazine article on Atmosphere Resort) http://issuu.com/alanwiggs/docs/artbutanding (article on The Whale Sharks of Oslob) http://vimeo.com/35675090 (“Befriending Giants” - brilliant 5 minute Video on Whale Sharks of Oslob)
Photos from the 2011 trip by Alan Wiggs
Room configurations are as follows –
14 Suites o Sleeps three o Set up as a double & one single or three singles o 6 Suites have with adjoining doors 8 Apartments (105sqm) o One bedroom with living/dining room and kitchen facilities o Set up as a double & one single or three singles o Sleeps three – extra bed can be set up in the bedroom or in the living room. 4 Penthouses (205sqm) o Two ensuite bedrooms, living / dining room and kitchen facilities. o Sleeps five – extra bed can be put in either of the bedrooms.
THE DEAL – Includes all Australian Departure Taxes 1 Diver Suite/Apartment - Twin share $3,353.00 2 Non Diver Suite/Apartment - Twin share $2,835.00 3 Diver Suite/Apartment - Triple share $3,269.00 4 Non Diver Suite/Apartment- Triple share $2,752.00 5 Diver Penthouse - quad share $3,283.00 6 Non Diver Penthouse - quad share $2,766.00 Departure Point: Aust-Melbourne, VIC Destination: Philippines-Dumaguete FLIGHT DETAILS Proposed Flights Sun 28 June 2015 : Melbourne / Manila 1100 / 1610 PR 210 1 night Manila Mon 29 June 2015 : Manila / Dumaguete 0840 / 1000 PR 2545 8 nights Atmosphere Tue 7 July 2015 : Dumaguete / Manila 1530 / 1650 PR 2544 Tue 7 July 2015 : Manila / Melbourne 2110 /0800 PR 209 ( Arrive 8 July 2015 ) INCLUDES Philippine Airlines - Air Fares - MEL-MNL-DGT-MNL-MEL Philippine Airlines - Economy airfare Luggage Allowance : 23kg pp Blue Horizons Travel & Tours, Inc. - Return airport transfers Includes Return airport transfers by coaster vehicle to Manila/Makati-based hotels without guide Blue Horizons Travel & Tours, Inc. - 1 nights accommodation at The Dusit Thani 1 Night In 28-Jun-15 Out 29-Jun-15 1 nights accommodation at The Dusit Thani - Twin / Double
Includes : Twin share Deluxe room & American Breakfast Atmosphere Resorts & Spa (Dumaguete) - 8 night / 10 dives package – Suite/Apartment/Penthouse - Twin / Triple/Quad In 29 June / Out 7 July 2015 Includes : * 8 nights accommodation * Complimentary Buffet & Cooked to order breakfast with juices, tea and locally brewed coffee * Complimentary afternoon bar snacks * Complimentary filtered drinking water * Complimentary Indian Head Massage * Complimentary Wi-Fi access in all rooms throughout the resort * Dumaguete airport / Atmosphere resort round trip transfers * 8 days Full Board meal package : Includes breakfast, 2 courses lunch, 3 courses dinner Note : Includes lunch on the last day * Includes all government tax Diving Details : * 10 dives package( includes 1 trip at Apo Island ) Includes weights, tanks, marine fees and dive guide services (extra dives are 1800 php - about $45 AUD) * Complimentary use of wetsuits, mask, fins and snorkel. Note : Any Additional trips to Apo Island will incur an additional fee of 700 PHP per person per day. Note : Please be informed that additional charge apply for any dives after 5pm Upgrade to 5 days unlimited diving – additional $248; 6 days unlimited $396 (do the maths – it may be better value to just pay the package and the post package rate….unless you plan to do more than 20 dives…)
INTERESTED IN BOOKING? Either fill in the Dive Adventures booking form at the rear of this booklet or simply use this online booking link – http://www.diveadventures.com.au/pages/booking.php?booking=S16198&agent=The%20Peninsula%20School&consultant =Tracy&destination=Philippines&departuredate=28/06/2015&departurepoint=Melbourne&DepositAmt=$500.00 Deposit ($500 due to Dive Adventures by December 15) Any inquires? Please e-mail me on awiggs@tps.vic.edu.au or call Tracy Price at Dive Adventures, Port Melbourne Tracy Price – Dive Adventures; Unit A 5.2 63-85 Turner St. Port Melbourne VIC 3207; PH 9646 5945 FAX 9646 8589 Tracy Dive Adventures tracy@diveadventures.com.au
ATMOSPHERE RESORT, THE PHILIPPINES, GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY: Atmosphere Resort, Oriental Negros, is an operation that gives something back to the community. The resort sponsors a feeding program that provides 85 children with a cooked lunch 5 days a week. The children are from one of the most impoverished areas in Dumaguete, 30 minutes away from the resort. Their parents are part of a large community that has developed at the dump site and their income is gained through foraging through the city’s refuse in search of recyclables for conversion to cash. Rice Sacks and plastic bags are collected and washed; glass and cans are gathered as is anything of the slightest value. The average family income here is around $2 per day and families are accommodated in housing provided by Scandanavian mission organisations. The aim is direct and simple: One nutritional balanced meal per day to school children between the ages of 6-12. Too often, these children do not have access to one substantial meal a day, which makes it hard to pay attention in school or even go to school if they have to spend that time finding a means to get food. The soup Kitchen also provides toothbrushes to each child and dental hygiene is part of the process. The success of the program is owed to the mothers of the children who volunteer and run the program, do the daily preparation, serving and clean-up. Atmosphere Staff visits the Soup Kitchen on a weekly basis to monitor weight and nutrition. A great contrast is evident between the squalor of the tip, and the brilliant smiles of the children, turned out neatly in immaculate school uniforms. It is possible for resort guests to volunteer as a helper or server. If you would like to make a donation, anything is welcome but children’s vitamins are most useful. Simple first aid items (bandaids; antiseptic creams) are also in short supply.
From www.atmosphereresorts.com Atmosphere Resorts brings you a unique experience within the Philippine archipelago. Sympathetically situated within an old five acre coconut plantation, eight spacious boutique style suites, four garden apartments and two penthouses nestle discreetly, enjoying the spectacular beach front location of the estate alongside the warm coastal waters of the Philippine Sea. Our welcoming staff, beach side infinity pool, state of the art dive centre, fine dining restaurant and tasteful, well equipped accommodation provides a melting pot of delightful experiences, making your stay with us unforgettable. Indulge yourself and surrender to Atmosphere.
Best known for exceptional scuba diving and the friendliness of its people, the Philippine archipelago is comprised of 7,107 tropical islands situated in South East Asia between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. Although the country's terrain is an interesting mix of natural resources, it is the magnificent sanctuary beneath the sparkling waters that provide a plethora of wonders, earning a reputation as one of the world's best diving destinations. Coral fringed islands carry some of the world's most diverse eco systems, offering a truly memorable underwater experience to snorkelers and divers alike.
Atmosphere is located near the coastal town of Dauin, in the south east region of Negros Oriental, Philippines. The neighbouring islands of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor frame magnificent views of sunrise whilst Apo Island, one of the Philippines best scuba diving destinations, harbouring a national marine reserve, is just a short boat ride away. The uneven silhouette of the Twin Horn Mountains on Negros provides a stunning vista whilst the endless stretch of silver sand alongside the inviting blue sea is an ideal place to relax and enjoy your luxury resort holiday.
Upon landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila, we then transfer to The Dusit Thani for our overnight stop in Manila. The next morning we have a fairly early departure for Dumaguete.
On landing at the Dumaguete City Airport, Atmosphere Resort personnel will be standing by to transport us to Atmosphere Resort – a chance to enjoy the scenic views during the short 30 minute ride.
The accommodation is scattered through Atmosphere's lush tropical gardens and with choices ranging from suites, garden apartments or luxury penthouses, there will be something to meet your needs. All the accommodation has its own private garden/ outside space for your relaxation and all views are across the gardens with most through to the sea. Crisp, white Egyptian cotton linens, soft white fluffy towels, branded cosmetics, flat screen televisions and mini bars are standard throughout, as well as your choice of king-size or twin beds. All rooms have wireless internet connection, light airy bathrooms and large external balconies.
The suites are our standard accommodation. All of 90 square meters, each room has an en-suite bathroom complete with a sunken tub, rain shower and solar water heating, set within an open air private garden. The front balcony with day bed and hammock, interior lounging area with day bed and changing studio are all part of the comfort you will find in an Atmosphere suite.
If living or holidaying in a secluded tropical garden that is a stone's throw away from the beach is your perfect slice of paradise, then Atmosphere has the ideal home for you. The beautiful single storey apartments allow for complete independence whilst at the same time offering security and all the benefits and facilities of the resort. Each apartment has a total floor area of 105 square meters, encompassing a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom both overlooking a private tropical garden, an open plan fully fitted kitchen, dining and living areas which lead seamlessly onto a private veranda.
The penthouse is Atmosphere's flagship and most luxurious type of accommodation. The floor area of over 200 square metres gives a beautiful spacious arrangement comprising of the master bedroom and guest bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, an open plan kitchen, living and dining area which leads onto a large external balcony. Tastefully furnished and decorated, all apartments and penthouses provide a calm oasis for every traveller. Soft, natural hues dominate the fully furnished interiors, while different exotic textures such as tropical hardwoods and the traditional Philippine abaca provide exciting contrasts to streamlined, minimalist style architecture.
Here at Atmosphere we place the utmost importance on the quality of our food and beverages and are proud that our name is fast becoming synonymous with excellent food and dining experiences. A flexible approach to dining has been created to cater for the personal requirements of our guests and whether you wish for a romantic dinner on the beach, a chef to cook for you in your own apartment, eating at 'Blue', our signature fine dining restaurant or a light lunch round the pool, we will be happy to oblige. At atmosphere we place a large emphasis on the quality of our wine selection and storage. Atmospheres climatically controlled wine cellar has over 500 hundred world class wines from France. All our wines are handpicked from boutique French estates by our Sommelier on a yearly basis to guarantee top quality throughout our diverse range. Our concept is to give the guests a unique wine experience, one where you can try various grapes and bottles to find a wine that you enjoy. We have a wine for every taste and we will always recommend wines to match your mood or culinary choices. We can hold wine tastings when our Sommelier will introduce different wine concepts and bottles from varying regions around France. Whether you are drinking our house wine or our finest Bordeux's we have a wine for you.
The Dive Sites of Dauin and Apo Island – There are about 13 dive sites along the coast of Dauin, 8 of which are marine sanctuaries, and another 12 sites at the nearby Apo Island (not to mention several more sites at Siquijor – which I’ll try to do in another post). There are several great walls, steep slopes, gradual slopes and huge coral gardens all teeming with life. A macro lover’s paradise, as most of the creatures here are on the small side, however there are plenty of turtles, and it’s been said an occasional manta sighting at Apo.
All the dive sites are easily accessible from which ever resort you choose to stay at, ranging from a shore entry in front of your resort, to a 5-10 min boat ride. The sites at Apo can be reached in about an hour and are generally done on a two dive trip. The water temperature is usually around 27째C and diving here can be done all year round. Considered to be some of the best diving in the Philippines (with a few sites considered worldclass), you definitely wont get bored diving in Dauin.
Atlantis Rating: Depth: 5-20m Current: gentle to moderate Visibility: 5-15m Sea grass in the shallows with large areas of stag horn and other hard corals as you go deeper. There is also an artificial reef made up of old truck tires nicely covered with hard and soft corals. A popular site for night dives. What to see here: Mandarin fish, lionfish, scorpionfish, many nudibranchs, schools of catfish, freckled porcupinefish, big schools of yellow tail snappers, blue spotted stingrays, moray eels, ringed pipefish, crocodile fish, juvenile batfish, devilfish, ghost pipefish, frogfish, ribbon eels, twin spotted goby, double spotted lionfish, comet fish, blue ringed octopus, spanish dancer.
Masaplod Sanctuary (North) Rating: Depth: 5-25m Current: moderate to strong Visibility: 10-25m One of the oldest sanctuaries in the area, teeming with life. A slopping patchy reef that descends to about 25m, with large coral formations throughout. What to see here: Seahorses, double ended pipefish, large mangrove snappers, big schools of yellowtail snappers, blue spotted stingrays, nudibranches, scorpion fish, sweetlips, porcupine fish, ringed pipefish, batfish, large schools of juvenile travellies, moray eels, turtles, ghost pipefish, sea snakes, mantis shrimps, big barracudas, stargazers, thorny cow fish.
Masaplod South Rating: Depth: 5-26m Current: gentle to moderate Visibility: 5-20m A similar site, just bit further south, with just as many fish. Soft coral fields with mixed coral blocks, slopping up towards a sandy bed of sea grass.
What to see here: Moray eels, turtles, ghost pipefish, anglerfish, nudibranches, sea snakes, scorpion fish, sweetlips, porcupine fish, ringed pipefish, batfish, large schools of juvenile travellies and sometimes a rare bluering octopus. Bahura Rating: Depth: 5-22m Current: moderate to strong Visibility: 10-25m
A sloping reef of hard coral blocks that descends to a sandy bed of soft corals. What to see here: Mantis shrimp, nudibranches, leaffish, scorpionfish, small lion fish, ghost pipefish, angler fish and lone baracudas. Apo Island Coconut Point Rating: Depth: 5-35m Current: very strong Visibility: 15-35m Nicknamed ‘The Washing Machine’, this site almost always has a strong current and can be very challenging due to both up and downward currents. A slopping reef that gives way to a rock wall. Halfway through the dive you will pass over a sandy channel that runs between two rock cliffs. What to see here: Bump-head parrotfish, jacks and snappers, sweetlips, emperor fish, fusiliers, barracuda, tuna, rainbow runners, turtles, sea snakes, batfish, potato grouper, mapoleon wrasse.
Olo Rating: Depth: 15-30m Current: very strong Visibility: 10-35m Olo means “head” is Visayan, and this dive site lies and the head of Apo Island. Only for experienced divers as the current can be quite strong here where it splits to Coconut Point one way and Cogon the other. Made up of two walls, with a sandy slope full of staghorn coral dividing them. What to see here: Lots and lots of fish, Triggerfish, pufferfish, sweetlips, snappers, turtles, emperor fish, butterflyfish, and more.
Cogon Rating: Depth: 15-35m Current: moderate to very strong Visibility: 10-35m Subject to strong currents, this dive is only for experienced divers. This drift dive starts on a slopping reef of mixed corals and sponges and finishes on a wall of soft corals. What to see here: Big eye trevallies, banded seasnakes, turtles, snappers, boxfish, clown triggerfish, scribbled filefish, pyramid butterflyfish, longfinned bannerfish napoleon wrasse, cuttlefish, bumphead parrotfish, batfish, eagle ray, mantis shrimp, blue spotted stingray, flatworm, frogfish.
Mamsa Point Rating: Depth: 38m Current: moderate to very strong Visibility: 10-35m A slopping reef and a steep wall of soft and hard corals, subject to strong currents. Mamsa, meaning jackfish in Visayan (the local dialect), is home to big schools of jacks. What to see here: Big schools of trevallies (Jacks), banded seasnakes, turtles, snappers, boxfish, clown triggerfish, scribbled filefish, pyramid butterflyfish, longfinned bannerfish napoleon wrasse, cuttlefish, bumphead parrotfish, batfish, eagle ray, mantis shrimp, blue spotted stingray, flatworm, frogfish.
Kan Ura Rating: Depth: 25m Current: moderate Visibility: 10-20m A steep slope with some beautiful soft and hard corals. What to see here: Many nudibranches, razor fish, rubble pipe fish, moray eels, rigid shrimp, scorpionfish.
Marine Sanctuary (Clownfish City) Rating: Depth: 5-25m Current: gentle Visibility: 10-25m A slopping reef of diverse hard and soft corals. Some interesting overhangs and small caverns. At around 4-7m you’ll find “Clownfish City”. Huge anemone covered coral blocks that are home to many species of clownfish. Diving here is limited to 15 people per day.
What to see here: Clownfish, moray eels, fusliers, butterflyfish, angelfish, nudibranchs, scorpionfish, giant trevally, snappers, sweetlips, different species of surgeonfish, fantastic hard and soft corals, sea moth, flounder, napoleon wrasse, bump head parrotfish, turtle, frogfish, ghost pipefish, long nose hawkfish. Katipanan Rating: Depth: 5-20m Current: gentle to moderate Visibility: 10-20m A soft coral garden with lots of marine life. Perfect for beginners. What to see here: Turtles, big cuttle fish, dart fish, harlequin sweetlips, trigger fish, butterfly fish, goat fish, angel fish, bat fish, surgeon fish, sea snakes, comet fish and loads of damsel fish. Chapel Rating: Depth: 5-35m Current: gentle to moderate Visibility: 10-20m A gentle sandy slope that leads to a very steep slope, and then a wall with lots of small caves and overhangs. The flat reef on top of the wall is a prefect spot to explore during your safety stop. What to see here: Lionfish, scorpionfish, blue fin trevally, nudibranches, surgeonfish, black and white snappers, fusiliers, golden sweepers, garden eels, moray eel, turtle, batfish, sea moth, comet fish, frogfish, napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, giant trevally.
From the
Atmosphere is ideally located to take full advantage of some of the world's best scuba diving. The world renowned Apo Island and myriad of dive sites along the Dauin coastline are regarded as some of the best in the world for macro photography and are often frequented by photographers in search of exquisitely rare shots. Atmosphere's dive centre is at the heart of the resort and plans to become a 5 star instructor development centre in the near future. Offering a full range of PADI affiliated courses and specialty courses, the dive staff including Instructors and Dive Masters are trained and managed by Atmosphere's Dive Centre Manager and resident PADI Course Director.
Atmosphere's state of the art dive centre is designed by divers, for divers. We understand the need for space in our wet facilities but also the growing demand for technological requirements. With this in mind guests can enjoy private equipment storage spaces and wireless internet throughout the dive centre for their convenience. The amenities of the dive centre include: multi-media suite for lectures, seminars, video/camera downloading and editing, retail area for sales of equipment and support gear, briefing and de-briefing area, lounging area for logging and pre/post dive socializing, diver toilets and showers, kit washing and personalised storage area, nitrox analyzing station, pump house/tank store.
On a daily basis the dive centre runs dives to all the Dauin Sanctuaries and also Apo Island via the dive boat Victoria. Victoria is a beautiful 84 foot long, local banka-style boat that was designed and built specifically for Atmosphere's day trips and diving. Depending on demand, the dive centre also runs numerous day trips to dive sites further away, including:
Sijiquor Island
Balicasag
Sumilon Island
Liloan Point
There need never be a dull moment when you're with Atmosphere. We can book you on numerous local daytime tours or even take you to interesting night hotspots within the city come sundown. Treks to the hillside, a dip in the lake or a night of live music are just some of the experiences you can sample while on your luxury Atmosphere holiday.
SNORKELLING WITH THE WHALE SHARKS OF OSLOB – ONLY METRES FROM SHORE –
Waterfalls Casaroro is one of the most popular destinations in Negros Oriental. Your Atmosphere guide will take you by car to the start a short adventurous hike on a nature trail which takes you to the 70 metre high cascading waters that fall into a frothing basin. Here your atmosphere guide will prepare your buffet lunch whilst you swim in the refreshing pool surrounded by lush vegetation and steep rock formations returning to the resort around 4 hours later to enjoy a well earned drink at the bar. Caving The Odloman Cave in Mabinay is the second longest cave in the Philippines, with a total depth of 8,870 meters. Spelunking here is considered challenging as the course includes many obstacles such as corridors and streams. The Cayaso Cave also in Mabunay boasts a subterranean river running beneath its main chamber and is one of the longest caves in the Philippines. Choose from beginner to advanced level caving and the skilled cave guides are ready to tak you on an exhilarating and unforgettable exploration! Dolphin and Whale Watching In the azure waters between Bais Bay and the Tañon Strait, about 1 hour from Atmosphere) is a multitude of Spinner, Bottle Nose and Fraiser Dolphins. In addition, Pygmy Killer Whales, Pilot Whales and Pygmy Sperm Whales are regularly seen. Relax aboard a spacious catamaran while the engine throttles out into open sea between Cebu and Negros. The tour includes lunch on the boat and hopping to a nearby white-sand island for some serious sunbathing and swimming. Guests must book very early to guarantee a space. Helicopter Tours Helicopter tours can be arranged which will take you around the neighbouring islands, along the coastline and up the mountain, descending into the twin lakes basin to bank hard and skim the water surface at speed. Guests are picked up directly from the Atmosphere estate and taken on the tour where the views are spectacular and exhilarating. Island Tours One of our most popular tours is to the neighbouring island of Apo. Not only good for divers, non divers can also enjoy a trek up to the lighthouse on top of the island where views back to Negros can be seen. You can also wander through the village to the marine sanctuary where snorkelling is world class. Lunch is usually a fresh fish bar-b-que on the white sand beach before heading back across to Atmosphere for that well earned cocktail.
Market Tours Matapalay market is the largest open market in Negros Oriental and visitors are treated to a glimpse of the real Philippines. You can wander among the native water buffalo, cows, pigs and people and soak up the indigenous culture first hand. It is also an opportunity to sample some rare Philippine culinary delights such as the local lechon baboy (spit roast pig). Lakes and Nature Parks The twin lakes are awe the inspiring prize at the end of challenging drive up the mountain which offers stunning views of the sea and surrounding countryside. Here you can swim, canoe across the lake or hike round to the viewing deck whilst your Atmosphere guide prepares your buffet lunch. On the return journey you can relax and enjoy views down to the coast and city. Balinsasayao lake is an extensive natural park that is home to almost 200 different species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles in a flourishing rainforest eco-system. Other activities include kayaking at the lake and horseback riding in the nearby trails. City Tours The Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete City is a favourite spot for locals and travellers alike. You can stroll along the promenade or sit with a drink or two by one of the many bars and restaurants lining the pavement and take in views of the sea or people-watch as the local life passes by. The promenade is a popular place with locals and revellers who love to congregate and party at this side of town. At the heart of the city, Silliman University is also a site to explore. It is the oldest educational American institution in Asia and Dumaguete City earned its reputation as the 'University Town' because of Silliman's role in the city's development. Visit http://www.atmosphereresorts.com/pdf/nearby_attractions.pdf for more details.
APO ISLAND: