Philippines: Sea Explorers

Introducing the magical islands of the Visayas Sea

Immersion travel begins and ends with this family adventure!  

By Margo Peyton, founder of Kids Sea Camp

After landing in Manila (MNL), you will pass through customs and immigration; friendly smiles and helpful hands will then meet you, The Philippine Department of Tourism, with Biggs Eggert of  Amun ini & Sea Explorers, handing you a cool facecloth and a bottle of water. And assisting with the collection of your bags.  We will then head to your domestic departure for your connecting flight to (TAG) airport by private transfer. You will be met and transferred to Amun Ini Resort, about a 1.5hr ground transfer to the resort.  

During our stay in the Philippines, you will dive with Amun Ini, Sea Explorers, and all PADI 5-Star dive shops.  Top-notch service, smaller dive gear, and tanks for kids are provided and include a well-trained staff for all levels of divers. Each resort and dive shop will accommodate prominent rig photographers and first-time divers.  Each boat has hot coffee and tea, warm face cloths, fresh fruit, baked bread, and other goodies that await you when you return from your dive. To top it all off, you never have to touch your gear except to put it on and a giant stride into your next dive. Dive gear is rinsed and perfectly adorned atop your tank,  awaiting your return. Heaven!  Nothing makes the staff happier on this trip than to see the smile on your faces, and that’s why their tagline is “Dive with a smile” because you certainly will.

These are humble people that pride family and each other above all things. Unlike most places, all the dive staff with Sea Explorers is provided health insurance and are well paid. Chris and Biggs treat them like family, and they are just that.

This trip showed me the most incredible and vibrant reefs I have ever seen in my 30 years of diving. It affected me so much that I dreamt about the colors for months, and it sadly changed my mind’s eye when diving into the Caribbean. For 6 nights and 5 days, You will enjoy Amun Ini. During your stay, Biggs will arrange for the group to travel over to the chocolate hills, zip line, and the hanging bridge on the island of Bohol.

Dauin: Pura Vida Homes and Resort.  The one and two-bedroom villas can easily accommodate families of 5 and are crafted from rich hardwoods and majestic views. The beautiful beach, two pools, gym, spa, and wedding chapel were most inspiring.

Along with all the local traditions, there is a modern feel, microwaves, coffee makers, and the most comfortable beds in the Philippines. There are villages to explore, a mountain school, and more fantastic diving than any other place in the world I have dove.  This trip is over the top and, hands down, my favorite destination to dive. Guests will enjoy diving, yoga, sups, zipline, waterfall hikes, and paddle boarding.

Diving Apo Island provides an endless view of colorful soft corals, teeming with fish and punctuated with my favorite, turtles! To end the day, you can do a muck dive. I had read about them for years and never thought the moment would come. Tiny orange frogfish the size of a gumball, vibrant tiger shrimp and anemone crabs, pink seahorses, and little soft-bodied gastropods called nudibranchs that presented extraordinary colors and patterns I could have never imagined. This type of diving allows kids to slow down and focus on the tiniest of beings in this magical underwater world.

You can enjoy some crazy fun diving Oslob on our way from or to Amun ini when conditions permit during the crossing. With Sea Explorers, you will dive in 35’ of warm, clear water while observing the whale sharks feeding on krill. I had only been diving with Whale sharks in the Galapagos, and it is just fabulous diving in these much warmer waters. Kids and families can snorkel or dive from Dauin anytime during their stay.

I hope you will find, as I did, this destination to be one of the most welcoming, safe, and smile-driven places on earth. If you’re ready to take a break from electronics and your virtual world, I invite you to experience these magical islands of the Visayas Sea.

The Philippines brings your imagination to life. Join us for an epic dive journey to the Philippines to explore and experience new worlds above and below that will open your children’s eyes to humbleness, happiness, and a new way of looking at life they will remember forever.

Travel information about Malapascua, Dauin, and Amun ini for this year's trip to the Philippines with Tom and Margo Peyton

Let's go island hopping!

Amun ini, six nights 

• Meet and greet in Manila (welcoming by a representative in the Manila arrival area for the main group & Sea Explorers representative for any other arrival.)
• Transfer to and from the domestic terminal and International terminals excl. Domestic flights are not included.
• Transfer from domestic airport (TAG) to resort on arrival
• 6 nights accommodations in Ocean View Deluxe Room with king bed or two twin share
• 5 days of diving (incl. guides, tanks weights, and up to 3 scheduled day boat dives daily)
• All meals included (breakfast, 2-course lunch & 3-course dinner)
• One-way transfer from Amun Ini to Dauin (via fast ferry)
• Complimentary Internet • Complimentary unlimited filtered drinking water • Complimentary coffee and tea in the room • Complimentary use of stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkeling
• Private guides, Private Boats, Entertainment, Special events, and presentations.
• SASY (For kids 4-7): All rental gear, 5 days of snorkeling and SASY program using SASY unit. Fins, mask, & snorkel for them to KEEP
• Seal team (For kids 8-9): All rental gear, 5 days of Seal Team doing 5 aqua missions. BCD, fins, mask & snorkel for them to KEEP
• Jr. Open Water (For kids 10-17): All rental gear, 5 confined dives & 4 open water dives, instructor continues to dive with them once the course is completed from the boat. BCD, fins, mask & snorkel for them to KEEP (This is a gift from KSC it is only for Jr. Open Water students in children sizes. Adult sizes are not included for giveaway.)
• Basketball, volleyball
• Optional add-ons: zip line, monkeys, chocolate hills.

Dauin, Pura Vida Homes Resort & Spa, six nights

• Arrival for guests from Amun ini on the 12-night trip 
• 6 nights accommodation Vida Homes, 1 or 2 bedroom ocean view luxury apartments, Negros Island, 
• Transfer to DGT  on departure day. Domestic or international flights are not included.
• 6 days  meal package 
• 5 days of diving (3 dives a day expect for the last day, only 2) with private dive crew, personal tour guides, private transfers, private boats, private meals
• Special presentations, local music, and cultural presentations
• Shopping at the local market
• Special Beach BBQ night in Vida Homes for the entire group
• Use of conference facility for slideshows, etc
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access
• Complimentary unlimited filtered drinking water and daily juices provided
• Complimentary coffee and tea in the room
• SASY (For kids 4-7): All rental gear, 5 days of snorkeling and SASY program using SASY unit. Fins, mask, & snorkel for them to KEEP
• Seal team (For kids 8-9): All rental gear, 5 days of Seal Team doing 5 aqua missions. BCD, fins, mask & snorkel for them to KEEP
• Jr. Open Water (For kids 10-17): All rental gear, 5 confined dives & 4 open water dives, instructor continues to dive with them once the course is completed from the boat. BCD, fins, mask & snorkel for them to KEEP (This is a gift from KSC it is only for Jr. Open Water students in children sizes. Adult sizes are not included for giveaway.)
• 6 days of snacks between dives on the boat (cookies, muffins, etc.)
• Rental equipment for kids
• Slideshow
• Photo album
• Tote bags, t-shirts
• Kids Sea Camp certification PADI distinctive specialty
• 1 Night dive
• 2 Apo Island excursion
• 1-day trip to Oslob diving with the Whalesharks
• Inclusive Sanctuary Fees around Dauin, Hotel tax included.

Not included:

• Service charge
• Marine park fees at Amun ini
• Any other meals other than those mentioned above, tours, or additional dives in Oslob other than stated.
• Any soft or alcoholic drinks other than those noted above
• Gratuities- for dive staff & resort staff
• Roundtrip air from the Philippines (MNL) or within the Philippines (TAG for arrival to Amun ini and DGT for departure from Dauin)
• Adult dive gear rental. You get a great deal if you purchase your gear from Kids Sea Camp  
• Continuing Education courses: you must send request at the time of the booking and based on space or available instructor will it be confirmed. Confirmation will not happen till 1-2 months from trip departure and will not exceed a max of 4 students.

12-night trip :  Amun Ini (6 nights) June 12th - 18th & Pura Vida Homes with Sea Explorers  (6 nights) June 18th - 24th

Sample schedule of the Kids Sea Camp Philippines Additional nights can be added to either location or extensions to Amun ini Resort or Malapascua.  

A great dive resort on every island

Amun ini: 15 Oceanview and infinity pool view rooms, with one king or two queens or one king and one twin bed configuration in each room. Fine dining restaurant with farm-to-table food, 5-star PADI dive shop on the beach. Three boat dives and 3 meals daily for all locations, private boats, private diving, and valet level diving.

Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort has 27 rooms surrounded by a tropical garden. There are five different room categories: suite rooms, family deluxe rooms, deluxe rooms, and standard rooms. The standard rooms in the back of the resort have a beautiful garden view. All the other rooms are in the front part, nicely arranged around the pool area near the beachfront. The restaurant is directly at the beach atop the Sea Explorers dive center. The beach bar and the extended restaurant are just beside the dive center near the pool area.

We have blocked several villas at Pura Vida Homes. This resort offers luxurious one, two, or three-bedroom villas that can easily accommodate families of 3 to 6. Oceanfront villas are crafted from rich hardwoods and majestic views. One master bedroom has a king bed, and a second bedroom has two single beds in each of the 2 bedroom Villas. Full kitchens and living room with a balcony spanning the entire villa. Each overlooks a beautiful beach or two pools. There is a gym, spa, and wedding chapel for those with another agenda.

Suite Rooms: The two suite rooms are located on the first floor of the two-story buildings behind the deluxe rooms. The oversized balcony equipped with a small mini-bar – refrigerator and two sunbeds offers a nice view over the tropical garden towards the pool. The suite rooms have a living room with a beautiful set of high-quality bamboo. In the bedroom, you will find a big matrimonial bed, a flat-screen TV, and a split air-con to cool down the suite to your preferred temperature. The spacious bathroom features a hot & cold water bathtub with a whirlpool, shower, and a double basin sink.

Deluxe Rooms: The 12 deluxe rooms consist of 5 double bungalows and two single bungalows located around the pool and one double bungalow by the beachfront. The rooms have split air-con, flat-screen TV, and a minibar refrigerator. 10 of the 12 rooms are furnished with two comfortable single beds, which can be set up as a matrimonial bed; the other rooms have one double bed. The bathrooms feature a walk-in closet and a hot & cold shower. A relaxing garden or beach view is from each deluxe room’s terraces.

Family Rooms: Allowing families to have accommodation to enjoy their vacation together, the resort offers three different family deluxe rooms with a nice terrace, hot & cold shower, air-conditioning, minibar refrigerator, and TV. Two rooms are located directly behind the deluxe rooms on the ground floor of the suite room buildings. The Dolphin room is one big room furnished with two single beds, one matrimonial bed with a partial open partition, and one bathroom with a shower. The Blue Ring / Moorish Idol room is two rooms with a connecting door. Each room has its bathroom. Moorish Idol has one big bed, while Blue Ring is furnished with 2 single beds. The Hammerhead room is in a single bungalow in the back of the resort. The big room offers a bar desk and two single beds. Almost any room request can be equipped with an additional single bed for a third person.

Standard Rooms: In the back of the resort, you can find the ten standard bamboo cottages. All the standard rooms are arranged in a U-shape offering a nice view from their balcony over the beautiful garden in the center. The rooms have double or single beds and feature air-conditioning, a TV, a safety deposit vault, and an optional mosquito net. All the bathrooms are concrete and feature a hot & cold shower.

Vida Spa: Get your body pampered up after a day of diving in the resort Vida Spa. Choose one of the 8 different massage treatments and a manicure and pedicure. Chill out and enjoy the relaxing ambiance during your treatment. The Spa also offers a sauna and a steam bath. You can have your treatments booked at your preferred time. There are also daytime specials; inquire at the reception.

Vida Fit Gym and Fitness Center: Be fit with a smile is the slogan of our newly built fitness center in Dauin. Equipped with state-of-the-art gym equipment made by Technogym, the gym also features air-conditioning, a shower, and a changing room. For those who feel the need to do some cardio exercises, weightlifting, or simply just some stretching, the Vida Fit Gym, and fitness center are free for all our Pura Vida Beach Resort guests.