The Philippines: Double-Dive Adventure: Anda & Moalboal
__
Pick your week or stay for both!
Anda Week: January 4-11, 2027
Moalboal Week: January 11-18, 2027
(Not including travel days)
From Sardine Bait Balls to Pygmy Seahorses: Philippines Diving Awaits
Two Incredible Trips – One Unforgettable Destination
If you’ve been dreaming of warm water, vibrant reefs, and the thrill of spotting the weird and wonderful, we’ve got just the trip (or two!) for you. Start your year with an underwater adventure in the heart of the Coral Triangle—home to the richest marine biodiversity on the planet.
We’re heading to the Philippines, where over 75% of the world’s known coral species thrive alongside a staggering array of marine life. Think pygmy seahorses, turtle-packed reefs, sardine bait balls, thresher sharks, and even the occasional whale shark.
And the best part? You’ve got two incredible trip options:
- Anda, Bohol: A laid-back, critter-filled macro wonderland with muck diving, coral walls, and the kind of biodiversity that makes underwater photographers swoon.
-
Moalboal, Cebu: A dynamic mix of big animal action, wild reef life, and unique dive experiences like night dives with mandarin fish and glowing fluoro diving.
You can join us for one trip—or go all in for both and experience the best of both worlds. With cozy, diver-focused resorts, epic reefs right off your doorstep, and a crew of local dive pros who love finding the tiny stuff, this is a trip that’s equal parts relaxing and wildly rewarding.
Discover Anda, Bohol: A Macro Diver’s Paradise
January 4-11, 2027
Magic Oceans Resort
If you’re all about the small stuff, Anda is your paradise. Tucked away on the peaceful east coast of Bohol, far from the busy tourist zones, Anda offers muck diving magic, vibrant coral walls, and critters galore. This is the place where photographers come to hunt for pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, octopus, and everything in between—sometimes all on the same dive.
The pace here is slow and intentional—ideal for photographers and macro hunters who want to take their time and focus on the small stuff. With a vibrant house reef just steps from your gear setup, you’ll have no shortage of options between boat dives either.
Anda Diving
With over 28 dive sites stretched across 17km of coastline, Anda offers an incredible range: sandy slopes, colorful walls, seagrass beds, even mangroves and caves. From XXS frogfish to a surprise whale shark or manta, this lesser-known destination is quickly gaining fame for its rich biodiversity and relaxed diving pace.
The Diving Boats
At Magic Island, they dive from traditional Filipino bangka boats—long, stable, and perfect for ocean conditions thanks to their bamboo outriggers. Outfitted with quiet outboard engines, these boats offer smooth rides and plenty of space.
They have three bangkas, each accommodating between 4 to 10 divers, always with at least one Divemaster and two crew on board. They keep our dive groups small—just 4 divers per Divemaster—for a more personal and relaxed experience. (we love small diving groups!)
Boat dive schedule is as follow:
8.30 AM – the boat leaves for 2 boat dives with the surface interval on board with coffee/tea/water and fruit snacks.
2:00 PM – the boat leaves for 1 afternoon dive, when everybody has finished their lunch.
6:00 PM – the boat leaves for a night dive (upon request).
The Resort
Nestled on Bohol’s lush east coast, Magic Oceans Dive Resort is a peaceful haven far from the tourist crowds. Surrounded by vibrant jungle, tropical fruit trees, and flowering palms, the resort offers a true escape in a beautiful, natural setting.
After a day underwater, enjoy delicious meals at the resort’s restaurant, featuring fresh, lovingly prepared Filipino, Asian, and Western dishes—perfect for every palate and dietary need.Magic Oceans is the perfect base to unwind, recharge, and dive deep into Anda’s incredible underwater world.
The Bungalows
Each bungalow is thoughtfully designed with native-style furnishings and everything you need to relax between dives. Inside, you’ll find a king-size bed, a quiet air-conditioning system, a day bed, and a well-lit desk—perfect for setting up camera gear or checking in online.
Enjoy a private bathroom with hot water, eco-friendly bath products, and a hair dryer. Amenities also include a personal safe, Wi-Fi, a mini bar, and tea and coffee making facilities. Step out onto your private balcony with bamboo seating and soak in views of the sea or lush jungle surroundings.
Explore Moalboal, Cebu: Thrilling Big Animal and Reef Diving
January 11-18, 2027
Magic Island Resort
Moalboal is one of those rare places that truly has it all—big animal encounters, vibrant reefs, and incredible macro life, all packed into a laid-back, diver-friendly town. Whether you’re chasing the pulse of a million-strong sardine bait ball, hunting for frogfish and pygmy seahorses, or watching mandarin fish dance at dusk, Moalboal delivers variety in every dive.
Add in night diving, fluoro dives that feel like underwater sci-fi, and a house reef teeming with life—and you’ve got the perfect recipe to kick off your new year underwater.
And when you’re not diving? You’ll be relaxing at Magic Island Resort, a cozy hideaway perched right on the coastline, with everything you need for a stress-free dive holiday.
Moalboal Diving
Just steps from your room, Magic Point is Moalboal’s house reef—and it’s packed with life. Perfect for day, night, and even fluoro diving, this site offers something new every time you splash in.
Fluoro Diving – Dive into a sci-fi dreamscape as corals and critters glow in neon greens, pinks, and oranges. It’s like entering another world.
Mandarin Fish Mating Dance – Just 40m from the dive center, witness these shy beauties rise at dusk for their nightly courtship ritual. The goal? Catch the shot as they rise and spawn—blink and you’ll miss it!
And more!
The Dive Center & Boats
At Magic Island, they dive from traditional Filipino bangka boats—long, stable, and perfect for ocean conditions thanks to their bamboo outriggers. Outfitted with quiet outboard engines, these boats offer smooth rides and plenty of space.
They have three bangkas, each accommodating between 4 to 10 divers, always with at least one Divemaster and two crew on board. They keep our dive groups small—just 4 divers per Divemaster—for a more personal and relaxed experience. (we love small diving groups!)
Our daily boat dive schedule is as follow:
8.30 AM – the boat leaves for 2 boat dives with the surface interval on board with coffee/tea/water and fruit snacks.
2:00 PM – the boat leaves for 1 afternoon dive, when everybody has finished their lunch.
6:00 PM – the boat leaves for a night dive (upon request).
The Resort
Tucked between palm trees on Cebu’s west coast, Magic Island Resort offers a peaceful escape just minutes from Moalboal’s dive action. Set on a rocky shoreline with direct access to a vibrant house reef dropping to 50m, you’re steps away from daily turtle sightings, frogfish, pygmy seahorses, and thriving coral.
After a day underwater, enjoy delicious meals at the resort’s restaurant, featuring fresh, lovingly prepared Filipino, Asian, and Western dishes—perfect for every palate and dietary need.Magic Oceans is the perfect base to unwind, recharge, and dive deep into Anda’s incredible underwater world.
The Bungalows
Each bungalow comes with air conditioning and a ceiling fan, a private bathroom with hot shower, and eco-friendly bath products. You’ll also find a hair dryer, safety deposit box, and a well-stocked mini bar for your convenience.
Towels for both the pool and bathroom are provided, along with unlimited mineral water throughout your stay. And when you’re ready to kick back between dives, your private balcony with lounge chairs is the perfect place to relax, soak in the ocean breeze, and enjoy the quiet.
Join US!
Both trips offer the warm hospitality, expert guiding, and biodiversity that make the Philippines one of our favorite places to dive. Whether you’re in it for the big sightings, the macro photography, or just the laid-back island vibes—this is your chance to start the year in the water, where you belong.
You can book just one of these adventures—or combine them into the ultimate Philippines dive getaway. We’ll help you plan the smoothest transition between trips so you can focus on what matters: diving, relaxing, and soaking up every underwater moment.
Option 1: Anda, Bohol
Trip Dates: January 4-11, 2027
Want to slow down and focus on the tiny, rare, and ridiculously photogenic? Anda is macro heaven, offering incredible muck dives, vibrant coral walls, and all the weird critters your camera can handle.
Option 2: Moalboal, Cebu
Trip Dates: January 11-18, 2027
Looking for variety and nonstop underwater action? Moalboal delivers with sardine bait balls, reef sharks, night dives, and a house reef full of life—plus unique experiences like mandarin mating dives and fluoro night diving.
Option 3: BOTH ANDA AND MOALBOAL
Trip Dates: January 4-18, 2027
Can’t decide? Have time? Do both! 😉Start with critter-filled charm of Anda, then the thrill and variety of Moalboal. It’s the perfect combo of adventure and relaxation—the best of the Philippines in one extended dive escape.
Trip Price and Inclusions
Trip 1 (January 4-11, 2027) : Anda, Bohol Starting at $2,155 per person Trip 2 (January 11-18, 2027) : Moalboal, Cebu $1,985 per diver double occupancy
Each Trip includes:
- R/T transfers from the airport
- 7 nights stay Superior Deluxe cottages
- 7 days of full board meals (breakfast +lunch + dinner)
- welcome massage
- Access to wifi (Starlink)
- 5 days unlimited diving at each resort – 3 to 4 boat diver per day + unlimited shore diving on house reefs (unguided)
Payment schedule for each trip is as follows:
- $350 non refundable deposit per trip to hold your space!
- $500 deposit due December 1, 2025
- $500 deposit due May 1, 2026
- Remaining Balance due: November 1, 2026
$500 additional for single supplement – limited availability
Exclusions and Other Information
Package Exclusions:
- R/T Airfare (see notes below)
- Extra hotel stays at the beginning or the end of the trip
- Dive and Travel Insurance
- Ferry Terminal Fee
- Marine Park Fee
- Any additional personal dive gear rental
- Nitrox ($30 per day)
- Trip Incidentals – including but not limited to beverages and bar bill, telephone, internet usage, sightseeing, equipment rental of any sort, gratuities, special day trips, etc.
- Extra excursions while at the resort
- **If you stay for both trips, you’ll need to pay for a ferry from Moalboal to Anda. (around $42)
Other Important Notes:
- You need a valid passport for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay.
- DAN Insurance is required for scuba divers, we encourage trip insurance: learn more here
- Scuba Certification Cards, including your Nitrox card for nitrox use, are required.
Travel Information
It is recommend to fly to LAX and then book a flight to Manila, stay the night in Manila, and then catch a domestic flight in the morning.
More information to come once flight schedules are released later in 2026. Please wait to book so we can all be on the same domestic and international flights.
*Images are used with permission from Magic Resorts