ROYO I FULL CHARTER I 2020 I SIPALAY - MOALBOAL I PHILIPPINES

OUR BOAT

The Royo liveaboard is based on traditional Filipino fishing boats, called bankas. If you want to make a tour from one tropical island to the next during the day while diving the best dive sites then Royo is the way to go. The boat is custom-built for scuba diving purposes and designed for the typical backpacker with simple accommodation. Every year, the boats are dry-docked and overhauled in the months of June to September. The management of the boat is Swiss. This is the ideal choice for groups traveling together. 

OUR CABINS 

The boat offers cozy bunks, although some divers just drop their mattress on the heavy netting between the outriggers and get lulled to sleep by the lapping waves, sleeping under the sparkling stars, if weather permits. With a maximum of 8 - 10 divers, the Royo has 4 very basic bunks on board good for 2 divers each. These bunks were built for exploratory dive safaris. The bathroom is shared but with this few people, it shouldn’t be a problem.

AMENITIES

Common areas are quite roomy and include a sun sheltered area on a sunbathing deck. The diving deck has enough space that you will not feel crowded. The boat is excellent value, focussing on safe and enjoyable diving with experienced staff and crew. The boat has US and European 2 pin electrical sockets.

FOOD ON BOARD

The Royo offers delicious and varied meals. Coffee, tea, cookies and biscuits are served before the early morning dive. After the early morning dive, a simple breakfast (like bacon and eggs, pancakes or muesli) is served. After the morning dive, lunch is served (Western or Filipino dishes). After the afternoon dive, snacks like sandwiches or a fruit platter is available. After a night dive, a plated dinner is ready for you. There are no buffets, all meals are served on individual plates. The crew can provide for special dietary needs, but they will need advance notice.  

The Royo provides water and soft drinks, alcohol is available (after your dives have ended for the day), for a small additional charge. You are welcome to bring your own drinks with you. 

DOUBLE BED CABIN

Simple Double Berth bunk with share bathroom, the bunks are situated below the main deck. The whole bottom of the bunk is covered by one big mattress. There are some small shelves and nets for personal belongings. There are some small windows for fresh air, no aircon and no electric fan available. Divers sometimes prefer to sleep on deck under the stars when the weather permits. There is only one bathroom on board the ship.

• Room size: -
• Max. occupancy: 2
• Beds: 1 King
• Private bathroom: No
• WiFi in room: No
• Air conditioning: No

MOST RELEVANT INFORMATION

• The trip begins in Sipalay and ends in Moalboal 
• The closest airport to Moalboal harbour is Mactan Cebu Intl (CEB) and the closest airport to Sipalay harbour is Dumaguete (DGT)

EMBARKATION AND DEPARTURE

• If you arrange the transfer with the operator, (additional charges apply) you will be picked up at the airport/local hotel by a representative of the boat. 
• You need to be at the dive shop the day before the departure to check in
• You can check in on the boat as of 06:00
• The boat departs Sipalay at around 07:00 on the same day
• The vessel is equipped with European (2 pin) power sockets, US power sockets
• Accepted payment methods on board: Cash 
• Towels and soap are not provided

ARRIVAL AND DISEMBARKATION

• Your last dives will be on the last day around 14:00
• It is your responsibility to ensure you respect the 24 hour no-fly time after your last dive!
• The boat docks back at the Harbour in the afternoon on the last day
• Check out and disembarkation is around 18:00 on the last day.
• You need to make your own way to the airport.
• A private transfer can be arranged for an additional charge

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• You should arrive at least one day before, as a minimum you need to conduct a check dive provided free of charge. 
• If the check up dives reveals the need for a refresher The Savedra Safari can provide these for a small additional cost.
• Leave some spare time just in case a refresher is needed. 
• A check dive typically lasts an hour, if a refresher is needed it will normally run for 2-3 hours.
• Dive Safaris begin the day prior to departure with the check dive;  on the day of departure you will be met at the beach at 6AM

GENERAL INFORMATION 

• Approx. 18 – 20 dives
• Level required: Advanced Open Water
• Experienced Open Water divers can join, too but may be excluded from some of the more demanding dive spots. Advanced Dive Courses can be conducted prior to the dive safari at dive centers. You need a minimum of 2 days to get Advanced Open Water certified.
• A dive computer and SMB are compulsory
• A dream destination for avid divers.
• 6 days of diving, 5 nights
• Giant school of sardines, accompanied by jacks, mackerels and even thresher sharks
• Spot the constantly moving shapes of the individual sardine ball and the sudden, but simultaneous, change of directions of thousands and thousands individual fishes seemingly by one command
• Muck diving with rare and weird species, some of which you can only see in a few countries in the world
• Wonderful excursion to the Matutinao Nature Park and the Kawasan Waterfalls with an additional option to visit the Chocolate Hills of Bohol.
• Night dives available during the trip

PROGRAM

DAY 1

• Safety Briefing, Crew Introduction, Necessary Dive Paperwork, Cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departing the Harbour.
• During the journey to our first dive site please take this opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the vessel and make yourself comfortable. Check dives
• Please Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforseeable factors

DAY 2 - 5

• Diving trip with full board and daily diving plan. You will dive the most important dive sites of this route. Every single trip is tailor-made to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The decision on the itinerary is made by the cruise director based on factors such as weather conditions, dive conditions, requests of guests.

DAY 6

• 2-3 dives only before travelling back to port
• Disembark

DIVE SITES

• Dauin, Apo Island, Siquijor Island, Balicasag Island, Panglao Island, Sumilon Island, Sunken Island and Pescador Island.

DIVING ROUTE

Balicasag Island – Bohol

• Balicasag Island is Bohol’s top dive site. It’s a combination of dramatic vertical walls, colorful coral and sponge composites, and flourishing habitats of both small tropical reef fish and larger pelagic fish! Lots of turtles around here. The schooling jack fish are a trademark of the Balicasag Island.

Apo Island – Negros

• Apo Island is a volcanic island covering 12 hectares in land area, 7 kilometers off the southeastern tip of Negros Island and 30 kilometers south of the Negros Oriental capital of Dumaguete City in the Philippines.
• The marine habitat around the island is a marine reserve and has become a popular dive site and snorkeling destination for scuba divers. Apo Island is one of the world’s best known community-organized marine sanctuaries, and as such it has been well documented by the global science community.

Dauin – Negros

• Famous for muck diving, u/w photographers love it. The sandy slope consists of black volcanic sand and is home to an incredible amount of unique marine critters.  Watch out for all kinds of nudibranchs, frogfish, moray eels, harlequin shrimps, ghost pipefish, seahorses, cuttlefish, octopuses and more. This is also excellent for night diving.

Sumilon Island – Cebu

• This island of the coast of Cebu, near the whale sharks of Oslob, is a picture perfect island with an extending sandbar. Beware, currents can be very strong at some of the dive spots surrounding the island.  Whitetip and blacktip sharks are often seen at greater depth in the currents, schools of barracuda, too. Sometimes the roam through the corals at the reef top in shallower water. There is a marine sanctuary where currents are not so strong, with a nice wall and great marine life.

INCLUDED

• Full board, including snacks between dives, water, tea, coffee
• Weight Belt/Weights/Tank(s)
• Dive guides
• Island tours

NOT INCLUDED

• National park fees: PHP 3000 (per trip)
• Domestic flights
• Transfer from Cebu Airport to the boat (round-trip) - add one for up to TWO PEOPLE: PHP 2800 (per transfer)
• Transfer from Bacolod or Dumaguete Airport to the boat (round-trip) - add one for up to SIX PEOPLE: PHP 4800 (per transfer)
• Dive computer: PHP 500 (per diving day)
• Fins, mask, snorkel (ABC): PHP 300 (per dive)
• Full scuba set: PHP 750 (per diving day)(see more)
• 15 liter tanks: PHP 150 (per dive)
• Tips for the crew
• Beer, wine, alcohol (you can bring your own alcohol)

CANCELLATION POLICY

What if I need to cancel my booking?

Your reservation request is obligation free and you can cancel anytime within the first 72 hours. During this time you can easily find matching flights and get answers from our reservations team to any further questions you may have.After you have confirmed and paid for your reservation, the following cancellation policy applies:

• 30 % non refundable
• Between 120 days and 90 days before trip = 70 % refundable
• Less than 90 days before trip = no refund

In case of cancellation the refund will be transferred to your bank account, credit card or paypal account within 10 business days

BEFORE TRAVELLING

• Make sure you meet the country's requirements corresponding to your nationality make sure your passport is valid at least six months after the date you plan to visit the country
• Diving insurance is mandatory for divers of all ages on all of our trips: bring your certificate as proof
• It is strongly recommended to have travel insurance that is appropriate for the type of diving holidays you are going to do
• Check the electrical standards (such as which plugs are used) in your destination country before travelling and bring the appropriate adaptor if necessary.
• The itinerary and the number of dives are indicative and are subject to weather conditions and conditions: safety is always first
• All divers must provide their diving certification card
• Diving computers are compulsory
• Local rates, fuel surcharges, distance rates, port fees, etc. may change without notice due to changes in government policy, changes in the price of oil, etc.
• The changes are beyond our control and the increases must be paid if the boat requests them. We will endeavor to inform you of any changes as soon as possible. A change in these rates does not entitle you to cancel the trip.