Discovery Palawan Cancels 2025 Season

[d^2b]

I have just received the following from the Discovery Fleet

Due to the safety concerns brought on by routine maintenance works and the subsequent
inspection. The time needed for repairs will extend beyond the 2025 Tubbataha season.​

​

Apparently the whole season is cancelled. That's a lot of unhappy divers.

​

 

[Searcaigh]

Do they only have one boat?

 

[Centrals]

https://discoveryfleet.com/

Discovery Adventure.

Discovery Palawan used to be called Hans Christian Andersen.

Philippines Liveaboard Review - Hans Christian Andersen

Liveaboard Review of the Hans Christian Andersen, a Philippines liveaboard that explores Tubbataha and the Visayas

divehappy.com

It is a fairly old boat constructed in 1973 ie. 52 yrs old.

 

[d^2b]

Do they only have one boat?

So it seems. They didn't offer to reaccomodate, just refund, so I guess they don't have the option of moving people to another trip.

 

[Centrals]

So it seems. They didn't offer to reaccomodate, just refund, so I guess they don't have the option of moving people to another trip.

At least you got your money back and I prefer total refund than "travel fund".
But how about the trip itself?
There is not much to do at PPS and the local diving is not that great. El Nido is several hrs away and with a short stop over for the Underground River. Forfeit the local flight(MNL/PPS) and go somewhere else in the country.

 

[d^2b]

At least you got your money back and I prefer total refund than "travel fund".
But how about the trip itself?
There is not much to do at PPS and the local diving is not that great. El Nido is several hrs away and with a short stop over for the Underground River. Forfeit the local flight(MNL/PPS) and go somewhere else in the country.

So far they just promised to refund us, but hopefully that works out smoothly. I will certainly complain loudly here if it doesn't

As far as the new plan, I think we are thinking along the same lines.

We already have 1 week planned in Southern Leyte and are going to see if we can extend that. We will probably have to pay some change fees for airplane tickets, but hopefully not too bad.

Another possibility would be to go somewhere else for one week (I'd go back to PG), but I'd prefer to travel less and dive more.

 

[Centrals]

El Nido to Coron Ferry Guide: Schedules, Rates, & Online Booking

Planning a trip from El Nido to Coron? Let us help you find the best way to travel with ease. This guide provides you with ferry schedules, frequencies, rates, and online booking options, ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey.

www.travel-palawan.com

Dive the wreck in Coron. Air Swift is no longer in operation.
I cannot promise the accuracy of the ferry schedule.

If you are flying Cebu Pacific then you might as well forget changing the ticket as the penalty is pretty hefty.
You could be too late for the whaleshark spotting season(Nov-May) in Southern Leyte.

Good luck.

 

[d^2b]

If you are flying Cebu Pacific then you might as well forget changing the ticket as the penalty is pretty hefty.

Luckily it was PH airlines, everything was fine, PHP3800 to change for two of us. I still don't understand how they calculated that , but on the scale of a transpacific trip, it's not an amount to worry about.

You could be too late for the whaleshark spotting season(Nov-May) in Southern Leyte.

We arrive around May 21, so I guess we might be lucky, or we might not. Probably it varies from year to year?

 

[Centrals]

We arrive around May 21, so I guess we might be lucky, or we might not. Probably it varies from year to year?

I do not think they have fixed schedule.
Best of luck.

 

[drl]

I have to give them credit for taking the boat out of the water for proper repairs, rather than slapping a band-aid on and sailing, risking the lives of passengers and crew. It’s disappointing for the passengers though!