Philippines trip - fair price?

[Blackcrusader]

Local dive shop is doing a trip to the Philippines and I'm wavering on the cost. Here's the details
$3600 per person - Does not include airfare between home and Manilla
5 nights at Atlantis Resort Puerto Galera
Fly to Atlantis Dumaguete in Dauin for 7 nights (this flight is included)
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner daily
Up to 4 day and 1 night dive per day
Day trip to Apo island
Transfers to/from airport.

Thoughts? thinkin about treating myself for a 40th birthday present

If you care not about money then yes. I can do a 25 dive trip with accomodation and fly to Dumaguette from either Cebu or Manila
for half that and still have a wonderfull stay

 

[peeweediver]

You could save a few hundred bucks designing the trip for yourself. My wife and I know we pay a bit more to travel with our LDS group, but there are two main reasons it's well worth it. First and foremost, not only does the shop/group leader plan everything, a good group leader handles all problems. Whatever comes up, we point to him and say, work it out with our group leader. Also, because we are a group, we tend to get what we want if reasonable. On a recent trip, departure time was changed for us because we had the whole morning boat. Second, over the years, we have made friends with folks traveling with the shop and really enjoy seeing them and diving with them. So, for us, it's well worth it to slightly overpay.
2024 Philippines trip was $4,500 which included 15 days (first night hotel by Cebu airport) and, 11 dive days (4 boat dives pre day and unlimited shore diving), all transfers and ferry rides. A bit more than your shop.

Rob

 

[Blackcrusader]

Well I am flying into Cebu on Monday for 8 days of diving will get in 25 dives or so..

I'll post a trip report.