Diving on the Philippines Aggressor
Perhaps the hardest thing about booking a trip on the Philippines Aggressor is choosing an itinerary. The diversity here is unparalleled, with divers having a chance to see nearly a dozen species of sharks as well as quirkier marine life like frogfish and nudibranchs.
The Visayas include some of the Philippines’s best-known islands. Best of Visayas allows you to sample the area’s highlights, including a chance to see thresher sharks, while Visayas South gives you a chance to encounter schooling fish or take pictures of some of the stranger creatures such as waspfish.
Places like Cebu, Bohol, and Leyte are part of the must-see list of many divers. Diving them from a liveaboard gives you a chance to step off the beaten path a bit and discover dive sites few people see.
Tubbataha is best visited between March and June for the greatest chance of shark encounters. If you’re visiting the southern tip of the north atoll, diving around the Malayan shipwreck gives you a chance to see dogtooth tuna and schooling barracudas. The northern tip of the south atoll is one of the best places to see large pelagic species, including hammerhead sharks.
If you’re struggling to choose an itinerary, opt for the transition journeys between Tubbataha and the Visayas between the seasons.
As for dive facilities, the Philippines Aggressor offers a dive deck with a dedicated space for cameras. All diving is done from two tenders, each of which offers space for 12 divers and makes it easy to start your dive in exactly the right place.
The liveaboard also carries so-called EPIRBs. This emergency positioning equipment can be vital if divers encounter stronger currents, making it easier for the tender crews to follow all divers exactly.
Highlights:
- Wide choice of itineraries offers something for every diver
- Transition trips allow divers to see the best of the Visayas and Tubbataha
- Excellent opportunities for encounters with thresher sharks and other pelagic species
Onboard the Philippines Aggressor
At 135 feet (41 m) long, this modern steel yacht, built in 2022, offers ample space for up to 25 guests. Like all liveaboards in the Aggressor fleet, this boat was built with divers’ comfort and safety in mind.
Aside from the dive deck, there is a large salon to relax in when you need a little time out of the sun. If you’d rather spend your time outside, check out the upstairs sundeck complete with a hot tub, a comfortable shaded area, and inviting sun loungers.
The ship’s 12 suites and staterooms are located across the lower deck, main deck, and upper deck. The lower deck is home to five deluxe staterooms. Two of these staterooms have two single beds side by side, while the other three feature a single and a double bed. They also feature circular windows.
The three deluxe staterooms on the main deck are fitted with single side-by-side beds, and they have panoramic windows, too. All deluxe staterooms feature private bathrooms, individual climate control, and media players.
If you’d prefer a little more luxury on your Philippines trip, consider booking a balcony suite on the upper deck. Not only will you have more space, but each suite also has a private balcony and panoramic windows to help you make the most of the stunning landscape. These suites are equipped with a king bed or two single beds.
Highlights:
- Panoramic windows and private balconies in three suites
- Great relaxation space featuring a hot tub on the top deck
- Brand-new, comfortable furnishings and fittings
Dining on the Philippines Aggressor
Dining on the Philippines Aggressor allows you to sample local Philippine cuisine alongside classic American favorites. As with most of the Aggressor fleet, BBQ dishes are a staple of the liveaboard’s culinary experience and a crowd favorite.
Mornings start with fresh fruit, cereals, eggs cooked to order, a selection of breads, and other hot dishes. If you’re not a morning person, don’t worry—you can simply grab a coffee and a juice to get you going and wait for the mid-morning snack. Lunch dishes typically include hot and cold choices, such as soups and salads.
Dinners are prepared by the liveaboard’s chef and served in the main deck restaurant. Throughout your time on board, you’ll enjoy a combination of seafood, chicken, or beef with vegetables, salads, and other side dishes. Make sure you save space for dessert. After all, who’d want to miss out on homemade treats?
Divers on the Philippine Aggressor can also enjoy mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. Throughout the day, you can enjoy coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and fruit juices. Local beer and wine are also included in the trip price.
Because of the remote nature of the locations covered by the liveaboard, it’s best to advise the team of any dietary requirements ahead of time. In some cases, you may need to bring specific foods with you.
Highlights:
- Complimentary drinks include local wine and beer as well as juices, soft drinks, and more
- Chef-prepared dinners allow divers to sample Philippine cuisine
- American favorites include onboard BBQs
