Congratulations on your decision to join us on the Azores. We look forward to personally welcoming you soon. We would like to take this opportunity to make your pre-trip planning a little easier by answering some of the questions you may have.

Pre Arrival

What’s included in your package: Typically the boat package includes accommodation, all meals, diving and the boat open bar. If you are not traveling with a group or tour leader please ensure you have the resort contact details with you. Airport maps and details of how and where to contact our service providers are available from our reservations team.

What’s NOT included in your package: International Airport departure tax of PhP750 collected at the airport in Peso cash or USD (equivalent). For guests using the domestic airport in Manila to Puerto Princessa, Dumaguete, Busuanga, or Tacloban there is a domestic terminal fees of PhP200 in Manila and around PhP30 at provincial airports. These fees are subject to change. There are charges on board for Marine Park Fees ($75), equipment rental, Nitrox fills ($125) and land excursions.

Travel Documents: Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months and that you have an onward or return ticket with you. U.S. and European nationals automatically receive a 21 day tourist visa on arrival. For guests staying longer or with other passports please visit www.immigration.gov.ph. You are required to fill out both the trip application and liability release at least 30 days prior to departure. Please also bring copies of your diving and travel health insurance with you.

Transfers

Anilao Safaris - travel to/from Puerto Galera:

Port: Atlantis Puerto Galera
• Once you meet your driver at the airport (usually with a sign with guest or group name) upon exiting baggage area, your luggage will be loaded on the van/bus by our staff.
• Two hour private van/bus ride to the city of Batangas followed by a one hour private Bangka ride to Atlantis Puerto Galera. Bangka’s are large outrigger boats with inboard diesel, seats approximately 20-24 persons comfortably.
• The van or bus will usually stop at a service station for refreshment. Please note that neither the beach/pier in Batangas where you meet the boat or the boat itself have toilets.

Port: Padre Burgos
• A 60 minute domestic flight from Manila (PAL Terminal 2) to Tacloban (Airbus A320 or similar).
• We recommend taking the 1pm flight from Manila to Tacloban so your arrival to Azores is at our scheduled boarding time of 5 PM.
• Once in Tacloban, there is a 3 hour air-conditioned private van ride to Padre Burgos pier.
• For the return journey to Manila you leave Azores at approximately 8am and arrive in Tacloban at lunchtime. Lunch is in a mall at your own expense. The flight to Manila is at approximately 3pm arriving in Manila by 4pm.

Port: Puerto Princessa
• A 60 minute domestic flight from Manila (PAL Terminal 2) to Puerto Princessa (Airbus A320 or similar).
• We advise traveling on the afternoon flight from Manila to Puerto Princessa. Arrival of this flight is close to the Azores boarding time. Early arrivals will not be permitted to board the Azores until boarding time due to the short turnaround time of charters.
• 15 to 20 minute air conditioned van ride from the airport to the pier.
• Depart Azores at approximately 8am for the 10:20am flight to Manila. Arrive in Manila by 11.30am

Port: Atlantis Dumaguete
• A 60 minute domestic flight from Manila (PAL Terminal 2) to Dumaguete (Airbus A320 or similar).
• In Dumaguete please walk through the arrival building to the Atlantis representative and give him your luggage tickets. Do not try and retrieve your own luggage.
• The drive to the resort is about 30 minutes.
• Depart Azores at 7am for the 8:45am flight to Manila. Flight arrives in Manila approximately 10 am
• If you are arriving via Cebu or are making other travel plans please contact our reservations office

Port: Busuanga
• A 45 minute domestic flight from Manila (Terminal 3) to Busuanga (Q300 Bombardier Propeller, 50 seater)
• We recommend taking the 3pm flight from Manila to Busuanga so your arrival at Azores is at about our scheduled boarding time of 5 PM.
• There is a 30 minute air-conditioned private van ride from the Busuanga Airport to Busuanga Pier to meet Azores.
• Depart Azores approximately 8am to catch the 10am flight to Manila. Arrive in Manila approximately 11am.

Diving

Unlimited Diving Rules: Typically five dives a day are arranged on Azores charters. This may vary slightly on some itineraries and due to weather or other concerns. Currents, conditions and logistics require that all dive groups stay together at all time. Typical dive time is 50-60 minutes with a maximum depth of 100 feet (30m). As general policy, Open Water Divers will only be allowed on dives below 60feet (18m) or night dives if they can show proof of previous experience and exhibit adequate in-water skills, adventure training dives are available.

As at our resort locations, we require divers to exhibit good buoyancy control at all times to respect the underwater environment and not wear gloves.

Liveaboard diving can be more demanding than typical resort weeks and we highly recommend taking a refresher course prior to your trip if you have not been in the water for a while.

Rental Dive Equipment: Due to limited storage space, rental equipment is only available with prior arrangement (see trip application form).

Unlimited Day Boat Diving and Diving rules: Please note that the use of dive computers is mandatory on the Azores.

Dive Computers:Airport departure tax of PhP750 collected at the airport in Peso cash or USD (equivalent) (For guests traveling to Dumaguete domestic terminal fees of PhP200 in Manila and PhP30 in Dumaguete). Breakfast drinks (tea/coffee and juice) are included but other drinks with or without meals are not. There are charges for night dives, equipment rental, Nitrox fills (please ask about unlimited Nitrox packages) and day trips. In Dumaguete still camera fees are included; there are additional fees for underwater video use (imposed by local sanctuaries not Atlantis).

Visual and Audible Signaling Device: Every diver must have their own visual (e.g. signal tube) and surface audible signaling device e.g. whistle (not tank banger or underwater device) while diving aboard Azores.

Cameras: The Azores features a large camera table and rinse tanks.

Diving Documents Please bring your certification card and log book. If you require Nitrox please bring a Nitrox certification card and if you plan to do technical dives please bring appropriate documentation with you. All divers are asked to sign a waiver on arrival. Please ensure that any diving medical concerns are addressed before you travel.

Nitrox: Is available on all trips for an additional fee.

For Technical/Rebreather divers: Please clarify your equipment requirements and dive plans with our reservation staff prior to arrival.

Tanks: The boat has 40 x 80cf/11l tanks with DIN / Yoke Valves and 10 x 100cf/15l tanks with DIN / Yoke Valves.

Dive Courses: The Azores caters for a wide variety of PADI specialty courses including Nitrox and Underwater Photography as well as the PADI Adventure or Advanced ratings. If you plan to take any course other than these please contact our reservations staff prior to your trip to check prices and arrangements.

Special note for Coron / Apo Reef Safari only: Please note on the Coron/ Apo Reef Safari we will require all divers to be PADI Advanced Open Water divers (or equivalent) or have a deep diver specialty rating. Nitrox certification will also be mandatory for the Coron/ Apo Reef Safari. Penetration of wrecks will only be allowed where ambient light is visible to exit the swim wreck.

Aboard Azores

Room Amenities: All staterooms have climate controlled air conditioning, a hairdryer and en suite facilities.

Towels: Bath towels are provided in rooms and dive towels are available on the dive deck.

Internet Access and Phone Calls: Please check with our staff for details and rates. Wireless internet connection and cell phone coverage is available on most trips.

Clothing and what to bring: Dress is very casual and traveling light is recommended - swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts and possibly a sweatshirt or light jacket for the evenings. There is no specific dress code. Hat, sunglasses and sun screen/protection are of course highly recommended as the sun is very intense even on partially cloudy or cooler days.

Please note that no form of wet clothing or dive equipment is allowed inside the living areas of the boat.

Temperature (approximate averages):

Other Common Questions

Children: Children under the age of 15 years are not allowed on Azores dive charters.

Currency and Money: The local currency is the Philippines Peso (PhP). You may change USD, UK Pounds and other major currencies for PhP on board however we have limited amounts of cash onboard. USD cash may be accepted at some local establishments where there is an opportunity for land excursions. You may settle your bill on the boat for incidentals such as souvenir items, courses, bouitque items and etc with USD cash, Peso cash, (other major currencies in cash), USD travelers cheques (please bring the receipt of proof of purchase), VISA, MASTERCARD or AMERICAN EXPRESS (there are no charges for using credit cards).

Communications: On most Azores itineraries, we are close enough to land that we will have cellular and data (email) coverage. The Tubbataha itinerary is a bit different in that we are in the middle of the Sulu Sea and beyond cellular coverage. For this itinerary, we offer guests the ability to send and receive emails using the “Seawave” communications network. Guests can log on to Seawave on Azores and establish a personal account to send and receive emails during their charter. The cost is approximately $1.50 per minute and it is billed directly to Seawave via the guest’scredit card. We strongly suggest that short text only emails be sent or received, as cost can be quite high otherwise.

Medical: The boat has comprehensive medical plans for diving and non-diving emergencies and has first aid kits, oxygen and defibrillators available. Emergency plans vary from itinerary to itinerary but you should consider that you might be many hours away from medical care or a recompression facility. Local Hyperbaric chambers do not accept Dan insurance but will give receipt for chamber sessions for you to submit to your insurance company.

None of our itineraries are in areas that are considered a risk for Malaria but inoculations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus are recommended. As always, your physician should be consulted on these and other questions you may have about traveling to the tropics. We strongly recommend drinking plenty of water and other non-alcoholic fluids during your stay.

Trip Insurance: In addition to medical and diving health insurance we also highly recommend each guest purchases trip cancellation and interruption insurance. This will protect you from financial disappointment in case unforeseen.

Gratuities: Gratuities are not included in your package and are not mandatory. If you feel the Atlantis Azores Team helped make your trip enjoyable may we suggest a gratuity of approximately 10% of your package price; envelopes are provided in your state room at the end of the trip. All crewmembers share equally in your tip.

Pleas ensure you have also received our detailed ‘Trip Info Sheet’ and the ‘Trip Application Form’

If you have other questions feel free to visit our web site, www.atlantishotel.com, email us at reservations@atlantishotel.com or talk to your group leader.

Once again we look forward to having you with us soon.