ALDIVE resort

Located approximately 17 km from Dumaguete, ALDIVE is a small, upscale resort situated in the diving hub of Dauin, Negros Oriental. Established in 2016, the resort was founded by a diving enthusiast and underwater photographer to provide a specialised environment for both recreational and technical divers.

The area is defined by its diverse marine topography, ranging from the healthy coral reefs of the coast to the famous volcanic black sand of the Dauin shoreline. This unique environment has made the region a global destination for muck diving and macro enthusiasts seeking rare species.

The centre is run by a professional team that includes an in-house SDI and TDI Course Director, alongside PADI instructors. This ensures a high standard of instruction across all levels, from beginner courses to advanced technical training.

To enhance the experience for those hunting for small subjects, the team includes a marine specialist and a dedicated macro photography dive team. This team consists of an underwater photographer, a marine biologist, and eagle-eyed critter spotters to help you locate elusive life.

Safety and professionalism are central to the operation, with certified and experienced dive masters and boat crews managing every excursion. The resort maintains a low diver-to-guide ratio, with a maximum of 3 divers per guide.

The centre provides a comprehensive range of training through SDI, TDI, and PADI. You can begin with Recreational Dive Courses or progress into more advanced territory with Technical Dive Courses.

For those looking to hone specific skills, the resort offers specialized Underwater Photography Courses and workshops. Freediving training is also available on-site, utilising the resort's infinity pool.

Excursions are conducted using a native-style Banka dive boat, which has a capacity for 26 passengers. The boat is used for various trip types, including day trips to Apo Island and night dives.

Onboard, you are provided with lunch, snacks, and tea during your trips. The Banka is the primary vessel for reaching the diverse sites along the Dauin coast and the coral island of Apo.

The resort is designed with the practical needs of divers in mind, offering equipment storage and dedicated drying racks for suits and kit. For those staying in the UW Studio Rooms, the facilities include a dedicated studio space, a camera dry box, and a cleaning kit.

The dive shop is supported by a compressor room featuring a dedicated gas blender for on-site gas preparation.

The local reefs are teeming with life, featuring over 500 species of coral, including branching hard corals, soft corals (Alcyonacea), and various gorgonian sea fans (Gorgoniidae). You will frequently encounter large schools of fish, including Jack (Carangidae), banana fusilier, and yellow-lined snapper (Lutjanus). Sea turtles (Cheloniidae), such as the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), are also common residents.

For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove. You can find a vast array of Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), and Ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), including the Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus). The sandy and muck areas are home to various octopuses, including the mimic octopus, wonderpus octopus, and blue-ringed octopuses, alongside Mandarinfish (Synchiropus) and Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti).

The seabed is also populated by diverse crustaceans and other small creatures, such as shrimp (Caridea), crabs (Brachyura), and various species of eel (Anguilliformes). You may also spot ribbon-tailed stingrays, blue-spotted rays, and various species of pipefish amongst the reef and sand.

Diving in Dauin is possible year-round, offering consistent access to the local sites. The variety of locations, from coastal reefs to offshore islands, allows for a wide range of diving experiences regardless of the season.