Salum Dive Academy

Located in Dauin, approximately 15 kilometres south of Dumaguete City, Salum Dive Academy is one of the more recent additions to the local diving scene. The centre is situated within the Salum Resort, making it a convenient base for those looking to combine their diving with coastal accommodation.

The academy is positioned perfectly to take advantage of the region's dual reputation: the incredible macro life found in the Dauin coastal sites and the healthy, clear coral reefs of Apo Island. Whether you are looking for a shore entry at the house reef or a boat trip to the volcanic island of Apo, the centre provides the logistical support to reach these diverse environments.

The academy is affiliated with both PADI and RAID, allowing for a wide range of training pathways. The facility is well-equipped for serious divers and photographers, featuring a dedicated air-conditioned camera room with five charging stations to help you manage your gear after a day in the water.

Safety is a primary focus, with a DAN oxygen kit and first aid kits readily available on-site. The centre is designed to handle groups efficiently, offering dedicated dive lockers for up to 20 divers and providing all the necessary rinsing and changing facilities to keep your kit in good condition.

The academy offers a comprehensive range of training through PADI and RAID. Beginners can start with the PADI Discover Scuba Diving or the RAID TryDive Scuba Diver programmes, leading into full Open Water certifications such as the PADI Open Water Course or RAID Open Water20.

For those looking to progress, the centre provides Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver, and Drift Diver courses, as well as specialized training like Peak Performance Buoyancy and Night Diver. Technical and specialty options include Sidemount Diver, Diver Propulsion Vehicle Diver, and the Ocean Reef Full Face Mask or IDM specialty. Emergency training is also available through the Emergency First Response (EFR) and RAID First Aid courses.

The centre organises excursions to Apo Island, which is located about 7 km off the south-east tip of Negros. These trips include boat fees and sanctuary fees, with lunch and snacks provided for those on the Apo trip. For smaller groups of fewer than three divers, additional boat use charges apply.

Salum Dive Academy provides full equipment hire, including masks, BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, and fins. For those with specific technical requirements, the centre stocks sidemount equipment and Ocean Reef Full Face Masks or IDMs.

For divers looking to explore more efficiently, DiveX BlackTip DPVs (scooters) are available. The centre also offers underwater camera rentals and provides a dedicated space for photographers to work. Nitrox is available for divers, and larger 100 cu.ft. (13.5 L) cylinders can be requested for an additional charge.

The marine life in the Dauin area is a magnet for macro enthusiasts. You will find a high concentration of rare species such as the Warty Frogfish, Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus), and various species of Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani). The sandy and silty bottoms are also home to the Reef Octopus, Dragonet, and various Seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), alongside the Headshield Slug.

On the reefs of Apo Island and the surrounding coastal areas, the focus shifts to larger inhabitants and vibrant coral ecosystems. You can regularly encounter Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) navigating the hard and soft corals. Schools of fish, including various reef fish and jacks (Carangidae), move through the water above extensive gardens of Gorgonian sea fans (Gorgoniidae) and various sponges (Porifera).

The biodiversity is further enriched by a variety of crustaceans and molluscs, including Mantis shrimp, Golden Mantis Shrimp, and various species of Cuttlefish (Sepiidae). If you look closely at the reef structure, you may also spot the Whip Coral Goby, Painted Frogfish, and various species of Pipefish (Solenostomidae).

Diving in this region involves a mix of shore entries at the house reef and boat-based excursions to offshore sites like Apo Island. While the coastal sites are known for their macro life, the offshore reefs typically offer different current profiles and visibility.