Aquanaut Dive Center

Located on the main beach of El Nido, Aquanaut Dive Center provides a direct link to the waters of Palawan. The centre is positioned just a few steps from the shoreline, making the transition from the shop to the boats seamless.

With more than a decade of experience in the region, the centre operates with a focus on marine conservation and safety. It serves as a base for both local exploration and professional training in one of the Philippines' most iconic diving destinations.

The team is composed of local guides and international instructors, ensuring a high level of expertise for a diverse range of divers. The centre is managed by a French national, and the staff is multilingually proficient, speaking English, French, Tagalog, Spanish, Cantonese, German, Italian, and Chinese.

Safety is integrated into the daily routine, with an emphasis on emergency preparedness. The team is trained to manage underwater emergencies, and the centre maintains a strict focus on environmental awareness during every dive.

As a PADI affiliated centre, Aquanaut offers a complete progression of courses. This includes the PADI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications, as well as specialty courses like the PADI Deep Diver and PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy.

For those looking to move into professional diving, the centre provides the PADI Divemaster programme. They also offer several conservation-focused specialties, such as PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation and PADI Project AWARE, alongside essential safety training like PADI Emergency First Response and PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider.

The primary vessel is a traditional Philippine bangka, designed to carry up to 16 divers. The boat features a covered area to provide shade and protection from the rain, ensuring comfort during transit to the dive sites.

Each dive trip includes three dives per outing. On the boat, you will find water, snacks, coffee, biscuits, fruit, and a choice of five different meal menus provided for the divers.

The centre provides a full range of rental kit, including regulators, BCDs, and wetsuits, using reputable brands such as Aqualung, Apeks, and Mares. All equipment is maintained to high standards for reliability.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time. For night dives, torches are available for hire. The centre is also equipped with an oxygen kit and a first aid kit to manage any on-site medical requirements.

The reefs around El Nido are home to a diverse array of tropical fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, damselfish, and clownfish. You will also encounter parrotfish and various species of tropical fish patrolling the reef structures.

Larger pelagics and reef residents include reef sharks and sea turtles. For those lucky enough to be diving during the right season, there are opportunities to see manta rays and whale sharks.

For macro enthusiasts, the area offers plenty of interest with sightings of nudibranchs, seahorses, and octopus. You can also find various species of shrimp and starfish amongst the reef architecture.