Dive Funatics

Located inside the Club Kontiki Resort in Lapu-Lapu City, Dive Funatics serves as a primary hub for diving in the Mactan area. The centre is positioned to offer easy access to the local marine environment, making it a practical choice for those looking to combine training with a stay in Cebu.

Since 2013, the centre has established itself as a key training facility in the region. Its location allows for convenient shore-based access to the Kontiki Reef, which serves as a reliable site for daily dives, skill refreshers, and night diving without the immediate need for a boat.

The team consists of five instructors capable of guiding divers through a wide range of PADI courses. They focus on delivering personalised instruction, ensuring that students build confidence and competence in the water.

Instruction is conducted in English, catering to the international diving community. The centre's professional staff includes high-level expertise, with instructors qualified to lead everything from entry-level courses to professional development programmes.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the entire PADI progression. You can begin with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course and progress through Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver. For those looking to specialise, they offer PADI specialties including Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, Night Diver, and Peak Performance Buoyancy.

Professional training is a core part of the centre's identity, with pathways available for the Divemaster course and the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). They also provide specialised training such as Sidemount, Cavern, and Search & Recovery, alongside EFR Primary & Secondary Care.

For trips beyond the house reef, the centre organises excursions to various marine sanctuaries and famous sites across the Visayas. These trips allow you to explore the wider biodiversity of the Philippines, including protected marine sanctuaries and well-known wreck sites.

The centre provides a complete range of rental kit for those not travelling with their own equipment. This includes regulators, BCDs, and other essential components required for a comfortable dive.

Nitrox is available on-site, supported by oxygen safety protocols and equipment. The facility is set up to support both recreational divers and those undergoing technical or professional training.

The house reef and surrounding areas are home to a diverse range of marine life. You can regularly observe schools of fish, including sardines, jackfish, and various reef fish. Larger residents such as Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish, and squid are frequently seen around the reef and the wreck.

For those with an eye for macro life, the area offers plenty of interest. Look out for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), decorator crabs, blue-ringed octopus, and various species of wrasse. Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae) and frogfish (Antennarius) also inhabit the reef structures.

In the wider region, seasonal sightings can include whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and thresher sharks. The surrounding waters are also known for pelagics, including various shark species and large schools of jacks.

The best time to visit the area is during the summer months from March to May. While Cebu is somewhat protected by the surrounding islands, typhoons can occasionally affect diving activities.

Visibility in the area typically ranges between 10 and 25 metres. Divers should be aware that local conditions can vary depending on the specific site and seasonal weather patterns.