Ocean Player Dive

Located in Marigondon on Mactan Island, Ocean Player Dive has been an established part of the Cebu diving community since 2010. As a PADI 5 Star IDC Resort, the centre is positioned as a significant hub for both local exploration and serious training.

The centre serves a diverse range of divers, from those taking their first breaths underwater to professionals working towards their instructor ratings. Its location on Mactan provides convenient access to the varied marine environments of the Philippines.

The centre is run by a professional team of PADI instructors and dive professionals. Their expertise spans the entire spectrum of the sport, from entry-level training to the highly specialised requirements of technical diving.

Because the centre holds the status of an Instructor Development Centre (IDC), you will find instructors on site who are qualified to train the next generation of PADI professionals. This includes training for Divemasters, IDC candidates, and Specialty Instructors.

The course catalogue at Ocean Player Dive is extensive, covering all levels of the PADI system. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving, Bubble Maker, or Seal Team programmes, eventually progressing through Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to advance their skills or career, the centre offers Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and the full Instructor Development Course (IDC), including Staff Instructor and EFR Instructor pathways. They also provide PADI Sidemount Diver training.

Technical diving is a core strength of the centre, with a robust curriculum including Tec 40, Tec 45, Tec 50, and specialised Trimix courses such as Tec Trimix 65 and Tec Trimix Diver. They also offer Tec Gas Blender training for those looking to master gas management.

The waters around Mactan are home to a diverse array of large pelagics and reef species. You can encounter various sharks (Selachimorpha), including Reef shark (Carcharhinus), as well as occasional visits from Manta ray (Mobula alfredi) and the Whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Schools of fish are a constant presence, featuring large schools of jacks (Carangidae), bighead jackfish, and various trevallies, including the giant trevally.

The reef is well-populated by a variety of colourful fish such as Batfish (Platax), Lionfish (Pterois volitans), Clownfish (Amphiprion), and Parrotfish (Calotomus). You will also see Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), Wrasse (Labridae), and Trumpetfish (Aulostomidae) moving amongst the coral heads.

Sea turtles are frequently sighted in the area, including the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Other notable residents include the Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), Dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor), and Spanish mackerel.

For those interested in macro life, the seabed offers plenty to explore. Look for Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), Frogfish (Antennarius), and various Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). You may also find ribbon eels, shrimp (Caridea), and blue-spotted rays.

The marine architecture is provided by a healthy mix of hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft corals (Alcyonacea). Large barrel sponges, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and delicate sea whips create a complex habitat for the local inhabitants.