Sidive Diving Center

SiDive is a well-established PADI dive centre situated in Kontiki Marina, Maribago, on Mactan Island. Its position allows for immediate access to one of the best house reefs in the Mactan area, where the coral is healthy and the marine life is abundant.

The centre serves as a base for exploring the wider Cebu region, including the marine sanctuaries of the Olango and Gilutongan islands. For those looking for more significant excursions, day trips are organised to encounter whale sharks in Oslob or to explore the sardine runs in Moalboal.

The centre is led by British owner Simon Timmins and operates with a professional team of instructors. All instruction and guidance are conducted in English.

Safety and attention to detail are central to their operation, with a guide ratio of one instructor for every two divers. This ensures that whether you are completing your first Open Water Diver course or working towards your Divemaster certification, you receive focused, individualised supervision.

SiDive offers a comprehensive catalogue of PADI courses. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving, Scuba Diver, or the full Open Water Diver course, with Junior Open Water Diver and Bubblemaker programmes available for younger divers.

For more experienced divers, the centre provides Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster training. They also offer the Enriched Air Nitrox course, a Scuba Refresher, and Reactivate programmes to brush up on skills. Specialized training includes the EFR First Aid Course with CPR.

Boat safaris depart from the marina for trips to the various marine sanctuaries surrounding the island. These excursions allow you to reach sites like Gilutongan and Nalusuan, where the reef ecosystems are well-protected. Nitrox is available for those using it on these trips.

A full range of rental equipment is available on-site, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, fins, and weights. This allows you to travel light if you are staying at one of the many nearby resorts.

For those looking to extend their dives, Nitrox is provided. The centre is also equipped to handle various training requirements, including the PADI E-Learning components for all certification courses.

The local reefs are teeming with life, including Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and various other sea turtles (Cheloniidae). You will frequently encounter large schools of fish, including jackfish (Carangidae), snappers, and various species of batfish (Platax).

Pelagic species and larger reef residents add excitement to the dives, such as Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), groupers, barracuda, and large schools of trevallies. You may also see blue-spotted rays and, on specific excursions, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus).

For those interested in macro life, the reefs host a variety of interesting species including octopus (Octopus vulgaris), moray eels, lionfish (Pterois volitans), and various scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). Look closely for nudibranchs, shrimp (Caridea), and different types of crabs (Brachyura) tucked into the reef.

The underwater scenery is defined by a rich tapestry of hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea), alongside barrel sponges, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and delicate sea whips.

The area is accessible year-round, with water temperatures typically ranging between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius. Currents at the marine sanctuaries can be light to moderate, with some drift possible along the coastline of Olango Island.