Sablayan Adventure Camp Dive Shop

Sablayan Adventure Camp is a beach resort and dive school situated along the waterfront in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. The property spans four hectares, creating a landscape where the forest meets the beach, populated by coconut and mango trees.

The centre is positioned to provide access to some of the most significant marine environments in the region. You can choose between the closer sites at Pandan Island or the more remote, expansive ecosystems of the Apo Reef Natural Marine Sanctuary.

The dive school is staffed by professional dive masters who lead expeditions to the local reefs and sanctuaries. The operation is integrated into the wider resort, which includes a restaurant, a bar, and a dedicated dive shop.

The team manages both local reef explorations and the longer trips required to reach the sanctuary. For those looking to extend their stay beyond the water, the centre is also positioned near the Mt. Iglit Tamaraw Reservation for land-based excursions.

The school offers a range of training programmes designed to take you from your first breath underwater through to advanced levels. You can work towards your initial certifications or progress through various specialties offered by the centre.

The dive shop provides a range of equipment for hire to complement your own kit. This includes wetsuits, fins, and masks to ensure you are prepared for the local conditions.

The centre's facilities include a dedicated shop and a large 200 m² hall that can be used for briefings or events. On-site accommodation is available for divers, offering everything from simple rooms to two-storey duplexes and private villas with hot showers.

The reefs are characterised by a high density of tropical fish, including various species of snapper (Lutjanidae), jacks (Carangidae), and fusiliers (Caesio). You will frequently encounter schools of batfish (Platax) and emperor fish patrolling the water column, alongside colourful anthias (Anthias) and rabbitfish.

Large pelagics and more predatory species are part of the local ecosystem. Keep an eye out for reef sharks, barracuda (Sphyraena), and tuna (Thunnus) moving through the area, as well as various stingrays (Myliobatiformes) and southern stingrays (Hypanus americanus) resting on the bottom.

The seabed is a complex environment of hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea), providing habitat for a massive variety of life. You can find sea turtles, including the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), navigating the reef, while moray eels (Muraenidae) and various groupers (Epinephelinae) remain tucked into the structure.

For those interested in macro life, the area supports a diverse range of smaller organisms. Look closely for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), octopus (Octopoda), and various species of shrimp (Caridea). You may also spot pipefish (Syngnathidae), scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), and different types of frogfish (Antennariidae) amongst the corals and sponges.