Amigos Dive Center

Established in 2018, Amigos Dive Center is located in the bustling hub of Moalboal, southern Cebu. The centre sits directly in front of the iconic Panagsama Beach, placing you at the doorstep of one of the world's most predictable and spectacular natural phenomena: the massive sardine run.

As a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center, the facility is geared towards both recreational enthusiasts and those looking to advance their professional careers. The location allows for easy access to the local reef flats and the nearby Pescador Island, ensuring a diverse range of diving opportunities every day.

The team operates with a focus on professional standards and safety, maintaining a ratio of maximum four divers per guide. This ensures close supervision and a more personalised experience, whether you are completing your first certification or working through an instructor course.

Communication is seamless here, with instructors capable of providing guidance in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin, Cantonese, Dutch, German, Swedish, Danish, and Basque. This multilingual approach makes the centre a practical choice for the international diving community.

Beyond training, the centre is an active member of the Green Fins movement and operates as a PADI Eco Center. They demonstrate this commitment through regular beach and ocean clean-ups, ensuring the local marine environment is respected and preserved.

Amigos offers a comprehensive range of PADI and TDI courses. Beginners can start with the Bubblemaker programme or the Open Water Diver course, progressing through Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster levels.

For those looking to specialise, the centre provides training in Peak Performance Buoyancy, Deep Diver, Night Diver, and Search & Recovery. They also cater to the technical community with TDI courses including Intro to Tech, Sidemount Diver, Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, and Extended Range.

Professional development is a core strength of the centre, offering the full IDC (Instructor Development Course), Specialty Instructor training, and Master Scuba Diver Trainer programmes.

The centre operates a fleet of three boats to service different dive requirements. This includes custom-built vessels, traditional Bangkas, and flatboats, providing variety depending on the destination and sea conditions.

The fleet is powered by a mix of 210 horsepower inboard engines and Yamaha 75hp or 60hp outboard engines. Onboard, you will find refreshments including drinks, snacks, coffee, and tea, alongside essential safety equipment such as emergency oxygen and a first aid kit. Nitrox is available for those looking to extend their bottom time.

The shore-based facilities are designed for comfort and convenience, featuring an air-conditioned classroom, a swimming pool, and a sunset deck. Divers can make use of lockers and showers to prepare for their day or rinse off after a dive.

Full kit rental is available for those not travelling with their own equipment. This includes regulators, BCDs, and wetsuits, with additional items like dive computers, torches, and action cameras available for hire. For those needing basic protection, masks and fins can also be rented.

The local waters are defined by the incredible sardine run, where massive schools of sardines create a constant spectacle. You will also encounter various turtles, including green and hawksbill species, alongside resident reef fish such as clownfish, batfish (Platax), and various species of triggerfish (Balistidae).

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to explore among the corals and reef structures. Look closely for nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), octopus, various species of shrimp (Caridea), ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), and many other rare macro creatures.

On the deeper walls and reefs, larger pelagics and predators may appear. You might see tuna, yellowspotted trevally, lionfish, and even the occasional whale shark (Rhincodon typus) or thresher shark. Other common residents include moray eels, banded sea krait, and various scorpionfish.

The reef is a healthy habitat built on a foundation of hard corals and soft corals, providing homes for crabs (Brachyura), sea anemones, and various species of pufferfish (Arothron hispidus).

Diving in Moalboal is most consistent during the dry season, from November to May, when visibility is typically between 20 and 30 metres. During the wetter months from May to October, visibility may decrease to between 10 and 20 metres.

While the area is generally reliable, the sea conditions can be affected by the seasonal weather patterns, with the period between June and October occasionally seeing rougher seas or storms.