Octopus Divers

Octopus Divers has been a fixture of the Philippine diving scene for 32 years. Based in Puerto Galera, the centre serves as the official headquarters for the Professional Diving Association (PDA) in the Philippines. This unique positioning makes it a primary hub for divers looking to advance their professional careers under rigorous standards.

The centre is known for its structured approach to training, applying German quality standards to the local environment. Beyond day dives around the immediate area, they organise specialised dive safaris to some of the most iconic locations in the archipelago, including the remote reefs of Tubbataha and Apo Reef.

The team is led by Course Director Mac Schmitt and includes five qualified instructors. As an official Instructor Training Centre, the staff is specifically geared towards supporting divers through the various stages of professional development.

Instruction is conducted in both English and German, ensuring clear communication for international students. The team also maintains a strong focus on marine conservation, frequently organising underwater clean-up activities to protect the local ecosystem.

As a dedicated Instructor Training Centre, Octopus Divers offers an extensive range of professional PDA courses. They specialise in instructor-level training, including the Instructor Training Course, MfA Instructor, Deep Diving Instructor, Nitrox Instructor, and Wreck Diving Instructor.

For those working towards their professional career, the centre provides Divemaster training. Their curriculum is designed to be practical and flexible, catering to the needs of students aiming for the highest levels of professional certification.

The reefs around Puerto Galera are teeming with life, from large pelagics to colourful reef fish. You will regularly encounter Tuna (Thunnus), various species of Jacks (Carangidae), and schools of Mackerels (Scombridae). Larger visitors like sharks and rays also frequent the area, including Reef sharks (Carcharhinus) and Spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari).

The hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea) structures provide a complex habitat for a vast array of species. You can observe Brain coral (Diploria), staghorn corals, table corals, and large Gorgonian fans. These structures support massive populations of colourful reef fish such as Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), Parrotfish (Calotomus), and various species of Angelfish (Pomacanthidae).

Macro divers will find plenty to explore in the smaller details of the reef. The area is home to Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), various species of Seahorse (Hippocampus), and Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus). Look closely for the Mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus), different species of Octopus (Octopoda), and the elusive Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti).

Other interesting residents include the Peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), various species of Moray eel (Muraenidae), and several types of shrimp (Caridea). You may also spot the Blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena) or the Flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) among the reef crevices.