Dumaguete City is the capital of Negros Oriental and is located at the south-eastern coast of the island. Negros, splitted into Occidental and Oriental, is mountainous and volcanic origin, very fertile and also famous as “sugar island”, because more than half of the agricultural land is used for sugar cane plantations.
Getting there: The fast ferry from Cebu City will bring you to Dumaguete in about 3 1/2 hours. We will meet you at the Pier and after 20 minutes you will arrive at Pura Vida. There are also direct flights from Manila to Dumaguete. The best, easiest and most comfortable way to reach the Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort is to let the Sea Explorers Head Office in Cebu organize the transport.
Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort, Dauin - Dumaguete
Pura Vida Beach Resort is located on an unspoiled 3 kilometres beach in Dauin, 15km south of Dumaguete.
The resort, built by and for divers, is managed by the Swiss national Chris Heim, founder of Sea Explorers and PADI Course Director.
There are twelve spacious, deluxe rooms located beach and poolside, with air-con, ceiling fan, cable-TV and hot shower.
There are also ten airy, native bamboo bungalows located in the back part of the resort with ceiling fans and bathroom with hot shower. Some of them are also equipped with air-con.
The Beach Restaurant is located above the dive centre and offers a great view of the sea and pool area. A variety of Asian and international dishes are available.
Enjoy your evening at the pool bar with a tropical drink, fresh juice or a cold beer.
VIDA SPA offers a blending of traditional therapeutic and Asian exotic massage techniques to help you relax and balance your body and mind.
Sea Explorers Gold Palm 5 Star Dive Centre is on the beach and is managed by Lee Daniel a.k.a. Mr. Lee (Germany). He is also a PADI instructor and along with B-Bhing and JR our local instructors, they are able to teach PADI dive courses in many different languages.
Local dive masters: Jesse, Rico, Carlos, Jan Jan, Adelfa, Chito, Xray do an excellent job of guiding their many repeating customers.
The facility has ample gear storage and rinse areas and welcomes all divers back from their dives with fresh fruits.
PADI Career Development Centre
Our own PADI Course Director Chris Heim is leading 3 Instructor courses a year at this location.
Large a/c classroom with state of the art facilities
We teach classes in Swiss, German, Philippino, English and French
Dive Boats
GYPSY: Native outrigger boat for safaris, transfers and day trips. Capacity: max. 12 divers
SPIRIT: Native outrigger boat for transfers and day trips. Capacity: max. 10 divers
ISLAND EXPLORER: Native outrigger boat for safaris, transfers and day trips. Capacity: max 12 divers
Speedboat for short trips. Capacity: max. 8 divers
Our professional scuba diving staff offers
Fun dives in small groups (max. four divers) with personal service.
Orientation dives - if have not had a dive in a long time or just to make you feel more comfortable in tropical waters.
Full range of PADI Courses including
Bubble maker and Seal Team for children
Discover Scuba Diving
Scuba Diver
Open Water Diver up to Dive master
Different Specialty-Courses (e. g. NITROX, Night, Naturalist, Drift, Deep, Photo)
Assistant Instructor
Instructor Development course (IDC)
Dive trips around the Visayas.
Dive Safaris and Island Hopping
Modern and well-maintained Rental equipment and absolutely pure air.
Underwater camera and flashlights for rent.
Oxygen, first aid and communications on the dive boats and in the dive centre.
Meditation Dive Experience-Get up very early, walk loosen up, listen and then submerge yourself in a weightless atmosphere. Be at one with nature while balancing your mind, body and spirit.
Only available on request with our own "Dive Zen Master" Chris.
Information about Sanctuary Fees:
We are very fortunate to be able to dive in several marine sanctuaries in our area. For divers it means that we get to dive where others are not able. Also it means that we have to pay some fees to dive in them. These fees go toward the preservation of these sanctuaries. Of the total fees collected at Apo island, 75% is returned directly to the island people and is put toward water, electricity, schooling and medical services.
There are some simple, straight forward rules we have to be aware of. Gloves, touching or destruction of corals, taking of fish or shells, disturbance of sea creatures are not permitted.
The sanctuary fees are 150 PHP per diver per dive plus 50 PHP with underwater camera. In Apo Isl. it costs 300 PHP per diver per day, with underwater camera plus 50 PHP.
These sanctuary fees are not included in the diving rates and packages.
Dive Sites around Pura Vida and Dive Resorts-Dumaguete
PURA VIDA HOUSEREEF
Located just in front of the resort is the Pura Vida House reef. What used to be an underwater “Sahara” has now become small oasis for marine life. This artificial reef consists of several smaller wrecks, old tires, interesting concrete blocks, and a steel pyramid where lionfish, seahorses, stingrays, snappers, and batfish are at home. Sometimes rare species like wunderpus, hairy frogfish and ghostpipe fish are also found here. This site is also suitable for night diving.
LUCA SANCTUARY
The closest sanctuary to the resort is accessible by a short walk.A great combination of beautiful coral blocks, sandy and sea grass areas together with a remarkable biodiversity of fish, sea anemones and sponges make this site very interesting. Beside a lot of schooling fish appear stingrays, big snappers and groupers, morays, frogfish as well as sepias on the agenda. Especially around and in the different sea anemones you can discover reams of colorful crabs and shrimps.
SARAH'S PLACE
Only a 5 minute boat ride away is the hide-out of the famous mandarin fish: Sarah’s Place. Outside this sanctuary lies in a depth between 12 and 20 meters a more than 15 years old artificial reef, simply made out of used truck tires. It is now overgrown with colorful sponges, feather stars, soft and hard-corals. It’s an excellent dive site to search for nudibranch, frogfish, seahorses, scorpionfish and other unique creatures. Mandarin fish usually come out at dusk, therefore late afternoon dives at around 4:30pm are recommended.
BONET'S CORNER
For sand and critters lovers only! The dive spot named after our boatman Bonet, whose house is just located on the shore of the entry point, is always good for a surprise. Between fields of garden eels you can find different kinds of octopuses, frogfish, snake eels and mantis shrimps.
BANCA WRECK
Just around the corner is a special treat waiting for you: seahorses, ghostpipe fish, seamoths and frogfish are not uncommon in this sandy area. Down the sand slope at 28m to 30m rests an old Philippine made outrigger boat also known as the Banca wreck. Although there is not much coral life to see, you will be surprised with the unique marine diversity that is living there. The perfect site for macro lovers, photographers, advanced and Nitrox divers.
CAR WRECKS
Another great dive site for macro lovers is the Car Wreck. In this sandy area, you can find robust ghostpipe fish, unique crabs, sea moths, moray eels, and other interesting creatures. Two car wrecks are located between 24-28 meters, surrounded by concrete pipes and steel boxes. This makes it a perfect hideout for many creatures. The sand slopes may seem lifeless, but you may be surprised by the creatures that can be found there. Flashlights and Nitrox are recommended.
DAUIN SANCTUARY
Only a 5 minute boat or car ride away is the Dauin Sanctuary”. This huge coral reef is home to different kinds of anemone fish, small barracudas, turtles, groupers, sepias and many other colorful fish. The shallow area is a beautiful hard coral garden which is also nice for snorkeling. Because there is not much current present in this area, it is an ideal site for open water divers, refresher courses and orientation dives.
GINAMA POINT
Ginama means man made. This huge artificial reef consists of numerous truck tires which have been there for more than a decade. Completely inhabited with corals and sponges, this site is an excellent hide out for frogfish, unique shrimps, colorful nudibranchs, etc. A sea grass area is also nearby where you can spend some time in looking for other special things. It is also a great dive site for night diving.
MASAPLOD NORTE SANCTUARY
One of the oldest sanctuaries in the area is the Masaplod sanctuary. Only 10 minutes away with our boats, this sanctuary boasts of its rich marine biodiversity. Big coral formations in the shallow area as well as in the deeper area make it home to schools of small jacks, trevallys, sweetlips and snappers. You can also see stingrays, nudibranchs, triggerfish, big turtles and groupers.
APO ISLAND
One of the highlights in the area is the world famous Apo Island just only half an hour boat ride away from the resort.There are different dive sites ranging from beginner level to experienced levels. The well preserved condition of the marine life in Apo makes it always an unforgettable dive experience. From fascinating soft coral gardens to sea snakes, turtles, schools of jacks and barracudas, Apo Island has it all.
These are only some of the most important dive sites - there are many more very interesting dive spots around Dumaguete. Come and see for yourself!
Only on Wednesday - the market in Malatapay. Local inhabitants barter and trade large assortments of fish, fruits. vegetables and animals.
A 45 minute hike through a Jurassic jungle brings you to 120 ft CASARORO waterfall.
The water is coolish but worth a dip.
Watch for the monkeys and bats.
Visit the Twin lakes of Balinsasayo and Danao . Virgin forests abundant in fauna and flora .
Golfing: There is a small course 30 min away in Dumaguete and a professional course with spectacular views about 1 hr away.
Rent a motorbike and explore the island.
Whale and Dolphin Watching in Bais. Experience the "entertainers of the ocean"
Tour Dumaguete, "the city of gentle people" Easy to get to and easy to find your way around . The home to Silliman University which houses the Philippines top Marine Biology institute.
