Dauin is a town in the province of Negros. Negros Island, divided into Occidental and Oriental, is the second largest…
Sipalay
Located on the peaceful west coast of Negros Island, Sea Explorers Sipalay offers colourful coral reefs, impressive underwater formations, macro life, and fascinating wreck dives away from the busier tourist destinations.
From the submerged reef formation of Marco Polo to Julien’s Wreck and deeper wreck-diving opportunities, Sipalay offers varied diving for beginners and experienced divers. Guests can also join island day trips to Turtle Island and Danjugan Island for more reef diving, snorkeling, and tropical scenery.
Our dive center is located at Sugar Beach, where relaxed beachfront living meets uncrowded diving and our signature Dive with a Smile service.
A look inside our dive center and what’s waiting for you underwater.
• Atoll-Style Diving at Marco Polo – Unique reef formation with healthy corals, schooling fish, and excellent visibility suitable for all levels
• Relaxed Reef Diving – Calm, colorful coral gardens and easy conditions perfect for beginners and experienced divers
• Macro & Critter Diving – Sandy slopes and reef patches hiding nudibranchs, shrimps, crabs, juvenile reef fish, and fascinating small marine life
• Snorkeling & Island Hopping to Turtle Island – Clear waters, coral gardens, and scenic tropical views
• Day Trips to Danjugan Island – Marine sanctuary with vibrant reefs and excellent snorkeling opportunities
• Flexible Dive Schedule – Single-tank or two-tank morning dives, plus afternoon dives depending on sea conditions
• Night Dives Available – Experience Sipalay’s peaceful nocturnal reef life and unique macro encounters
We Offer:
- PADI beginner courses up to Divemaster
- PADI IDCs – Open water instructor (Contact us for more details)
Special Courses:
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Night Dive
- Drift Dive
- Deep Dive
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
Languages: English, Tagalog, Cebuano. (Other languages on request)
- Full rental equipment for 20 guests
- 2 Full sets for children
- 12 Liter aluminum tanks with Yoke (INT) valves and DIN valves
- 15 Liter tanks available (Upon Request)
- Underwater torches/flashlights
- Dive computers
- Nitrox Refills
Dive Center Check-In
Our dive center is open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. You may check in at any time during office hours.
Upon arrival, our staff will welcome you, give you a brief tour of the facility, explain dive center procedures, and assist you in preparing your dive equipment.
Required documents for registration:
- Diver Certification
- Logbook
- Medical Certificate
Dive Center Check-Out
After completing your dives, our office staff will prepare your bill for review.
Accepted payment methods:
- Cash: EUR, CHF, USD, PHP, JPY
- Credit Card via PayPal: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Sanctuary fees must be paid in cash.
Note: The dive center bill is separate from the hotel bill.
Good to Know
- Water temperature: 26–30°C
- Air temperature: 25–33°C
- Dives per day: Up to 4
- Group size: Up to 4 divers per dive guide (up to 5 if one diver is a Divemaster or Instructor)
- Maximum depth: Up to 30 meters
- Nitrox: Up to 32% (surcharge applies)
- Sanctuary fees: Applicable
Discover the characters
Meet The Critters
Get to know the fascinating creatures that call this place home — each with its own unique story and charm.
Candy Crab
Tiny, colorful, and perfectly camouflaged, the candy crab lives hidden among soft corals, blending seamlessly with its host. Its bright patterns mirror the coral it calls home, making each sighting a delightful challenge for sharp-eyed divers. A perfect example of how the smallest creatures often hold the biggest surprises.
Peacock Mantis Shrimp
Boldly colored and impossible to miss, the peacock mantis shrimp is one of the reef’s true characters. Famous for its powerful strike and curious nature, it often watches divers from its burrow with bright, alert eyes. A sighting is a vivid reminder of just how dynamic and full of personality the underwater world can be.
Napoleon Wrasse
Gentle, curious, and instantly recognizable, the Napoleon wrasse is one of the reef’s true icons. Growing impressively large yet remaining calm around divers, it plays an important role in maintaining healthy reef ecosystems. This magnificent fish is protected, and spotting one in the wild is a special reminder of why conservation and responsible diving matter.
How to get there
Nearest Airports
Bacolod–Silay Airport (BCD) — Most common choice
Dumaguete Airport (DGT) — Option if coming from the south
From Bacolod
Take a bus or van from Bacolod South Bus Terminal bound for Sipalay (via Ceres South / Vallacar Transit).
Travel time: ~4–5 hours by bus; vans may be ~4 hours.
From Dumaguete
Take a bus from Dumaguete South Terminal toward Bayawan, Hinoba-an, or Sipalay.
Travel time: ~5–6 hours with transfers.
Diving Destinations
Explore the Philippines, one dive at a time.
Discover five unique dive spots across the Philippines — each offering its own underwater experience.
Sea Explorers is a professional dive operator with multiple dive centers across the Visayas—Cabilao, Dauin, Malapascua, and Sipalay. We offer fun diving, PADI courses, island-hopping, and dive safaris, all with our signature “Dive with a Smile” service.
We have five dive centers:
• Cabilao, Bohol
• Dauin, Negros Oriental
• Malapascua, Cebu
• Sipalay, Negros Occidental
All locations are excellent for beginners due to calm conditions and easy dive sites.
Malapascua is the only place in the world where you can reliably see thresher sharks year-round during sunrise dives. Recently, the sharks have been frequenting another nearby shoal—making sightings exciting and new.
Dauin is world-famous for muck diving and rare critters like frogfish, nudibranchs, and octopus species.
Yes. The ReActivate or Back-in-Water program helps divers regain confidence safely.
Yes. Daily dives, discounted packages, island-hopping combinations, and multi-destination dive safaris are available.
Yes. Courses range from Discover Scuba Diving to Divemaster and Instructor Development (IDC) programs.
Ready to Dive In?
Whether it’s your first dive or your next big adventure, we’re here to guide you beneath the surface. Let’s plan something unforgettable.
