Please note that all prices are current at time of writing and are subject to change.

Accommodation

There are various options depending on your budget

  • Budget Backpacker – From P5,000 and up per month, depending on availability and time of year. These are generally private fan rooms with en suite bathroom but will be very basic – maybe with bucket “showers” etc.
  • The next level of rooms is at around the P8,000-P12,000, that may or may not have shared bathrooms.
  • From about P10,000 up, you can find rooms with private bathroom.
  • Standard accommodation is at Palm Place where most of our interns stay. This is a private house owned by TSD and is walled and gated so is very safe. Only our interns and instructors stay there so it makes for a nice community. It’s kind of a backpacker room, but it’s great value☺Your room comes with 24 hour electric and fan. There are 3 intern rooms, which share 2 bathrooms that are in a separate building across a path outside, 2 meters from your door. Wi-Fi is included. There is also a basic lounge and kitchen area inside the main building. Palm Place is P8,000 per month, this is a very special price just to cover utilities, cleaners, maintenance etc.
  • Hiltey’s Hideout is a popular option, rooms also come with hot water shower and AC, Wi-Fi. Price starts at P12,000 per month. Electric is not included (estimate 2-3,000 a month), and a few rooms have kitchenettes for additional cost of P3,000. Mention TSD on booking for the best rates.
  • Diva Inn is homestay run by the lovely Connie. There is a kitchen available for use. Rooms are P15,000 for one person including electric, with AC, hot and cold showers. Contact Connie on Facebook for more info and to book. Mention TSD on booking for the best rates.
  • Angelina Resort has two newly built studios only two minutes from the dive center. You can see photos at the bottom of this page. Prices start at P20,000 a month plus electric, contact them or us for current pricing as it’s seasonal. Mention TSD on booking for the best rates.
  • Celtis resort has rooms for P15,000 and up per month, sometimes they offer lower prices.
  • If you want more luxury, ask us about other resorts
  • Most places now have free Wi-Fi.
  • Other options are available and being added all the time.
  • If you prefer, you can decide which room you like on arrival, although during high season (Christmas to May) it is advisable to book.

Visa Renewals

  • Most countries are granted a 30-day visa on arrival. There are several options for renewal. Please check current visa requirements here: www.immigration.gov.ph/
  • There is a new online portal to renew your visa https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/TouristVisaExtension
  • You can contact your local embassy in advance for a 59-day visa. This will likely be cheaper and it means you get to keep your passport. You may even be able to get longer. The embassies are not always easy to deal with though. Make sure you tell them you are coming as a tourist, not as a student, otherwise they will get confused on visa needed thinking you are a university student.
  • You can try to extend your visa on arrival at the airport while coming through immigration, or if you spend the night in the city before coming to us you can go to immigration yourself. We recommend this and that way, unless you are staying longer than two months, you get to keep your passport with you.
  • If all else fails, we have an agent in Cebu who can process the renewal, but this is not an ideal option as your passport will be out of your possession.
  • First renewal is currently P3,800, which will take you to 59 days from arrival. You may be able to get this in advance overseas for less. (Subject to change.)
  • Second renewal up to 119 days is P4,400 plus 4,200 for an icard (identity card) good for a year.
  • You can also go to Cebu at some point before your visa expires, it can be a fun trip and a chance to get some supplies.
  • If necessary we can arrange your renewals for an extra fee, but it’s best if youcan avoid this as it means giving your passport to a driver to take to Cebu.

Transportation ad getting here

  • You need to fly to Cebu Mactan airport.
  • Airport pickup is P6,000 (at time of writing).
  • Local transport is only around P750 (bus, then public boat) plus taxi to get to the bus stop (maybe P250), and  it is easy and safe. You may prefer private pickup if you have had a long flight and/or have a lot of luggage. Find full details on our website.
  • More info on getting here.
  • Another option for your first night is to stay in Cebu, get some rest after your flight, and come up the next day by private or public transport. There are several inexpensive options near the airport. This is a great idea if you need visa renewal as this will give you the opportunity to process it.

Equipment

During professional training you need the following equipment:

Basic Dive Equipment

  • Fins, mask, snorkel
  • Buoyancy control device with low pressure inflator
  • Regulator with alternate air source and submersible pressure gauge
  • Depth gauge
  • Wetsuit
  • Weight belts, weights and tanks (provided)

Additional Items

  • Timing device / dive computer
  • Compass
  • Knife/diver’s tool
  • Slate and dive table (you get with DM and OW materials)
  • Two surface signaling devices
    • one audible (whistle, air horn, etc.)
    • one visual (inflatable surface tube, flare, signal mirror, etc.)

Recommended

  • Torch / Flashlight
  • Pocket mask (required for IDC Candidates)

Equipment for rent:

You can rent the Basic Equipment for the duration of your course (P2,000 per week).

Mask and snorkel rental is not included as we require you have your own. We have very reasonably priced stocks for you to choose from.

We highly recommend having your fins as well.

For Divemaster and above you will be required to own the Additional Items as they are not available for rent. Without these you will not be able to participate as fully in everything on our program as you will be unable to dive independently for safety reasons.

Equipment for sale:

If you plan to work as a Dive Pro you will need a full set of kit to get a job and it is much to your advantage to have your own equipment during your course. Reasons for this include:

  • familiarity with your kit
  • using the same equipment each dive
  • permanent availability (e.g. if we run out of rental kit in your size)
  • the features you choose
  • well fitting equipment
  • you will look grrreat ☺

We have a standard package that is complete with everything you will need to work as a dive professional. You will get all the Basics and the Additional Items. This package is PHP 95,000, which is over a 20% discount of RRP, a special offer only for our interns, priced for pre-orders only. We can offer upgrades and downgrades on this package. You can see current inclusions here: http://www.divinginternshipsphilippines.com/diveequipment.html

Budget equipment: If you are on a budget we have great prices on ex-rental gear and this is a wonderful option to get your first set of gear at a low price!

PADI Professional Application fees:

These are payable directly to PADI at the end of your course. Please see here for current fees.

Marine park fees

There are several additional fees that apply for Malapascua

  • Malapascua marine park tax (marine park fee) –this is currently included. However the government may increase the price or change the rules at any time. It is likely this will not affect you.
  • Fuel surcharges and park fees for special trips: variable and optional

Food and Drink

You can eat very cheaply, and there are higher-end restaurants as well

Instructor Candidates Only: Dive Theory

There are 5 theory sections in the IDC exams: Physics, Physiology, Equipment, RDP theory and Skills and Environment. This theory is no longer taught in any PADI course and so there is a now a theory “bridge” between DM and IDC. A review of the theory is included in the Prep Course, and we offer an optional Extended Prep Course to cover this and other skills in more detail. But it is best if you can come to the IDC fully prepared for these exams: it will remove a lot of pressure during the IDC.

  • If you are doing your DM with us, we will help prepare you at TSD, this is included for free in your course.
  • PADI also offer the dive theory online for a fee of about USD $100 and you can complete this in advance. Make sure you sign up through this link and register for Professional/DIVE THEORYhttps://www.padi.com/elearning-scuba-registration/default.aspx?irra=36055 or request us to register it for you. We also have some learning tools that your Course Director will send to you in advance of arrival.

IDC Pre-requisites

  • 100 logged dives prior to the IE.
    • As we are a PADI CDC (Career Development Center), this is to strictly required, contact us for more info.
  • OW certified diver for 6 months prior to the start of the IDC.
  • Current EFR (within 24 months) – you can do that here if needed.
  • Current medical certificate (there is a PADI one you can use, within 12 months).
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