Easy Fun Scuba Dive in El Nido

El Nido’s best scenery does not stop at the waterline. This full-day scuba trip takes you to three different sites around Bacuit Bay, giving certified divers a useful sample of Palawan’s underwater world instead of keeping you at one location all day.

I like the four-to-one diver-to-divemaster ratio, which gives the trip a more personal feel than a large boat outing. I also like the practical setup: equipment, lunch, fruit, coffee or tea, and drinking water are included, and you can choose to skip the third session and relax or snorkel.

The main catch is the non-refundable booking policy. Weather can force a change, and poor conditions bring a new date or full refund, but personal cancellations do not. You also need to pay the local environmental fee and any dive-computer rental separately.

Key points at a glance

• Three underwater sites: The morning includes two sessions at different locations, followed by a third site after lunch.
• Small guide ratio: One divemaster accompanies up to four certified divers.
• Choice after lunch: Take the third scuba session, snorkel, or rest on the boat.
• Full-day schedule: Meet at 7:30 am, begin the trip at about 8 am, and return to El Nido town around 3 pm.
• Useful inclusions: Scuba equipment, lunch, fruit, hot drinks, drinking water, and three sessions are covered.
• Extra costs to plan for: The 200 PHP ETDF environmental fee lasts 10 days, and a dive computer costs 500 PHP per day if you rent one.

Why three sites make sense in Bacuit Bay

A single underwater stop can be enjoyable, but it gives you only one small look at El Nido’s marine life. This trip uses three sites, so you have a better chance of seeing how the underwater scenery changes from place to place.

You begin with two morning sessions at different locations. That spacing matters. If one site is less interesting for you, the next offers a fresh setting rather than more of the same. The exact names of the sites are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular wreck, reef, animal, or named formation.

The trip takes you to parts of Palawan that are unreachable by road or foot. That is the central appeal. El Nido is famous for its limestone islands and calm-looking coves, but the scuba experience shows you a side of Bacuit Bay that you cannot see from a beach or regular sightseeing boat.

You should also keep expectations sensible. The trip is designed for certified scuba divers, not for first-time instruction. The focus is on enjoying several sites in one day, with the equipment and basic refreshments handled for you.

The 7:30 am meeting at Submariner

You meet at Submariner Diving Center, on C. Hama, Zone 3, El Nido, at 7:30 am. The stated activity begins at about 8 am, so arriving on time matters. There is no hotel or airport transfer included, and the experience ends back at the same meeting point.

That central arrangement keeps the morning simple, but you need to make your own way there. If you are staying outside El Nido town, allow extra time. The meeting point is not a hotel pickup service.

The provider supplies scuba equipment, which is a major convenience. You do not need to arrange tanks or basic gear separately. A dive computer is different: rental costs 500 PHP per day and is not included.

The tour has a maximum of 30 people, but the more useful figure is the guide ratio. Each divemaster handles no more than four certified divers. A boat can still carry a fair number of people, yet your actual underwater group remains limited, making it easier to keep track of the group and ask for help when needed.

The staff’s friendly, coordinated manner is one of the strongest impressions associated with this experience. That may sound like a small point, but it matters when you are handling equipment early in the morning and moving between boat, water, and shore. A welcoming crew can make the practical parts feel far less fussy.

Two morning sessions at separate sites

The first part of the day includes two underwater sessions at different locations. This is where the trip earns its full-day label. You are not simply taking a short boat ride, entering the water once, and returning before lunch.

The two-site format gives you variety. You can compare the feel of one location with the next, and you have two chances to settle into the water before deciding how you want to spend the afternoon. For certified divers, that rhythm is usually more satisfying than a single short outing.

The schedule is also efficient. The boat carries you between places, allowing access to sites that would otherwise be difficult to reach. Since the specific sites are not named, I would treat the route as flexible rather than building your plans around a particular underwater feature.

You should be comfortable with a physically active day. The tour recommends a moderate level of physical fitness, and that is worth taking seriously. You will be out for several hours, use scuba equipment, board and leave a boat, and spend time in the water. The trip is open to certified scuba divers, but certification alone does not remove the physical demands of the day.

The small divemaster ratio is especially useful during these morning sessions. Four divers to one guide is a manageable group, and it should help the guide keep the group together while allowing you to enjoy the surroundings at your own pace. The experience still requires you to follow the guide’s instructions and stay within the planned group arrangement.

Lunch, fruit, and a slower hour on the boat

After the two morning sessions, lunch is served on the boat. Drinking water, fruit, coffee or tea, and lunch are included, so you do not need to pack a separate meal for the day.

This is more valuable than it might first appear. A full day on the water leaves little opportunity to find food elsewhere, and returning to town between sessions would break the rhythm of the trip. Having lunch onboard lets you eat, rest, and prepare for the afternoon without adding another transfer.

The meal details are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu or special dietary option. If you have dietary needs, confirm them with the provider before booking rather than assuming the included lunch will suit you.

The lunch break also gives you a natural decision point. You can continue with the third underwater session, or use the time to snorkel around the boat or simply rest onboard. That flexibility is one of the tour’s better features.

The optional third session

The afternoon location is the third site of the day. Taking it gives you the complete three-site itinerary and makes the most of the equipment and boat trip already included in the price.

Still, not every certified diver wants three sessions in one day. You might prefer to conserve energy, especially if you are new to a long day at sea or simply want a gentler schedule. The choice to remain on the boat means you are not forced into a third descent just because it is part of the advertised plan.

You can also snorkel during this period. The information provided does not specify whether separate snorkeling equipment is supplied, so ask the center if you need gear for that option. The clear point is that you may use the time for snorkeling or relaxation rather than joining the third scuba session.

The boat option makes the trip more appealing to mixed groups. If one person wants all three sessions and another wants only two, both can remain part of the same day. That is a practical advantage for couples or friends with different energy levels.

The group returns to El Nido town at around 3 pm. That leaves the late afternoon free, though the exact return can depend on conditions and the day’s operation. You should avoid scheduling anything that requires a precise arrival time immediately afterward.

What the $103.59 price covers

At $103.59 per person, the price includes more than access to the water. You receive three sites, three scuba sessions, equipment use, a divemaster, lunch, fruit, drinking water, coffee or tea, and the boat-based day itself.

I consider that a reasonable value for certified divers who want a complete outing without arranging each part independently. Equipment rental alone can add up, and lunch and drinks remove the need to carry a full day’s supplies. The small guide ratio adds practical value as well.

The price is less attractive if you plan to do only two sessions and spend the rest of the afternoon resting. You still receive lunch and boat access, but you are not using the complete three-session program. That is not a problem, just something to consider when comparing this outing with shorter options.

You should also budget for the 200 PHP ETDF environmental fee. It is not included in the advertised price, but it remains valid for 10 days. If you already paid it for another eligible activity within that period, you may not need to pay it again, though you should confirm the current procedure with the operator.

A dive computer is another optional extra at 500 PHP per day. The standard equipment is included, but the computer rental is separate. Add that amount when comparing the total cost with other scuba operators.

Who will get the most from this trip

This outing suits a certified scuba diver who wants several underwater locations in one day and prefers a package with the main equipment and meals already arranged.

It is also a good match if you value a small underwater group. The four-to-one divemaster ratio is more meaningful than the maximum boat capacity of 30, since it describes the group you are actually guided with in the water.

You will probably enjoy it if you like having options. The third session is available, but you can also snorkel or rest. That choice keeps the day from feeling overly rigid.

The trip is less suitable if you are not certified, want beginner instruction, or need hotel transportation. The experience is not presented as a first-time lesson, and no hotel or airport pickup is included.

It may also be a poor fit if you need a fully flexible booking. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons after booking. Poor weather is handled differently: if the operator cancels because conditions are unsafe, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is sent at the time of booking, and the activity is offered with a mobile ticket. Keep the booking information available on your phone when you arrive at the center.

Plan around the early start. Meeting at 7:30 am and beginning around 8 am means this is not a late-morning excursion. You also need to reach C. Hama, Zone 3, under your own arrangements because transportation from hotels and airports is excluded.

The physical requirement is moderate, not extreme, but the day involves repeated water activity and scuba equipment. If you are uncertain about your fitness or current certification status, contact the provider before committing.

Weather is important in El Nido. The provider requires good conditions, and the route may be canceled if the weather is poor. That is a reasonable safety condition for a boat trip, but the strict personal cancellation rule means you should avoid booking far ahead unless your plans are firm. The experience is commonly reserved about 44 days in advance, so planning early may be useful, but early booking also means you need to accept the stated cancellation terms.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 72 reviews, with 96 percent recommending the experience. I would give most weight to the repeated practical strengths: the friendly crew, smooth teamwork, and the feeling that the staff makes the day easy to manage. Those qualities matter in scuba, where calm organization is more useful than showy presentation.

Should you book the El Nido scuba trip?

Book it if you are certified, want three locations around Bacuit Bay, and like the convenience of equipment, food, and drinks included. The small guide ratio and the option to skip the final session give it a thoughtful structure.

Think twice if you are looking for an introductory lesson, need hotel pickup, require a flexible cancellation policy, or want a specific named site guaranteed. Also add the 200 PHP environmental fee and possible 500 PHP computer rental to your budget.

For the right person, this is a well-organized way to reach the underwater side of Palawan in one day. The best reason to choose it is not simply the number of sessions. It is the combination of site variety, a manageable guide group, included essentials, and enough flexibility to make the third session your choice.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Submariner Diving Center, C. Hama, Zone 3, El Nido, 5313 Palawan, Philippines.

What time should I arrive?

The meeting time is 7:30 am, with the trip starting at about 8 am.

What time does the activity finish?

The boat is expected to return to El Nido town around 3 pm, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Three scuba sessions are included at three different sites.

Can I skip the third session?

Yes. You may use that time to snorkel around the boat or relax onboard.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included in the price.

Is a dive computer included?

No. A dive computer can be rented for 500 PHP per day.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The ETDF environmental fee costs 200 PHP and is valid for 10 days.

Is hotel or airport pickup provided?

No. Hotel and airport pickup are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.