M/Y Gypsy

Destination: Philippines

Tubbataha, Cagayncillo, Malapascua, Dauin and Coron (7 -10 Nights) | From $414++/night

m/y gypsy Quick Pitch

The M/Y Gypsy stands out as an exceptional liveaboard in the Philippines, offering a unique and luxurious diving experience. The vessel, with its 80 ft/24.3 m length, is meticulously designed to accommodate up to 8 guests, ensuring comfort and ample space across its 250 sqm floor area. 

Locations

The primary ports of embarkation and disembarkation for M/Y Gypsy are located in Dauin at the Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort and in Malapascua. The resorts serve as convenient places for guests to begin and conclude their diving expeditions, providing a seamless and immersive experience. The vessel also operates from other resorts across the Philippines, offering guests the option to stay and dive before and after their trips directly in front of the yacht.

Dive Overview

Diving in the Philippines presents an unparalleled underwater experience, characterized by its breathtaking coral reefs and diverse marine life. The country is celebrated for its vibrant and healthy coral formations, creating a stunning backdrop for divers. The marine biodiversity is exceptional, featuring an array of fish species, pelagics, sharks, rays, turtles, and an abundance of macro life.

One of the Philippines' standout dive destinations is the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its massive atolls and rich marine species. Divers exploring Tubbataha can encounter large pelagics such as sharks and rays while exploring vibrant coral gardens. The Visayas region, with its diverse dive environments, offers opportunities to witness Thresher sharks, schools of jacks, whale sharks, and a variety of macro life. From walls adorned with soft corals to muck diving sites with unique critters, the Philippines caters to divers of all skill levels.

[See: Cebu & Bohol Dive Travel Guide, Malapascua Dive Travel Guide, & Tubbataha Dive Travel Guide]

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Accommodations

Types of Cabins and Amenities - Photos coming soon!

m/y gypsy Cabin Details

On M/Y Gypsy, guests can retreat to well-appointed cabins that offer a luxurious haven for relaxation after immersive underwater excursions. The Master Cabin, designed for maximum comfort, accommodates up to 2 guests with a Queen Bed, private bathroom, and shower room, complete with amenities such as air conditioning, WiFi, and daily housekeeping. The Deluxe Suites provide a cozy space for up to 2 guests per suite, featuring a flexible bed configuration (double bed convertible to separate beds), en suite bathroom, and other conveniences. These cabins showcase a thoughtful blend of elegance and modern comfort, ensuring that guests can unwind in style.

Master Cabin

Deluxe Suite (L) & Ensuite Bathroom (R)

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General Facilities

m/y gypsy Boat Features

•  Sundeck
• Leisure Deck
• Bar
• Audio & video entertainment,
• Outdoor dining area
• Indoor dining area
• Common area
• Indoor salon
• Wifi throughout the vessel
• Air conditioning throughout the vessel

m/y gypsy Dive Facilities

• Dive Deck
• Nitrox
• Tender(s)
• Individual dive lockers or stations
• Equipment Rental 
• Charging station
• Camera Room
• Separate rinse tank for camera/electronics
• Dive Courses

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SCHEDULE, RATES & AVAILABILITY

M/Y Gypsy Schedule & Rates

Prices are in USD, per person and are based on the lowest-priced cabin. Port and park fees are not included.

[See also: Inclusions & Exclusions and Full Rates by Cabin Type]

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Inclusions

• Airport pick up (From Dumaguete ONLY)
• Food & Drinks (as specified)
• Diving
• Government Taxes
• Port & Harbor Fees
• Fuel Surcharge

Exclusions

• Airport Transfers
• Equipment Rental
• Park Entrance Fees
• Nitrox
• Travel/ Dive Insurance
• International Flights
• Domestic Flights
• Alcohol

RATES &  AVAILABILITY

For more information on rates and availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!

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Dive Information & Itineraries

Tubbataha Itinerary

Accessible only by liveaboard, the Tubbataha Reefs were proclaimed as a National Marine Park in 1988 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, in recognition of their outstanding universal value in terms of marine life species diversity and richness. These reefs consist of vertical walls or near drop off’s rising out of great depths where hammerheads, thresher sharks, and whale sharks can be seen.

Dive sites consist mainly of vertical walls or near drop offs rising out of great depths, with shallow reef tops teeming with local reef fish. The angelfish, butterflyfish, rainbow runners, Moorish idols, fusiliers, jacks, snappers, and sweetlips follow you around, while stingrays, marble rays, spiny lobsters and juvenile reef sharks are also common sightings in many places. There are several species of turtle known to inhabit the waters of this gigantic natural park; the most commonly sighted being green and hawksbill. Large trevally, tuna, and barracuda as well as grey reef sharks and white tip reef sharks can be spotted patrolling the reefs on the majority of the dive sites, whilst manta and eagle rays are occasional visitors. Groupers and wrasse flourish here and sightings of hammerheads and silver tip sharks have been amongst the large elasmobranchs spotted by guests of the Siren Fleet during our cruises. In addition to breath-taking dives, you will have the opportunity to visit the ranger station on the North Atoll to learn more about the marine protection of the area.

• Day 1
• We will leave at Pura Vida Dive resort in Dauin around 1 pm.
• Once on board, we will get the boat and mandatory briefing from the Tubbataha Management Office and a check conducted by the coast guard before the boat is allowed to leave port. There is no diving on embarkation day and we will leave straight away cruising to the amazing reefs of Tubbataha. After sunset cruise and overnight sleep you wake up we will have arrived in the UNESCO heritage site of Tubbataha.
• Day 2-3
• We wake up in one of the beautiful reefs of Tubbataha at the big atoll.
• We schedule up to 4 dives per day; 3 day dives and a sunset dive, typically as follows: Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1, Big Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 2, Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 3, Snack followed by a briefing for Sunset dive (no night dives allowed on Tubbataha), Dinner)
• In accordance with Tubbataha Marine Park regulations, dive times are limited to a maximum of 60 minutes.
• Day 3-6
• On day 3-6 we recommend spending 2 days at the south atoll, famous for big palegic animals encounters at dive sites such as black rock.
• Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1, Big Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 2, Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 3, Snack followed by a briefing for Sunset dive (no night dives allowed on Tubbataha), Dinner
• In accordance with Tubbataha Marine Park regulations, dive times are limited to a maximum of 60 minutes.
• Day 7
• Two morning dives on bird island that’s also part of the Tubbataha National Park before M/Y Gypsy commences the 12-16 hour crossing back to Dauin.
• Day 8
• A relaxing breakfast on board, disembarkation between 09:30 and 10:00 back to the resort in Dauin where you arrive on time for lunch and could do a dive or two in the afternoon or relax on a sunbed with a pina colada next to the pool.
• This trip involves some long-distance travel on the open sea, whilst we attempt to ensure the number of planned dives is fulfilled, bad weather and sea conditions can affect the boat’s ability to reach a specific dive site in good time and may impact the number of dives that are possible.

Cagayancillo Itinerary

Cagayancillo, officially the Municipality of Cagayancillo in the province of Palawan, Philippines. Located between the islands of Palawan and Negros in the Sulu Sea, Cagayancillo is the closest settlement to the Tubbataha National Marine Park. The word Cagayancillo is Spanish meaning “Little Cagayan.” Far from any civilization where you experience white powder sands with pristine blue water and protected reef scapes.

• Day 1
• We will leave at Pura Vida Dive resort in Dauin around 1 pm.
• Once on board, we will get the boat and mandatory briefing and equipment checks. Depending on weather we will have 1-2 dives before enjoying sunset. In the night our captain will start making the passage as we wake up early in the morning arriving in Cagayncillo.
• Day 2-4
• We recommend waking up for sunrise as arrive to the island before having light breakfast. Depending on weather we locate our boat to a protected destination so dive sites may vary.
• We schedule up to 4 dives per day; 3 day dives and a sunset dive, a night dive is possible depending on location
• Dive day typically as follows: Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1, Big Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 2, Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 3, Light snacks followed by briefing & Dive 4
• Day 5-6
• We explore the islands of Calusa and Bonbon
• We schedule up to 4 dives per day; 3 day dives and a sunset dive, a night dive is possible depending on location
• Dive day typically as follows: Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1, Big Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 2, Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 3, Light snacks followed by briefing & Dive 4
• Day 7
• We make our way back to Cagayncillo and get ready to depart but first we have 2 dives before cruising overnight to Dauin.
• Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1, Big Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 2
• Enjoy a afternoon and a sunset cruise with our special M/Y Gypsy cocktail selection.
• Day 8
• After leaving in the night or evening before depending on weather we arrive back in Dauin Pura Vida Resort early in the morning.

Malapascua & Ticao Islands itinerary

Situated in the Visayan Sea north of Cebu; Malapascua became known in the early 1990s as a dive destination. Prior to this, the island was known for its wide white sand beach, known as Bounty Beach; it has also become known for its beautiful coral gardens, coral walls and excellent local dive spots, as well as further-out sites including Gato Island, Monad Shoal, and Kemod Shoal. Monad Shoal is an underwater plateau where thresher sharks and manta rays can regularly be sighted.

Ticao island is one of a kind place in the Philippines due to it’s unique cleaning station known as that manta bowl. What makes it stand out even further is it’s very common to have whale sharks there at the same time with Mantas due to the location. The bowl sits at about 20m in between Ticao pass, a highway for large Palegic animals. Donsol is also nearby which has the largest whale shark population in the Philippines and that’s why there’s high chance of seeing both at the same time. Ticao island is also known for incredible nudibranchs and small critters. On the island is a large marine protected sanctuary called Halea Nature park. White tip and black tip sharks are common there. The island also has one of a kind waterfall that drops into the ocean. So not only does the island offer incredible diving but from the boat a spectacular sight to see.

• Day 1
• We will leave at Maya port or Malapascua island around 1 pm and dive nearby sites.
• Once on board, we will get the boat and mandatory briefing and equipment checks. We will have 1-2 dives before enjoying sunset.
• Day 2
• We wake up for sunrise as we cruise to Monad shoal for the thresher sharks. Dive 3 and 4 we dive in Gato Island. In the evening or at night we cruise to Ticao Island.
• We schedule up to 4 dives per day; 3 day dives and a sunset dive, a night dive is possible depending on location
• Dive day typically as follows: Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1, Big Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 2, Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 3, Light snacks followed by briefing & Dive 4
• Day 3-5
• We explore the islands of Ticao. We start with Manta bowl every morning. Cruise around the island for awesome critters and sharks.
• We schedule up to 4 dives per day; 3 day dives and a sunset dive, a night dive is possible depending on location
• Dive day typically as follows:
• Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1, Big Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 2, Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 3, Light snacks followed by briefing & Dive 4
• Day 6
• We make our way to Donsol to see whale sharks.
• Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1, Big Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 2
• Depending on weather and time we will do third and fourth coastal dive in Donsol.
• Enjoy a afternoon and a sunset cruise with our special M/Y Gypsy cocktail selection as we cruise to Malapascua
• Day 7
• We arrive early for sunrise dive at Monad shoal for two dives. Dive 3-4 at Chocolate island.
• We schedule up to 4 dives per day; 3 day dives and a sunset dive, a night dive is possible depending on location
• Dive day typically as follows: Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1, Big Breakfast, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 2, Lunch, relaxation followed by briefing & Dive 3, Light snacks followed by briefing & Dive 4
• Day 8
• Sunrise dive at Monad with the Thresher sharks before heading back to the island and a breakfast.

Dauin Bohol Cabilao itinerary

• Apo Island
• Apo Island Marine Reserve is one of the most successful marine sanctuaries established in the Philippines. Reef hooks and gloves are not allowed and night diving is unfortunately not permitted. The order of dives will be based on the currents and conditions of the day choosing from Coconut Point An often fast-paced drift brings divers over the sloping coral reef wall. Along the way, giant trevally, blackfin barracuda, big schools of big-eyed trevally, and plenty of sea snakes can be encountered.
• Rocky Point West
• Just beyond the chapel opposite the marine park warden’s office, Rocky Point West offers some of the most stunning hard corals to be found in the region with endless patches of leather corals on the top. The steep reef walls support numerous colourful reef species including pyramid butterflyfish and red-toothed triggerfish in their hundreds, frogfish, cuttlefish, banded sea snakes and hawksbill turtles are amongst the common sightings.
• Cogon
• The colourful bottom divided by sand channels is the place to find a big school of big-eyed trevally, huge brown marbled groupers and sea snakes.
• Dauin
• Negros Dauin, with its black volcanic sand, is famous for muck diving. Depending on the season, different types and sizes of octopuses, sea horses, (baby) frogfish, a variety of ghost pipefish, and flamboyant cuttlefish can be found.
• Car wreck
• Between 25-30m (80-100ft), car parts forming an artificial reef attract porcelain crabs and different kinds of shrimps amongst the many weird and wonderful creatures found at this site. Secret Corner This sand and pebble dive site is the perfect habitat for the smallest, weird and unexpected creatures such as cockatoo wasp fish, short-fin lionfish, and snake and garden eels.
• Mainit
• A mix of black volcanic sand and coral boulders with soft corals. Due to the currents, all fish are very active which makes this dive very lively and exciting ending in an area with hot sand at the bottom, hence the name Mainit meaning ‘hot’.
• San Miguel
• A relatively shallow dive site with sandy slopes and seagrass beds, San Miguel is another critter wonderland! This is the place to find all your favorites including a variety of nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, tiny juvenile frogfish, and even the possibility of finding Pygmy Squid.
• Balicasag Island
• The small island of Balicasag, just off the tip of Panglao, is characterised by its many turtles, coral gardens, and steep walls which provide overhangs, cracks & crevices in which to search for a variety of marine species. This area has become a marine protected area since July 2017 and allows two dives per day only with valid permits.
• Divers Heaven
• The main attraction of this beautiful dive site is the green sea and hawksbill turtles in the shallow waters. The reef top edge is a nice habitat for schools of colourful damsels and anthias and when lucky also for giant frogfish.
• Black Forest
• Once famed for its black coral, this is where we encounter schools of jacks, long-jawed mackerels, red-tooth triggerfish, and different kinds of fusiliers.
• Cabilao Island
• There are several interesting walls and coral garden dives around the island of Cabilao and we choose from the following: Gorgonian Wall Provides a gentle drift along a fantastic coral reef with schooling fish and plenty of macro life in the shallow water, including the possibility of spotting a Denise’s pygmy seahorse.
• Lighthouse
• Sloping walls full of sponges and gorgonian fans. This is a great place to dive with large green turtles. Also being seen are giant frogfish which can be spotted resting on sponges and numerous cowries hiding amidst the stunning hard coral garden.
• Talisay Tree
• A beautiful wall with gorgonians where bubble coral shrimps and orangutan crabs can be found in the bubble corals. The shallow grassy garden with its elephant ear sponges and barrel sponges is a perfect spot for wide-angle photography.
• Malapascua
• Situated in the Visayan Sea north of Cebu; Malapascua became known in the early 1990s as a dive destination. Prior to this, the island was known for its wide white sand beach, known as Bounty Beach; it has also become known for its beautiful coral gardens, coral walls and excellent local dive spots, as well as further-out sites including Gato Island, Monad Shoal, and Kemod Shoal. Monad Shoal is an underwater plateau where thresher sharks and manta rays can regularly be sighted.
• The number-one dive site of Malapascua is Monad Shoal, a natural cleaning station for fish located 7.8 kilometres (4.8 mi) from the island . The shoal is a 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) long rock stump at the edge of a 200 metres (660 ft) drop and has a flat top at a depth of 20 to 24 metres (66 to 79 ft). The site is best known as the only place in the world where thresher sharks can be seen regularly at and just before sunrise. They use the seamount as a cleaning station for bluestreak and moon cleaner wrasse to remove ectoparasites such as gnathiids from their skin and clean their gills and mouths. The shoal also attracts other pelagic fish such as devil rays and eagle rays. Manta rays and hammerheads are seasonal.
• Camiguin
• Camiguin is an island province in the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) off the northern coast of Mindanao. It is geographically part of Region X, the Northern Mindanao Region of the country and formerly a part of Misamis Oriental province.
• Camiguin is the second-smallest province in the country in both population and land area after Batanes. The provincial capital is Mambajao, which is also the province’s largest municipality in both area and population.
• The province is famous for its sweet lanzones, to which its annual Lanzones Festival is dedicated and celebrated every third weekend of October. It is home to lush interior forest reserves, collectively known as the Mount Hibok-Hibok Protected Landscape, which has been declared by all Southeast Asian nations as an ASEAN Heritage Park.
• Additionally, the island province has numerous Important Cultural Treasures, such as the Old Mambajao Fountain – situated in the town’s rotonda, the Old Mambajao Municipal Building, the façade of the Santo Rosario Church in Sagay, and 14 heritage and ancestral houses. The sites were declared for “having exceptional cultural, artistic and historical significance to the Philippines.”

coron itinerary

Coron is the third-largest island in the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan in the Philippines. The island is part of the larger municipality of the same name. It is about 170 nautical miles (310 km) southwest of Manila and is known for several Japanese shipwrecks of World War II vintage. Because of its unique ecological features, the entire area is protected by several legal proclamations.

The area around the wrecks has rock formations which provide for snorkeling opportunities, with underwater visibility extending up to 80 feet (24 m). The water is often calm. Coron is one of the most visited destinations for wreck diving in the Philippines. Wreck dive sites are found in depths as shallow as 10–30 feet (3.0–9.1 m) and as deep as 120–140 feet (37–43 m). Most are in the range of about 60–80 feet (18–24 m).

Dive sites around Coron include many different reef dive sites and “Günter’s Cave”, also known as Cathedral Cave because during a certain time of the day, the sun throws a beam of light through a hole in the cave ceiling, illuminating the inside. It is possible to surface in the cave, as the hole in the cave-ceiling allows fresh air to enter. The cave is named after Günther Bernert, who was part of the first dive group to explore the cave, after hearing from local fishermen about its existence.

Wreck diving sites in Coron Bay include the Akitsushima, Irako, Kogyo Maru, Kyokuzan Maru, Nanshin Maru, Okikawa Maru, Olympia Maru, Lusong Gunboat, East Tangat gunboat.

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Other Information

Boat Specifications

• Year Built: 2012
• Year Renovated: 2023
• Length: 80 feet
• Engines: Volvo Penta D6 480 (x2)
• Fuel Capacity: 6000L
• Freshwater Maker: Yes, 2
• Rooms: 4
• Crew: 9
• Tenders: Custum 10 passanger, 140 hp suzuki engine with ladder

Practical Information

• Time Zone: UTC +08:00
• Electricity: 220v 
• Local currency: Philippines Peso (PHP)
• Language(s) Spoken Onboard: English
• Payment: Cash or credit card

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Underwater Gallery 

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