There’s something about going underwater in Palawan that makes planning feel worth it. This full-day trip from Submariner turns El Nido’s Bacuit Bay into an easy, well-run experience for certified divers, with equipment, drinks, and three underwater stops packed into one day.

What I especially like is the practical pacing: two morning sessions, lunch on the boat, then a third stop if you want it. I also like the small-group feel, with a 4-to-1 certified-diver-to-lead-guide ratio, which tends to keep things from feeling rushed or chaotic. The only real consideration: it’s weather-dependent and the booking is non-refundable, so you’ll want to be flexible with your schedule.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Three underwater sites in one day with two in the morning and one after lunch
• Equipment included so you can travel lighter from El Nido town
• Food and drinks on the boat: lunch plus fruits, coffee/tea, and drinking water
• Small group structure: max 30 travelers and a 4:1 ratio for certified divers
• You can choose the third stop or spend the extra time snorkeling or relaxing on board

How This Day Works in Real Life (and Why It’s a Good Fit)

This trip is built for certified divers who want variety without turning the day into a logistics project. You’re not stuck doing one long, repetitive underwater stop. Instead, you get three different underwater sites around El Nido, which is a smart way to experience the range of what Bacuit Bay has to show.

Also, the program is straightforward in timing. You start early, you do two sessions in the morning, you eat on the boat, and you come back to El Nido around 3 pm. That’s the kind of schedule that still leaves room for sunset plans, town wandering, or a relaxed afternoon—assuming the weather cooperates.

Meeting Point and Timing at Submariner in El Nido

You’ll meet at Submariner at C. Hama, Zone 3 in El Nido. The listed start time is 7:30 am, and the trip itself begins at 8:00 am, so expect a short check-in window before you head out.

This matters because early starts can feel annoying if you’re late to the meeting point. Here, the whole day is built around leaving on time so you can fit two morning underwater stops plus lunch plus the third option. In practice, arriving a bit early helps the day feel smooth instead of stressful.

Group Size, Ratios, and What That Means for Your Comfort

Small groups are where this kind of day trip really feels “easy.” The maximum group size is 30 travelers, and the program runs with a 4 certified divers per 1 lead guide structure (the guide role is listed as a dive-master in the details, but the key point for you is the ratio).

A good ratio helps in a few ways:

• You’re more likely to get quick attention when you need it.
• The group tends to stay together better during transitions.
• You spend more time doing the experience and less time waiting.

One more practical note: you’re asked to have moderate physical fitness. That doesn’t mean you need to be an athlete, but it does suggest you should be comfortable with the boat day and the basic effort involved in getting ready and in/out of the water.

Equipment Is Included—So You’re Not Paying Twice

The price includes use of scuba equipment, which is a big value win if you don’t want to rent gear separately. You also get drinking water, fruits, and coffee and/or tea as part of the onboard setup, plus lunch after the morning portion.

This “all-in” approach tends to reduce the classic vacation hassle: last-minute gear rental searches, payment surprises, and carrying extra items you don’t really want. If you already have your own equipment, you’ll still benefit from the structure and included planning, but the data here emphasizes that equipment use is part of the package.

The Morning: Two Underwater Stops and a Real Sense of Variety

The day starts with two morning underwater sessions at different underwater locations. This is a smart way to sample El Nido underwater life without banking your whole day on one location alone.

Why I like this format for most people:

• You get two chances to see something interesting.
• If conditions aren’t perfect at the first stop, you still have another shot shortly after.
• You’re not waiting for hours in one place wondering how your day will go.

Also, doing these early means you’ll be eating lunch while the boat is still in motion toward the later part of the trip. If you prefer a steady rhythm—gear up, water time, gear down, move on—this schedule matches that style.

Lunch on the Boat: Fuel for the Third Option

After the two morning sessions, you’ll have lunch on the boat. The included meal isn’t just food—it’s also a break. You get time to reset, dry off, and let the next decision land without pressure.

The third stop is optional. If you feel good and you want the full day experience, you can take the extra underwater time. If you don’t, you can use that time to snorkel around or simply relax on board.

That flexibility is more than a nice extra. It means you can match the day to how you’re feeling instead of treating every moment like a checklist.

The Third Stop: When You Want More, or When You Want to Chill

The trip includes three underwater sessions total, and the third one happens after lunch. If you choose to do it, great—you’ll add another underwater site to your day.

If you skip it, you’re still not stuck. The plan gives you options:

• snorkel around instead, or
• relax on the boat

For many people, this is the difference between a day that feels enjoyable and a day that feels like work. If you’re the type who likes to watch and take it slow, the “third option” structure gives you a built-in off-ramp.

Price and Value: What You’re Paying For (and What’s Not Included)

The price is $103.59 per person for a roughly one-day trip, and it often gets booked about 44 days in advance on average. That matters because this is the kind of activity that fills up when people lock in their El Nido plans.

What you get for the money:

• Three underwater sessions
• Equipment included
• Lunch, fruits, drinking water
• Coffee and/or tea
• Use of a small-group setup with a 4-to-1 ratio

What’s not included (and you should plan around):

• Environmental fee (ETDF): 200 PHP, valid for 10 days
• Dive computer rental: 500 PHP/day

That last part is worth paying attention to. The trip includes equipment use, but it specifically calls out that a computer rental is an extra daily cost if you need one. If you already own a computer, you can likely avoid that fee—just make sure you’re ready to use it according to your own diving plan.

Also, the overall cost won’t be the full story until you add the ETDF. If you’re budgeting tightly, factor that in early so you don’t get surprised at the dock.

Mobile Ticket and What You Should Have Handy

You get a mobile ticket, and you’ll receive confirmation at booking time. That’s helpful in a place where plans can change, because it reduces the need for complicated printouts.

If you’re coming from your hotel, you should also know this doesn’t include hotel or airport pick-up. You’ll likely need to arrange your own way to the meeting point at Submariner in El Nido.

Weather Matters: How Not to Get Stuck With a Wasted Day

This experience requires good weather. That’s not a random warning—it affects whether the trip can run at all. The policy also states that if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

The non-refundable part is the other side of the coin: the booking can’t be changed for any reason. So if your schedule is tight—like if you’re leaving El Nido the next day—consider building in some flexibility.

Practical takeaway: if the weather looks iffy, don’t assume you can bargain with the plan later. Choose dates where you can actually handle a switch.

Who This Is Best For (and Who May Want Another Option)

This trip is open to any certified diver, but it’s clearly not for people who need a training introduction. If your certification is current and you’re comfortable with a boat day and moderate physical effort, this is a good match.

I’d especially recommend it if:

• you want three underwater sessions without a complicated plan,
• you value included meals and basic onboard comfort,
• you like small-group structure with a solid instructor-to-diver ratio,
• you want a flexible third option rather than an all-or-nothing commitment.

If you’re not certified, or if you hate early mornings, this won’t be your happiest day. And if you don’t like weather risk, remember that good conditions are required for it to run.

Should You Book This Easy El Nido Scuba Sessions Trip?

If you want a day that’s set up to feel smooth—gear handled, food included, and multiple underwater sites planned—you’ll probably like this one. The best signals are the high rating and the strong recommendation rate, which usually points to a team that runs the day efficiently and keeps things feeling manageable.

Book it if your dates are flexible enough to handle weather changes and if you’re comfortable being part of a small-group setup for certified divers. Skip it if you’re on a rigid schedule or you can’t handle the idea of a non-refundable booking when conditions matter.

If you do book, plan your budget with the ETDF in mind, and decide ahead of time whether you’ll need a computer rental. That way, your only job is to show up and enjoy Bacuit Bay—two sessions in the morning, lunch on the boat, and a third option that’s there when you’re ready.

FAQ

Is this trip only for certified divers?

Yes. It’s open to any certified Scuba Diver.

How many underwater sessions are included?

You get three underwater sessions during the full-day trip.

What time does the trip start and when do you return?

You start at 7:30 am for meeting/check-in, and the return to El Nido town is around 3 pm.

What’s included in the price?

Included are three different underwater sites, scuba equipment use, drinking water, fruits, coffee and/or tea, lunch, and the three sessions. The group ratio is 4 certified divers for 1 lead guide.

What extra fees should I expect?

The Environmental Fee (ETDF) is 200 PHP and is valid for 10 days. A dive computer rental costs 500 PHP per day and is not included.

Can I do only two sessions instead of three?

Yes. If you prefer, you can do only two sessions and use the remaining time to snorkel around or relax on board.

What happens if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any other reason.

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