Mike's Dauin Beach Resort, Dumaguete, Philippines

[Scubagirl15_27159 3]

Just got back from a 10-day trip to Mike's Dauin Beach Resort in Dumaguete, Philippines. My brother and I went for the muck diving, as well as a day excursion to the marine sanctuary around Apo Island, about an hour's boat ride from the resort.

 

In short, the muck diving is fantastic, and the reefs around Apo Island are spectacular - easily rivaling Sipadan's wall. Even though it wasn't octopus season, which is in February, we nevertheless met numerous species on every dive. All the coastal Dauin dives are no more than 3 to 5 minutes away, so you suit up the minute you get on board because by the time you're done, you're at your dive site. Apo Island is worth the extra cost: that reef is on steroids. So much life, and everything is huge! My gallery is at https://www.scubagirl.ca/dumaguete-philippines

 

The diving is mostly boat-based. The dive team handles all your gear for you. All you need to do is make the 30-second walk from your room or dining area to the boat, which is tied up right off the beach. As with elsewhere in the Philippines, the dive boats are all bancas, which are custom-built boats with outriggers. These boats are super stable. Mike's fleet of two are large enough to spaciously accommodate 10 or more divers.

 

From North America, get yourself to Manila, connect with a domestic flight to Dumaguete, less than 90 min from Manila. Beware that flights to and from Dumaguete tend to be delayed. On our trip, we experienced a 3 hour delay, causing us to miss our connecting flight from Manila to Singapore. If you go, plan for the delay!

 

The resort is owned by Mike Feeney, who is based in Florida, I believe. The resort itself is well managed by Corrie, a British transplant, and supported by her partner and fellow Brit Jonathan, who manages the PADI training for guests who need it. The dive guides are TOP NOTCH!

 

The kitchen is not particularly well set up, so service is slow, but the food is good - good enough that villagers and guests from other resorts will often go there to eat. The kitchen staff know they're slow, so they compensate for that by asking you for your order before you go diving.

 

10/10 would go again!

Edited November 4, 2018 by Scubagirl15_27159

[temas 0]

Can only concur with said above, we (I am and my wife) spent 2 weeks there in Feb 2018. We really enjoyed our time spent there.

[ajay 12]

Thanks for the report & fantastic (!) photos. I think I may need to put Dumaguette back on my bucket list of places to revisit.

 

Ajay

[Laval 21]

Just got back from a 10-day trip to Mike's Dauin Beach Resort in Dumaguete, Philippines. My brother and I went for the muck diving, as well as a day excursion to the marine sanctuary around Apo Island, about an hour's boat ride from the resort.

 

In short, the muck diving is fantastic, and the reefs around Apo Island are spectacular - easily rivaling Sipadan's wall. Even though it wasn't octopus season, which is in February, we nevertheless met numerous species on every dive. All the coastal Dauin dives are no more than 3 to 5 minutes away, so you suit up the minute you get on board because by the time you're done, you're at your dive site. Apo Island is worth the extra cost: that reef is on steroids. So much life, and everything is huge! My gallery is at https://www.scubagirl.ca/dumaguete-philippines

 

The diving is mostly boat-based. The dive team handles all your gear for you. All you need to do is make the 30-second walk from your room or dining area to the boat, which is tied up right off the beach. As with elsewhere in the Philippines, the dive boats are all bancas, which are custom-built boats with outriggers. These boats are super stable. Mike's fleet of two are large enough to spaciously accommodate 10 or more divers.

 

From North America, get yourself to Manila, connect with a domestic flight to Dumaguete, less than 90 min from Manila. Beware that flights to and from Dumaguete tend to be delayed. On our trip, we experienced a 3 hour delay, causing us to miss our connecting flight from Manila to Singapore. If you go, plan for the delay!

 

The resort is owned by Mike Feeney, who is based in Florida, I believe. The resort itself is well managed by Corrie, a British transplant, and supported by her partner and fellow Brit Jonathan, who manages the PADI training for guests who need it. The dive guides are TOP NOTCH!

 

The kitchen is not particularly well set up, so service is slow, but the food is good - good enough that villagers and guests from other resorts will often go there to eat. The kitchen staff know they're slow, so they compensate for that by asking you for your order before you go diving.

 

10/10 would go again!

 

Great report. Thank you.

[AlMitch 2]

I agree mostly with the above, with the following exceptions:

1) The AC's are noisy

2) The beds are very hard...well at least for me. And quite creaky, so if I tossed and turned a bit at night it would wake up the missus.

3) Corrie was not so fond of our two kids (they are quite busy!! !! But she did professionally tolerated them and she did assist with our many requests. One such point of contention was like at all other resorts the kids loved climbing up and exploring the boats (I've never been told I cant), but here it was an emphatic NO! Even when it was empty and I was with them! But the rest of the staff loved the kids so I cant really complain.

4) As mentioned the food was a bit hit and miss, but they really tried their hardest to please their guests.

 

If they replaced the beds and properly serviced the AC's I would have no issues returning.

[ReefHound 2]

From North America, get yourself to Manila, connect with a domestic flight to Dumaguete, less than 90 min from Manila. Beware that flights to and from Dumaguete tend to be delayed. On our trip, we experienced a 3 hour delay, causing us to miss our connecting flight from Manila to Singapore. If you go, plan for the delay!

 

 

Another option, you can often fly into Cebu as directly and cheaply as Manila, then catch a ferry to Dumaguete by way of Bohol. It will take a few hours more as the ferries will take longer than the intra-flight but will be a lot cheaper and perhaps more reliable.

[Laval 21]

 

Great report. Thank you.

also, your photos are fantastic!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[aviator8 15]

thanks for the review

[Laval 21]

 

Great report. Thank you.

I checked the website of this resort, and it looks nice. I have a few more questions, if you do not mind:

 

1. How many divers per a guide?

2. How much would you expect to spend for food per day?

3. For how many days would you recommend to go over there?

4. How would you compare muck diving to Lembeh strait?

 

Many thanks.

[AlMitch 2]

On 7/22/2019 at 8:47 AM, Laval said:

I checked the website of this resort, and it looks nice. I have a few more questions, if you do not mind:

 

1. How many divers per a guide? Max 4 but we had 2.

2. How much would you expect to spend for food per day? We spent about 800 Pesos per person per day, but that does not include alcohol. 

3. For how many days would you recommend to go over there? I'd say 5 nights should be ok, but we spent a week there and enjoy our time. It is very chilled and relaxing. 

4. How would you compare muck diving to Lembeh strait? Lembeh definitely better in terms of diversity and density. I'd rank Anilao above Duain too. But if you like frogfish you will love the place!! I lost count of how many I saw! 

I have a trip report on Scuba Board you can search for. 

Many thanks.

See answers above. 

[Laval 21]

Thank you for more details.

[Orca 1]

Good post. Another alternativDumaguete is the Salaya Beach House. They are luxury resort with great pricing. We spent 9 days diving with them and it was fantastic. Lots of good places in Dumaguete...look this one up.