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Dive Review of Atmosphere Resort in
Philippines

Atmosphere Resort, Mar, 2012,

by Gaylyn Franz, CA, US ( 1 report). Report 6490.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity 3 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments The dive operation was run very professionally. The dive briefings were thorough, the dive guides (majority) were extremely knowledgeable and could find AMAZING little stuff (thanks Richard and Gabi). Though we had 5 days of unlimited diving, it was a challenge to get in 4 dives a day, let alone 5, so I would not recommend that package. The dive staff were extremely hard working schlepping your gear to and from the boat over the sand. Though that was positive, the negative was sand in regulators, broken "pokey" sticks, and a free-flowing reg on our last dive due to sand caught in the reg. The dive staff would check out your gear but they have a "no fix" policy. The diving is done from the traditional boats which you need to get on via the beach. Being a petite 5' 2", the water would be chest high without waves. The week we were there the seas were pretty rough so I got a couple of face full of water just trying to navigate to the ladder. Our dive buddies and my hubby were taller (6') and they also had a little struggle. If the seas were calm it would not be a big deal. You do a backward roll off the boat which is very easy. The majority of diving is muck diving and man made reefs. Though we saw some great things, it got a little tiresome after 5 days. I highly recommend going to Apo island as the coral is beautiful. Do NOT expect to see large schooling of any type of fish. It isn't here. Though they have the marine reserve (small and only 8 years old) there is still a lot of fishing going on around it. The diving was very easy and would be great for a beginner, only a few sites with any current. We couldn't do the day trip (via boat) to see the whale sharks due to the rough seas, but the resort did offer a van to take you to snorkel with them. It left at 5:30am and returned around 2pm and cost approximately $100 (whether you went via van or boat).

As for the resort.... the rooms are large and spacious and you get your own purified water dispenser. The shower is outdoor which is nice, however there are no mats so you almost kill yourself coming back into the room with the tile floor. The outdoor bathtub was good in concept but not in reality as the paint was chipping off and I wouldn't use it for a bath. However it was great for cleaning my wetsuits!

The food was 5 star to 3 star...it was very inconsistent. When it was good, it was VERY, VERY good. When it was bad, it was ok. However if you had any issue with your dish, the chef would come out and ask you what was wrong and attempt to fix it - so in all a very positive experience. The curry dishes and local food dishes were always excellent, so order those and you can't go wrong.

The one thing I felt at atmosphere was getting 'nickle and dime'...which is so 2000. Most luxury hotels/resorts bundle in stuff and raise their rates slightly to cover it. For example, if you wanted tea after breakfast, you had to pay for it. There are no coffee/tea facilities in your room. Sounds picky, but as one reviewer wrote, you just left breakfast and you have to pay $3 for a pot of tea which is a Lipton teabag and hot water! Also expect to pay at least 5x for everything - a beer costs 21 pesos at the store, but you will pay 110 pesos at the resort. A $5 bottle of wine will cost at least $40... I could accept 3x, but not 5x...though I did buy 3 bottles while I was there ;-) . Recommendation -you pass a huge mall/grocery store from Dumagutee airport to the resort - pull over an pick up a few bottles of wine/beer/soda and put them in your fridge Wish I knew that!
Websites Atmosphere Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Palau, PNG, Australia, Carribean, Hawaii, etc
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, rainy Seas choppy
Water Temp 81-°F / 27-°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 40-60 Ft/ 12-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile ?
Enforced diving restrictions 60 minute dive max
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 1 stars Tropical Fish 2 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities 1 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments There are no fresh water rinse tanks on the boats. The resort has fresh water rinse tanks and a large room for you to setup your gear
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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