At 52m in length, Solitude One is a very large and spacious steel-hulled liveaboard which visits some of the best dive spots of the Philippines between April and October each year on cruises of 6-10 nights.
The huge dimensions of the Solitude One liveaboard mean that you will never feel cramped and everything has a bright and roomy feel. The cabins and private bathrooms are larger than on most other liveaboards and the saloon, outdoor shaded areas and sun deck are also impressively proportioned. If you want to be sociable on Solitude One you can, but equally it’s very easy to find a quiet location onboard if you prefer some privacy.
Solitude One has some excellent features that very few other liveaboard yachts boast. The cabins all have a flat screen TV with USB media support (so you can enjoy your own videos or music), and a networked system so you can access the boat’s library of movies and TV shows. The electrical sockets are universal and have USB charging ports too. Taller guests will appreciate the added headroom throughout and the extra-long mattresses. Features that underwater photographers will enjoy include the digital studio with computer stations and power surge protection, as well as 2 camera rinse tanks, air gun and special towels for cameras.
Diving is conducted from 2 speedy tenders which come equipped with medical oxygen, first aid, GPS navigation and VHF radios. Equipment rental includes a dive computer, lost diver device, reef hooks and SMBs. All of this adds to the sense that you are in good hands in the Philippines with the liveaboard crew of Solitude One.
There are 10 cabins on board the Solitude One. 3 Stateroom cabins (1 double bed cabin and 1 twin bed cabin on the main deck of the liveaboard, 1 double bed cabin on the lower deck), 6 Deluxe double/twin bed cabins on the lower deck and 1 Standard 4-share (2 single beds and 2 bunk beds) cabin on the lower deck. All cabins have private en-suite bathrooms with hot water shower, and many of them have a day bed which may be converted to an extra bed.
All the cabins have:
Air conditioning
TV with personal and networked entertainment capabilities
Windows (main deck cabins), portholes (lower deck cabins)
Bathroom with toilet, hot water shower and hand basin
Reading lights
Bedding
Towels, toiletries and bathrobes
Cabinet
Space for luggage
Safety deposit box
Life jackets
Fire warning system and extinguisher
Mains outlet 200 & 240 volts - 24 hours
Day bed (most cabins)
No. of bathrooms / showers - 10 / 10 - hot water
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
Trip highlights: shark action, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: North and South Atoll: Delsan Wreck, Black Rock, Washing Machine, North East Wall, Donato's Wall, Shark Airport, Amos Rock, Staghorn Point, Jessie Beazley Reefs, Malayan Wreck
Day 1
Boarding the Solitude One at Puerto Princesa harbour begins in the afternoon. Guests arriving early can proceed directly to the liveaboard. The Solitude One crew will provide a liveaboard orientation and safety briefing, and will have you sign the necessary liability release forms. After you've settled in, dinner will be served. you set sail at sunset for Tubbataha, with an estimated travel time of 10 hours.
Core Days
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the center of the Sulu Sea, is one of the world's most pristine marine sanctuaries. This remote, off-the-beaten-track destination is a diver's dream, where nature flourishes with an astonishing diversity of around 300 coral types and 380 fish species. The park offers an unparalleled environment for advanced divers, featuring exhilarating drift dives along vibrant, healthy walls and reefs teeming with life. The action is non-stop, from thrilling shark encounters and sightings of big pelagics to fascinating macro life, and massive schools of fish. Star encounters might include hammerheads, silvertips, threshers, whale sharks, as well as manta rays, and even guitar sharks and tiger sharks.
Divers with the Solitude One can explore iconic sites like Shark Airport, a resting station for whitetip reef sharks, and the challenging currents of Washing Machine, which tumble divers through exhilarating surges of clear water. The dramatic walls of Amos Rock and Wall Street plunge into the abyss, adorned with vibrant gorgonian fans and sponges that provide shelter for clouds of glittering anthias. Meanwhile, the historic wrecks of the Delsan and Malayan are now thriving artificial reefs, their rusting hulls encrusted with corals and patrolled by curious batfish and elusive octopus, making for an unforgettable expedition into the heart of a protected underwater wilderness.
Final Day
In the morning, enjoy breakfast followed by check-out.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
All main meals with Solitude One are served buffet-style in the indoor dining area, with the option to dine al fresco on the covered outdoor deck. The chef carefully plans a mix of Asian and Western entrees to cater to all tastes.
For breakfast, expect hearty options like eggs, sausages, and pancakes.
Lunches and dinners are varied, featuring multiple dishes at each sitting such as grilled fish, roasted chicken, curries, and pasta, alongside fresh vegetables and salads.
To keep you energised throughout the day, complimentary water, soft drinks, and hot drinks are available - they have a fully automatic (self-service) pressed coffee machine that delivers great latte, cappuccino, espresso or 'long black'.
Additionally, complimentary biscuits and instant noodles are available round-the-clock.
With 5 daily main meals provided, you'll be perfectly fuelled for your schedule of 3-4 dives per day on Solitude One liveaboard cruises.
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Dive experience: On all Solitude One liveaboard itineraries a minimum of advanced certification and experience of diving with currents is highly recommended.
Cruise price per person includes: Cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, local airport transfers to and from the boat, dives, experienced English-speaking divemaster, tanks, weights and weightbelts, Nautilus Lifeline, safety sausage and reef hook, sales tax on cruise price.
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental including computer (USD200 per week), marine park fees where applicable: Tubbataha (USD86), Sumilon (USD6), Oslob (USD26), Apo Island (USD26), Batangas, Romblon & Masbate park fee (7 nights USD50), Manila airport/hotel transfers to and from the boat. There will be fuel surcharge of USD30 per night imposed 30+ days in advance (advised on booking or charter) if the International crude barrel oil price is equal to USD75 or more. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash - PHP, USD, EUR, or bank card).
Optional extras: Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, nitrox (EAN 30%) fills for enriched air divers (USD135 for 7 day tour, USD20 for each additional day), torch (USD40 per week), 15 litre tank (USD8 per day), dive insurance, hotel transfers. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.
How to get there: The Solitude One liveaboard uses 4 ports in the Philippines - Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Anilao in Batangas, and Surigao in Mindanao. Boat-airport return transfers are provided by the boat operator. Puerto Princesa: Direct domestic flight connections are possible from both Cebu and Manila. Airport pick up and boarding from 2-5 pm, depart port at sunset. Anilao: A 2 hour minibus transfer service will be provided from Manila to board at 2 pm, depart port at sunset. Cebu: Direct domestic flights are available from Manila and some other Filipino cities, as well as from Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Dubai, Taiwan and China. Airport pick up and boarding from 4 pm, depart port after midnight. Surigao: Direct domestic flight connections are possible from Cebu.
For more details, including airlines, see our Philippines travel information section. The last dive of the liveaboard tour will be at 2 pm on the last full day of the trip. Disembark by 11 am. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.
Non-diver rate: 10% off the published price.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travellers may choose to share a cabin and pay the normal rate, or pay a supplement of 80% of the normal published price for their own cabin (stateroom and deluxe cabin only).
Dive clubs and group discounts: A group of 3 persons can occupy a 4-share room as full by paying 110% of the quad-share cabin price.
Pay for 10 guests and 1 extra person can join the cruise in a Stateroom cabin free of charge (total 11-19 guests). Pay for 18 guests and 2 additional persons can join free of charge (total 20-21 guests).
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 19 guests and 3 additional persons can join the cruise free of charge (total 22 guests).
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
