Operating from April through October, the M/Y Solitude One is a purpose-built expedition vessel that brings a commanding presence to Philippine waters. At 52 meters in length, it is one of the largest liveaboards dedicated to the region, allowing it to offer a sense of space and stability uncommon on most dive cruises. Its seasonal schedule is designed to access prime conditions across key destinations, including the remote UNESCO site of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the world-class reefs of Apo Reef, and the biodiverse channels of the Visayas.
The defining characteristic of the Solitude One liveaboard is its generous scale, which is immediately evident in its layout. From the well-proportioned cabins with extra-long mattresses to the expansive saloon and multiple shaded outdoor decks, the vessel is designed to prevent any feeling of confinement. This architecture intentionally provides options: ample social areas for sharing experiences and quiet, private corners for personal downtime, allowing guests to shape their own onboard experience.
Accommodation is configured with modern comfort in mind. All cabins are notably spacious, featuring larger-than-average private bathrooms, universal electrical sockets with built-in USB ports, and personal entertainment systems. Each cabin’s flat-screen TV is networked to a central media library, and supports USB connectivity for personal content. This integration of practical technology enhances the liveaboard experience on Solitude One without complicating it.
For underwater photographers, the Solitude One liveaboard offers dedicated support facilities. A separate digital studio provides computer workstations with surge-protected power for image management, alongside dedicated camera rinse tanks and specialized drying towels. The dive operation itself is built for efficiency, utilizing 2 fast tenders to reach the sites. The vessel provides useful rental gear such as lost diver devices, dive computers, surface marker buoys, and reef hooks, indicating a crew attuned to the needs of advanced diving environments.
Life between dives is relaxed and self-directed. The multiple deck areas invite guests to read, socialize, or simply enjoy the passing seascape. The Solitude One crew’s focus is on facilitating a smooth diving schedule and maintaining the vessel’s systems, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the rhythm of the expedition. Meals are served in the spacious saloon or on deck, focusing on hearty, varied cuisine to refuel after diving.
In summary, the Solitude One liveaboard is an ideal choice for divers who value ample personal space, stability on the water, and a straightforward, professionally managed expedition. Its size and design mitigate the potential crowding of smaller vessels, making it particularly suitable for longer expeditions to remote locations. For groups, photographers needing dedicated workspace, or scuba divers simply seeking a more spacious base for exploring the Philippines’ underwater wonders, this vessel provides a confident and comfortable platform.
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.
Tubbataha, Apo Reef & Coron (15 Days / 14 Nights - 63 Dives)
Trip highlights: shark action, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, great macro life/ marine diversity, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: Tubbataha: North and South Atoll, Jessie Beazley Reefs; Coron, Apo Reef, Batangas: Anilao, Verde Island
Day 1
Your liveaboard adventure begins with embarkation at the Puerto Princesa harbour. Upon boarding the Solitude One, the crew will welcome you aboard. This will be followed by a boat orientation and registration session, so please remember to have your certification cards and log books ready. After you've settled in and enjoyed dinner, the liveaboard will depart at sunset, commencing its journey towards Tubbataha. The estimated travel time to the reefs is approximately 10 hours.
Core Days
Your liveaboard adventure begins in the magnificent Tubbataha Reefs National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, your days will be filled with 3-4 daily dives as you drift over some of the world's healthiest corals and largest gorgonian sea fans in typically crystal-clear water. The marine life is breathtaking, featuring clouds of colourful reef fish, large schools of jacks and barracuda, turtles, and several shark species, including the chance for a whale shark encounter. For macro enthusiasts, the reefs are also home to pygmy seahorses and crustaceans. Please note that all dives here are conducted during daylight hours for safety, due to the potential for strong currents.
As the Solitude One liveaboard transitions, you will explore the remote and rarely visited reefs surrounding Cagayancillo island, an off-the-beaten-path destination exclusive to the transit route where you can enjoy great coral and marine life. The journey then continues to the waters around Coron island, where you can explore a mix of beautiful coral reefs, historic World War 2 shipwrecks, and even have the opportunity to spot the elusive dugong.
Next, you will discover the Apo Reef Natural Park, the largest coral reef system in the Philippines. You will dive along miles of pristine reef and walls teeming with fish and sharks, with the possibility of encountering manta rays. Following this, you will visit the world-renowned Verde Island, situated in the Verde Passage, known as one of the planet's most biodiverse marine corridors. The strong currents here nourish incredibly vibrant coral reefs and attract massive schools of both reef and pelagic fish, offering exhilarating, action-packed dives.
On the final day of liveaboard diving, you will experience the best of Anilao, a destination famous for its unique black sand muck diving, which reveals a host of rare and fascinating critters.
Day 15
The final day with Solitude One begins with breakfast, followed by the check-out procedure.
[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 the liveaboard 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.
