Dive Sibaltan
Dive Sibaltan
5
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Dive Sibaltan is the first dive shop in the relaxed village of Sibaltan, El Nido. We offer fun dive packages, discover dives and dive courses as well as customised private island hopping tours. Come explore the hidden gems of the north east coast of El Nido. Highlights include abundant corals and marine life ranging from nudibranches and other macro to reef sharks, turtles and even magnificent manta rays. Come explore with the Dive Sibaltan Family and their fun-loving, friendly and professional team. Come explore with us!
El Nido, Philippines
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2023
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
54 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
0
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
איתמר ל
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Solo
A dive shop in the middle of nowhere.
Sibaltan don't have electricity most of the day so they are not always available but it's understandable, you can reach them through WhatsApp so it's comfortable.
The dive instructors are great, Antonio and Ace, the dive sites are amazing and still feels untouched, and I believe the manta rays don't need any recommendation.
Highly recommended for anyone in the area
Sibaltan don't have electricity most of the day so they are not always available but it's understandable, you can reach them through WhatsApp so it's comfortable.
The dive instructors are great, Antonio and Ace, the dive sites are amazing and still feels untouched, and I believe the manta rays don't need any recommendation.
Highly recommended for anyone in the area
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas
Zurich, Switzerland7 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
I did a three dive trip with Dive Sibaltan including pickup from Nacpan Beach. Everything was well organised and Dive Sibaltan replied swiftly to my emails.
The dive shop is super clean and well organised.
Diving was superb. On the first dive, we saw no Mantas, but two turtles, sting rays, mantis shrimp and a very nice reef. On the second dive, the mantas showed up and we saw them up close. It was awesome! Third dive was at a very nice dive spot. Overall, the corals are super healthy! Food is basic, but very good. The team was great, helpful and knowledgeable. I would dive witz Dive Sibaltan at any time again. Thank you!
The dive shop is super clean and well organised.
Diving was superb. On the first dive, we saw no Mantas, but two turtles, sting rays, mantis shrimp and a very nice reef. On the second dive, the mantas showed up and we saw them up close. It was awesome! Third dive was at a very nice dive spot. Overall, the corals are super healthy! Food is basic, but very good. The team was great, helpful and knowledgeable. I would dive witz Dive Sibaltan at any time again. Thank you!
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vibeke
77 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Great to finally dive with manta rays! Divemaster Antonio was really good and pleasant to dive with, he has a passion for diving and knows the area super well. Group 1:4. You sail in a motorboat and it was fine on a day without wind. Boat crew is helpful. Good equipment. The food is simple but okay.
The only improvements we can see are communication between us and the diving company and their internal communication.
We have had days of email correspondence with the company, told them that we would very much like to dive both shark highway and manta ray cleaning station on the same day, which our friends just did a few days before. But they denied that it could be done, and wrote that other divers would not pay the extra cost of fuel for the boat, which we were willing to do.
What actually happened was that on the way to the first divesite, the divemaster asked if we wanted to dive both the shark highway and the manta ray cleaning station today, which we were very surprised by, and at the same time saddened, because the other two divers on the boat, they actually also wanted to pay extra for fuel, but unfortunately the captain didn't have enough fuel on board, so we couldn't get to shark highway. Lack of internal communication.
Furthermore, we think it would be a very good customer service to help guests arrange carpooling from El Nido to Sibaltan; the two people we dived with really wanted to share the cost of the taxi/van with us, but the diving center never responded to our inquiry; if there were others who were going to dive the same day as us and also going from El Nido to Sibaltan. It would be relatively simple for the dive center, but a great help to customers, especially those who doesn’t ride a motorbike.
The only improvements we can see are communication between us and the diving company and their internal communication.
We have had days of email correspondence with the company, told them that we would very much like to dive both shark highway and manta ray cleaning station on the same day, which our friends just did a few days before. But they denied that it could be done, and wrote that other divers would not pay the extra cost of fuel for the boat, which we were willing to do.
What actually happened was that on the way to the first divesite, the divemaster asked if we wanted to dive both the shark highway and the manta ray cleaning station today, which we were very surprised by, and at the same time saddened, because the other two divers on the boat, they actually also wanted to pay extra for fuel, but unfortunately the captain didn't have enough fuel on board, so we couldn't get to shark highway. Lack of internal communication.
Furthermore, we think it would be a very good customer service to help guests arrange carpooling from El Nido to Sibaltan; the two people we dived with really wanted to share the cost of the taxi/van with us, but the diving center never responded to our inquiry; if there were others who were going to dive the same day as us and also going from El Nido to Sibaltan. It would be relatively simple for the dive center, but a great help to customers, especially those who doesn’t ride a motorbike.
Written 18 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly B
7 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Great experience for first time diver. The entire team was amazing and took great care of me. If you want to try diving this is the place to go! I was very nervous but the team took their time and made sure I was confident before exploring. Unfortunately I didn’t see manta rays but did see a lot of beautiful coral I had never seen and a huge puffer fish!
Written 18 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emilycrx
Southport, UK17 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
We were recommended this dive shop by the one we did our open water PADI. The main reason for this was to see manta rays and it did not disappoint. We did 2 dives, one was at the manta cleaning stations and we saw a manta (called Arthur) which was the most amazing experience!! They are common in this area because of the cleaning stations and they do conservation research from this shop too. Then we also did a coral reef dive which was also lovely. Would definitely recommend if seeing a manta is on your bucket list! Also a big thank you to Noelle who was lovely and was kind enough to show us her amazing eco farm!
Written 8 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian VA
4 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
The whole experience was simply amazing. Must dive in this beautiful place. The crew was amazing and very helpful.
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EAZY
Cebu City, Philippines21 contributions
Jun 2022 • Solo
Located in the less-visited eastern side of El Nido, Dive Sibaltan offers scuba diving with reef manta rays at cleaning stations discovered only a few years ago in Inmorigue Bay, bordering the towns of El Nido, Linapacan and Taytay. There are also drift dives along well-preserved reefs for those looking for more thrilling experiences.
Getting to Sibaltan is an adventure in itself, taking an hour's scooter drive from El Nido town, passing by beautiful countryside. Dive Sibaltan is tucked along a forested beach at the quiet coastal village. The dive center comprised of small concrete hillside building, open-air storage area, and three bungalows to accommodate overnight guests.
Before our dives, all of us divers were briefed with the proper and ethical way to dive with manta rays. Taking a speedboat, we dove twice at Saan Ka dive site, encountering 3-4 mantas and a green sea turtle. We ended our trip with a picnic lunch at a desolate beach on the southern end of Bibulbulan island, just north of the cleaning stations.
Getting to Sibaltan is an adventure in itself, taking an hour's scooter drive from El Nido town, passing by beautiful countryside. Dive Sibaltan is tucked along a forested beach at the quiet coastal village. The dive center comprised of small concrete hillside building, open-air storage area, and three bungalows to accommodate overnight guests.
Before our dives, all of us divers were briefed with the proper and ethical way to dive with manta rays. Taking a speedboat, we dove twice at Saan Ka dive site, encountering 3-4 mantas and a green sea turtle. We ended our trip with a picnic lunch at a desolate beach on the southern end of Bibulbulan island, just north of the cleaning stations.
Written 21 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah G
Munich, Germany179 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
What a highlight! We had the perfect day diving - and a second that was second to none. My boyfriend got qualified by the outstanding, competent and strict (but oh so funny!) Matt, who is more German than we are;), and I got to see my first shark in 8 years of diving! We went to the Manta Cleaning station I to IV and had a majestic sighting of a Manta at I and two turtles at the second dive site. On day two at Sibaltan, the current was strong, but our guides showed us still astonishing big and tiny creatures. Lunch was daily served after our second dive on a remote beach (thanks to the chef for serving genuine Philippine dishes!) and I got to love the Ginger Tumeric Tea;) We highly recommend this relaxed, super professional and competent team! Thank you, Mo, for such a great experience!
Written 2 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tehourigan
36 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
I dived here for 1 day with the hope of seeing the majestical manta rays. The dive shop is very nice with lovely outside area and right on the beach. All the equipment were basically new and also maintained to a high standard. The dive shop team were friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable. Mo gave us a great insight into the manta rays before we even started our day. The first dive was on a beautiful reef with stunning variety or corals and fish all looking really healthy and diverse. Our second dive was looking for the mantas and luckily enough we were treated to 3 sightings towards the end of our dive. Patience paid off! The divemaster was excellent friendly and chatty, but always safe and aware of us. He gave good briefings and also pointed out lots of cool creatures underwater. (Sorry I forgot your name)
I would highly recommend this dive shop and will definitely return myself.
I would highly recommend this dive shop and will definitely return myself.
Written 20 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tasha I
6 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Such an amazing experience today at the manatee cleaning station
Mo was a great dive master and all the other staff were so lovely
Great lunch after the dives
All very professional
Mo was a great dive master and all the other staff were so lovely
Great lunch after the dives
All very professional
Written 9 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vivi Thies
124 contributions
Hello,
it´s also possible to see mantarochs during a snorkeling tour in october/ november?
Dive Sibaltan
Province of Pisa, Italy1 contribution
Hi,
Thanks for your question. As manta rays are wild and the ocean is quite large, we cannot guarantee sightings at any time - however last October and November they were around. However, as of now, we do not conduct snorkle tours to the manta cleaning station, as we prefer not to have boats near/on top of it so we don't disturb them. We approach from a distance while scuba diving. Since we are still fairly new and the mantas aren't as used to humans as in other spots, we are trying to respect their space so they don't end up leaving the cleaning station.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks!