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
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
55 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
0
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Monique Escudero Gomez
Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Australia82 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
If you’re looking for a dive shop where you will feel like family and who genuinely care about the marine environment then Dive Sibaltan is the place for you!
My partner and I got our Open Water certification with Mo and the team, and it has set our standards very high for future dive shops and instructors.
Mo was so patient, calm and genuinely friendly that it felt like diving with an old friend. All the team at Dive Sibaltan were knowledgeable and so welcoming; we honestly didn’t want to leave!
The gear is in perfect condition and the facilities at the dive shop are clean and comfortable with marine books to flip through, coffee,tea and for chocolate available and cute dogs to cuddle! (I miss you Moana!)
The boat crew were also genuinely awesome guys who really know the ocean and were always keen for a laugh!
The dive sites themselves were pristine, healthy and varied, and we were lucky enough to see a beautiful reef manta on our second dive ever at the cleaning stations!!
We would not hesitate to recommend Dive Sibaltan to our friends and family or anyone travelling in Palawan. It really is an incredible dive shop with amazing dive locations.
My partner and I got our Open Water certification with Mo and the team, and it has set our standards very high for future dive shops and instructors.
Mo was so patient, calm and genuinely friendly that it felt like diving with an old friend. All the team at Dive Sibaltan were knowledgeable and so welcoming; we honestly didn’t want to leave!
The gear is in perfect condition and the facilities at the dive shop are clean and comfortable with marine books to flip through, coffee,tea and for chocolate available and cute dogs to cuddle! (I miss you Moana!)
The boat crew were also genuinely awesome guys who really know the ocean and were always keen for a laugh!
The dive sites themselves were pristine, healthy and varied, and we were lucky enough to see a beautiful reef manta on our second dive ever at the cleaning stations!!
We would not hesitate to recommend Dive Sibaltan to our friends and family or anyone travelling in Palawan. It really is an incredible dive shop with amazing dive locations.
Written February 27, 2020
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.
Scott L
Bangkok, Thailand41 contributions
Apr 2022
We were the first group of people to stay in their huts at the resort and we would absolutely come back in a heartbeat. We stayed 4 nights and went on 6 dives. Although there were rains leading up to and during our stay, we were still able to see the manta rays and many black tipped reef sharks as well as a ton of nudi and endless coral and fish. Part of me did not want to write this review, only because I don't want Sibaltan to change or have a difficult time booking Dive Sibaltan in the future. The diving and resort staff are awesome, they have two adorable jack russell dogs (Mona and Pili) booking was easy, and the food - OH MY GOODNESS. Some of the best food I have ever had and they were accommodating for every dietary need. If you're lucky to book here and Rick is still the chef - be sure to stay on the premises and have as many meals here as possible. Unreal. He's a magician in the kitchen and you get to be his eager guinea pigs with his delicious creations. Last and certainly not least, Mo, one of the owners, was genuinely invested in making sure we were taken care of and having a good time. Whatever we needed, he was able to figure it out and help us, sometimes even going out of his way to show kindness and consideration. Once we knew we were moving to Thailand from the Philippines this summer, we knew our last vacation spot had to be Sibaltan and diving with the mantas with Dive Sibaltan. That being said, we will definitely be back soon.
Written April 29, 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
33 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 May 20, 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, Germany222 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 June 2, 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.
Robyn
3 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
My experience with Dive Sibaltan was great from the moment I entered the shop, greeted by Rose, to the end of my Open Water Diving Certificate. Mo, my instructor, was patient, knowledgeable and just a nice, laidback guy to hangout with. He completely eased my nerves. The equipment is in great shape, we had some tasty lunch between dives and there is so many cool things to see in the water. Highly recommend. Thank you, Dive Sibaltan, see you again!
Written February 12, 2020
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.
Chris M
3 contributions
Apr 2022
Stayed 4 nights and did 6 dives and an island hopping tour with Dive Sibaltan in April 2022. I can not say enough about this place. It is the hidden gem of the Philippines. The staff was genuinely caring and attentive. The dive and boat staff were professional and friendly. The food by Rick at Roots Palawan Eco Farm was outstanding! Every meal was absolutely delicious. This place gets my highest of recommendations. We saw mantas and black-tipped reef sharks, endless healthy coral, and too many sea creatures to name. Every dive was amazing. Dive equipment was very well-maintained. The beach bungalows were new, clean, and comfortable. I almost want to keep this place a secret, but these guys deserve your business and will not disappoint. Forget El Nido and the crowds. Sibaltan is unforgettable. Go once and you will be back.
Written April 18, 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.
Kelly B
12 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 April 18, 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, UK26 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 March 8, 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.
Jos G
Aartrijke, Belgium38 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Wel I booked 3 days of diving with these guys and I was warm welcomed by Sana and mo... I really like the location of the shop 😍 it's really relaxed away from busy El nido.
The atmosphere on the boat was realy good and the equipment is up to date!
The diving is realy nice beside the manta rays and sharks there is so many beautiful sponge, fan, table corals and many other amazing marine life
I highly recommend the night dive with mo! It was realy amazing and showed us some realy cool stuff 😍 I loved it..
See you guys again and thanks for a great experience
The atmosphere on the boat was realy good and the equipment is up to date!
The diving is realy nice beside the manta rays and sharks there is so many beautiful sponge, fan, table corals and many other amazing marine life
I highly recommend the night dive with mo! It was realy amazing and showed us some realy cool stuff 😍 I loved it..
See you guys again and thanks for a great experience
Written January 23, 2019
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.
Wetti
Vienna, Austria82 contributions
Jan 2020
This place is run by a german-philippino family - it's small and cozy, but their technical equipment is state-of-the-art. What I really liked about this place is that they promote eco-friendyl tourism - they work together with a philippino NGO doing research on large marine vertebrates and if you are interested they will tell you more about the project. I also liked that they sell local products (reef friendly sunblock,...). The staff is really friendly and helpful and they organise nice day- or half-day-trips to dive-spots not far from Sibaltan, where you'll be the only ones diving. So it's definetly not mass-touristy - you'll have all the beautiful corals just for yourself :-)
So if you want to go diving a little off the beaten trail, that's the place to go :-)
For non-divers they offer snorcel-trips to nearby islands - also worth doing!
So if you want to go diving a little off the beaten trail, that's the place to go :-)
For non-divers they offer snorcel-trips to nearby islands - also worth doing!
Written January 15, 2020
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.
Hello,
it´s also possible to see mantarochs during a snorkeling tour in october/ november?
Written October 24, 2019
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!
Written October 24, 2019
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