7 Seas Aquanauts
7 Seas Aquanauts
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Seven Seas Aquanauts in Plantation Bay Mactan provide a complete range of PADI Scuba Diver training programs, experiences and fun diving, and JetSki rides. We are open from 9AM to 5PM 365 days per year, our dive center is in the beautiful grounds of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.
Mactan Island, 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.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles10 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Dianne A
Brisbane, Australia155 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
We landed on Mactan Island (Philippines) and Seven Seas Aquanauts dive store organised to pick us up from our accommodation and we were taken to Plantation Resort, where Seven Seas are located. Oh golly what a luxurious beautifully landscaped resort this is. Definitely for the rich and famous. Flowers, lush trees and sparkling lakes were at every turn as we rode their large golf cart around to the dive store which is small and caters for guests of the resort and keen divers. Freddy was our dive master and on the day there were no other divers. So great to have this lovely man all to ourselves. Pete and I have just moved up in diving to being Nitrox certified and also a new move to our Mares Smart Dive computers from our friendly tables and depth gauges. So this day was a serious learning curve for us. We did 3 dives that day. The first was to Marigondon cave which we knew was deep and located within 5 minutes of the dive store by boat. On Nitrox the depth limit is 30 metres. After that Oxygen Toxicity can kick in. There was a massive current rushing by but we entered the sea to down the anchor line only to find it swinging in mid ocean and the boat and us were hurtling away from the mouth of the cave. We ascended and grabbed a rope on the side of the boat and were dragged a long way up current from the cave. Finally we were down. It was black as ink inside, but Freddy had a super torch which made ours look like candles. There were no fish and I glanced at my computer! It was flashing furiously so I showed Freddy who was beside me. We were in 37 metres! We all immediately ascended to a safe depth. Well luckily no facial twitching (first sign of oxygen toxicity) and no ill effects. No nitrogen narcosis either which was a surprise because I'm very susceptible. Our next dive was after lunch (in the grounds of Plantation Bay Resort) to Blue Hole. The viz. on all three dives was about 10 metres. It was too cold for my husband and he got a severe cramp. Lots of underwater massaging followed and Freddy lifted Pete's fin towards his knee which did the trick. The last dive was close by but in quite shallow water. This was the best of the three. It was a dive for a Marine Biologist. Everywhere we looked in the 12 metre shallow dive was something wonderful and unexpected. There was a mass of sea grass in bloom with fluffy purple sprays of colour, loads of hard and soft coral of all colours, and so many unrecognisable strange creatures we just don't have at home in Australia. To cap it off we almost slammed into a sardine ball... amazing sight! This was a very full day. When we arrived back at the dive store we were given towels, shampoo, soap and conditioner. The hot shower was very welcome. It was a lovely day and a good start to our holiday. Maricel is in the office of the dive store and she looked after us so well. Instead of the 5 weeks filled with excitement fun and diving we'd planned, due to Corona the Philippines shut down on 18th March and it was a scramble to leave. We highly recommend Seven Seas Aquanauts at Plantation Bay Resort. Oh one other thing... the sea there is chock full of salt. I needed two extra weights on all three dives and I was diving in a thin Lycra stinger suit. This is a very romantic resort with a highly professional dive store... so pretty there!
Written April 2, 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.

zafar k
Palm Beach Shores, FL88 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Couples
I had flown from USA to see my family in Cebu. Decided to stay at Plantation Bay resort where this dive site is located. I am SSI certified but this center could not connect with SSI, they are strictly PADI.
It is a small facility, no shop to buy something dive related. Freddy is a small polite man who runs the show very well.He runs the certification courses. I was running into week end, Sinulog local festival and impending chinese New Year of the Pig. These are very busy time for this facility and the Plantation Bay Resort in general . Freddy assigned me to a young man with nickname TABA. We did 4 dives together. He was a gentle, helpful
extra vigilant dive master.He exudes confidence, nice to have him as a buddy.
I wish to thank him via this review
Written February 2, 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.

アントニオ 常
Tokyo, Japan15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018
I lost track of the many times I have been to this place. I consider 7 Seas Aquanauts my summer school for scuba diving. It was at this place where I got my first PADI license. And then went for the next level, and so and so. Certainly, I got hooked. The instructor is so understanding, and kindly accommodates to any eventuality, while keeping the PADI standards.
Every time, I travel all my way from Japan. Unfortunately, I have only two times a year when I can sneak out, otherwise, I would have taken more courses. But the travel and all are well worth it. Equipment and gear are included in every package. You just pay for the course. Consider the number of days it takes to fulfill the course you are interested in, and remember there is a 18-hour no fly period (just as a precaution for decompression).
You receive your instructions, practice in the containment area, and just move to the shore to complete your tasks (less than 20 yards away). No need to move. The beach is private. The view is nice. What else!
Any mail is responded 100% and in timely manner. Since the place is within the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, there are many restaurants around. Somewhat pricey, though. Anyhow, you do not have to struggle during lunch break.
All in all, 7 Seas Aquanauts is the place to visit, if scuba diving is your thing. It is also noteworthy to mention that direct flights to the Mactan International Airrport (with its new fabulous terminal) are available, so you can avoid the total chaos at NAIA in Manila.
Written October 3, 2018
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.

kasperwinther
Aalborg, Denmark1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2018 • Solo
My instructor, Mr. Fredevic Yorpo, was a very skilled diver, who always was very calm and polite. I felt very safe at all times, having him as my buddy. He took the Open Water Course very seriously, and did not compromise on safety, whatsoever. I am absolutely confident in his assesment of my skills, and the way he chose to do the exercises. He never rushed anything, or tried to force me to do something I was not feeling safe about. Fred gets my best recommendations!
Written September 26, 2018
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.

Claire P
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2017 • Friends
I did my Padi Advanced course here with Divemaster Arnel.Ompad & my friend did his Padi Open Water. I'd highly recommend this dive shop if you want something not too far from Cebu Airport for a quick trip - really nice team, very professional, good equipment & if you're staying at Plantation Bay, it's super convenient. The lagoon pool is perfect for pool dives if you need that & there is some nice coral & stuff to see on dives from the beach or by boat. Great place for a few days.
Written October 11, 2017
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.

ants080
Japan38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Solo
The Kontiki site is located within Plantation Bay Resort and Spa. Once you arrive at the lobby, then you take the car that is circulating constantly to the opposite site of the lagoon. The cart stop is right across the lobby. You get off at AquaSports.
Before going, I expected a week to get the certification for the PADI Open Water Course (considering failing tests, and the 18-hour no-fly restriction as a safety measure). This is an extremely relaxed schedule (with so much support, you hardly fail the tests). Certainly, you do not need that much time. You are required to perform all the routines in the pool first under the supervision of the instructor and also complete four dives in open water right out the beach.
I could not finished the instruction on-line beforehand (once you are enrolled, you have a year to complete the theoretical course). Even worse, I did not have connectivity in my hotel (unbelievable!). Never mind, people at Kontiki (which merged not long ago with 7 Seas) were very understanding and helpful. I was allowed to use their wi-fi to finish theory at their office, and pass the tests. Of course, there is a final exam (multiple choices, written) The instructor (Freddy) was amazing. All routines are done first at the seawater pool, followed by the open water. All is done at your pace. If I had finished my theory and tests online, I would have started with the practical part right away. So, for four dives you need two days. One in the morning and one in the afternoon on each day. but who wants to rush when everything is so amazing!
I had plenty of time. Rather than engaging in an Adventure Dive after finishing my Open Water Course, with my temporary PADI license I enrolled in the Enriched Air Course. You use a mixture with 50% more oxygen and have to learn the pros and cons of using such a gas mixture. This allows you more underwater time. I studied that night (the booklet has only forty pages) and took the test next morning. At least you need to perform one dive. If all goes fine, you get certified fro Nitrox! And the cost of the cpurse is equivalent to less than two Adventure Dives.
So, it was my first serious experience with diving, and got hooked. The staff is so attentive that I enrolled already for the Advanced Diving Course in December. You do not need a tune up course if there is less than six months since your last dive.
Other than the PADI certification, of course is open to any kind of water activity. Most people are here for snorkeling. There is a bar next to the beach, and a restaurant that allows people coming out of water.
Written August 22, 2017
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.
Hi Ants thank you so much for such a well thought out and detailed review, I'm sure anybody looking for someone to dive with in Mactan will find this very useful. Thank you also for choosing to dive with us, we very much appreciate it and hope to see you again. Lee
Written August 24, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

cecilia_mzayek
Dubai, United Arab Emirates4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Family
We did the PADI open water course, it took only 1 day of theory (which we did online) and 2 days of diving. It was really fun!! Learned a lot in a safe environment
Written August 9, 2017
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.
Hi Cecilia glad you enjoyed the theory, the e-learning option is a great choice for anyone on a short trip. The balance of the course can normally be done in a few days, that of course depends on the diver :0) Thanks again for visiting us, and for taking the time to leave your review here, we really appreciate both. Lee
Written August 11, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

giputa
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2016 • Family
Nice, kind, beautiful and professional. Want to visit 7 seas aquanauts again. And the accommodation, Plantation Bay is also nice and kind. Everything was so good.
Written August 4, 2017
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.
Hi Giputa great to hear, thanks for diving with us, and for taking the time to leave your comments here. regards Lee
Written August 6, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Robin
New Plymouth, New Zealand86 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2017 • Solo
An amazing location with all the benefits of the resort on hand too. The team are fantastic and highly professional and the training and diving facilities are excellent
Written August 3, 2017
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.
Hi Robin Good to hear you enjoyed your time with us, thanks again for diving with 7 seas, and for this review, much appreciated. Lee
Written August 6, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Charles K
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2015 • Solo
I would not recommend this dive shop, very unprofessional. They confirm my Open Water Course to them and suddenly they cancelled it due to availability of the instructor.This is so unbelievable. I don't have a chance to take my diving course this time since all the dive shop I have inquired are fully booked already.

This is so sad.
Written September 10, 2015
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.
Hi Charles I am sorry to hear about your experience, I would be equally upset. The dive center is now under new management, if you have a chance to visit us in the near future I promise you a better experience. regards Lee Butler GM 7 Seas
Written July 20, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

7 SEAS AQUANAUTS (Mactan Island) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go