The review below breaks down some comments from our recent stay and experience with Scandi Divers:
GREETING & ACCOMMODATION:
We were greeted warmly with a welcome drink, and given the necessary forms to fill out before dives. The rooms were quite clean, beds were comfortable, air conditioning was great because of the muggy, humid weather. The showers were basic but there was hot water and a flushing toilet, plus a good amount of toilet paper and towels were provided.
FOOD & RESTAURANT SERVICE:
These people were great, it was obviously low-season, so everyone seemed a lot more relaxed but we had good food and good service. I would say the food was quite pricey for what it was (we could eat at Verandah, the 'best' restaurant on Puerto Galera for the same prices...). I liked the fact they gave water bottles and then a refill station. Perhaps in the future they should provide aluminum bottles for a deposit, and the refill station.
THE DIVING:
This is generally where they could do better, I think. Firstly, the dive costs $27 / PHP1350 per diver, per dive. I struggled to understand where this cost actually goes, since our dive sites were not more than 5 minutes by boat AND we were a large group of 8 divers (2 guides). Additionally, that cost DOES NOT INCLUDE equipment rental.
After much discussion, I was grateful for a slight discount for our group at $25 per dive, but that still did not satisfy my need to know the cost breakdown. Compared to other diving resorts or dive shops that are at least 3*, a similar cost to the dive would include equipment hire, boat use for sites over 30 mins away, and food...or at least a discount for a large group. The fact that neither breakfast nor lunch were included...where exactly does the money go apart from the guides? For this level of service, I would look to be paying $15-20 per dive. Moreover, I had my own equipment, so I expected to be paying less.
The guides were OK. The briefings were basic, but they gave us the necessary information. Being a divemaster myself, I observed how they operated. One of the divers in our group was a novice and was obviously having trouble with her buoyancy control, so I went to help her a couple of times. The guides did not bother at all. Our dives were very short (mostly down to air consumption though), and the pace of our first dive was too quick for the less experienced divers.
One of our group was a lady with a small frame, and when she asked for an XXS-sized BCD the dive guide said (in Filipino) "Well, if you need a size like that you should have brought your own!" - that comment was completely unnecessary and very UNPROFESSIONAL.
The dives on our first day were average (we went to Monkey Beach and Escarceo) - but we chose to go to the Canyons and Sabang Beach the next day and thoroughly enjoyed those.
I have mixed feelings about the way the dives were conducted, because they seemed good enough, but it lacked the 'extra care' and 'interest' component I always expect when I dive.
CHECK-OUT:
Our check-out was quite pleasant, and after working on a discount (we were staying and eating there too) and I am very grateful they gave it. They had a lot of staff there waiting around, but no one offered to help carry our bags to the waiting boat. Reading the other reviews, it's as if they give a better service to foreign guests than local ones.
OVERALL:
I think overall, Scandi Divers is a good enough place to be based in when diving in Puerto Galera. I have definitely had a better service elsewhere (I have also had much worse), but from the perspective of someone expecting the 'extra care' and hospitality from a Foreign & Filipino-run establishment, I felt it could improve further, especially on the diving front. The accommodations and restaurant were operated well and service was good, so no issues there.
We were satisfied enough with the quality of the dives and the guides except for some unnecessary comments that could have been dealt with in a more professional manner.
Would I recommend Scandi? Of course I would, but I would warn the people that they charge for every little thing.
A SUGGESTION:
As a dive operator and resort owner, please try to do things in a more sustainable manner and reduce plastic consumption; for instance - the use of straws in drinks. Plastic straws are one of the largest problems of plastic in the sea. If you invest the money in stainless steel straws, this is not only eco-friendly but also lessens your regular expense on the plastic straws, and these can be washed with the cutlery and glasses.
