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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know before your dive.

From your first dive to your next underwater adventure, we’re here to make every step simple and worry-free.

Explore our frequently asked questions below to prepare for your Nalu Dive experience.

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DIVING 

  •  Do I need a diving license to go scuba diving?

- You can experience scuba diving even without a diving license or prior diving experience. Our professional Divemaster will guide and closely supervise you throughout the dive, ensuring you feel safe and comfortable underwater.

  • What is the difference between DSD and Fun Diving

- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) is designed for beginners who have little to no scuba diving experience and have no scuba diving license. Whereas Fun diving is for certified divers who already have the necessary training and experience.

  •  What does 1 dive and 2 dives mean?

- 1 Dive means  you will go underwater once. While 2 Dives means  you will go underwater twice, with a rest period between the first and second dive.​

  •  What can I expect before the dive?

- Your dive begins with a pre-dive briefing covering equipment, safety, and basic scuba skills in shallow water before exploring the underwater world. 

DIVING

  •  How deep will we go?

- The maximum depth depends on your diving certification. Open Water (OW) divers can dive up to 18 meters, while Advanced Open Water (AOW) divers can dive up to 30 meters. For beginners without a diving certification, the maximum depth is 12 meters (40 feet), depending on your comfort level, air consumption, and overall diving condition.​

  • How long does each dive lasts?

- Each dive lasts approximately 45 minutes, including the safety stop. However, the actual duration may vary depending on your air consumption and how your body responds during the dive.

  • Is the Diving guide or instructor included?

- Absolutely. The diving guide will also take photos and videos of you while you enjoy scuba diving.​

  • What is the minimum age of diving?

-Children 10 years old and above can experience scuba diving, with parental or guardian consent for those under 18.​

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DIVING CERTIFICATION

  •  Do you offer scuba diving certification?

- Yes! We offer Open Water (OW) and Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification courses for those who want to become certified divers.

  • What is the difference between Open Water (OW) and

Advanced Open Water (AOW)?

- Open Water (OW) is your first level of scuba certification, with a maximum depth of 18 meters. Advanced Open Water (AOW) builds on your OW certification and introduces more advanced diving skills and specialties, allowing you to dive up to 30 meters.

  • How long does it take to get certified?

- Our sea training for each course takes 2 days to complete, including classroom learning and training, and 4 open-water dives [2 dives per day] 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. E-card will be issued on your PADI app once you have successfully completed both E-learning and sea training.

  • What is included in the scuba diving certification course?

- Your course includes the E-Learning material, practical training, open-water dives, full diving equipment, Professional Diving Instructor, GoPro Media, and free hotel transportation within Mactan Island area.

  • Where will the certification course take place?

- The sea training will be conducted through a beach entry dive, with our instructor guiding you throughout the training.

  • What is the maximum instructor-to-student ratio for the course?

- For safety and personalized instruction, we maintain a maximum ratio of 1 instructor to 8 students during the course.

The E-Learning will only be sent once the deposit (10,000 php) or full payment is settled via PayPal.

DIVE SITES & MARINE LIFE

  • Which islands do you visit for diving?

- We offer diving trips to Olango Island, Nalusuan Island, and Hilutungan Island, each offering a unique underwater experience and diverse marine life.

  • What is Shore diving?

- Shore diving means entering the water directly from the beach or shoreline to reach the dive site, without using a boat. It will take place at Kontiki Marina.

  • What can I see with Shore diving?

- At Kontiki Marina, you can see a variety of tropical fish, colorful corals, and diverse marine life. If you’re lucky, you may even witness the sardine run or encounter a sea turtle during your dive.

  • What day has the best visibility?

- There is no specific day with guaranteed visibility. Conditions depend on the weather, tides, wind, and sea conditions.

  • What can I look forward diving in Olango Island, Nalusuan Island, and Hilutungan Island?

  1. Olango Island — Sergeant Major fish, fusiliers, snappers, jacks, batfish, and other tropical reef fish.

  2. Nalusuan Island — Colorful corals, tropical fish, stingrays, groupers, snappers, and barracuda. Sea turtles may also be spotted.

  3. Hilutungan Island — Tropical fish, colorful corals, schooling fish, and giant trevally. Sea turtles may also be encountered.

  • How do you get to the diving islands?

- We generally use our speedboat to reach the islands, depending on the number of groups and daily operations

Marine life sightings may vary depending on the season and diving conditions.

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EQUIPMENT

  •  Does the diving equipment included?

- Yes! The package includes wetsuit, boots, fins, mask, BCD, regulator, and tank.

  • Do you have different equipment sizes?

-Absolutely! We have a range of equipment sizes to ensure a comfortable and proper fit for every diver.

  • Can I use my own equipment?

- Of course! You’re welcome to use your own diving equipment. However, no discount will be provided for guests who choose to use their own equipment.

  • What happens if I lost or damaged the equipments?

- Any lost or damaged equipment will be charged accordingly​.

HEALTH & SAFETY

  • How long should I wait before flying after diving?

- Please allow at least 12 hours between your last dive and any flight. For multiple dives, we recommend allowing 18–24 hours before flying whenever possible.

  • Can I dive immediately after arriving in Cebu?

- Yes! You can dive after arriving in Cebu, as long as you are feeling well and have not recently been diving. If you have been diving before your flight, let our team know so we can advise you on the appropriate surface interval.

  • What happens if the weather is bad?

- Your safety is our priority. If weather or sea conditions are unsafe, we may reschedule the dive. Our team will keep you informed and recommend the best available option.​

  • Can I drink alcohol before diving?

Avoid alcohol for at least 8–12 hours before a dive, and longer if you still feel its effects or have a hangover.

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PICK-UP AND TRANSPORTATION

  •  Do you offer hotel pick-up?

- Yes! We have a free pick-up and drop off for hotels within Mactan Island area only.

  • Is airport pick-up available?

- Unfortunately, we don’t offer airport pick-up due to unpredictable flight delays and arrival times.

  • Where should I go if my hotel is outside the pick-up area?

​- Kindly come directly to our diving center if your hotel is outside the pick-up area. 

  • What time is my pick-up?

- Pickup times are approximate and may vary slightly due to traffic and shared transfers. Our team will send you a confirmation email once your booking is confirmed. Depending on our diving schedule, the driver may stop at other designated pick-up points to collect additional guests before heading back to our dive center

  • What if I am late for pick-up?

​- If you are late for 30 minutes to an hour, the driver will return to our dive center. We encouraged you to come directly to our dive center, or you may wait for the driver's next available pick-up.

  • What is your latest drop off?

- Drop-off service is available until 4:00 PM. Guests returning later are kindly requested to arrange their own transportation.

BOOKINGS 

  • How can I book?

- You can check our HOME and PRICE page to select your package.

  • How far in advance should I book?

- Secure your preferred schedule in advance as our booking system is flexible.

  • What payment methods do you accept?

- We accept PayPal, cash, and debit/credit cards. Cash and card payments can be made upfront.

  • Can I change my booking date?

- Yes. You may send us an email or WhatsApp message for any updates. 

  • Is deposit required?

- No deposit is required for regular diving. For certification courses, you may pay a deposit to receive your e-learning materials via PayPal. 

  • How can I book?

- You can check our HOME and PRICE page to select your package.

  • How far in advance should I book?

- Secure your preferred schedule in advance as our booking system is flexible.​​

 CANCELLATION

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CANCELLATION POLICY

  • Free cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before your booking date for a full refund.

  • Same-day cancellation: Cancellations made on the booking date are non-refundable.

  • PayPal payments: Eligible refunds will be subject to PayPal transaction fees, so the refunded amount may be slightly less than the original payment.

  • Partial use of booking: If you book and pay for 2 dives but only take 1 dive, the unused dive is non-refundable. The same policy applies to all other services included in your booking.

Nalu Dive

ADDRESS: KONTIKI MARINA, MARIBAGO, LAPU LAPU CITY, CEBU ISLAND

©2023 by Nalu Dive

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