What Our Travelers Are Saying

Hi there JR and Activentures. I think everyone is home safe. Wanted to thank you for one of the best trips ever. You made everything so easy it was truly a vacation and relaxing. The Philippines was beautiful above and below water. Most of all, you had the best dive masters anywhere as well as crew. Thanks to their patience and expertise, I was able to experience all kinds of dives, see amazing things, including my first seahorse, and improve a lot as a diver. Where are we going next? Buffy Dreiling, Reno, NV

“Thanks again for everything! It was truly an enjoyable dive trip for me. Never have been pampered more by Dive Masters than by your guys. They really made my vacation to be an amazing vacation. I’ll see you at DEMA. Send me the packages we discussed and I will post it on my site Miss Scuba right away!”

“I really enjoyed myself and I’m ready to go again. The Dive Tour to Anilao Batangas and Puerto Galera was the perfect trip for me. Diving several times a day plus beautiful underwater scenery made it the perfect way for me to improve my skills quickly and have a great time. When is the next trip?”

“Dear J.R., I would like to thank you for the opportunity to join the fam trip to Anilao and for the experience that I will never forget. The diving was fabulous and the service from both the staff at Activentures and Acacia Resort was superb. I have traveled to many world class dive resorts, and I can say that your operation is truly top-notch.”

“I got on my flight to Honolulu from Manila with no problems! I went diving there and it was so different from the Philippines man! The water was warm but there was no coral or fish that compares to the Philippines at all. I just have to say how spoiled I must be now to see all the things I saw in Anilao. It blows everything else away in color and diversity. I feel fortunate to have seen and experienced the Anilao reefs.”

“Thanks for everything and making this dive trip the best trip ever! As a chef, the food was excellent everywhere we stayed! I enjoyed taking pictures of all the different local foods, awesome!”

“The trips went well. Australia is good but the diving in the Philippines was better. The vis in Australia was between 30 and 50 feet and all of the water critters, including the fish, were smaller than what we saw in the Philippines. Also to my taste the food was better in the Philippines, but I must say some others thought the food was great.

As to a testimonial, ‘With few exception the vis, and prevalence and variety of underwater life available in the Philippines is unsurpassed’ After three diving trips there, I plan to join up for a fourth when available.

Which opens up the question of – are you planning a trip for next year, and if so, any idea (even rough as to when)? We would like to sneak away to Hawaii some time in the spring after the winter has gotten to be a bore and don’t want to double schedule.

Had a great time!”

JR, Leon, John, and Crew:

“I haven’t even been back for a week and I am already craving my next trip to the Philippines!!!!! Having already dove the Barrier Reef, Fiji, Tahiti, Caymans Florida, Mexico and all over in Hawaii, my BENCHMARK HAS BEEN RE-SET! The Bio-diversity in the Philippines was better than anywhere else I have ever been. How sweet was it when Shirley got cold and I gave her my wetsuit and did my dives w/out it – I wasn’t cold in the 82 degree water! I have never seen so many scorpion fish, lions, and up to this point had not seen ribbon eels, frog fish, blue spotted stinray, and cuttle fish the size of my head! Padoy, Allen, Edgar, and all the guys not only were great spotters for me to take pictures, but now are good friends. I can’t wait to go back – now I want the whale sharks!!!”

“Before I met PADI instructors, J.R. Calanoc and Leon Jon Bonney, scuba diving was something I was always fascinated with but never thought I could do. This year, to mark my 50th, I took J.R. and Leon’s scuba diving course in San Mateo, California. They are great and patient instructors, and have teaching methods that will help even the most anxious student overcome their trepidations about diving. Divemasters Jose Calanoc and Chris Martinez gave individualized instruction to ensure that I completed the scuba skills in the swimming pool before leaving for the Philippines, where I completed my open water dives for certification with the Activentures team. The Philippine instructors and dive masters, John Dizon, Ross Romanillos, Edgar, and Abet are knowledgeable, skilled, organized, extremely safety conscious and very patient! Tolits and Lito, the lead boat men, are skilled navigators and very familiar with the local diving conditions, sites and currents. They took us to a variety of different dive sites. What beautiful coral reefs and an amazing variety of aquatic life. I highly recommend the Activentures trip for the novice as well as the experienced diver. There is something for everyone at all skill levels at Anilao Batangas and Puerto Galera. The staff, service, food, and accomodations were all wonderful. I felt I was in good hands, very safe and very well taken care of. The final day of the trip was spent in Manila where we toured the city with a very fun guide, Vinee, who regaled us with history and many colorful stories. Girls, save some time and space in your luggage for shopping… you’ll want to bring home all of your new shoes and pearls. Check out Mananzan Handicrafts at the entrance of Fort Santiago, and the malls at Greenhills and Glorieta. You will have a fun and enjoyable experience with Activentures!”

JR & Vlad,

You two have really made our experience of scuba & the Philipines memorable. Anilao was absolutly beautiful with its own secluded bay & deep blue reefs. Our treatment by Vlad was top notch! We couldn’t have asked for a better dive instructor. We not only learned a bit of scuba, but he even let us have a go for a local delicacy, balut (duck egg).

JR, your patience combined with your endless enthusiasm as a dive instructor & head of Activentures makes you Rock!!! I would truly recommend this experience to anyone who is seeking a “chillaxin” adventure vacation.

A short note to tell you that we had great time. At the terminal we were meet by your identical counterpart John who is just wonderful. The drive to Batangas was nice and the diving was outstanding as were the people. PG was also great John took me to many sites that I could shoot many little creaters with my 15mm fisheye. The sites included abroad spectrum of small and big things. Boracay was as pictured. This was trully one of my best dive trips. All made possible by you and your wonderful staff i can not say enough good things about John who was always there.

We loved the time we spent in your beautiful country and look forward to returning soon. MAKE MORE BEER, WE’RE COMING BACK!!

Valdaman!

You rock our underwater world! I had the best time with you baby! John and I are engaged to get married on 7-07-07! Thanks so much for your expertise! Hello to Elaine too!

See you soon!

Hello in PI!

We all missed you at our party. It was great to see everyone again, but you should have been here, The word is Tubataha in ’08. You had better all be there! Thanks for everything. It was a terrific trip made all the more special by all of you. Vlad and John- special thanks for all you do!

The Philippines… Wow I had ssssoooo much fun! The dive instructors were so nice and I totally felt safe with them. this was truly a trip of a life time. when I went home I told my family all about my adventures ( trust me their was a lot to tell ) . I had such a good time, if I ever get the chance to go back again I will take it. I Have some special thanks to jr, tom, the boat men, the dive masters, and most importantly my mom if it wasent for her I wouldn’t have been able to go, and I wouldn’t of had the best time that I did.

“Way to go Gab! Diving the Philippines at 12 years old!” – ActiVentures Team

As everyone dreams once in a while of sleeping in a hammock under a tropical sky in Paradise, I was Reveling in the moment as I slightly lifted my head to watch the crystal white moon Beaming a reflective glare as it gently rested itself on the horizon illuminating silhouette of the pristine coastline and dense jungle which seemed to be reaching for the water’s edge. I closed my eyes, as rustling leaves and fluttering palms responded to the slight breeze forecasting a possible drizzle in a moments notice…

No matter to me as I pulled my bath towel (aka blanket) over my sun-baked body and damp swim trunks (the extent of my attire) that would be my bedding for the night. Then I smiled in contentment, without a care, reveling in the moment that this was not a dream… But a moment of bliss and tranquility picture post cards are made of…

Better yet, this was just the beginning of my all-inclusive Activentures Philippines Diving adventure which promised an activity-filled week of professionally guided, catered, and orchestrated diving, eating, sharing, laughing, learning, and indulging amongst newly found friends and places, in the heart of a remote, unspoiled aquatic sanctuary of Batangas, Anilao and Apos Reef, Philippines.

When I booked my scuba trip to the Philippines with Activentures Inc., I was immediately comforted by the staff’s professionalism:

From the initial orientation classes, their enthusiasm, organization and personal attention, guaranteed a much-anticipated pleasant, safe, and exciting experience.

The staff and crew both here and in the Philippines took care of our equipment and bellies, leaving little to worry about but the selection of various throw pillows, tatami mats, and when to schedule our private massages…

The accommodations were rustic, yet clean, and comfortable; The food was top notch; the diving was excellent; the dive masters and boatmen were courteous and kind, and the energy was positive.

Three days from outrigger dive boats and three days on a live-aboard helped break up the dive experience even more so: Encounters, with eels, Manta Rays, Sea Turtles and Sharks, Lobster, Urchins and an array of sea-life greeted us with each dive. The 84 degree clear waters and the remote landscape furthered the experience of being away from it all. Reef dives, wall dives, Blue water and shallow reefs, remote islands and open water all treated us to a diverse and interesting experience.

Thank you to all my new friends, and the Professional Team at Activentures, my dive masters, and Crew the for the opportunity to share your lives and passions with me.

Looking forward to new ActiVentures with all of you…

Thank you for implementing a great package deal for Scuba Divers to the Philippine Islands.

I had an awesome time!

What a fabulous trip! I expected to see a beautiful reef. I hoped to see turtles, rays, and sharks. I ended up seeing it all and then some. What’s more, I saw it in the company of great friends, old and new.

Words can’t express what a joy it was to have Arlie, John, Vlad, and the rest of the wonderful people in the Philippines there to help make this trip so unforgettable. Ross picking us up at the airport made for a welcoming and stress-free arrival. Arlie’s attentive nature made me feel so pampered. John’s expertise put me at ease during my best friends certification there. Vlad and John not only made diving fun (from the boat ride to the site all the way through the discussion about it hours after), but they also made our night out in Manila completely memorable.

Thanks to everyone mentioned above, the rest of the staff, and particularly JR for making all the arrangements. Balai’s native charm, the Ocean Explorer’s comfort, and the luxurious Belleview, all contributed to a pleasurable and well rounded trip. Kudos for the choice selection of accommodations and staff!

I hope to come back soon. Maybe the Tubbataha trip?

The recent Instructors Tour of the Philippines was amazing! Since I moved to the US in 1969, I really had no desire to visit the Philippines, until the ActiVentures dive trip. It’s funny how diving breaks all barriers. The trip to Batangas showed me the natural beauty of the islands, and the liveaboard to Anilao and Puerto Galera was top-notch. The Divemasters and the Tristar crew really showcased the underrecognized beauty of the Philippines: pristine reefs, variety of big and small marine life, and the hospitality of the Filipinos.

The food at the resort and on the TriStar was yummy and plentiful–my compliments to the kitchens!! All the DMs were extremely knowledgeable and took the time to get to know the divers’ styles–it was like having an extended buddy system.

Part of what my company does is to arrange and manage medical meetings and conventions, and I was very impressed with ActiVentures’ logistical supervision, attention to detail, attentiveness to all members of the group and as divers yourselves, how well you anticipated our needs. Not to mention wonderful accomodations and fun tour operators. What a treat to simply get off the plane, get to the resort, and just dive! Even our last day at the hotel (and spa) was full of inspiration and treats!

This was truly a divers dream trip: No worries, other than when the next dive was. No disappointments, other than our tanks couldn’t last forever. No sorrows, except when we had to depart. We truly did DIVE…EAT…DIVE…EAT….DIVE…EAT…DIVE…SLEEP…DIVE…

Thank you for helping me ease back into my heritage, and for showing me the beauty of PI! I look forward to the next ActiVentures trip!

The trip to the Philippines back on October 15, 2005 was sooo awesome.

The only reason I got certified in scuba diving was for that trip and without a doubt it was more than worth it. Getting to travel to another country, dive in tropical water, seeing so much on our dives like turtles, eels, barracudas, sharks and much more.

I was impressed how professional and organized the staff was. The staff all knew what they had to accomplish and completed their task quickly. The staff was very polite and very helpful. I would say that the trip was also very open to different types of divers, aggressive, beginners and even those that just want to relax.

Many thanks to JR and the ActiVentures staff for such a smooth vacation. =)

-Philippines, Loved it, Can’t wait to go back. ^.^

Hi Everyone at Activentures,

I wanted to thank everyone so much for such a wonderful diving tour in the Philippines. Everyone at ActiVentures was helpful in answering questions and making me at ease about the trip. The trip was definitely a diver’s dream come true. This was my first time overseas and has left a great lasting impression. I highly recommend a Philippines ActiVentures diving trip to anyone who wants to find a new location to dive. Don’t stress out anymore about planning your next diving trip, because the guys at ActiVentures take care of all of that.

Thanks JR, Uwem, John, Tom and Vlad !!!

Thanks for a great trip. When is the next one?!? I’ve got to know so I can start planning days off work. Seriously, great weather, great dives, great friends, old and new, great times……Great trip! Thanks again for putting in on. You have re-inspired my love of scuba diving.

I told Activentures at the very last minute that I wanted to join them for part of the trip. They were very flexible in accommodating my last minute request, and in arranging for my special needs – can I do six instead of ten dives… two days instead of a week… gonna need transportation from here to there… etc. I had a really great time thanks to Activentures for really doing all they can to accommodate me!