Pier Uno Dive Resort by Cocotel

The staff are polite, the dive shop has everything you need, and there’s an easy sloping path from the rooms down to the beach instead of stairs. It’s convenient that meals are included with the rooms, and the food is always delicious, like it was made with care. The rooms are consistently clean, and they use solar power.

I keep coming back for the food and service. Meals are always delicious and generous, and the staff are trained to a high standard. The dive center crew are legends. Even on rainy, wavy days, they walk into the water with you while carrying your tanks. The entrance could use work. It’s extremely steep, and the muddy construction right outside, which isn’t the resort’s fault, makes it harder to get enough speed for the sharp turn up to the main road. The slope is very steep. Rooms are clean, though they don’t have a view.

I came for a day visit and tried an introductory dive with Salbe. He has over 20 years of experience, and it showed in how clearly and skillfully he taught me. I’d had a bad experience learning how to avoid ear pain somewhere else, so his knowledge of the technique helped me trust him. He knows the reefs inside out, and the view was stunning even on a day when the water was considered less clear. We went down 8.8 meters and saw urchins, colorful fish, and sponges. I wish I could have stayed for the three-day open water lesson. The resort staff were very nice, and even if you stay somewhere else, diving here is worth it.

Do not book here. You’ve been warned. They said there’d been a mistake with the online booking and demanded an extra 6,000 pesos, even though I’d paid the full amount months earlier. The smoke alarm in my room chirped every 60 seconds because its battery was low. Staff came, told me it was supposed to do that, and left without replacing the battery. Unbelievable. At checkout, they charged me for damage that was already there. What a scam. The resort is at the bottom of a very steep road. My taxi driver wouldn’t go down, so I had to walk uphill with my luggage to meet the driver. The problems went on and on. By far the worst experience I’ve had in the Philippines. Do not book here.