Easy Diving and Beach Resort

The staff were incredibly attentive, greeted everyone by name, anticipated what guests wanted, and made us laugh. The rooms were clean, with working air conditioning and water heaters, and I really liked the bed and pillows. Food quality was good, but the wait was very long. The resort is remote, with rooms spread along a jungle hillside. It doesn't feel crowded, but there are a lot of stairs. There's nothing notable within walking distance, and Sipalay takes a short taxi ride. Getting here also means several hours in the car from any airport. The dive shop is professional and has several boats for short and long trips. My guide was very attentive and adapted easily to what I asked for. One thing to keep in mind: at low tide you have to wade out to the boat. By Philippine standards, this hotel is way above average. I felt welcome and safe.

Food and service were great. The staff were very accommodating, and the menu offers a nice mix of Asian and Western dishes. The resort sits on a slope, so it's more than 80 steps up and down to the top rooms, and still 40-50 steps for the closest rooms at the bottom. That's not ideal if you're less mobile or fit. The dive instructors and boat crew were very friendly, though not all were experts on the sites we visited. Nitrox 30 is available, and the boat leaves right from the hotel beach, which I really appreciated. The sandy beach has loungers and is good for swimming when the tide is in. Water shoes are needed because of the sea urchins.

Above the water, the meals, peaceful evenings, and easygoing surroundings were just as memorable as the dives. Christian, Lara, Charity, and everyone at Easy Diving made me feel like family from day one, with warmth and real care throughout my 10 days there. I loved exploring Sipalay and the Cagayan Islands. The reefs were pristine, the walls dramatic, and there was everything from tiny macro life to larger marine animals and intriguing unexplored wrecks. Visibility was fantastic, and the waters still felt authentic and untouched. The guides knew the area well and clearly loved sharing it, while keeping safety and comfort in balance with the adventure. There were relaxed reef dives, drifts, rare critters, and deeper explorations. The whole operation felt well organized, from the boats and service to the food. Easy Diving is a great way to experience these hidden gems of the Philippines. I’d happily return, and next time I’ll bring friends. Highly recommended for divers looking for adventure and genuine hospitality.

If you want somewhere peaceful with good diving, Easy Diving is a lovely option. It’s right on a pretty beach, surrounded by lush greenery, and has a charming restaurant with Filipino and international dishes. The staff are friendly and well trained, and the other guests were very sociable when we visited, mostly European tourists. We were happy just hanging out at the bar and restaurant. Christian, the Swiss owner, answered my emails quickly before our stay. He’s apparently lived in the area for more than 20 years. The resort feels a little like the old joke about heaven being organized by the Swiss. It’s outside town, so going out at night means taking a tricycle, and drivers can brazenly overcharge foreigners. There isn’t much reason to leave, though. For families with young kids, it may be less suitable: there’s no pool for them, and the beach is lovely to look at but not great for swimming. There are also lots of steep stairs, which could be difficult for anyone with mobility challenges.