Summer 2027
APO ISland / Dumaguete, Philippines
June 18th - June 29th, 2027
Located on Negros Island in the Philippines, training will occur at sites around Dumaguete and Apo Island Marine Reserve.
Home to some of the most unique animals on the planet
The MISSION: Ecological Monitoring
Students on this expedition will also be trained as research divers, completing multiple surveys during the trip. One of these surveys will include maintenance of a smart data buoy deployed to advance ocean sampling. Students will assist with the updates to the hardware, and pair indicator species data to the site.
Local Students
Students on this expedition will be joined by local students from the Zamboanguita National Science High School and the Dauin National Science High School.
Training & Certifications
All students will train as scientific divers
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Open Water Diver Track
Students who are not yet scuba certified divers will be on the Open Water Diver track. Open Water Certification will be issued as a pre-requisite to research diving. Nitrox is an optional training.
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Advanced Diver Track
Previously scuba certified students will be on the Advanced Diver track. These students will complete additional training in night diving, nitrox, and deep diving.
Marine Engineering Training
Students design, build, and test remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to solve simulated, real-world ocean workplace scenarios. Tasks model current marine issues like submarine cable deployment, coral reef health, and renewable energy maintenance.
Pre-Trip Training
Marine ID Online Training
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Students may attend live virtual marine life identification sessions before the trip, or view pre-recorded talks.
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Set-up a free account on REEF https://www.reef.org/user/register
This is where you will upload your survey data. Please make note of your REEF member number as you will need it on the trip.
Scuba eLearning & Review
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Students will be assigned a unique code to redeem on the SDI website page: www.tdisdi.com/elearning.
Open Water Track students will receive 1 online code.
Advanced Track students will receive a nitrox, deep and night diving code.
The online training will take approx. 8 hours. All online training is due by June 11th, 2027
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Please upload a signed copy of your final exam for each online training here. (LINK COMING SOON)
Please upload the final exam you sign and not the certificate from SDI. Example
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Enter your unique elearning code at: http://www.tdisdi.com/elearning
OPEN WATER TRACK CODES:
ADVANCED TRACK CODES:
Dive Equipment
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Rental scuba gear
The following equipment is included in the price of the expedition: Research Diving Equipment, 2mm Shorty Style Wetsuit, BCD, Regulator, Dive Computer, Safety Equipment, and Underwater Lights for advanced track students. Nitrox tanks and Weights will be available on location. Students & families are responsible for the replacement value if lost or damaged.
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ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR PURCHASE
Not simply an industry standard, but students prefer to have their own essential basic dive equipment. Gear is available through partner dive centers for students at a discounted rate.
Essential dive gear includes a mask, snorkel, fins, boots, mesh bag, and surface marker buoy.
We will be staying at Atlantis dive resort
Trip Details
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The team at WHALEFALL has been working diligently to reduce the cost of the Summer Immersion program for all students. Through community support the cost has been lowered to the current price of $6,900 for all students.
The cost of the Summer Immersion is based on two students per room. A single room is available for an extra cost of $930. WHALEFALL is not responsible for finding an exact number of compatible roommates.
A $2,500 deposit is due to reserve a space in the summer immersion
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Please email connect@whalefall.ngo to request an application for tuition assistance
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WHALEFALL Marine Tech Educational Curriculum
4-1 Instructor Ratios for In-Water Training
Resort Accommodations
3 meals daily and snacks
Boat Dives & Shore Diving
Scuba Equipment Rental
Scientific Diving Equipment Rental
Night Diving Equipment Rental
Complimentary wireless internet access
Transportation around the island
Local Staff Gratuity
Dive Training & Certifications
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Airfare to Dumaguete. We will assist in booking a group flight.
Travel expenses such as airline baggage or layover hotel.
Travel disruption due to weather or other unforeseen events.
Essential Equipment for Students: Mask, snorkel, fins, boots, SMB, and mesh bag. A discounted rate is offered to students.
Nitrox Fills
Single Room Upgrades ($930)
Marine Park Fee
Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended) We work with a preferred vender, Wanderwell
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If you would like to travel with the chaperone, and are in the Bay Area, below is the flight information.
Group Price: Approx. $1800/person.
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
Estimated SFO Departure: 6/18/27
Estimated Return: 6/29/27
LOCAL INFO
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POWER: The Resort has 110V US compatible plugs
INTERNET: the resort has wireless internet access in rooms and common areas
CURRENCY: Philippine peso
FRESH WATER: All the water at the restaurant is filtered. The restaurant will fill guest water bottles with filtered water, and fresh water is provided in every room.
PAID LAUNDRY SERVICE: If you would like to do laundry during your stay, please contact the front desk for options.
EMERGENCY AND HEALTH INFORMATION: A Defibrillator and Oxygen are located at the dive shop.
DECOMPRESSION CHAMBER: A hyperbaric recompression chamber is available on the island.
WEATHER: Generally, you can expect lots of sunshine with occasional short rain storm. Don’t forget your reef safe sunscreen!
WATER BOTTLES: Please help us protect the environment by refilling your water bottles.
LANGUAGE: The official language on is Tagalog, but English is widely spoken on island.
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Coming Soon
Don’t Forget
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Passport (Expiration date more than six months from trip)
Reef Safe Sunscreen
Ear Spray
A Dive Log System
Certification Card - Advanced Divers
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Students Paperwork Download (coming soon)
Please submit your paperwork by April 31st.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Reserve your space in the experience below with a deposit. Space is limited. If we do not meet the minimum number of students required to run this experience as described 100% of deposits will be returned promptly. Deposits are 100% refundable until October 1st, 2026
$200 Trip Credit for Deposits Received by September 1st, 2026