Freediving Family Reunion:
Camping the Islands of Apo Reef and Busuanga, Philippines (20 Spots Total)
Untouched Coral Reefs in Electric Blue Water
Embark on a 4 day/3 night unique freediving adventure at the Freediving Family Retreat in Apo Reef and Busuanga, Philippines. Nestled amidst breathtaking islands, pristine coral reefs, and crystal-clear waters, this retreat promises an unparalleled experience of island living, where we'll sleep under the stars on remote beaches, explore vibrant coral gardens, and spend our days immersed in the captivating world beneath the electric blue water.
The turquoise waters surrounding Apo Reef and Busuanga are full of coral reefs bursting with vibrant colors and marine life and teeming with diversity. Our diving will take us through a journey of exploration, not only diving on beautiful reefs, but also hitting up manta cleaning stations, wrecks dugongs and sharks. The remoteness of these islands mean that these reefs remain largely untouched by the typical damage seen on other reefs, ensuring a once in a lifetime experience.
By day we will travel by bangka (local boats) and by night we have the incredible opportunity to sleep under the stars on remote island beaches. We'll set up tents right on the sand, providing a unique opportunity to be enveloped by the sounds of the ocean and wake up each day to the beauty of the sunrise over the sea.
This is definitely going to be a trip to remember. We cant wait to see you there!
Beautiful Island Diving Awaits!
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The Activities
This adventure is full of diving adventures with boat rides in between to catch our breaths and recoup our energy.
We will be diving with an experienced crew that know all of these islands and are also fantastic divers themselves. We will travel via boat with kitchen, upper deck for catching a tan, common area and toilet and will camp on the beaches at night eating and laying under the stars, with a few cheeky night dives thrown in as well.
Diving locations are comprised of a viariety of stops and attractions; from coral reefs and large marine life stops (including white tip and black tip sharks, dugongs and mantas) to some of the best wrecks from World War 2 that you have ever seen.
Each day we can begin with yoga on the beach or perhaps a morning swim to get ready for another day of beautiful diving and adventures.
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The Schedule
Day 1
Depart from Coron
Siete Pecados
Sunset Tower in Apo
Camp Site: Apo
Day 2
Karma Wreck
Shark Airport
Wall Spot
Camp Site: Maltanobong Island
Day 3
Dugong Point
Manta Point
Black Island Shipwreck
Camp Site: Black Island
Day 4
Black Island Caves
Landing Craft Wreck
Lusong Coral
Lusong Gunboat Wreck
Return to Coron -
What Is Included and what Isnt
Included in the price of booking is the following:
Accommodations (tents, including mattresses, sheets and pillows)
Boat transportation fees
Food and drinks, including beer and rum, chef services
Freediving buoys
Morning yoga instruction
Generator for charging camera batteries and phones (there will be very minimal cell service)
Park entry fees
Lead weight
Spearguns (if you are keen)
What is not included
Personal luxury items
Personal toiletries
Showers
Towels
Bug spray
Sun screen
Music speaker
Gear Rental (but is available as needed)
Meet Your Host
Join the Freediving Families static fanatic and International Event Manager Brandon Reed on this amazing adventure! He will be there to answer your questions, help facilitate and, much to his chagrin, take some vacation time away from his computer and phone!
Frequently Asked Q’s
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Unfortunately you have to have joined us for a Deep Week or one of our multi day events in Australia in the past to be able to join us at a Freediving Family Reunion.
We do this because, not to brag, but theres something special about our events that you just need to see to fully experience! But don’t worry, we will be running more and more reunions as we move ahead so you will have plenty of opportunities to join us in amazing places around the world.
In the mean time, check out our upcoming Deep Week dates by going to the Deep Week tab in our menu and join us for our next Deep Week!
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During our Family Reunions, we don’t offer certifications. You must be at least Wave 1 certified or the equivalent to be able to attend these events!
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Due to the unique nature of the events and how each one is individually planned, we are only able to transfer your deposit to a future Freediving Family Reunion and only if you have requested the deposit to be moved no closer than 6 weeks before the event begins.
In the event that you need to cancel your spot within 6 weeks of the event starting, we do charge a fee equal to the event deposit. Any balance remaining can be applied to a future Family Reunion.We cannot issue refunds.
For more info, check our terms of service.
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You will be provided a shared tent with an air mattress, sheets and pillow for sleeping. Showers are not available but bucket showers with limited water is available for us to have a quick rinse at the end of the day before bed. Fresh water is provided in large jugs for drinking and filling your water bottles!
We wont lie, this one is one of the more “rugged” adventures we run but trust me, its absolutely worth it!
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Unfortunately it’s not included. You can either bring your own gear from home or you will be able to rent gear from the local organizer. Use the contact form below for assistance with gear rental.
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The water in the Philippines is pretty incredible!! For the most part, the wetsuit you wear will be primarily for sun protection. 1.5mm should be fine and if you wanted to do a rash guard and leggings to protect yourself, that would be totally viable as well. If you do get cold, you can jump out, warm up in the sun on the boat deck, and jump back in when you are ready!
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You can pay an initial deposit to secure your spot and later on pay the remainder balance.
With no deposit, there is no booking confirmed.
As soon as you book in, you will receive an email with a button that says “Pay Remainder Balance”. You can click that button anytime you like.
We ask the full payment to be covered six weeks before the start of the event.
You can also choose to pay in full.
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PayPal or credit card. Your transaction is secured.
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Nothing during the retreat is compulsory.
If you feel like you need some time to chill and relax by skipping a dive session, then by all means do so!
With a smaller group, we have more flexibility to go off script but, as always, this is your vacation and you get to decide how you want to engage with it!
Pricing
Our spots for Retreats are filling fast!
$490 AUD
Pay Your Deposit
$995 AUD
Pay In Full
The price includes all costs from when you step onto the boat and when you step off but does not include any flight travel or transport from other airports, meals (aside from what is provided from the crew) or gear hire. To ensure your booking is confirmed, please provide a $490 AUD non-refundable deposit. The remaining amount can be paid 6 weeks prior to the Family Reunion. Your transaction is secure through Stripe. Terms of Service.