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MV Discovery Adventure Liveaboard Review

MV Discovery Adventure is the second liveaboard launched by Philippines operator Discovery Fleet. Here’s my first hand liveaboard review of MV Discovery Adventure, which operates 5 day trips to Tubbataha Reef during the 3 month season March to June. It also began operating in Palau in late 2017.

Discovery Adventure Liveaboard

Like its sister ship MV Discovery Palawan, MV Discovery Adventure has recently had a multi million dollar refit and the refurb cost is most evident in the spacious cabins and the huge lounge area which doubles as a dining area, camera preparation station and TV room.

There’s so much space it can easily accommodate everyone doing their activities. This is particularly welcome as it’s an overnight journey to Tubbataha Reef so having space to relax is a real bonus. (You can check MV Discovery Adventure’s current liveaboard departure dates for Tubbataha and Palau, pricing and availability, and see my quick guide to diving Tubbataha Reef).

, Discovery Adventure Liveaboard

The cabins are on the 3rd deck (Upper Deck) at the waterline and the 4th deck (Lower Deck) below the waterline. The lounge area occupies the 2nd deck with two VIP cabins facing to the front of the boat. The open air area at the back of the 2nd deck is where dive gear is stored and donned. Divers then head down the stairs to the 3rd deck where the three zodiac chase boats are waiting to speed out to the dive sites.

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Donning your BCD is done on the zodiac with standard back roll entry. One thing you have to watch out for is that the BCDs are removed from the zodiac and from tanks between dives – when you go to put your BCD on for the next dive, check that the BCD strap has been correctly positioned and fastened before you put it on. Similarly, check nothing has been dislodged like quick release valves or integrated weights.

Cabin with two double beds, Discovery Adventure Liveaboard

The cabins are big – some of the biggest I’ve seen on any liveaboard. They typically feature a huge window and white walls – very clean and stylish. There were two double beds in my cabin, which makes it feel very luxurious for anyone who’s ever had to suffer being in a small bunk bed on a boat. Other cabins typically feature two twin single beds or two queen size beds. The bathroom size is good for a boat and the only quirk is the door on some cabins which is like a safe door, complete with wheel to spin it open and close – you need to put a bit of strength into it!

Cabin with twin beds, Discovery Adventure Liveaboard

The top deck is the dining area. It’s very pleasant to eat al fresco and there’s a buffet laid on for each meal comprising of at least four different dishes, plus dessert and constant tea and coffee. The food is solid, hearty fare – although it’s not particularly vegetarian friendly. A nice touch is the egg station at breakfast, which means freshly cooked eggs to order each morning. For a boat that holds 24 divers, it still felt spacious at mealtimes and during the pre-dive and post-dive times messing around with dive gear.

Bathroom, Discovery Adventure Liveaboard

I was on the Discovery Adventure as part of a familiarisation trip and there are still some teething problems that were being ironed out. The air con in our room was not particularly powerful and it is centrally controlled ie you can’t adjust it yourself. The shower hot water was intermittent at best – not that big a deal but after a long dive it would be welcomed. Both these issues had been recognised by management and were being addressed.

Dining deck, Bathroom, Discovery Adventure Liveaboard

The engine of the Palawan Adventure is currently undeniably noisy. It wasn’t any bother while in the cabins, lounge or dining deck but standing above it in the gearing up area or passing by it in the zodiac coming to and from the dive sites it was noticably loud.

On the upside, the crew were friendly and helpful. Our zodiac driver was fantastic – super careful with handling our cameras and very observant and quick to respond to divers surfacing, as well as being very careful and cautious manoeuvring the boat around them. I would have liked to have seen a bit more “tapping the glass” at each mealtimes for the dive manager or guides to proactively stand up and quickly explain what was going to happen in the morning or afternoon – ie dive times etc. The boat holds 24 guests so it’s important everyone knows what the timetable is so people can gear up at their leisure and the zodiacs can depart on time.

Discovery Adventure Liveaboard

All in all MV Discovery Adventure is a solid mid price offering with a few quirks but no showstoppers. The liveaboard offers 5 day trips to Tubbataha from March to June. The schedule is typically departure in the evening of Day 1, Dive Days 2 to 6 (5 days diving total), cruise overnight to return to Puerto Princesa on morning of Day 7 and catch your flight or stay on to explore Palawan island. As of 2017, from October to March MV Discovery Adventure also began operating 7 day liveaboards in Palau. Check MV Discovery Adventure’s current liveaboard departure dates, pricing and availability.



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Start Planning Your Philippines Dive Trip Now!

:: Check the availability and pricing of liveaboards in the Philippines and book online.


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If you need a good transit hotel near Manila airport, try the Marriott or Nichols Hotel. The actual Manila Airport Hotel is very run down and not recommended.


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:: Find available places to stay in the Philippines on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.


:: Need inspiration? See our Best Places To Dive In The Philippines for ideas of where to go and what to do.


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More Philippines Diving Stories

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My Recent Dive Trips

  • November 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • October 2024: Forgotten Islands and Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • August 2024: Komodo and Saleh Bay liveaboard, Indonesia
  • May 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • April 2024: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • February 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • January 2024:Gangga Island Resort, Indonesia
  • December 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • Mejangan Island, Bali
  • October 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • June 2023: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • April 2023: Maldives liveaboard
  • April 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2022: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • December 2022: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2022: Komodo liveaboard, Indonesia
  • June 2022: USAT Liberty shipwreck, Bali, Indonesia
  • April 2022: Stonehenge, Koh Lipe, Thailand
  • March 2022: Manta Rays at Koh Bon, Thailand
  • January 2022: Richelieu Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • March 2021: HTMS Chang and Alahambra Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2020: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2019: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2019: Malapascua, Philippines
  • June 2019: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • April 2019: Tulamben, Bali
  • December 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • December 2018: Anilao, Philippines
  • October 2018: Moalboal, Philippines
  • October 2018: Malapascua, Philippines
  • July 2018: Tulamben, Bali
  • May 2018: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • April 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines

My Less Recent Dive Trips

  • May 2017: Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
  • April 2017: Tubbataha Reef, Philippines
  • April 2017: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • March 2017: Triton Bay, Indonesia
  • March 2017: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • September 2016: Tulamben, Bali at Alba Dive Resort
  • August 2016: Cenderawasih Bay on Damai 1
  • April 2016: Sogod Bay at Sogod Bay Scuba Resort
  • February 2016: Raja Ampat and Banda Islands on Damai 1
  • April 2015: Anilao at Crystal Dive Resort
  • March 2015: Myanmar and Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • May 2013: Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • April 2013: Tubbataha Reef on Discovery Palawan
  • January 2013: Komodo, Indonesia on MSY Damai
  • August 2012: Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
  • April 2012: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • January 2012: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2011: Hanifaru, Maldives
  • June 2011: Tubbataha Liveaboard Hans Christian Andersen
  • April 2011: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • April 2011: Carpe Vita Liveaboard, Maldives
  • March 2011: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
  • December 2010: Menjangan, Bali
  • July 2010: Tofo, Mozambique
  • July 2010: Sardine Run, South Africa
  • May 2010: Sangalaki / Derawan, Tambora
  • March 2010: MV Flying Seahorse, Similan Islands
  • March 2010: MV Orion, Southern Maldives
  • January 2010: Big Blue Explorer, Palau
  • November 2009: MSY Damai, Banda Sea Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MSY Damai, Komodo Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MV Orion, Maldives Liveaboard
  • September 2009: MV Scubanet, Koh Losin, Thailand
  • May 2009: MSY Seahorse, Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • March 2009: Sachika Liveaboard, Maldives
  • February 2009: Daytrips, Koh Lanta, Thailand
  • January 2009: MV Jazz, Burma (Myanmar) Liveaboard

Back In The Day Bragging Rights Dive Trips

  • November 2008: Borneo Explorer, Visayas Liveaboard
  • September 2008: S/Y Siren, Komodo Liveaboard
  • August 2008: Ocean Rover, Sulawesi Liveaboard
  • August 2008: NAD Lembeh Resort, Indonesia
  • June 2008: Koh Tao
  • March 2008: Maldives, Bandos Island
  • February 2008: MSY Seahorse, Raja Ampat Liveaboard
  • January 2008: MV Jazz, Burma Liveaboard
  • October 2007: Bali Dive Safari
  • September 2007: Davao, Philippines
  • July 2007: Great White Sharks, Rodney Fox Liveaboard
  • June 2007: Big Blue, Palau Liveaboard
  • May 2007: Whale Sharks at Exmouth, Australia
  • April 2007: Borneo Explorer, Tubbataha Reef Liveaboard
  • December 2006: Komodo Dancer, Komodo Liveaboard

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