MV Dolphin Liveaboard Overview

Torben Lonne
By
Torben Lonne
ByTorben Lonne
Editor and Co-founder at DIVEIN.com
Torben traveled to South East Asia for scuba diving and never really stopped his search for new adventures. His affinity for gear that works and his...
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- Editor and Co-founder at DIVEIN.com
MV Dolphin liveaboard boat anchored near a forested coastline in the Philippines
Two passenger decks and a blue hull marked with her name, MV Dolphin has the practical look of a boat built for repeat diving trips rather than luxury cruising.
MV Dolphin's wheelhouse and curtained cabin windows viewed from the deck below
Drawn curtains on the lower deck hint at cabins tucked just behind the wheelhouse, close enough to the bridge that engine noise is part of the deal.
Guests and crew gathered in the MV Dolphin's saloon for an evening of guitar music
An impromptu guitar session in the saloon is the kind of low-key evening that defines liveaboard life more than any brochure photo of a sundeck.
Guests dining together under a canopy on the MV Dolphin's open deck at night
Dinner moves outdoors under canvas here, letting guests eat with a sea view instead of the enclosed saloon below.
Divers seated in a tender skiff alongside the MV Dolphin, ready to head to a dive site
Divers step down into a tender rather than a fixed platform to reach the water, so a steady hand getting in and out of the skiff is part of every dive.
MV Dolphin cabin interior with wall-mounted TV, air conditioning unit and ensuite bathroom
A wall-mounted TV and private bathroom keep the cabin functional rather than fussy, built for sleeping between dives rather than lounging in port.
A reef shark swimming past schooling fish in blue water
A reef shark holding steady in open water and a cloud of small fish, the kind of encounter that keeps divers booking Philippine liveaboard trips year after year.
Crew members and a guest standing at the MV Dolphin's stocked onboard bar
The onboard bar doubles as the social hub between dives, crew and guests mixing over a counter stocked more for unwinding than for cocktails.
Chicken, seafood and corn grilling on a barbecue during an evening cookout on the MV Dolphin
Chicken, seafood and grilled corn on an open flame is the classic liveaboard barbecue night, built to refuel a crew of hungry divers rather than plate up fine dining.
Guests seated around a table of plated fish dinners in the MV Dolphin's dining room
A shared table of plated fish dinners is where a week of diving turns strangers into a group, the kind of meal that closes out a good day underwater.
Guests serving themselves from platters during a barbecue dinner in the MV Dolphin's dining room
A self-serve spread turns dinner into the busiest, most social stretch of the day, a deliberate contrast to the quiet focus of the dives themselves.
Scuba tanks and gear stored in a corridor on the MV Dolphin's dive deck
Tanks and gear stay racked and ready between dives in a space like this, the unglamorous logistics behind fitting several dives into one day.
Divers wave from a gear loaded dive dhoni pulled alongside the MV Dolphin liveaboard
Tanks and gear stay racked and ready between dives right on the dhoni, the unglamorous logistics that pack several dives into one day.
Platters of cold cuts, shrimp and salad laid out for a self-serve dinner on the MV Dolphin
Dinner turns into the day's busiest, most social stretch thanks to this self-serve spread, a deliberate contrast to the quiet focus of the diving itself.
Two single beds with striped throws in a wood paneled twin cabin on the MV Dolphin
A straightforward twin share setup for divers who would rather not split a double bed with a cabin mate.
A flat-screen TV and built-in wardrobe sit beside two beds in a cabin on the MV Dolphin
Storage is built in rather than bolted on, handy when a cabin doubles as the only dry space for a week's worth of gear bags.
A carved wood double bed sits beneath golden curtains in a cabin on the MV Dolphin
A queen size bed and a separate chaise give this cabin more room to spread out than the standard twin setup.
A cabin on the MV Dolphin with a dressed bed, work desk, TV and lounge seating area
A proper desk and separate seating area make this one of the more livable cabins for a week aboard the MV Dolphin.
Towel swans decorate the bed in a cabin with a TV, desk and wicker chair on the MV Dolphin
The wicker desk chair and warm lighting make this cabin feel more like a small guesthouse room than a boat berth.
A double bed with a woven headboard sits beside a sofa in an air conditioned cabin on the MV Dolphin
A dedicated sofa is a rare extra on a liveaboard, giving this cabin somewhere to sit that is not the bed.
A bunk bed with a wooden ladder faces a window looking out over the sea on the MV Dolphin
The window seat view of the coastline is the best reason to book the upper bunk over the lower one.
Bunk beds with folded towel animals in a standard cabin aboard the MV Dolphin liveaboard
A shared bunk cabin like this is the budget pick on the MV Dolphin, proof a lower price on a liveaboard doesn't mean giving up a made-up bed.
En suite bathroom with sink, toilet and handheld shower in a cabin aboard the MV Dolphin liveaboard
Every cabin on the MV Dolphin comes with its own en suite, so there's no scheduling around a shared bathroom between dives.

Where to book

PADI Travel Secure online booking Liveaboard.com No booking fees

Dive to the most famous dive spots in the Philippines that only liveaboard visits and travel with your family and friends aboard MV Dolphin. The itinerary destinations are carefully selected to offer budget-friendly packages to everyone. Many activities await tourists in every destination and get a chance to have an up-close encounter with marine life as well as wildlife around the islands. Capture the beautiful landscapes and watch the sunset while drinking a hot coffee onboard. The friendly crew team is on hand to give you the best service that this liveaboard can offer. We are here to serve you throughout the year.

About this overview

To help you decide whether this liveaboard fits your dive style, budget, and comfort needs, we’ve researched the boat, itinerary, onboard experience, diving setup, and overall value.
We review liveaboards based on the details that matter most during a multi-day dive trip, including cabins, food, crew support, dive operations, safety, route quality, and how the boat compares with similar options in the destination.

Disclosure: We are reader supported, and may earn affiliate commissions when you buy through us.

Things we like:

  • Several divers reported that the reefs were healthy and full of huge schools of fish
  • Many people were happy with the end of the trip BBQ on the rear deck
  • Divers said they were pleased to have the opportunity to see whale sharks
  • The crew was exceptional and always gave a helping hand

Things we don't like:

  • A couple of people said the food lacked inspiration
  • Some people were taken back by the small dive deck and lack of lounging areas

Where to book

PADI Travel Secure, seamless online booking Book Liveaboard.com No credit card or booking fees Book

Diving on the MV Dolphin in the Philippines

 

This boat started its journey in 1986 that earned many positive reviews from hundreds of tourists. It has complete amenities for ocean exploration with a home-style setting accommodation. This liveaboard is 27m/88.5f with a top speed of 10 knots per hour.

MV Dolphin can cater a total of 18 guests to its seven spacious cabins located on the lower deck and two VIP rooms on the upper deck. Each cabin has led TV with USB and HDMI ports, individual air-conditioning, private bathrooms with hot and cold shower and storage for clothing. Housekeeping is daily provided to maintain cleanliness in each cabin. Guests can use the laundry service to have fresh and clean clothes every day. The spacious saloon has air-conditioning, audio, and video entertainment system, a small library filled with magazines and marine life books. The stylish sun deck has comfortable sun loungers perfect for ocean viewing. Also, Guests can relax in the massage room after a day of dive.

The professional chef onboard serves delicious local and international cuisines made with fresh ingredients from the local market. Every meal is served with complimentary drinks and delicious desserts. Snacks are available all day plus alcoholic beverages can be purchased onboard. Moreover, vegetarian options are available for guests with a plant-based diet. Guests can add their specific dietary requirements on the booking form to assist them better on board. We only cater requests for food allergies and religious beliefs.

Smooth sailing and safety is our top priority. We ensure that this liveaboard follows the Boat Safety checklist before leaving for its journey. It has necessary amenities for boat navigation and safety including life vests placed on every level of this boat, emergency oxygen, fire extinguishers, satellite phones, and first aid kits. The well-trained staff can manage any situation that might occur on this boar as well as facilitate first aid.

The dive deck is spacious enough for divers preparation. It has three compressors, nitrox membrane, tenders for diving and side-mount diving. Guests can choose the watersport that is suitable for them to enjoy the pristine ocean of the Philippines. Nitrox is available for purchase, and rental equipment can be reserved upon booking.

The crew welcomes every guest with refreshments and snacks upon checking-in. A short briefing and introduction are provided to give guests safety guidelines and the itinerary plan. The Philippines is a beautiful tropical country with spectacular dive sites and healthy marine life. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site to capture the most beautiful underwater paradise. Tubbataha has 350 species of corals, coral gardens, sea walls, and pinnacles. Swim along with a variety of sharks, manta rays, barracudas, Napolean wrasse, parrotfish, jacks, trevallies, turtles and tuna. Apo Reef and Coron are known for wreck diving spots in South East Asia with abundant marine sanctuary. The best time to visit the Philippines is between November to May when it is unlikely to rain. The crew speaks English and German plus we are here to help you have the best holiday safari with your friends and family.

Things we like:

  • Several divers reported that the reefs were healthy and full of huge schools of fish
  • Many people were happy with the end of the trip BBQ on the rear deck
  • Divers said they were pleased to have the opportunity to see whale sharks
  • The crew was exceptional and always gave a helping hand

Things we don't like:

  • A couple of people said the food lacked inspiration
  • Some people were taken back by the small dive deck and lack of lounging areas
Key facts
Year built: 1986
Max divers: 18
Rental equip: Yes ($)
Camera station: No
Internet: No
Min logged dives: No minimum
Nitrox: No
Aircon: Yes
Trip length: < 5 Nights
Price range: Mid-range

Where to book

PADI Travel Secure, seamless online booking Book Liveaboard.com No credit card or booking fees Book
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1 Comment
Terry Drake
Terry Drake

Warning- this boat has a no refund policy NO MATTER WHAT. They have been inflexible and
no help when it came to the COVID 19 delays and travel restrictions that made it impossible for many divers to get to the dive boat. Even if the boat does not go the owner has stated that he won’t give any money back. Taking money for services that he can not provide and knows people can not get to is fraud. Beware

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