Very few locations in the Philippines offers the opportunity to experience a true Robinson Crusoe setting of being on a remote island with its own beautiful white, sandy beach. This, as well as fantastic wreck diving just minutes away, is Sangat Island Resort.
The resort is located on the South West corner of Sangat Island and has its own 300m long white sand beach with the nearest village being a 20 minute boat ride away. This is definitely the place to stay for scuba divers who want complete, undisturbed relaxation while being only a short boat ride away from some of the best wreck dives in the world for recreational and tech divers alike.
At Sagnat Island, guests will feel as though they are in their own wildlife reserve on this 700 hectares island, which has no other human habitation. Nature is all around you. There is a healthy population of Macaque monkeys, which are frequently seen in the treetops above the resort, plus many types of birds, including the rare Philippine Hornbill.
Limiting environmental impact is very much the philosophy of the resort. All electricity is produced on the island, mainly by solar panels. During the day the use of electricity is limited to the restaurant, dive centre and bar areas however if you need electricity in your room during the day you just need to ask.
All water for drinking and showering is also produced on the island, by use of a reverse osmosis water purification system. The set up behind the scenes on how the solar and water purification system works is quite impressive, and the owner of the resort, Andy, will only be too happy to show guests around.
Accommodation buildings are simple, native style, using local materials such as split bamboo
for flooring, woven bamboo for wall panels and nipa or cogon for roofing. All rooms are free standing and detached allowing for a more private and quiet stay.
Each room has screened windows on all sides allowing for lovely sea breeze. There is also electric fan, 220v power points and large mozzie nets over the bed. The spacious bathrooms are clean and well maintained, with cold-water shower and western style WC. There are comfy hammocks fitted under most of the cottages with more dotted around the resort.
The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as buffet style. Typically, there are two or three main dishes available with choice of fresh fish, meat, rice and vegetables cooked local or international style. Additional side salads, fresh and local fruits and deserts are a staple. The homemade ice cream is definitely worth saving some space for!
The Dive Centre is well equipped and can accommodate recreational and technical divers. Nitrox is always available, courtesy of the membrane system. Needless to say, for a resort of this standard you do not need to lift a finger, while the dive team gets your gear ready and loads it onto the boat. With its close proximity to 11 Japanese World War II Wrecks and the dive centre speedboats, you can be back-rolling into the water less than 10 minutes!
All the guides have intimate knowledge of all the wrecks and nearby reefs. If you want to see specific areas within the wrecks like the engine room on the Akitsushima or the kitchens on the Irako, and are qualified to go there, the experienced dive guides will be able to take you.
No day is complete without an evening drink at the Rock Bar; sit back and unwind after a great days diving and watch the shooting stars zoom across the night sky.
