What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Michel at Shangri-la Cebu 🥳🫶

  J3398LUcarriec,Mar 16, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Michel was amazing at teaching me how to scuba dive for the first time. He is very calm and relaxed and made me feel safe. He is very friendly and extremely helpful with heavy weights. He is very patient and explains things clearly. Highly recommended!

• Michael - Open Water Diving

  B2897JLcamerong,Jan 12, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Michael was my instructor, he was very professional, friendly and helpful. Would 100% recommend!

• PADI course experience - Michel and Freddie

  Paul B,Oct 28, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Phenomenal experience. Michel and Freddie takes their time and delivers clear and concise instruction. Ensuring everyone trains to standard but well within their limits. Safety was always paramount. The entire experience was surreal. These guys are amazing. If you want a solid experience with memories and certificates that will last a lifetime. This is the place. Highly, highly recommended.

• Great folks!

  NorthStar33375247186,Jul 3, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Friendly and professional staff! Floyd made my dive safe and enjoyable. I highly recommend this dive shop as well as Floyd!

• Great place for open water certification.

  T160KXdanielk,Jul 2, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Just a wonderful experience from start to finish. Had “Mish”, a Czech instructor who stressed safety while also making the course really fun and as “low stress” as the course should be. And the rest of the staff at the dive shop were top-notch. Recommend without any hesitations.

• Amazing SSI Open Water Certification Experience

  lancem841,Jan 18, 2020

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  When I decided to come to Cebu for a long weekend, I wanted to get my Open Water Certification. I did a LOT of research and after some communication with Scotty’s, I knew that’s where I wanted to be trained. From the start, Peter was amazing comparing the different courses. I was dead set on PADI, but ultimately chose SSI for my certification. There is hardly any difference, but that one felt right. I was immediately given access to the eLearning via SSI website and/or app. I was able to complete the entire coursework before arriving and it was a huge help. The facilities are great and very open. They provide equipment to cover all shapes/sizes/experience levels. I am a big guy 6’4” and about 250lbs. The only thing I needed to bring was exposure protection (shorty wetsuit or rash guard). My actual diving instructor was Alvin, and I could not give anyone a higher recommendation. His friendly attitude, vast knowledge and patient teaching style is second to none. I was fortunate to be in a 1on1 training, and that was hugely helpful. The program progressed as fast/slow as I needed. Everything was tailored to me. The pool training was at the main pool, which had enough space to accomplish the required skills before testing them in the open water. The open water dives were AMAZING. Shangri-la has a couple of spots to do your open water dives, including a sanctuary that is beautiful. I was extremely lucky in that there was a dive boat going out just before I was scheduled to complete my 3rd training dive. I got to tag along and complete some skills while thoroughly enjoying a steep cliff and swimming with a large group of sardines. That was easily the highlight. Overall the communication, facilities, staff, and training are second to none. I am so glad I chose Scotty’s and if/when I come back to Cebu, I know where I will be diving!!

  

  

  

• Highly Recommended! 5 stars!

  annickad2020,Jan 16, 2020

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Just wanted to drop in and say thanks to everyone at Scotty's Dive Center in Cebu. Got certified to dive at the beginning of this year, and my instructor Jordan was just wonderful. Being a first-time diver, I was a little apprehensive but he was encouraging and helpful every step of the way. I felt super calm after our first session and even enjoyed a bunch of laughs. We trained in the pool and then had two dives out in the open water, which was so beautiful. Everyone at the shop was very helpful and friendly too! If you're looking for a place to learn SCUBA, Scotty's is a great place to go. You are in great hands over there, and learning diving has changed my life! This is an experience I won't soon forget. Big thanks to my instructor Jordan for being just the best (Somebody give that man a raise! The best! <3) as well as to Peter and Sarah and everyone I met on my trip. Cheers! See you all soon! 5/5 Annicka Dolonius

  

  

  

  

  

• Strongly recommended!

  yyj96,Dec 21, 2019

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Just completed my PADI scuba diving Open Water Certification with Peter & Noah! Noah’s expertise and patience are what all new divers need for their 1st dive. And the Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary is just a amazing underwater world to get you hook on scuba diving! Also, much appreciation to Scotty’s Action team for the fun water sports. Our kids love the hamlet diving & banana boats! Strongly recommend to spend a stress-free vacation with your love ones in Shangri-La Mactan and Scotty’s action!

• Highly recommend!!

  Liadriane,Dec 12, 2019

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  IN SHORT, instructors and staffs are professional and helpful, dive shop is clean and well maintained, incredibly mesmerizing experience within Shangri-La sanctuary and around the area, overall experience SUPERB! These are confirmed by all the great reviews you can find here. BUT if you’ve never dived before and you are thinking if you should pick Scotty’s as your guide to a whole new world under the sea, you may be interested to keep reading. Before the course, I spent days wondering how amazing the world under the water can be. On the other hand, I was nervous - what if I bump into jellyfishes, snakes or whatever that may not be so friendly? What if I could not breathe under the water? We were lucky we chose Scotty’s Mactan. With Scotty’s Mactan, I booked PADI Open Water Diver course for myself and SSI Nitrox Enriched Air course together with my friend. Scotty’s is located 3 mins walk from Shangri-La main pool. On my first day, I was welcomed with a big smile by instructor Peter who taught me in Day 1, including classroom session (probably the coolest outdoor classroom one can ever imagine) and pool session at Shangri-La’s main pool. Peter is extremely professional and knowledgeable. He explained complex concepts in a very clear manner, and it was easy to follow. When I was struggling in the pool, Peter repeated the tasks until I truly mastered the required skills. I completed the rest of the e-learning modules in Ocean Club Lounge of Shangri-La which is equally awesome! I was with another instructor Noah in Day 2 and 3, where I went through two pool sessions and four open water dives. All tasks were clearly explained by Noah and he made sure I could carry out all the tasks. The most challenging part was my first open water dive, as diving in open water is a totally different experience compared to the previous pool sessions. Under the water it is breathtaking and intimidating at the same time. In the beginning, I could feel my heart beating fast and my ears hurting as I descend into the water. It was an unforgettable moment when I realized I could breathe at ease, I could see the cute fishes swimming around me, and I could control my buoyancy through breathing. Noah was very patient while I was trying to overcome my fear. He calmed me down and adjusted his teaching speed according to my learning pace. He was encouraging when I hesitated to dive backwards (backroll entry) and he was reassuring when I panicked in my first two dives. Despite how nervous I was, I know I was in good hands. In Day 4, we were taught by Louie, David and Noah for the SSI Enriched Air course. They went beyond by showing us the details and the concepts behind what we need to learn. They made this course effortless and fun for us! I could not have completed the course without Noah, Peter, David, Louie, and all the great people I met in Scotty's including Christophe, Alex, Bernie etc. Especially to Noah and Peter, I am very grateful to have you as my diving instructors. Thank you for making my first diving course fantastic! It’s not about getting PADI, SSI or NAUI, they are all reputable programs. It is the instructors that determine your experience throughout the course and how much you can get out of it. This trip was so wonderful that my friend and I both find it hard to say goodbye to the team. We would not hesitate to recommend Scotty’s Mactan to anyone who want to learn how to dive!

• It takes time, but it's polite!

  Escape479365,Dec 9, 2019

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  As it is a dive shop located in Shangri-La Maktan, the facilities go without saying! The 5 of us went to get it, and there were also 2 instructors, one Japanese and one Filipino, who taught us very carefully! It takes time because there are some reworks until each skill can be done, but I don't think I've ever rubbed it carefully for safety! The toilets and changing rooms that women are concerned about are also kept clean with top cleaning! There seems to be a discount on user benefits when you fan dive after getting a license!

  

  

  

  
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