Our Boat - Stella Maris

Live aboard on M/Y Stella Maris Explorer

This boat is a spacious, full service dive cruiser that will truly be your home away from home for The duration of your trip to Tubbataha. Stella Maris, which translates to 'female protector or guiding Spirit at sea, is aptly fitting to the relaxation and comfort that it offers. It boasts an open-air top deck, one of the many features of this pleasure yacht. Whether you're enjoying your sundowner, taking a dip in the jacuzzi, or just simply marveling at the breathtaking sunsets of Tubbataha, you will surely find bliss in Stella Maris' top deck.

Stella Maris' crew members are experienced divers who will guide you throughout the dives. They have logged at least 3,000 dives to date, with some of them being certified Emergency Medical Technicians. Trust that you can give them your full confidence that they are not only experts in handling currents and navigation, they will also give you the best dive experience by appreciating marine life. After each dive, guests can use the 4 open rinse showers on deck.

Dining and Relaxation

While diving is really exhilarating and exciting, it can also be tiring and exhausting! Stella Maris will take care of you and your appetite 'til the very end. They serve Asian fusion cuisine, as well as unlimited tea, coffee or juice. In one of the days during the trip, you will head on over to the Tubbataha Ranger Station, a sandbar in the middle of the vast sea. It is an understatement to say that they have the best viewpoints for sunsets in Tubbataha. But to see is to believe! So just check it out for yourself. Here, just about before the sun sets, Stella Maris' crew will prepare a barbeque grill party for its guests. You can dance in the moonlight or stroll on the sands of this gem in the middle of the Sulu Sea.

In between dives during the day, there will be breaks for you to take a nap or read a book. The guests can enjoy the lounge, fitted with an entertainment center with TV, DVD, and stereo. Here, guests can also read from a library of books and magazines. They can also head on over to Stella Maris' modern minimalist rooms for that well-deserved rest. Its design features ample space and functionality, which is customized for the needs of divers onboard. Guests can choose from 3 deluxe, 4 standard, and 3 C-deck cabins. All rooms are fully-air conditioned and equipped with carpeted interiors. All ten of its twin-sharing cabins have memory foam and orthopedic mattresses that will help you get the best sleep. These are also equipped with ensuite toilet and bath with hot and cold water.

Boat

While Stella Maris is relatively a small boat that carries a maximum capacity of 20 guests (excluding crew), it is packed with engine power and efficiency. The aluminum hull can carry a gross tonnage of 275.93, and can cruise at a speed of 8-10 knots. It also ensures that water supply is available throughout the duration of the trip, with water capacity of 18 tons. In terms of safety, navigation, and communication, guests are assured of the most reliable equipment and systems during their trip. First aid DAN kits are also available onboard.

Diving

Stella Maris also offers dive equipment on board for a minimal cost. It can provide divers BCDs and regulators, while the tanks and weight belts are included in the package. From dive site to dive site, Stella Maris will provide 2 chase boats to ensure quick entry and exit from the water.

Stella Maris will stay true to its name- a guiding protector at sea-until the very end of your trip. Your utmost enjoyment during the trip to Tubbataha is the core mission of this boat. The ocean will give you a lot of lasting memories from the abundance of marine life you will find here, but leave it to Stella Maris to create the best experience you can have in Tubbataha.