Boracay’s underwater world is the draw here, but the best reason to choose Wicked Squid is the close attention you get before and during your time below the surface. The team uses a traditional bangka for the short boat outing, and beginners can practice in shallow water before heading farther out.
I like two things in particular: instructors such as Sammy and Grace are repeatedly praised for calm, hands-on guidance, and photos and videos are included, so you can keep a record without handling a camera yourself. A possible snag: the standard boat option is for certified divers who have been underwater within the past 18 months. If you are new to scuba, book the Intro option instead.
- Choose the right package: Certified participants, beginners, night explorers, and people needing a refresher have separate options.
- Expect a small, guided outing: The stated duration is two hours, with the site and timing affected by weather and conditions.
- Practice comes before the main session: Intro participants report time in shallow water to get familiar with equipment and basic signals.
- Go from Station 3: The shop is on Ambulong Road by White Beach. Look for signs in the alley.
- Bring home photos and video: The operator includes them, a useful extra if you would rather focus on the experience.
- Check the eligibility rules: Participants must be 12 or older. Certified divers need a recent scuba outing for the certified boat option.
- A beginner-friendly way to see Boracay underwater
- At Station 3, start with the briefing
- The bangka ride and the underwater session
- The return, timing, and what can change
- Price, package choices, and value
- Who should book, and who should pause
- Should you book Wicked Squid?
- FAQ
- How long does the activity take?
- What departure times can I choose?
- Do I need scuba certification?
- What is included?
- Where is the meeting point?
- What happens if weather forces a cancellation?
- More Scuba Diving Tours in Malay
- More Tours in Malay
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A beginner-friendly way to see Boracay underwater
Wicked Squid’s setup aims to make a scuba session straightforward: arrive at its Station 3 shop, get fitted with equipment, listen to the instructor, and board a traditional bangka for the trip to a selected site. The stated duration is about two hours from departure to return, though the schedule can shift by 30 minutes or more depending on the location, weather, and time spent in the water.
The experience is not one-size-fits-all. You can choose a boat outing for certified participants, an introductory session if you are new, a refresher course if you have not been underwater recently, or a night option. That distinction matters. The package information identifies the boat option as intended for certified divers who have completed at least one scuba outing in the previous 18 months.
If this is your first time, select Intro to Scuba Diving rather than the certified boat package. First-timers describe a briefing, basic instruction, and practice in shallow water before proceeding. That sequence is especially useful if you feel uneasy about breathing through a regulator or being underwater for the first time.
At Station 3, start with the briefing
The meeting point is Wicked Squid Divers, Station 3, White Beach, on Ambulong Road in Boracay. The shop sits in an alley, but signs on the wall help you find it. Arrive 15 minutes before your selected departure time. The listed choices are 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m.; the return slots are generally two hours later, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
The exact sequence depends on the package you choose. At check-in, staff handle the practical work, including gear preparation and paperwork, while the instructor explains what you need to know. English and Filipino are the listed guide languages. Some staff have also been able to explain things in Korean, and some speak a little Japanese, but those languages are not guaranteed. Check in advance if you need instruction in a language other than English or Filipino.
For an introductory session, the preparation is more than a quick hello before boarding. Participants describe going over signals and equipment use, then practicing in shallow water before moving on. That is a sensible way to find your comfort level before the open-water portion. If you feel nervous, tell your instructor early. Staff are described as checking on participants and using hand signals to ask how they are doing.
You can also read our reviews of more scuba diving tours in Malay
The bangka ride and the underwater session
Once the group is ready, you head out on a traditional bangka, the local outrigger boat used to reach the selected site. The boat trip is part of the appeal: it gets you off the beach and to an underwater area without requiring you to arrange transport yourself. Wicked Squid supplies the necessary equipment, including dive computers, and a certified professional instructor leads the activity.
The exact site can vary with weather and conditions. Angol Point is one location associated with the experience, and it has been described as suitable for beginners. Do not treat that as a guaranteed stop, though. The operator may select a different site, and the outing may change or be canceled if weather becomes extreme.
Underwater, your job is to follow the instructor’s guidance and take in the surroundings. Introductory participants are accompanied closely, with the chance to focus on fish, coral, and other marine life rather than manage every detail on their own. One participant described seeing a clownfish, while others singled out coral and small sea creatures. What you encounter will depend on the site and conditions, so think of these as possibilities, not a promised checklist.
For certified divers, the boat option gives you a guided return to the water without the structure of a beginner lesson. It is a practical fit if you are already qualified, have dived within the past 18 months, and want a short outing during a Boracay stay. The experience is still guided and equipment is provided, but the activity is not a substitute for certification or a refresher course.
The included photos and videos are a real plus. Instructors have been praised for taking pictures and filming with a GoPro while staying attentive to the group. You can concentrate on your breathing and the scenery instead of trying to hold a camera steady. If getting a clear mask view is difficult, speak up before entering the water. A few participants had trouble with fogging, a common enough nuisance that it is worth flagging early rather than silently struggling through the session.
The return, timing, and what can change
After the underwater portion, the boat returns to the Station 3 area. The scheduled return is about two hours after departure, but the operator notes that the activity can run 30 minutes longer or shorter depending on the chosen site, weather, and time in the water. Avoid planning a tight connection or an appointment immediately afterward.
The schedule can also change because of traffic or weather conditions. If the operator cancels because of extreme weather or another unforeseen event, you can reschedule or request a full refund. In rough conditions, flexibility is more useful than trying to insist on a fixed site or exact return minute.
If you are planning around the rest of your holiday, keep the activity earlier rather than treating it as a last-minute filler. That gives you more room if the timing shifts, and it leaves time to return to the shop if you need help with photos or another question. Participants have also described wishing they had booked earlier in their trip so they could try again. That is a personal preference, not a reason to crowd your schedule, but it is worth considering if you are keen to repeat the experience.
Price, package choices, and value
The experience is advertised from $52.39, while the package menu gives different starting prices: certified boat outing from $47.65, night option from $55.55, introductory session from $55.55, and refresher course from $79.35. The figures differ, so check the current price for your exact package and date before booking. Do not assume the lowest listed price applies to a beginner session.
Value depends on what you need. A beginner is paying not just for boat transport and equipment, but for an instructor-led introduction, time to practice, and close attention in the water. For a certified participant, the convenience of having equipment, a guide, and a boat arranged in one short outing is the main appeal. Free photos and video add practical value, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for someone to document the experience.
The two-hour format makes this an easy activity to fit into a Boracay visit, but it is not a promise of exactly two hours door to door. You must reach the shop early, and conditions can alter the return. Budget a little extra time and confirm the package details carefully.
Who should book, and who should pause
This is a strong choice if you want a guided underwater introduction and value patient instruction over a do-it-yourself outing. The recurring praise for staff care is especially relevant to first-timers and nervous participants. Instructors named Sammy, Grace, and Val are often singled out for clear demonstrations, reassurance, and close attention. Staff at the shop also help with check-in and equipment preparation.
You do not need to be a strong swimmer simply to choose the Intro option, according to participant accounts, but that does not erase the need to follow instructions or disclose relevant medical concerns. The activity is not recommended for people with epilepsy, heart disease, asthma, other serious medical conditions, or for pregnant women. If you have a concern about your health, seek qualified medical advice before booking.
Participants must be at least 12. Children aged 12 to 15 need to be accompanied by a paying adult, and children 12 and older pay the adult rate. People who appear intoxicated can be refused service without a refund. The operator also asks participants not to feed marine or wild animals or harm the ecosystem.
Booking changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, with some exceptions for bookings made through particular passes, presales, or offers. The voucher is valid only on the chosen date and time. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.
Should you book Wicked Squid?
Book it if you want a guided Boracay scuba experience with equipment and boat arrangements handled for you, and especially if you are a first-timer who wants time to practice and an instructor close at hand. The included photos and videos, short duration, and attentive staff make it a useful fit for a holiday schedule.
Pause before booking if you are not certified and are looking at the boat package, have a medical condition listed above, or need a guaranteed site, language, or exact return time. Choose the Intro package if you are new, verify the current price for your selected option, and leave a little slack in your day. With those details settled, Wicked Squid offers a practical way to explore below Boracay’s shore with help close by.
Scuba Diving with Wicked Squid Divers
“It was a very memorable diving experience, and it was also my first time going deep underwater to see the colorful world beneath the sea. Both divi…”
FAQ
How long does the activity take?
The stated duration is two hours. It can vary by 30 minutes or more depending on the site, weather, and time in the water.
What departure times can I choose?
The listed departures are 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Options may vary according to the package and schedule.
Do I need scuba certification?
You need certification for the Boat Diving for Certified Divers option, and you must have completed at least one scuba outing in the past 18 months. If you are not certified, choose Intro to Scuba Diving. If you have not been underwater in that period, choose the Scuba Refresher Course.
What is included?
A certified professional instructor and an English- or Filipino-speaking guide are included. Equipment is supplied, and photos and videos are included with the experience.
Where is the meeting point?
Meet at Wicked Squid Divers, Station 3, White Beach, Ambulong Road, Boracay. Arrive 15 minutes before your selected departure.
What happens if weather forces a cancellation?
The operator may cancel due to extreme weather or unforeseen events. If that happens, you can reschedule or request a full refund.
