Ranmarc Dive Shop and Services

Overview

Ranmarc Dive Shop and Services is a boutique SSI and PADI dive center in El Nido, Palawan, based on Serena Street, Barangay Buena Suerte. The center operates a speedboat — one of only a few in El Nido — which allows it to reach dive sites ahead of the standard banca fleet, giving small groups first access to sites before crowds arrive.

The operation keeps groups intentionally small. Guides are active divers with personal familiarity with Bacuit Bay’s sites, and the center is owner-operated with Mario running the business directly.

Courses & Training

Ranmarc covers the PADI pathway from Discover Scuba through Divemaster. SSI certification is also available. Course groups are kept small and the instruction follows the same small-group approach as the fun dives.

• Agency: PADI · SSI
• Entry level: Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water Diver (3-day course including course dives and certification)
• Intermediate: Advanced Open Water
• Professional: Divemaster
• Equipment brands: Aqualung Wave BCDs, Aqualung wetsuits, Apeks AT20 regulators, Luxfer 11-litre tanks

Open Water students complete course dives on the same reef and wall sites as fun divers — certification happens in Bacuit Bay’s actual dive environment, not a pool or bay.

Guided Diving & Operations

The standard package is 2 morning dives or 2 afternoon dives, keeping dive days short so guests have time to explore El Nido on their own. Full-day (4 dive) packages are also available. The speedboat reaches sites faster than bancas, allowing the group to arrive first and dive sites while they’re uncrowded.

• Boats: Speedboat — faster site access and more stable platform than traditional outrigger bancas for similar group sizes.
• Guide ratio: Groups are kept small. Guides are local and know the sites in detail — multiple dive masters have been named individually in reviews for specific wildlife finds.
• Inclusions: Full equipment, divemaster service, boat, snacks, fruit, soup after dives, and lunch on full-day packages. The on-board cook produces meals fresh on the boat.
• Additional activities: Island hopping can be combined with dive days through the same booking.
• Certifications: PCSSD and DOT accredited. Tank air quality tested annually by the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving.

Get covered before you dive: DAN Travel Insurance or DiveAssure.

Best For

Divers who want a speedboat rather than a slow banca — the faster transit means more time at the site and earlier arrival before the crowd. Small groups who want a boutique operation where guides adapt the dive plan to whoever is in the water. Open Water students who want to certify in El Nido’s actual reef environment with a guide who knows the sites personally.