During our travels in 2016, Dan and I had the chance to stay at Atmosphere Resort in Dauin, Philippines, a place that left a lasting impression on me. Dan had been there before, but it was my first time experiencing this beautiful eco-luxury resort, and I immediately understood why he spoke so highly of it. We were visiting his friends, Matthew Holder and his wife, the owners of this extraordinary place. Their story is both inspiring and heartwarming. After falling in love with the Philippines, they decided to build a resort that offered not just world-class diving and relaxation, but also comfort, sustainability, and a strong sense of community. Their vision has become a reality.

Atmosphere is set in an incredibly lush, green space, with beautifully manicured gardens and tropical trees everywhere you look. It’s truly peaceful, and every detail of the resort is designed to make you feel cared for. The food was epic: fresh, healthy, creative, and delicious at every meal, and the pools were absolutely stunning, inviting you to spend long afternoons just floating and soaking in the serenity. It's the perfect place to unwind and reset, but also a place where you can learn a great deal about how to run a luxury tourism operation the right way.

I was also fortunate to meet Dan’s friend, Ulrika Kroon, who was incredibly warm and welcoming, and Daniel Geary, the resort’s marine biologist and dive expert. Their knowledge and passion for marine life added depth to our experience, and it was great to spend time talking about marine conservation with like-minded people.

While I’ve always been more of a shark-and-big-animals kind of diver, Dan is a huge fan of macro photography, and this area is heaven for critter lovers. He was in his element, capturing photos of tiny, alien-like creatures that hide among the sand and coral rubble. The diving in Dauin is world-renowned for muck diving and rare species, and the dive guides at Atmosphere are some of the best we’ve ever seen at spotting them. Dan spent lots of time photographing and filming octopus. You can watch his awesome octopus video by clicking here!

Right in front of the resort lies Apo Island, a renowned marine sanctuary famous for its exceptional underwater biodiversity. The healthy coral reefs and steep underwater walls provide a stunning backdrop, where you can encounter sea turtles, moray eels, clownfish, and an abundance of marine life. Apo Island is one of the most pristine and well-protected dive spots in the Philippines. It’s a fantastic reminder of how thriving marine ecosystems can be, just a short boat ride from the resort.

One of the most meaningful moments of our visit was giving a talk about sharks at the school located inside the resort. Yes, the resort has its own school! Built by the owners for their kids and the children of their staff, it’s a lovely little learning space filled with bright energy and curiosity. Sharing our knowledge about sharks with the students there was an unforgettable experience. Their questions were thoughtful, and it was clear that they were truly engaged. It’s initiatives like this that make Atmosphere so unique: luxury with heart, and hospitality with purpose.

I’m incredibly grateful to Matthew, his wife, and the entire team at Atmosphere for welcoming us so generously and teaching us so much about comfort, detail, and sustainable tourism. Our time there was both relaxing and inspiring, and I left with new friendships, deeper insights, and a renewed motivation to create our own meaningful guest experiences in the world of diving.