Avila's Horizon Dive Resort - Insights From Owner Jesica

1. Intro [0:08 - 1:11]

Ananya: Hi, I’m Ananya. I’m a junior content manager with Trip101. Today we’re traveling all the way to Malapascua Island in the Philippines, and we’re meeting Jesica, who’s the resort manager for Avila’s Horizon Dive Resort. Welcome, Jesica, to our call and to this series, Fabulous Beach Days, on which we are featuring you. We’d like to know more about you and the property that you run. So please tell us about it.

Jesica: Yes. First of all, thank you so much for having me here. It’s my honor. My name is Jesica Avila. I am the resort manager of Avila’s Horizon Dive Resort here in Malapascua Island, Cebu, Philippines.

Ananya: Yeah. Welcome to this discussion with Trip101, and we’re glad to feature you on this fabulous beach series.

Jesica: You too. Thank you so much for featuring us.

2. Avila's Horizon Dive Resort [1:11 - 1:59]

Ananya: So tell us more about Avila’s Horizon Dive Resort. Since when have you been running it?

Jesica: Yeah, I started it in June 2022. That’s two years ago. Avila’s Horizon has all the packages that you need. We have accommodations, a restaurant where we serve mixed cuisine — mostly Asian, but we can also serve European dishes. We also have a dive resort for everyone with diving interests to enjoy. One of our highlights here is seeing the thresher shark, which is a favorite. We also cater to snorkelers and free divers.

3. Beach, sunset and sunrise [1:59 - 3:28]

Ananya: Wow. And you’re located right next to a beach, right?

Jesica: Our property is beachfront. Both divers and non-divers can enjoy the beautiful white beach here and the crystal-clear water. And of course, we have beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

Ananya: Oh, wow. Both sunset and sunrise?

Jesica: Yes, and we have the best beach on the island. It’s perfect for unwinding and soul-searching because it’s very quiet, peaceful, and calm.

Ananya: What’s the beach called?

Jesica: It’s North Beach. North Beach on Malapascua Island.

Ananya: Okay. It sounds lovely with clear waters and calm beaches.

Jesica: Yes, indeed. And you know what, Ananya, this is perfect for honeymooners, families that want to bond, and of course, groups of friends.

Ananya: So you cater to all types of travelers. Honeymooners, families, friends — that covers a broad range.

Jesica: Indeed.

4. Snorkeling [3:28 - 4:38]

Ananya: Could you tell us more about what snorkelers can hope to spot on the beach?

Jesica: Yeah, sure. So for snorkelers, we have three beautiful spots here that they can enjoy. One of them is the Coral Garden. We call it Coral Garden because the corals are formed like roses.

Ananya: Oh, nice.

Jesica: Yes, and we also have here a school of baby blacktip sharks. And there’s a Japanese shipwreck from many, many years ago.

Ananya: Are the remains of the ship still visible and intact?

Jesica: Not the whole ship really, but it’s like the bottom part — more like the skeleton.

Ananya: Is it close to the shore or do you have to go deep in?

Jesica: Yeah, it’s close to the shore, but we have to go by boat. We take a boat around the island, and that way you can also see the beautiful Malapascua Island.

5. Activities [4:38 - 7:33]

Ananya: Apart from diving and snorkeling, what other activities do your guests enjoy on your beach?

Jesica: So apart from diving, for the divers they can see thresher sharks here. These creatures are harmless; they’re very cute. We also have white-tip sharks in Gato Island and even tiger sharks in some other spots. But tiger sharks are wilder and can show up sometimes, yes, sometimes no. But the thresher shark, it’s around 90% that you’ll see them.

Apart from diving, at the beach itself, guests can unwind. Like I said before, they can enjoy soul-searching under the starry night sky, or maybe lie down on the beach while having a massage. If someone brings a guitar, we can even set up a bonfire for a night of music. We have special setups to protect the sand, so we can have a safe bonfire experience without damaging the beach.

Ananya: That sounds like a perfect beach retreat, something flexible based on guests’ preferences. You mentioned many different types of sharks for divers. Does Malapascua Island have a large variety of shark species that are commonly spotted?

Jesica: Yes, exactly. Malapascua Island is actually famous worldwide, not just in the Philippines, because of the thresher sharks. It’s one of the top diving spots for them.

Ananya: So thresher sharks are harmless; they don’t chase after humans?

Jesica: No, not at all. In fact, the divers will stay in one place, waiting for the thresher sharks. The sharks just swim around gracefully; they’re used to seeing divers. The divers stay put, and the sharks don’t chase anyone. It’s actually the shark’s cleaning station.

Ananya: Oh, I see. So every morning they come to this area?

Jesica: Yes, they come to clean themselves with the help of these little fish that act as janitors, so they just roam around in the same area.

6. Gear for diving [7:33 - 8:43]

Ananya: Since you’re a dive resort, what sort of amenities do you provide for divers? Do you have the gear available, or do they need to bring their own?

Jesica: Yes, we have rental gear available. If divers have their own gear, they can get a discount on the dive price, but if they need to rent, we have everything here. We also have our own boat for diving excursions.

Ananya: So when people book diving with you, can they get a full package that includes both the stay and the diving activities?

Jesica: Yes, they have options. They can choose a full package, which includes accommodation, meals at our restaurant, and transportation. We also offer packages just for the diving activities if that’s all they’re interested in. These packages include marine fees and taxes.

7. Best time to visit [8:43 - 10:27]

Ananya: What are the busiest months for diving, and when’s the best time to visit Malapascua Island?

Jesica: The best time in the Philippines is from March until August. From September to February, we get more typhoons because it’s a tropical country. High season starts in November and runs through May, as people from snowy regions come here to escape winter. But April to August has the best weather overall.

And you can see thresher sharks year-round, so you can visit Malapascua Island anytime to see them.

Ananya: No specific restrictions on when to see marine life, but April to August is best for weather?

Jesica: Yes, that’s right.

8. Booking in advance [10:27 - 11:40]

Ananya: Since November is peak season and there’s snow in European countries, do you stay fully booked around that time? How far in advance should guests book?

Jesica: I’d suggest booking at least four months in advance. Divers and non-divers alike enjoy our place, so it’s best to plan ahead.

Ananya: So for a November visit, booking around August is advisable?

Jesica: Yes, exactly.

Ananya: You mentioned non-divers book at your property as well, even though it’s a dive resort?

Jesica: Yes, they can still enjoy the beach. We have a fine white beach and crystal-clear water. Filipinos, especially locals, love to swim here.

Ananya: And they could try snorkeling, even if they’re not diving?

Jesica: Yes, absolutely.

9. Rooms at the resort [11:40 - 13:26]

Ananya: Tell us about the rooms you have at Avila’s Horizon Dive Resort.

Jesica: We have five deluxe twin rooms for couples, five deluxe twin bed rooms, family rooms, and dormitory rooms for groups of friends. In total, we have 21 rooms.

Ananya: Are any of these rooms on the beachfront?

Jesica: The rooms have a garden view, but the property is beachfront, so we have cabanas and sunbeds for guests to relax by the ocean.

Ananya: Do some rooms have balconies with ocean views?

Jesica: Our deluxe rooms have balconies, but they face the garden. You need to be on the beach to enjoy the full ocean view, but the rooms provide a lush, tropical setting.

10. Amenities [13:26 - 13:59]

Ananya: What other amenities do you have for guests?

Jesica: We have a billiard table where guests can enjoy a game with some drinks. We also have two massage chairs for 15 or 30 minutes of relaxation for a small fee. It’s a nice touch to add to a beach vacation.

11. Food options [13:59 - 15:40]

Ananya: That sounds ideal for relaxation. And your restaurant serves Asian and European cuisine, right? Any popular dishes you’d recommend?

Jesica: Yes, we’re known for Thai dishes like Tom Yum soup and Filipino dishes like lechon kawali. We also serve pizzas, including Italian and Hawaiian options, and salads for vegetarian guests.

Ananya: Any other amenities or services you’d like to highlight for prospective guests?

Jesica: Yes, for convenience, we can arrange transfers from the airport directly to our resort, including car and boat transfers. It saves time, is comfortable, and adds ease to their arrival.

Ananya: That’s great to have everything covered for convenience.

12. Neighborhood [15:40 - 18:41]

Ananya: What’s your neighborhood like? Are you in a quiet area or on a lively street?

Jesica: That’s a good question! We’re in a quiet, almost provincial setting. It’s a typical island atmosphere here in the Philippines, so guests may hear roosters – that’s our natural island alarm clock, usually around three or four in the morning.

Ananya: I’m familiar with that from some of my teammates in the Philippines! So it sounds like a peaceful, nature-rich area. What if guests want to shop or visit restaurants nearby?

Jesica: Our resort is the only one on North Beach, so if guests want to explore the island or go to the “barrio,” it’s about a 10-minute motorbike ride away. We have motorbike taxis here for only 50 pesos per person. If they like walking, it’s around 25–30 minutes, depending on their pace.

Ananya: That doesn’t sound far at all.

Jesica: Yes, and from the barrio to Avila’s Horizon, you pass through a beautiful remote area. When you finally arrive here, it feels like a hidden paradise.

Ananya: It sounds like you’re in a secluded, scenic spot. The quiet setting must attract a lot of marine life and provide a great atmosphere for relaxation.

Jesica: Yes, it’s all nature here, with no large buildings around. Our resort follows a native Filipino style, like nipa huts with a wooden touch to preserve tradition.

13. Local restaurants [18:41 - 19:30]

Ananya: That’s wonderful! And in the barrio, are there local restaurants or other resorts guests can visit?

Jesica: Yes, there are a few local restaurants and other resorts that serve Italian, German, and European cuisines.

Ananya: Any specific restaurant you’d recommend?

Jesica: Just Avila’s Horizon, of course!

14. Nearby attractions [19:30 - 21:06]

Ananya: Are there any other popular beaches or attractions nearby if guests want to do some exploring?

Jesica: For land tours, we have a lighthouse where you can see the whole island and watch the sunset. For beaches, Bounty Beach is well-known here. It’s where most of the dive centers and resorts are located.

So, guests have options – they can go to Bounty Beach for a lively, social scene or stay at North Beach for a more peaceful experience.

Ananya: Did you say it’s called Bounty Beach?

Jesica: Yes, that’s correct. It was the first famous beach in Malapascua until North Beach with Avila’s Horizon became more known.

15. Favourite place [21:06 - 22:04]

Ananya: What’s your personal favorite spot on Malapascua Island?

Jesica: I like to hang out at Ocean Vida. It’s a fun spot if you enjoy a lively scene. There are parties there at night.

Ananya: So it’s a good place for young people or groups of friends?

Jesica: Yes, if you’re into loud music and dancing, Ocean Vida is the place to go.

16. Tips for travelers [22:04 - 23:02]

Ananya: For travelers planning to visit Malapascua Island and stay at Avila’s, do you have any advice or tips?

Jesica: Sure. First, since this is an island, bring plenty of cash. Though we accept cards here, there are fees, and connectivity can sometimes be challenging. And of course, be mindful of leaving only footprints to keep the island clean.

Ananya: That’s an important message to preserve the natural beauty of the area.

17. How long to stay [23:02 - 24:11]

Ananya: How many days would you recommend guests stay to explore Malapascua fully?

Jesica: I’d suggest staying for at least three days and four nights. The journey here takes around four hours from the airport, so a longer stay allows time to relax after traveling, then enjoy diving, snorkeling, and exploring the island.

Ananya: Three days sounds perfect for a balance of activities and relaxation.

Jesica: Yes, exactly! But if they’re short on time, even one night is possible, though three days is ideal.

18. Highlight [24:11 - 26:01]

Ananya: Is there anything else you’d like to highlight or say to prospective guests before we wrap up?

Jesica: Just that Avila’s Horizon offers an affordable experience that won’t break the bank. You’ll feel close to nature here, with a peace and quiet you won’t find in the city. For soul-searching, unwinding, and relaxation, Avila’s Horizon will take care of you.

Ananya: Thank you so much, Jesica. I’m sure our viewers will find your insights helpful. I’m already fascinated by the crystal-clear waters and the quiet beach setting. I hope our viewers feel inspired to reach out to you.

Jesica: Thank you so much for having me.

Ananya: Thank you, Jesica. Bye-bye!