Tropical Island Adventures Dive Center was formally established in 1991. It is fully licensed with all required government agencies, including the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the City of Lapulapu.

Our Expertise
Tropical Island Adventures Dive Center is owned and operated by Nora Ross and her husband Mike. Nora is the only female and a fully licensed dive shop owner / boat charter operator on Mactan Island. She is a certifed PADI Divemaster (PADI DM 57976), NASI Dive Instructor and a Squadron Commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxilliary.

Mike orignates from Southern California. He specializes in coral reef research. Offering nearly 30 years of diving experience, Mike is a PADI Open Water SCUBA Instructor (OWSI 55504), a well-published marine researcher and underwater photographer. He is also an expert on local diving and boating conditions.

Community Work
Nora and Mike are very active in supporting community and environmental activities. Over the past years, they have further provided professional support in facilitating scientific and underwater filming expeditions by the groups such as: the University of the Philippines - Marine Science Institute; Australian Broadcast Corporation; Smithsonian Institution; Earthwatch Institute; ReefCheck; Project Seahorse; Australian Museum; Field Museum; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Island Explorations and many others. These efforts are supported through our non-profit, Coastal Dynamics Foundation, Inc., which was recently awarded a prestigious PADI Foundation grant to support our marine conservation and education efforts through the establishment and management of marine sanctuaries. Community education programs are supported through our active roles in the Book for the Barrios Program and the Buyong Beach Scholarship Program.