CHange of Plan for the Philippines - Dumaguete, Moalboal, and Bohol

[maat1976]

So a few weeks back some of the great people on this site were helping me figure out a Anilao / Puerta Galera trip.

Since then things have changed. We're now booked in on a trip to Dumaguete, Moalboal, and Bohol. The husband and I decided to try and get a bit more diverse diving in than just muck and macro.

In these three locations, what were your must see dive sites?

Thanks!

 

[TSandM]

Definitely take the boat out to Apo Island. There are some spectacular corals there.

 

[Tippytoes12]

Great choice...Apo, the Dumaguete coast , Balicasag, Pescador Island , Oslob and many many more. You will have a fantastic time .

 

[amw5g]

We just returned for a little more than a week at both Bohol (Panglao) and Dumaguete (Dauin). Great places, both. Saw some of the smallest critters ever (lots of pipefish, a seahorse, nudibranchs) as well as the largest (whale shark on our way out to a dive site). At Dumaguete, the recent bad weather kept us close to shore on many days, and that was no hardship.

I would agree with TSandM that a day (or more) at Apo is well worth it. The coral there is perhaps some of the healthiest and visually stunning we've ever seen. A fellow diver described it as like something from Dr Seuss, and she was right. We dove Cogon as well as two dives on Kan-uran. The weather was iffy, but our boat crew was phenomenal and the bankas make it do-able. Bring money for the nice people who boat up to sell shirts and sarongs. They are inexpensive and worth it.

I cannot comment on Moalboal, as we did not make it there.

 

[markmaloof]

My wife and I are planning a last-minute trip to the Philippines for a couple weeks at the end of February/beginning of March, and were thinking about Dumaguete, as a dive master we had in Belize told us it was some of the finest diving he had ever done (he worked there for a little while). We also thought about trying some other areas nearby, and are wondering how long it takes or how difficult it is to reach other island areas around Dumaguete/Apo isand, or if it's better just to stay there for a week and a half or so. Also wonder if it's necessary to stay on the resort there, or if it there is the possibility of staying in an apartment or other lodging, especially if the dive resorts have no room left. It seems like transportation could be an issue in Dumaguete, if it's truly a case of no cars, only bicycles with carts, etc.

 

[Luko]

My wife and I are planning a last-minute trip to the Philippines for a couple weeks at the end of February/beginning of March, and were thinking about Dumaguete, as a dive master we had in Belize told us it was some of the finest diving he had ever done (he worked there for a little while). We also thought about trying some other areas nearby, and are wondering how long it takes or how difficult it is to reach other island areas around Dumaguete/Apo isand, or if it's better just to stay there for a week and a half or so. Also wonder if it's necessary to stay on the resort there, or if it there is the possibility of staying in an apartment or other lodging, especially if the dive resorts have no room left. It seems like transportation could be an issue in Dumaguete, if it's truly a case of no cars, only bicycles with carts, etc.

There should be no issues with accoms availability in March.
Ok Dauin/Apo is good enough I am not sure I would put it on my top 5 list though, your DM probbaly never went out to Indonesia but anyway...
Personally I would say 10 days in Dumaguete is a bit longish, would cut it down to 5 days and to stay on another island : the transfer will take half day only, the operator you're dealing with may even arrange that : SeaExplorers for instance can provide accoms transfer and diving on Dumaguete and Alona (Panglao/Bohol).
Not sure I would recommend staying anywhere else than a hotel/bungalow for 10 days, transportation is not very easy plus it's not widespread for short stays.
You'd better off

 

[markmaloof]

Have been to Palau/Yap, as well as Thailand three times, so hoping to find diving comparable. Anywas, sligtly confused by above. Dumaguete is difficult to get around so it is better NOT to stay at bungalow or hotel???

What about five days or so at Dumaguete, and then take private transport to Malapascua? Also thinking of doing that.

 

[diver 85]

We(group of about 22 from Louisiana) did Dumaguete/Moalboal a couple years ago----------stayed @ Pura Vida while @ Dumaguete & Turtle Bay Resort on Moalboal....I'd just let 'them' take you where they think is best(@ that time)------BUT-------, saying this be sure & get the Mandarinfish dives in @ EACH-AND--be sure & do the whalesharks @ Oslob(you WILL NOT be sorry)......

more WS pics(@ Oslob) @ this link.......
https://www.flickr.com/photos/80825593@N08/sets/72157631839358126/

[/URL]Betsy whaleshark by GEAUXtiger, on Flickr[/IMG]

4 WSs in this shot(were a total of 6 that day):

[/URL]4 whalesharks-- by GEAUXtiger, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/URL]Philippines WS 14-3 DPP by GEAUXtiger, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Luko]

Have been to Palau/Yap, as well as Thailand three times, so hoping to find diving comparable. Anywas, sligtly confused by above. Dumaguete is difficult to get around so it is better NOT to stay at bungalow or hotel???

What about five days or so at Dumaguete, and then take private transport to Malapascua? Also thinking of doing that.

Duma/Dauin is mostly black sand diving apart from Apo which is mainly hard corals. It doesn't compare to Thaiand (soft corals), probably different with Palau (blue wtaer I guess although haven't dived Palau).
Since i's hard to get aroud it's better to stay in the same bunglaows/hotels where the dive centre is, NOT an apartment away from the operator/restaurants.

You will find local arrangements for transferng to Malapascua probably above the 150euros mark (private car - it cost me around 120 euros to Cebu city), it will take a full day from early morning departure to late afternoon arrival in Malapascua.

 

[markmaloof]

Hmmmm.... I'm wondering if Dumaguete would be right for us or not. I think I need to explore more options, would love to give a something offered more of what we have seen in Thailand and Palau (we have had to dive in the Caribbean the last few years, and really want to get that South East Asian and South Pacific ocean magic again). We kind of prefer to stay in her own rather than at a resort, and it's usually nice to find different restaurants to eat at, but will do a resort if that's the only feasible option. Though the Turtlebay dive resort looks nice.