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Coron is good for shipwrecks and for some unusual dives like Barracuda Lake. For corals and muck, not so much. I guess it depends what you like. If you have already been to Anilao, Puerto Galera, Dumaguete and Malapascua, then definitely give Southern Leyte a try, you will like it.

I've been to all 3 places so I will share what I know. As FT and TSandM pointed out, Apo Island is usually done as a day trip from Dauin (near Dumaguete). Very nice healthy reef. Personally I prefer the muck diving at Dauin, but Apo Island is a nice change of pace from that if you like corals...

I have to disagree with the above statement. While some dive sites are an hour away, there are many sites nearby as well. The macro sites are generally shallow. For example, Gato Island is an hour away, and has fabulous macro in the shallows. Evolution House Reef, as the name implies, is right...

Callie, the advice you have received so far is quite good! Having been to all three places you mentioned, most more than once, I can maybe add a bit more info. Anilao, Malapascua and Dauin are my three favourite places to dive in the Philippines, so you can't go wrong whichever way you choose. I...

I've been shooting the Canon EOS M underwater for just over a year now. A few weeks ago, I was on a dive trip to Northern Vancouver Island, and ended up using all 3 lenses at my disposal, specifically the EF-S 60 mm macro (sometimes with the Nauticam SMC wet lens for the really small stuff), the...

Thanks Doug, TSandM, and all the others for the positive comments! :) I like the nickname "lumpsucker whisperer"! One definitely needs to develop an eye for spotting those little cuties! They are much smaller than most people imagine! I also have to give you credit Doug (aka DArnold) for...

Our group recently (October 2014) did a trip aboard the Nautilus Swell out of Port Hardy, Northern Vancouver Island, to dive the famous Browning Pass and nearby areas. Despite the inclement weather, we had a great time! As was mentioned in other threads, the Nautilus Swell will cease operating...

Atlantis certainly fits the bill as diver-friendly! I was there just over two years ago, and it is a very nice resort. I really liked how they were totally 100% committed towards the serious diver. I am sure you will like it. Last year, I was back in Dauin and decided to try Pura Vida Resort...

Don't get a SeaLife! Get a Canon, G15/16, or better yet Canon S110/120, which is pretty much the same, but more compact. Get a good housing, and at least one strobe. To get good shots, I strongly recommend you shoot manual; and shoot RAW, especially if you like to edit in post. Get a high...

Go to Sipadan, the diving is awesome! There will be an army of security looking after you! Less tourists will make it even better. Statistically you have a higher risk of getting hit by a car crossing the road tomorrow than getting kidnapped in Sipadan. KK is lame, I did snorkelling there...

Northern Samar. Quite far off the beaten path. There is very little tourist infrastructure there. I actually dove there a few years ago because I happened to be there for other reasons. But it's not really a dive destination per se. p.s. Kudos to the Biri Initiative for trying to improve the...

If it's between the S110 and the G16, you may as well go for the S110. Excellent little camera, exact same image quality as G16, but more compact. So much more compact housing. Agree go for the Nauticam housing, you won't regret it. Or if you can wait a while, the Canon GX 7 looks really...

I've never been to Moalboal, but I have been to Dumaguete twice. Dumaguete (actually Dauin) has great macro/muck diving right off shore (although most resorts will still do it as a boat dive), plus day trips to Apo which has nice reefs. Also possible to do other day trips (Oslob, Siquijor), so...

You will like Southern Leyte but I think 3 weeks is a long time to stay there. You should check out at least one other place. You could do like Centrals says and do Moalboal and Dumaguete also, or if you don't want to move around too much, just do S. Leyte then Dumaguete. Great diving there too...

I think the 40mm is about as versatile as you are going to get for SLR, but since it is not as long as say a 60 mm or a 105mm, it won't be that great for the very small stuff, but I would say it would be good for mid-size critters such as small to medium-sized fish or very large nudibranchs. I...

It is indeed a sad state of affairs when boat operators can charge more for sight seeing than diving! Not only charge more, but not have to worry about filling cylinders, running a dive skiff, and worrying about divers not coming up or drifting away!

Oops, I should clarify that the airport is closer to Anilao than Makati is. Of course the airport is only about a 20-30 min cab ride south of Makati. So once you are at the airport, you are a bit closer to Anilao which is about a 2.5 hour drive, depending on traffic and if you take the express...

In my opinion, TTL is a vestige of the old days of film when you did not know if your exposure was good until after you developed your film. Nowadays with digital you don't need it! It is much simpler to just shoot full manual and check your exposure on your LCD and adjust as necessary. As for...

Donna, much better to head direct to Anilao! The airport is closer to Anilao than Makati. You will save a lot of time, and scuba diving is an excellent cure for jet lag. (I have never felt tired underwater!). Save your night or 2 in Manila for the return. You can off-gas, let your gear dry out...

Hi Tippytoes, I have been to both places, but it is a bit hard for me to compare directly, because I went to Cabilao 6 years ago when I was a scuba-noob, and Sogod Bay last year as an experienced diver/photographer. However, overall I would say Sogod Bay was probably better. Nice macro/muck...