16 days in Cebu on February next year, where should I go for diving?

[Taki]

Hi everyone especially Philippines specialist,

I am going to Cebu early February next year for diving.
I've heard Malapascua Island is great place, so which service do you recommend?
Also 2 weeks are long enough, I might visit other different location/island near Cebu.
Where should I go?
Or do you know any good short dive safari (up to a week) from Cebu during this time?
I searched this forums and I found Dumaguete is popular destination as well, but not much information.
Do you recommend?

I like underwater photography, don't care about beautiful sandy beaches.
I rather like reasonable accommodation but great dive experience.
It's solo trip and I don't need any fancy factor at all....

Cheers,

 

[dimac]

Came from Malapascua last week. Lots of sites to choose from. Pelagic threshers in Monad, beautiful soft coral and white tips in Gato Island, and muck diving around Malapascua island (Ka Osting, Evolution house reef, Lighthouse, etc). I've only been to 8 of the sites tho, i'm sure the others have their own unique thing.

What kind of photography are you planning on doing?

In terms of accomodations, lots of backpackers frequent the island, choices vary from rooms with fan to resort accommodations with A/C, nice beds, in-house restaurant, etc. Don't worry if your accommodation isn't on the beach, it's a small island, every place is just a short walk away

 

[Pao]

You might also want to crossover to Panglao in Bohol and do Balicasag Island too! It's only a short ferry ride from Cebu city.

 

[wannadive64]

Try Southern Leyte (ferries from Cebu), for excellent diving with heaps of macro and uncrowded whale shark watching.

 

[Taki]

Hi Dimac,
Thank you for your reply.
Basically I took anything interesting...but mainly close up shot.
So muck diving sounds excellent.
I go there to try my new camera+housing (SONY RX-100, Nauticam NA-RX100 with Inon lens)
So anyway, staying in Malapascua Island is good to go.
Well, then which Dive service do you guys recommend?
because I found at least 4 and most them are equally popular.

---------- Post added November 24th, 2012 at 11:34 AM ----------

Hi Pao,
I have a plan to develop my dive trip experience in Philippines.
This trip is my first one and keep continue.

Bohol and around area is absolutely next destination.
But such a short distance, I might to try...
Just question, it's so close from Cebu city, is it busy and noisy popular destination for tourist and local?
I want relatively quiet place.

---------- Post added November 24th, 2012 at 11:44 AM ----------

Hi Pao,
Leyte also sounds good.
Can I see Whale Shark on February?

 

[wannadive64]

February is peak season for whale sharks in Southern Leyte.

 

[Taki]

Hi Wannadive64m

Good to know.
Is that mean visibility isn't great af that time or normal site and whale sharks spot are totally different?

 

[Rogersea]

If you are going to Malapascua, I think you would be happy with several of the dive ops there. However, Evolution seems to be the most highly praised.... Matt Reed (he is on the board) can offer you more info.

For a dive Safari Dive Safaris Cebu Philippines

Cheers,
Roger

 

[wannadive64]

Hi Wannadive64m

Good to know.
Is that mean visibility isn't great af that time or normal site and whale sharks spot are totally different?

February is the middle of the season (which runs from November until May), so chances of seeing whale sharks are very good every February. Visibility is usually excellent and whale shark watching in Sogod Bay is very uncrowded compared with other locations.

 

[limbo]

Malapascua is indeed a great location with Thresher sharks at Monad shoal and plenty of other locations in the near vicinity with macro and bigger stuff. Calamangan island is also a great day trip.
Sea Explorers offer good service.