2012/13 Last and first Weeks of the Year - two resorts with easy transfer

[calicant]

My wife and I can land either in Manila or Cebu from LAX and want to stay at two resorts for a week in each which will give us a nice introduction to Philippines diving. It's hard to pick between Manila and Cebu as trip reports we have read speak highly of the resorts near both. Night life will neither attract nor disturb us, we like comfortable beds, hot showers and nice food, but primarily we like dives 1,2,3 and 4 if possible and sometimes 5 at night.

If we pick Manila, I am thinking of a resort like El Galleon in Puerto Galera followed by one of the resorts across the water in Anilao. Or if we pick Cebu we might stay at Atmosphere Resort in Dauin then move to Alona Palm Beach Resort on Bohol.

Should I just flip a coin? From the photos and videos I have seen posted here we are likely to make more than one trip!

 

[Centrals]

Flip the coin.
Book your accommodation and ferry to Dumaguete and Tagbilaran early.

 

[calicant]

The airfare to Cebu has suddenly risen to $500 more than Manila. I'm booking El Galleon in Puerta Galera for the first week of our trip.

 

[Centrals]

The airfare to Cebu has suddenly risen to $500 more than Manila. I'm booking El Galleon in Puerta Galera for the first week of our trip.

Never mind, at least you do not have to flip the coin!! There is always next time as you had suggested.

You should book the resort in Anilao as well. Please check the price on diving which is quite unique in the country. You have to pay for the boat!!!!!! Some resorts offer FREE shore dive if you had done certain number of dives per day. Read between the lines and do not afraid to ask.

Diving in PG is completely different, so much more civilize and flexible. There is NO hidden charges except for nitrox(probably) and night dive. The only boat charge is the special trip to Verde Island(must dive site).

 

[Damselfish]

we enjoyed Pura Vida resort in Dauin. Nice place, good dive op and food. Apo Island dives we did from there were the best. Really no shore diving and not a lot of night diving going on, but you should still be able to fit in plenty of dives if you want. Great little spa open until late, very inexpensive like is typical there - we did our night dives at the spa.

 

[calicant]

I looked at Pura Vida web site. Very nice resort and the diving must be great too. We opted to fly to Manila this time due to ticket prices at that busy time. We will have to make more trips!

 

[Quero]

I'll be at Pura Vida starting tomorrow! I'm excited about it.

 

[Centrals]

I looked at Pura Vida web site. Very nice resort and the diving must be great too. We opted to fly to Manila this time due to ticket prices at that busy time. We will have to make more trips!

Fly into Cebu on your next visit and you have the choice of Bohol, Dumaguete, Malapascua(highly recommend), Moalboal, Siquijor and Southern Leyte(another great place) etc etc. Time would be your only constraint.

 

[calicant]

I'll be at Pura Vida starting tomorrow! I'm excited about it.

Lucky guy!

Fly into Cebu on your next visit and you have the choice of Bohol, Dumaguete, Malapascua(highly recommend), Moalboal, Siquijor and Southern Leyte(another great place) etc etc. Time would be your only constraint.

I read the excellent reports by Wantomien on most of these and hope we can explore some next trip.

The transfer on this trip will be really easy. I booked El Galleon for the second week so we don't even have to change rooms. Can we charter a fast boat to dive sites around Anilao from PG?

 

[Centrals]

Can we charter a fast boat to dive sites around Anilao from PG?

So you are going to spend 2 weeks at PG.
I am pretty sure you can but it would be expensive and time consuming. There are plenty of interesting sites there to keep you happy for more than couple of days. BTW, you are diving at the most busiest time of the year and the dive shop might not have the dive guide to take you to Anilao. I wonder how many dive guides in PG are familiar with Anilao?
Transfer between PG and Anilao is pretty straight forward.