Advice on Philippines Itinerary

[Blackcrusader]

Yup for sure need a good spotter, and a group that’s willing to do muck and go slow… I will have to check out South Leyte, maybe next year!

I have found that guides are fine with letting experienced divers take their time. I won't rush from a to b and dive with others who are into macro photography. I find that other divers will also learn to hang back to see what we are taking photos of. Often it's a case of people not seeing a marine critter as they can not identify what they are looking at. Makes a difference when you are searching. It's why I like to be at the end of a dive group so I can take my time taking photos of things other divers missed.

 

[Centrals]

I have found that guides are fine with letting experienced divers take their time. I won't rush from a to b and dive with others who are into macro photography. I find that other divers will also learn to hang back to see what we are taking photos of. Often it's a case of people not seeing a marine critter as they can not identify what they are looking at. Makes a difference when you are searching. It's why I like to be at the end of a dive group so I can take my time taking photos of things other divers missed.

Any experienced diver no matter how "experienced' they claimed they are, would have no match to the local expertise !!!!!
I have seen a lot of so called experienced divers taking photo on something and missed far more interesting nearby!! Always have a good laugh with the guide afterwards. LOL.

 

[D_Fresh]

Good to know that.
How was the diving and LBC? The place is far away from the crowd.
Still cannot travel because of 7 days quarantine requirement in HK. What a joke!!

We only did a few dives, as most of our group were non-divers, there to socialize and relax. The conditions were overall favorable. Decent viz, great temps (28*c). Our mid-day dives were ill timed for the tides/current, blasted through West Escarceo from end to end in about 30 mins. Later, we settled for Monkey Beach (for the nth time....) as one of the divers in our group needed a calmer site.

All in all, it was a great time. Would have loved to hit some of the better sites, but diving was not our primary focus this time.

Again, I do not know about public ferry requirements, if any. We've always used the private boats from Berberabe.... Do note, the price of private boats has gone up from 8,000 pesos per trip to 10,000 pesos (up to 10 persons, + 500 each addt'l).

 

[Centrals]

Tide can be tricky if the position of the moon is not in your favour. Kilima Drift! A high octane drift for those who love speed!
May is getting hot. Many divers around?
Monkey Beach is a lot better than eg Manila Channel or Batangas Channel.
I know the the public ferry is running but need to make sure the paper work is in order. Only if I can travel again without hindrance.
I can get HKG/MNL return for around US$100.00 over next few months but I am not going to spend in excess of US$700.00 for a wk of quarantine in HK. Absolutely mindless.

 

[D_Fresh]

Tide can be tricky if the position of the moon is not in your favour. Kilima Drift! A high octane drift for those who love speed!
May is getting hot. Many divers around?
Monkey Beach is a lot better than eg Manila Channel or Batangas Channel.
I know the the public ferry is running but need to make sure the paper work is in order. Only if I can travel again without hindrance.
I can get HKG/MNL return for around US$100.00 over next few months but I am not going to spend in excess of US$700.00 for a wk of quarantine in HK. Absolutely mindless.

Totally, the tides can make or break dives in the Verde Island Passage. We could have dived earlier in the day, or evening, and had near slack tide, but whatever, we were on vacation..... LOL.

I wouldn't say there were a LOT of divers around, but definitely signs that visitor attendance is improving. All resorts that I noticed are open and had at least some guests. We were at LLBC Friday through Tuesday, and were one of three groups (of staggered arrival and departures) over those days. Lots of space still available in the resort, but also felt like our own little private resort.

Resort deals can definitely be negotiated if booking directly with the resorts. I highly recommend anyone planning to visit, talk with your intended resort and see what sort of deals you can arrange, as opposed to using Agoda or other booking sites/services.

Hopefully the travel status for HK eases

 

[Centrals]

Resort deals can definitely be negotiated if booking directly with the resorts. I highly recommend anyone planning to visit, talk with your intended resort and see what sort of deals you can arrange, as opposed to using Agoda or other booking sites/services.

Verde Island!! When the condition is right, it is absolutely great but.....

Yes.
I also believe tourists have the "upper hand" at the moment to negotiate a better deal directly with the operator than a agent. It won't last long but at least for the next few months(low season).

 

[D_Fresh]

I also believe tourists have the "upper hand" at the moment to negotiate a better deal directly with the operator than a agent. It won't last long but at least for the next few months(low season).

Totally. But don't get me wrong, I think at this time, I think it's mutually beneficial for the resort and the guests. Get it while it lasts if a person is able. Worth mentioning, during my stay over there, we only went "off resort" one night (dinner at Tamarind and drinks at 50 Bar [yo Ton-Ton!!]). So the resort was still seeing returns on our dining and (probably most significantly on this trip) our alcohol sales. Anyways, I guess my point is, feel free to wheel-n-deal a bit, but also try and support the business via the rest of their offerings by simply having fun and enjoying what they have to offer....

 

[Centrals]

Having fun is the main reason why tourists travel aboard.
I prefer to eat at various places but sometimes regretted the decision afterward. LOL. That is life.

 

[jjmochi]

@jjmochi
Some simple questions for you:
1. Beside One Health Pass, recognized fully vaccination record, Covid insurance. What else?
2. Is S-Pass no longer necessary to travel to PG?
3. How to carry out self-monitor until the 7th day from arrival? Any need for Antigen test? And who is providing the kit?

Thank you

They only checked my onehealth pass, vax cert, and ART test. No one asked for Covid insurance both times I went through Manila

Nope no s pass- I did private water taxi tho so not sure if different for public boat

I did not do any test on the 7th day, tbh first time I’m hearing about it haha

 

[jjmochi]

I have found that guides are fine with letting experienced divers take their time. I won't rush from a to b and dive with others who are into macro photography. I find that other divers will also learn to hang back to see what we are taking photos of. Often it's a case of people not seeing a marine critter as they can not identify what they are looking at. Makes a difference when you are searching. It's why I like to be at the end of a dive group so I can take my time taking photos of things other divers missed.

They are fine but you will lose the group haha. Or maybe I am just extra extra slow, have definitely spent 5min+ on a single photo playing with lighting angles etc. The upside of losing the group many times now is I no longer feel that sense of panic and my mindset now is just eh I’ll find them eventually and if not I have my smb/dive alert/nautilus lifeline… of course I will be more careful in high current sites in the open ocean but both Anilao and PG dives are pretty close to shore