Ambon in Indonesia or Dauin & Apo Island in the Philippines ?

[ppina]

After the last few years of diving into Indonesia for 2025, I'm still undecided.

Ambon in Indonesia or Dauin & Apo Island in the Philippines ?

 

[Tippytoes12]

I have dived both, Ambon once and Dauin and Apo three times. I found Ambon way better for diving. But Dauin is a lot cheaper, waaay cleaner, quieter and easier to get to and is also extremely good.

 

[Searcaigh]

I have dived both, Ambon once and Dauin and Apo three times. I found Ambon way better for diving. But Dauin is a lot cheaper, waaay cleaner, quieter and easier to get to and is also extremely good.

Which one had the better food choices?

 

[Luko]

Which one had the better food choices?

I don't think you could setup a foodie tour in either place.
Problem is that in Ambon you will find good indonesian/Malukkan food (Smoked tuna, Kenari almond sauce, etc. and even excellent coffee & snacks at Joas ) downtown Kota Ambon, depending where you stay it can be a loooong way from your place. (Note that Ambon is one flight/ferry transfer from Banda islands, This is the best spot for culture and food in Indonesia IMO)
Some Dauin upmarket resorts will serve good food but westernized , otherwise I find that local Filipino fare is kind of bland, I would add some exceptions for Kinilaw (raw fish -preferably tangige/spanish mackerel- in ginger, chili and lime juice) BBQ'ed pork belly and... mango pancakes.

Personally I thought globally Ambon (3 trips in Ambon) has an edge on both macro (more diversity than Dauin) and coral dives outside the bay.
Kota Pintu/Hukurila caves are magnficent and if you can find an operation located south of the bay that goes out to Lease islands there are some really good blue water/coral reef dives.
That said everything is easier and more laid back in Dauin (4 trips in Dauin so far).

 

[also_anon_dc]

I boarded a Banda Sea liveaboard departing from Ambon last year. We did 2 dives in Ambon harbor and it is FILLED with trash. I was literally diving with dirty diapers and shoes in the water and the shores looked like a landfill. Were there lots of interesting critters in the water? Sure but I would never go back there unless I'm getting on a liveaboard that's quickly leaving.

 

[Centrals]

After the last few years of diving into Indonesia for 2025, I'm still undecided.

Ambon in Indonesia or Dauin & Apo Island in the Philippines ?

Getting there is half the fun! To a certain extend I am afraid(my own experiences).
Dauin/Apo Island is pretty straight forward to get there. Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor is just a ferry away. And if you are feeling adventurous then Southern Leyte is great. Malapascua is relatively easy easy to get to.

 

[scubajunky17]

I don't think you could setup a foodie tour in either place.
Problem is that in Ambon you will find good indonesian/Malukkan food (Smoked tuna, Kenari almond sauce, etc. and even excellent coffee & snacks at Joas ) downtown Kota Ambon, depending where you stay it can be a loooong way from your place. (Note that Ambon is one flight/ferry transfer from Banda islands, This is the best spot for culture and food in Indonesia IMO)
Some Dauin upmarket resorts will serve good food but westernized , otherwise I find that local Filipino fare is kind of bland, I would add some exceptions for Kinilaw (raw fish -preferably tangige/spanish mackerel- in ginger, chili and lime juice) BBQ'ed pork belly and... mango pancakes.

Personally I thought globally Ambon (3 trips in Ambon) has an edge on both macro (more diversity than Dauin) and coral dives outside the bay.
Kota Pintu/Hukurila caves are magnficent and if you can find an operation located south of the bay that goes out to Lease islands there are some really good blue water/coral reef dives.
That said everything is easier and more laid back in Dauin (4 trips in Dauin so far).

Please tell me more about the Banda Islands.
I have been thinking of going my last two or three trips, this time as I'm also here for the first two weeks of September I'm going to give it a go.