Question Atlantis Dive Resort Trip: Puerto Galera or Dumaguete and what time of year?

[Itsdavidyang]

Hi, I won a trip for a dive vacation at the Atlantis resort either at the Dumaguete or Puerto Galera location. I was looking for recommendations on best time of year to go. I have to take the trip by August 2026 so I have a bit less than a year to take this. I also would like to see whale sharks if possible, but I'd like to see them naturally as opposed to the "tamed" population in Dumaguete (I do not know if this is true at all, I have just been told this anecdotally). Any other "special" fauna at either location would be a plus, or any specific things about the resort at either location, do let me know, thank you!

 

[Centrals]

Best time of the year is Jan to Mar as there is more or less no threat from typhoon. Water temp will be relatively cold especially in PG.
I have never heard about whaleshark in Dumaguete as the place is well known for macro. Oslob in Cebu Island is the place where feeding of the gentle giant carry out and sighting is very very high.

Dumaguete vs PG:
Two completely set up. PG offers more in term of eating out and a bit of social life in the evening. No domestic flight required so no "flying penalty".
If you can extend your stay then Anilao across the channel from PG is well known for macro as well.

 

[Smit]

From my experience, the Atlantis resort in Dumaguete was newer and nicer than Puerta Galera.

Puerta Galera had more coral reefs with some muck and macro, Dumaguete had more muck and macro with some coral reefs.

Atlantis Dumaguete did sponsor a whale shark trip to Oslob but I didn't go. It was said they feed the whale sharks to keep them there. Some people really don't like that.

Heed what Centrals says about the temps in Puerta Galera. We were there in the middle of January and the water temps were about 73F, or 23C. The people in my group were expecting 80F so that was a big surprise. It was warmer in Dumaguete the next week. The guys in Puerta Galera said it was usually much cooler than it's "supposed" to be one week out of the year we just got "lucky."

Personally I would choose Puerta Galera if I was in your position. There were quite a lot of dive sites in Puerta Galera and enough muck dives to get a good taste of that too. But I won't go in January though. Too cold for me to really enjoy the diving.

 

[rmorgan]

Congratulations, David! Note that Tubbataha opens up in mid-March—it’s easy to get from Manila to Puerto Princesa, where the Tubbataha boats embark.

 

[Centrals]

Philippines: Thousands evacuate as Super Typhoon Ragasa hits

Ragasa has hit northern Philippines and is barrelling towards southern China.

www.bbc.com

This will ruin your holiday.
Actually Philippines did not suffer that much from this super typhoon(strongest this yr on earth) because of its course. HK is more or less closed and the airport is operating in very limited capacity.

PAGASA

www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph

I have experienced typhoon twice in PG on Boxing day.