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.

 

[cetacean]

The Atlantis resort in PG is not bad, but it's right off the Sabang beach area which is a dump (others will argue this point, but that's because they clearly don't know "a dump" when they see one

Dumaguette is significantly better, but other than trips to Apo Island, it's virtually all macro diving. If you enjoy this, it's awesome - we've been 3x times and will go back again. Their dive operation is also really good... Last, the Dauin coast (the area where the resort dives) is truly the "frog fish capital of the world" during the right time of year.

Neither location will give you much of a shot to see whalesharks (feeding or otherwise). There was a whaleshark spotted last season cruising by Apo Island, but it was just passing by. They do run full day trips to Oslob where you can share a whaleshark experience with hundreds of your closest "friends" (which is probably what you heard about).

You will see quite a few turtles along the Dauin coast (and definitely at Apo Island).

You won the trip, so you need to decide what kind of experience you want. PG has good over all diving, with the resort close to bars and restaurants. Dumaguete is a bit more remote (but not off the beaten path)... you'll definitely see more turtles in Dumaguete (esp. around Apo Island), and the variety of critters is (much) better in Dumaguete (but the dive sites are a little less varied - you're basically diving the same coastline from north to south).