Balikbayan diver here; help me plan a trip!

[fuggler]

I left the Philippines in '99 and I haven't gone back. My boyfriend and I are vacationing there for 16 days in November. (So excited!) Problem is, I have a tendency to overplan itineraries. We're not the chill-at-the-beach-and-do-nothing type of travelers; we like to do/see as much as we can. So I need help with narrowing things down to a maximum of 3 areas.

some background:
- We're fairly new divers. Got certified in late February, have our AOW and Nitrox certs, and have about 50 dives. We regularly dive in Monterey, California and have dived in Southern CA (Catalina Island) and most recently Hawai'i (Oahu and Big Island). We're both into photography.

- I'm looking for colorful corals, walls, and some wreck diving.

- As for non-diving "must have": good food, WIFI/internet in the room, and some great outdoorsy topside activities (waterfalls and neat hikes would be cool) that I can do with my old barkada

I'm thinking 2 days in Manila to adjust our sleeping scheds and show my bf where I grew up, 4 days in Anilao or Puerto Galera (which is better for what we like?), 4 days in Coron, Palawan for the wrecks, 4 days in either Cebu or Bohol, and another 2 days in Manila. Is that overkill or what? I'm having a hard time picking between Anilao + Puerto Galera and Cebu + Bohol.

Anyway, please let me know what you think of the above itinerary. Should I limit our trip to 2 areas? Is it going to be a pain to travel to 3 different areas in that amount of time? If so, which 2 areas would you recommend based on our "requirements"?

 

[blue steal]

We're not the chill-at-the-beach-and-do-nothing type of travelers; we like to do/see as much as we can.

I'm having a hard time picking between Anilao + Puerto Galera and Cebu + Bohol.

PG over Anialo, as anialo is pretty laid back. PG has more to do & see.
For me Bohol over Cebu. A bit more to see in bohol, but a close call here.

good luck..................:goingdown:

 

[Babydamulag]

Your best bet is PG for that sort of schedule. Your current schedule is too ambitious with the current weather patterns. I can almost gaurantee you would get trapped somewhere for a couple days with bad weather. If you want to "see the sights" then I recommend getting to PG as quickly as possible. After a week (and a chance to watch the weather) then jump to Cebu or Duma. That way you will have time to enjoy yourself and not be traveling everyday. WELCOME HOME. MABUHAY!

 

[phil8diver]

I agree, PG over Anilao and Bohol over Cebu.

 

[fuggler]

I can almost gaurantee you would get trapped somewhere for a couple days with bad weather.

It's been so long, I don't remember what the weather there is like in November. I heard November is kind of like the end of the rainy season. Is that right? I wish we had an entire month.

Can't wait to eat some lydia's lechon and isaw!

 

[fuggler]

I agree, PG over Anilao and Bohol over Cebu.

Why Bohol over Cebu? Better dive sites, better topside attractions, or both?

 

[h2odragon1]

Agree with most on destinations;
Don't plan too much! 1 week in Puerto Galera. Some night-life in Sabang, and there is Tamaraw falls, and the Magaya Village for topside day trips. Puerto Galera has the most varied diving you can find in one stop; Wreck; tech; Drift; Nature; Shark cave; etc.
Bohol has the better sites, more colorful, and is quieter than Cebu.
Ultimately, You can't go wrong diving in the Philippines.
Save the other sites for your next trip,(there will be others).

 

[blue steal]

Bohol has the chocolate hills, tarsiers, lobec river tour, balicasag island, and some really old and nice churches. Cebu has magellen cross, carbon market, nice churches, temple, casino, great eats, cheap taxis...............tough call...........

 

[jigo]

the lechon in cebu is better than lydia's!

 

[fuggler]

the lechon in cebu is better than lydia's!

Where exactly should I go for this lechon?! :shocked2: