Beginner diving Philippines around February - March

[Wantonmien]

Hi,

I am kinda new here and new to diving, too. I have just gotten my OW certificate 2 months ago so, this will be my first dive after my OW course.

My friends and I (total 4) would like to spend around 4-5 days and dive at Philippines sometime around late February or early March. From what I read, Philippines are mainly for macro photography, but since we are quite new, I doubt that we will be interested in macro yet. We'd like to see some beautiful colorful reefs and some pelagic.

I have read a lot of the posts here and couldn't find anything that matches my needs (beginner, reefs, February-March).
Is there any places that you'd all recommend?

Thanks.

tripl3hr33,

If landing in Manila -

Anilao has great varied diving, easy to get to by road from Manila
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...270-anilao-trip-sep-9-13-some-words-pics.html

If landing in Cebu -

Malapascua up North http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...cua-trip-june-03-08-2011-some-words-pics.html, or Moalboal down South both have their main attractions, with good reefs and plenty to see, and as a newby, you won't get bored with either of them.

I've posted trip reports from several visits to different Philippine places, so have a search, and maybe you'll get a few more pointers.

Cheers

 

[tripl3thr33]

tripl3hr33,

If landing in Manila -

Anilao has great varied diving, easy to get to by road from Manila
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...270-anilao-trip-sep-9-13-some-words-pics.html

If landing in Cebu -

Malapascua up North http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...cua-trip-june-03-08-2011-some-words-pics.html, or Moalboal down South both have their main attractions, with good reefs and plenty to see, and as a newby, you won't get bored with either of them.

I've posted trip reports from several visits to different Philippine places, so have a search, and maybe you'll get a few more pointers.

Cheers

Great report there, Wantonmien..

Thanks anyway for all the suggestions..
We are now weighing between Anilao and Moalboal..
After my calculation, looks like Anilao is cheaper..but I'd really like to see the sardines at Moalboal..haha..
I will let you know our decision when we've confirmed our plan..
Thanks..

 

[Wantonmien]

tripl3thr33

Nice for me to look back on, and glad to help - and as happens just over a year ago, I did a Moalboal & Mactan trip - here you go, maybe of use.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...ber-2-4-2010-some-pics-words.html#post5635291

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...n-cebu-december-4-7-2010-some-words-pics.html

Basically depends where you are landing, Manila, I'd go Anilao again, landing Cebu (Mactan) airport, big choice, but the Threshers at Malapascua would sway it for me.

Late Feb I'm also hoping to head to PHP for another trip, destination undecided, but Bohol or Dumagette probable.

Cheers & safe diving.

 

[ScubaMoMo]

I'm also currently thinking about a trip to Philippines in late february. Flying from HK. Would like to do Malapascua again, but new spots also sound tempting.