Decent dives for small money in Malaysia & Philippines?

[JP97]

Hello,

We are currently in Khao Lak and we’re trying to figure out where to dive next after doing our OW and AOW in Koh Tao about two months ago. There’s the possibility to do day trips to the Similan Islands or Richelieu Rock from Khao Lak. But it’s at least 170 EUR which to us seems to be quite expensive.

We heard diving in Malaysia/Philippines is supposed to be (a lot) better than in Thailand as well as being cheaper most of the time. Is this true?

We have to leave Thailand on the 25th of December at the latest and thought to go travel to Malaysia and the Philippines afterward. Indonesia was also planned but our savings won’t last that long anymore.

While our backpack traveling isn’t focused 100% on diving, we would like to do some (possibly) cheaper but great diving along the way. As we’re new divers, which dive sites would you recommend to us given the travel plans mentioned above?

We want to get more diving experience and would like to see as many lively corals, fish, hopefully whale sharks, possibly WW2 shipwrecks, and Thresher Sharks (Philippines).

Thanks!

 

[Centrals]

The East coast of Peninsular Malaysia is the off season for diving now until Mar.
Diving in Philippines is relative inexpensive because of the close proximity of the sites.
Puerto Galera(Manila) is probably the cheapest and some operators(eg. Dive You Go) are charging less than US$20.00 for a boat dive.
Fly into Cebu City and explore Moalboal and Dumaguete.
WWII wrecks is in Coron.
Thresher shark is more than likely in Malapascua(Cebu Island).
Snorkelling/diving with the gentle giant is at Oslob(Cebu Island).
Tourists have not been returning in large number but you do need to do some research on the areas that I mentioned.
Have a nice one.

Peak travelling season around Christmas and New Year in Philippines so air fare is a lot higher.