finbob
Contributor
Enjoyed 20 dives at Portulano under the auspices of Andy Davis - a dive consultant with Scuba Tech Philippines & a key contributor to ScubaBoard. I chose Andy to complete my Padi Rescue course, as well as to enhance dive skills. Andy was very patient with me and yeah I scrapped through the rescue program (still have much to learn).
The Resort
From Manila, Portulano takes around 3-hours & costs $170 by taxi(return) - very expensive considering the economy. Portulano is a small family run operation. As a small friendly, family business it is fine. No frills, a/c for a little extra but rather basic with internet on a hit & miss affair. The strength of Portulano is good food with very friendly/helpful staff. However, as a dive operation it is rather poor - difficult access to the water and damaged rental equipment - not recommended.
The Dives
Shore diving: This consisted of 80% of all dives. Anilao is a rather nice and easy diving area. It's strength is nudibranch who are there is abundance; it's weakness is pelagics. Saw: Blue Ring Octopus, Cuttle fish, Decorated Crab, Razor Fish, Moreys, Trigger fish, Lion fish, Squid, Catfish, Pipe fish etc.
Boat dives: Again rather expensive, but we waited and teamed up with another coupleand shared the costs: Ligpo Island - Wall dive 5M-25M. Looking for small sharks in cave - none. Beautiful coral, but nothing really exciting (overrated). Dive & Trek (fish sanctuary): Demon Stinger, Starry Pufferfish, Sergent Majors, Giant Clams, Lizard fish etc. Real fun dive! Mainit Point: Black Ribbon Eel, various Nudibranch, Mantis Shrimp. Beware - Moderate to Strong current! Secret Bay: 'Muck Diving" fabulous for Nudibranch!
Night Dives - These are my favourites - Great! Reef Octopus, Turtle, Cuttlefish etc.
In summary: Recommend Andy Davis as a dive consultant; recommend Anilao as a dive site, but currently cannot recommend Portulano as a dive resort - despite the friendly staff - unlesssome capital investment takes place. :depressed:
The Resort
From Manila, Portulano takes around 3-hours & costs $170 by taxi(return) - very expensive considering the economy. Portulano is a small family run operation. As a small friendly, family business it is fine. No frills, a/c for a little extra but rather basic with internet on a hit & miss affair. The strength of Portulano is good food with very friendly/helpful staff. However, as a dive operation it is rather poor - difficult access to the water and damaged rental equipment - not recommended.
The Dives
Shore diving: This consisted of 80% of all dives. Anilao is a rather nice and easy diving area. It's strength is nudibranch who are there is abundance; it's weakness is pelagics. Saw: Blue Ring Octopus, Cuttle fish, Decorated Crab, Razor Fish, Moreys, Trigger fish, Lion fish, Squid, Catfish, Pipe fish etc.
Boat dives: Again rather expensive, but we waited and teamed up with another coupleand shared the costs: Ligpo Island - Wall dive 5M-25M. Looking for small sharks in cave - none. Beautiful coral, but nothing really exciting (overrated). Dive & Trek (fish sanctuary): Demon Stinger, Starry Pufferfish, Sergent Majors, Giant Clams, Lizard fish etc. Real fun dive! Mainit Point: Black Ribbon Eel, various Nudibranch, Mantis Shrimp. Beware - Moderate to Strong current! Secret Bay: 'Muck Diving" fabulous for Nudibranch!
Night Dives - These are my favourites - Great! Reef Octopus, Turtle, Cuttlefish etc.
In summary: Recommend Andy Davis as a dive consultant; recommend Anilao as a dive site, but currently cannot recommend Portulano as a dive resort - despite the friendly staff - unlesssome capital investment takes place. :depressed:
