I have a week free from work in end Dec and thinking of using this spare time for diving. Been reading around but couldn't really make out whether Dec/Jan is a good time for diving in the above areas? I have never dived in Phils before, hence any advice is greatly appreciated.
Diving in end Dec - Anilao, Puerto Galera or Malapascua?
- Thread starter madfish
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It's a good time to be diving there but if you're going to head in December make sure that the operators and accomodation are not booked out.
shugar
Contributor
i can only say for ANILAO for certain... did my checkouts in december... viz was pretty good (but my instructor was saying it's even better during the summer) at about 30-40ft. water's a tad chilly but very bearablemadfish:
galera should be about the same since they're essentially the same piece of ocean
Jag
PS
but make sure you have a secure booking, and do this IN ADVANCE! december is peak season for resorts (i don't really know why considering that the water's colder than most people like)
PS
try www.balai-resort.com... i know they're not yet fully booked for december
f3nikon
Guest
Primetime diving, all Philippines March to June. Clearer waters etc. From the news reports the island of Luzon (Anilao and nearby Puerto Galera) had a lot of tropical storms this year. The seas may not be as clear as the Visayan Islands (Cebu, Bohol etc.)
Coming from mainland Asia, I would try and get a direct flight to Cebu in the south and by pass Manila. Because from Manila you are looking for another 3 hours of driving to your dive resort, in Cebu the divesite is just minutes from the airport, your one week will go a long way.
Dive Safe
Coming from mainland Asia, I would try and get a direct flight to Cebu in the south and by pass Manila. Because from Manila you are looking for another 3 hours of driving to your dive resort, in Cebu the divesite is just minutes from the airport, your one week will go a long way.
Dive Safe
Diving south of Manila has some great diving (both Anilao and Puerto Galera) and a variety of diving - whereas Malapascua offers less variety.
The resorts in Anilao are arranged such that, for the time you are there, you usually do not get out and about, but stay at the resort. There is no town or population center to walk around, no bars, no places to eat other than visiting another resort, which can be a real hike sometimes - so bring a book for when you are not diving.
Puerto Galera (Sabang) offers a town of divers, from all over the world, and is easy to get to. There are bars, discos, and quiet areas (Big Laguna for example).
Headed south to and near Cebu is also a good possibility. There are many resorts from 1 to 5 star. You have the city of Cebu nearby, if you want to be near a large city, and at the same time some decent diving.
No matter where you decide to go, pay attention to the warnings about reservations. You will find that many resorts fill up with divers from outside the country, from inside the country, families, and non-divers who just want to get out of the cities over the Christmas - New Year Time frame.
The resorts in Anilao are arranged such that, for the time you are there, you usually do not get out and about, but stay at the resort. There is no town or population center to walk around, no bars, no places to eat other than visiting another resort, which can be a real hike sometimes - so bring a book for when you are not diving.
Puerto Galera (Sabang) offers a town of divers, from all over the world, and is easy to get to. There are bars, discos, and quiet areas (Big Laguna for example).
Headed south to and near Cebu is also a good possibility. There are many resorts from 1 to 5 star. You have the city of Cebu nearby, if you want to be near a large city, and at the same time some decent diving.
No matter where you decide to go, pay attention to the warnings about reservations. You will find that many resorts fill up with divers from outside the country, from inside the country, families, and non-divers who just want to get out of the cities over the Christmas - New Year Time frame.
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