Diving in Palawan- any suggestions?

[iccohen]

Hello All-

First time caller, First time listener. I am a relatively neophyte diver, and I will be heading to The Philipines in 2 days (woo hoo!), and as part of my trip, we will be going to Palawan, where I want to do some diving.

Anyone have suggestions on what to look out for, who they recommend, etc. while I'm there? Long story, but I will have carte blanche to any hotel while there (it's good to know people who know the President of the country)...

Thanks!!!

-Steve

 

[headhunter]

I've never been there, so I can't make any suggestions in that regard.

However, I think you may get better results on answers for the question if you post this question in a different place on the board. I know that this is your first post, so please don't think that I'm chastising you for your post placement. I was going to use the "Report" button to get a moderator to move it for you, but realized that it would be the inappropriate use of that button.

I'm sure one of the mods will move it soon.

Good luck and welcome to Scubaboard!

Christian

 

[OE2X]

Hello All-

First time caller, First time listener. I am a relatively neophyte diver, and I will be heading to The Philipines in 2 days (woo hoo!), and as part of my trip, we will be going to Palawan, where I want to do some diving.

Anyone have suggestions on what to look out for, who they recommend, etc. while I'm there? Long story, but I will have carte blanche to any hotel while there (it's good to know people who know the President of the country)...

Thanks!!!

-Steve

Welcome to the board.
When I was there in El Nido which is located on the north end of the island there were two high end resorts that appeared to have diving. The only problem with Palawan is two issues: 1. Five years ago a typhoon went through there trashing much of the coral. 2. While illegal the locals still dynamite fish and or cyanide fish. This has had a bad effect on the corals as well.

If you could spend your time on Coron Island to the north then I think you would be happier. There are some amazing wreck dives down to 130' and some good drift dives with amazing coral fans.

Oh and BTW - This post would be better posted in the travel forum. No big deal since you are new here...

 

[love2godeep]

I think you're already on your way--lucky guy!

I love the diving in Palawan. It beats the Caribbean by far, and puts Hawaii clear out of the picture.....

The coral is coming back in El Nido. I've found that even the corals were damaged, El Nido's corals are better than many places' undamaged corals. Check out Miniloc. There are a couple of upscale resorts near El Nido. Here's one:

http://www.resortsphilippines.com/palawan/elnidominiloc_index.html

Coron is great for wrecks. It also has a nice resort:

http://www.resortsphilippines.com/palawan/clubparadise_index.html

But far better is Coco Loco Island, just off of Roxas. It's incredible. But you won't get 5 star accommodations.

http://www.resortsphilippines.com/palawan/cocoloco_index.html

The owner of the dive op at Coco Loco has a liveaboard you can take to Tubbataha Reefs. Virgin diving with a lot of large pelagics. They can only go a few months of the year, April-June, I think.

http://www.palawan-yacht-charter.com/trips/cruises.html

If money is no object, try this place:
http://www.resortspalawan.com/

Enjoy!

 

[iccohen]

Want to thank everyone who threw out ideas. Unfortunately, the person whose island we were supposed to stay on (just off Palawan, a private island), had his yacht in the shop getting overhauled.

So THIS is how the other half lives!!!

Plan B, I dove in Subic Bay, the USS New York and the El Capitan. Saw my first Barracuda and Lionfish.

Not Palawan (or even Boracay), but better than no diving at all!!!

Cheers,

-Steve

 

[CLA]

Hi!

I live in Palawan and if you get another chance to visit I'd strongly recommend that you try joining a liveaboard to Tubattaha Reef. I think it's the best place to dive anywhere in the Philippines but the reefs are quite far off and are only accesible via liveaboard between March to June (best time is April-May). The best (and priciest) boats are scubaworld explorer feet and tristar. There are other smaller boats from here (like Dive and let live's Talusi) which are cheaper but the choice depends on the comfort level you desire. I think all operators schedule 5 to7 day trips of unlimited diving.

Other places to dive are:

Coron- Busuanga for wreck diving (but reefs aren't so good anymore)
Puerto Princesa if you like macro and photography (look up Ken Saito of Last Frontier Dive)
Dos Palmas Helen's Garden
Club Noah Taytay
El Nido (Alot of the reefs have been damaged by El Nino and there has been a recent crown of thorns outbreak. However, its one of the most beautiful places here, topside)

If your friend owns an island here, i guess he's already familiar with these places too

 

[jkennedy]

Just be careful and watch your back........

 

[bttmdwllr]

The reefs in Coron are one of the most overlooked reefs in the Philippines since most divers who go there are focused on the 12 wrecks from WW2.

The existence of several pearl farms in the area has freed the nearby reefs from dynamite and cyanide fishing. The coral gardens on Lusong Island is exceptional, soft and hard corals seafans with fusiliers and bumpheads playing along the slope... ask your DM to take you there the next time.

 

[paolov]

Hello All-

First time caller, First time listener. I am a relatively neophyte diver, and I will be heading to The Philipines in 2 days (woo hoo!), and as part of my trip, we will be going to Palawan, where I want to do some diving.

Anyone have suggestions on what to look out for, who they recommend, etc. while I'm there? Long story, but I will have carte blanche to any hotel while there (it's good to know people who know the President of the country)...

Thanks!!!

-Steve

Tubattaha is closed for the season.

The Typhoon season is up here in the Philippines that limits the area for diving.

Forget Subic, bad visibility this time of the year.

Your choices, Anilao, Puerto Galera, Coron-Palawan, Dumaguete , Moalboal -last on my list, Malapascua

Your better options are south side of Anilao, and Puerto Galera (make sure your ferry back to mainland is not tight)

 

[Gussy]

I stayed at Club Noah last year and it was great. I'm going back this October and am thing about staying at El Nido (as Amanpulo is way expensive). How is the service and the beach? The facilities at El Nido are deteriorating from neglect, but I have heard from people who go to Palawan that service is the best. How is the diving?

I think you're already on your way--lucky guy!

I love the diving in Palawan. It beats the Caribbean by far, and puts Hawaii clear out of the picture.....

The coral is coming back in El Nido. I've found that even the corals were damaged, El Nido's corals are better than many places' undamaged corals. Check out Miniloc. There are a couple of upscale resorts near El Nido. Here's one:

http://www.resortsphilippines.com/palawan/elnidominiloc_index.html

Coron is great for wrecks. It also has a nice resort:

http://www.resortsphilippines.com/palawan/clubparadise_index.html

But far better is Coco Loco Island, just off of Roxas. It's incredible. But you won't get 5 star accommodations.

http://www.resortsphilippines.com/palawan/cocoloco_index.html

The owner of the dive op at Coco Loco has a liveaboard you can take to Tubbataha Reefs. Virgin diving with a lot of large pelagics. They can only go a few months of the year, April-June, I think.

http://www.palawan-yacht-charter.com/trips/cruises.html

If money is no object, try this place:
http://www.resortspalawan.com/

Enjoy!