Going to the Philippines - Squeal, giggle, snort...

[tridacna]

If you’re going to spend three days in Manila, spend one day touring Corredigor Island. Well worth the trip and better than the Mall of Asia.

Funny thing. Last time I went, I brought clothing for a friend’s kids out there.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

All great points. Thank you, everyone.

 

[LanceRiley]

Lots of diving in Cebu. In the island of Mactan. Thats easily 2-3 days of diving
Moalboal is another 2 days. Then the next nearest would be bohol. 2hrs fast raft. Panglao. Maybe 2-3 days.

For family stay mactan would be a great place as well as bohol.

 

[FT]

Another vote for Bohol as a family destination. You might like to add Dumaguete and Dauin to that. Can travel between by ferry, but would be flying back to Manila.
Shopping in Manila? Stay in Ortigas. SM Megamall for cheap clothing, Tiendesitas for the souvenirs and Greenhills for the bargains.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

I love Scubaboard. Thank you.

 

[diveUAE]

Yes, Bohol/Panglao was good for family. We loved the underground hinagdanan cave (go early and/or try to avoid weekends) on Panglao, the cute tarsiers and the zip line on Bohol (we regret not spending more time at the zip line and taking more “flights”)

Remember to book ahead for diving Balicasag! Other nearby dive sites are only 5-10 min away, so easy to just do a quick dive and spend the rest of the day with the family;-)

We also went to Malapascua- not much to do for the family, but we booked at “Thresher cove resort”, which is isolated, but our 17 year old son still had a great time socialising with the young backpackers staying at the hostel part of the resort (yes, chicks;-)) He’s also a diver, though ... my mother in law and our 9 year old enjoyed the pool and the beach/lagoon- the 9 year old even did a “bubble maker” with pool session and a “dive” in the lagoon and saw “nemo”, lots of fish and even a sea snake, so snorkeling there should be good.

However it took the best part of a day to travel from Malapascua to Bohol ...

 

[dolesorchard]

We spent two weeks diving with Crystal Blue in Anilao last March and it was amazing. If you’re looking fo4 big critters, forget it , but the macro stuff will blow you away!

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

We spent two weeks diving with Crystal Blue in Anilao last March and it was amazing. If you’re looking fo4 big critters, forget it , but the macro stuff will blow you away!

Hmm, thanks. After trying to figure out the perfect itinerary, I think we are going to park in Dauin and play it by ear. I found lodging cheap enough that if we want to up and bop over to Siquijor for a long weekend, we can do that. Hop a ferry to Moalboal for two days? Pain in the ass but yeah, we can do that. Bohol for a day? 2 hour ferry ride.

That's the plan this week. Stay tuned.

 

[Centrals]

Have a nice one.

Sipalay is only 6 hrs away if you want a quiet place.

 

[Couv]

We spent two weeks diving with Crystal Blue in Anilao last March and it was amazing. If you’re looking fo4 big critters, forget it , but the macro stuff will blow you away!

Concur with the amazing and macro at Crystal Blue.

@dolesorchard the wife says hello!