This is a trip to some excellent dive operations and locales.
Point of information: The Hotel Atlantis Puerto Galera
is actually on Sabang Beach, miles away from PG. PG is not my idea of a vacation delight, Sabang is what comes to mind. There are smarter ways to get to Hotel Atlantis other than flying thru Puerto Galera, but according to DD, that's the arrangement.
NOTE: Any one who has a physical limitation in regards to stairs, absolutely insist on getting a room at the lowest level The rooms with the best views are on "the top", but it is mountain goat territory.
Hotel Atlantis on Sabang Beach:
More at
Philippines Hotel Atlantis Pto Galera Sabang Photos by Doc_Adelman | Photobucket
the dive op:
Hardly noticed the tides:
The night dive can be off on a reef by boat, but we got way more action by doing the muck dive in front of Hotel Atlantis. At first we questioned why we needed a DM, but it became apparent very quickly. A very disorienting moonscape where he kept pointing out one improbable creature after another. We did BTs of 2 hours we were so shallow.
More at
Philippines Puerto Galera Sabang Beach Photos by Doc_Adelman | Photobucket
Other night dives done on a reef allowed us to ghost along without lights in 2 mph currents and look at the sloping reef- it was covered in basketball sized Chrinoids that were feeding on the flow- they looked like a hill of Christmas Trees as the bio-luminescence popped on their arms. Magic.
Currents: The local DMs are expert a selecting dive sites that will give you what you want. Our DM that we have been with over two visits had no compunction about dropping us into spots that looked like boiling rapids of the Colorado River. Other DMs knew what their divers wanted, they selected other sites. Favorite absolute nutty currents?
Batangas Straights (a 4 mile swoosh with boomerang switchback currents, all over shallow gravel in 30fsw),
Isla Verde (the underwater waterfall where you can hang onto a 1/2" cable and fly like a kite)
Not all dive sites are ripping current. BUT- stay with your DM, pay attention to him. Things can change very abruptly.
This is, indeed, "
advanced diving". Combine difficult transition from shore to boat, small cramped boats with knobby wooden planking and interiors, simultaneous backrolls on command, quick descents to avoid surface current, current diving, stay together, carrying and using your own SMB if you get seperated, handing your gear up, climbing things that they call ladders, getting small and staying there on your seat while others are recovered, being of assistance in passing that gear.
DIVE SCHEDULE: We dive every possible dive offered. This can be a scampering hustle. No real chance to do much than shower and have a drink of water before next departure.
We also did a night dive each and every night.
This is complicated by the allure of
ordering off the menu. We always asked for a buffet style set for us, that way our group can come in, have breakfast/lunch, be gone. Otherwise, this standard Euro-Asian Dive schedule where you actually have to sign-up for coming dives might be an education. You can do each and every dive, but it is not easy, comfortable or relaxing- but highly rewarding.
Dinner, well, that is different:
BUT... This aint Cayman.
And
that is exactly why we have returned to Hotel Atlantis properties so many times. The OP on this thread, Deputy Dan and I love us some Cocoview when we are in the Caribbean. For many of us, understanding that the diving is different of course, but Hotel Atlantis is our Cocoview of the Western Pacific. An excellent product, designed for divers in comfort.
And some more more pics at
Philippines 2 Puerto Galera Sabang Beach Photos by Doc_Adelman | Photobucket
