DevonDiver
N/A
Subic and Anilao are good options - as they can both be reached easily from Manila by car/bus. These (as Centrals pointed out) are good for the beginning and end of your trip. Subic is wreck diving heaven. Anilao is famous for macro diving.
Go to Anilao first then to PG. Puerto Galera is an overnight trip. Bus from Manila, overnight sleep, then ferry in the am.
Back to Manila from PG, to catch internal flight to Cebu. Dive Cebu (Moalboal and Dumaguette), then bus/ferry to Malapascua. From there, ferry/bus/ferry to Bohol.
Once finished diving in Bohol, then get a flight to Davao. Dive there then flight back to Manila.
If not already visited, then make your trip to Subic, before flying to Indonesia. You can fly from Clark (near to Subic) via Singapore or KK. Alternatively... fly Clark to KK (Borneo)..overnight bus to Semporna and get some dives in at Sipidan/Mabul, before catching a ferry to Indonesia.
As for budget:
Transport: Make use of buses wherever possible. There isn't much in the way of 'railway' in the Philippines. For flights, ensure that your checked baggage does not exceed 15kg, as this is the limit for many budget airlines in the region. Put heavier items into your carry on luggage. I use a 35litre daysack as carry-on... and put all my heavy items into this. Most airlines let you carry a laptop in addition to your main carry-on bag. Be clever about putting stuff into your carry-on, because this is less often weighed. I travel and dive with a full set of dive equipment and still manage to stay within the 15kg allowance.
Accomodation: Aim for Fan Only rooms. Search for accomodation in the areas 'behind' the beach. It's possible to get rooms for 500-1000 a night, if you are not fussy. It's hard to plan in advance, as many places don't have websites.
Diving: If the aim of your trip is max diving, then investigate the cost-benefit of buying your own gear in advance. It will significantly reduce your diving costs if you don't have to pay gear rental during the trip. If you bargain shop...and look into second-hand gear on Ebay/Craig's List, then your gear could easily pay for itself over the duration of your trip.
Dive Equipment: At the minimum, have mask, fins and snorkel. Fins can be lightweight 'foot pocket' type. Can get these cheap second hand on Ebay... look for the Mares Avanti.. they work well as foot pocket fins. A basic regulator will cost $200 or less, second hand. A lightweight BCD will be $2-400. There's plenty of threads here on SB about lightweight scuba kit for travelling. Assuming $15-$40+ dollars a day for kit rental, it is best to invest in your own gear if you are planning a long diving trip.
Food: Stay away from the western/tourist restaurants. Eat where the locals eat. The Philippines doesn't have the variety of cheap 'street food' that you would find in places like Thailand and Malaysia - but there are good Filipino eateries away from the beachfront areas, that serve cheap, healthy and sustaining foods. I hope you like rice and pork!
Mindanao: You have to make your own mind up about this. There are some risks to tourists on the southern islands. Davao/GS are safe... but if you venture into the rural areas you will need to be careful and cautious. The issue is kidnap/murder by Abu Safef (Islamic guerillas). Google this and make your own mind up. Your government will have recommendations also... check their foreign department's website.
Go to Anilao first then to PG. Puerto Galera is an overnight trip. Bus from Manila, overnight sleep, then ferry in the am.
Back to Manila from PG, to catch internal flight to Cebu. Dive Cebu (Moalboal and Dumaguette), then bus/ferry to Malapascua. From there, ferry/bus/ferry to Bohol.
Once finished diving in Bohol, then get a flight to Davao. Dive there then flight back to Manila.
If not already visited, then make your trip to Subic, before flying to Indonesia. You can fly from Clark (near to Subic) via Singapore or KK. Alternatively... fly Clark to KK (Borneo)..overnight bus to Semporna and get some dives in at Sipidan/Mabul, before catching a ferry to Indonesia.
As for budget:
Transport: Make use of buses wherever possible. There isn't much in the way of 'railway' in the Philippines. For flights, ensure that your checked baggage does not exceed 15kg, as this is the limit for many budget airlines in the region. Put heavier items into your carry on luggage. I use a 35litre daysack as carry-on... and put all my heavy items into this. Most airlines let you carry a laptop in addition to your main carry-on bag. Be clever about putting stuff into your carry-on, because this is less often weighed. I travel and dive with a full set of dive equipment and still manage to stay within the 15kg allowance.
Accomodation: Aim for Fan Only rooms. Search for accomodation in the areas 'behind' the beach. It's possible to get rooms for 500-1000 a night, if you are not fussy. It's hard to plan in advance, as many places don't have websites.
Diving: If the aim of your trip is max diving, then investigate the cost-benefit of buying your own gear in advance. It will significantly reduce your diving costs if you don't have to pay gear rental during the trip. If you bargain shop...and look into second-hand gear on Ebay/Craig's List, then your gear could easily pay for itself over the duration of your trip.
Dive Equipment: At the minimum, have mask, fins and snorkel. Fins can be lightweight 'foot pocket' type. Can get these cheap second hand on Ebay... look for the Mares Avanti.. they work well as foot pocket fins. A basic regulator will cost $200 or less, second hand. A lightweight BCD will be $2-400. There's plenty of threads here on SB about lightweight scuba kit for travelling. Assuming $15-$40+ dollars a day for kit rental, it is best to invest in your own gear if you are planning a long diving trip.
Food: Stay away from the western/tourist restaurants. Eat where the locals eat. The Philippines doesn't have the variety of cheap 'street food' that you would find in places like Thailand and Malaysia - but there are good Filipino eateries away from the beachfront areas, that serve cheap, healthy and sustaining foods. I hope you like rice and pork!
Mindanao: You have to make your own mind up about this. There are some risks to tourists on the southern islands. Davao/GS are safe... but if you venture into the rural areas you will need to be careful and cautious. The issue is kidnap/murder by Abu Safef (Islamic guerillas). Google this and make your own mind up. Your government will have recommendations also... check their foreign department's website.
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