Help Planning Trip to Philippine Islands

[leadweight]

I need some help planning a trip to the Philippine Islands. What I am looking for are dive towns. Something like Utila, West End on Roatan, or Phi Phi where there are bunches of dive shops, divers from all over, and relatively low prices. What I am not looking for are expensive, high visibility, all inclusive dive lodges like Atlantis. I would like to go in May with the Mermaid and spend about 3 weeks. We both have a lot of experience, so the diving can be challenging.

Anyone?

 

[Kupu]

Sabang/PG, Mindoro...Alona Beach, Bohol. To a lesser degree Coron, Busuanga...Moalboal, Cebu...Davao, Mindanao...etc.

Basically start out on Sabang since its the closest comparison to the places you mention, by the time you feel like leaving, you will have plenty of ideas...Just know that 3 weeks will only leave you wanting more time to dive the PI

 

[CODMAN]

I can't talk for the other places, but as suggested by Kupu Sabang (Puerto Galera) is exactly what you are looking for. Lots of dive sites, all nearby. Some, very challenging depending on the tidal currents. And lots of variety of marine life. Dive sites are generally 5 minutes Banka away (except Verde Island, which is 1 hour). There are about 40 dive operators along a 1-2 km stretch of beach. You can litterally just pop off and start shopping (at your leisure) for accomodations and a dive operator. They have all types: the basic, crowded tourist resort, to specialised dive operators that teach eveything from bubblemaker to closed circuit rebreather. It's all there! You just need to pick what you want out of the lot!

Cheers!

 

[jonix]

same reco

 

[h2odragon1]

Puerto Galera, either Sabang or Little LaLaguna beach, Dive Puerto Galera, Dive Philippines, Dive Action Divers or Anilao, Municipality of Mabini, Batangas Philippines Anilao is more spread out but great diving.
Alona Beach in Bohol, Welcome to Bohol, Philippines much like Puerto Galera as far as not being able to walk 100 ft without passing one or two dive shops. Isis Bungalows - Welcome to Isis Bungalows
Bohol will require an airplane flight to get to, but the diving is great. Youe can fly into Tagbilaren from Manila, or fly to Cebu and take the fast boat to Tagbilaren Ocean Jet
I leave you with a thought;
WARNING; DIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES IS THE MOST ADDICTIVE FORM OF DIVING

 

[leadweight]

Sabang must be the place. How do I get there from Manila? It looks like it is South of Manila, but there is a water crossing, not surprising. I am about ready to plunk down the not small change for a couple of tickets from Houston via Hawaii and Guam. What happens if I don't ever want to leave, cause this place sounds like heaven. Also, what sort of exposure protection do I need? I hear its a bit cool for a 3mm.

 

[CODMAN]

Hi Lead,
no believe me! Sabang is not heaven! You won't find any angels at broadways or the Pink panther...

Getting to Sabang from Manila is easy. Expensive but fast way: In advance hire a car (around 50-75$) to drive you from the airport to batangas pier (about 110 km from there). Then take a Banka from there directly to Sabang (cost 5$). They drop you off on the beach among the resorts and dive operations!

Economy way (which I did). Take a cab from the airport to the Jam bus station in Pasay (about 3$). Avoid the Victoria Court rooms for rent (which I did avoid in the end!!). Take a aircon Bus to Batangas Pier, via Calabarzon (there are lots all day long; starting around 5:30 am) which will cost around 3$. From there, take a Banka to Sabang (5$). Really easy!

As for thermal protection, while I was there (feb-march) water was 25-26 ºC. I was fine in my 3/2mm fullsuit. But I don't get cold easily! The divedojo, where I worked/did my courses rents 5mm fullsuits (They are one of the only ones) to make sure their customers don't get cold. I believe the water is supposed to warm a bit for summer, but I don't know by how much... (Maybe others can help?). If you are the chily type, 5mm full would be my recommendation. If you are generally a warm type person, 3mm would be OK.

At least that's my take on it! While you are there, make sure your dive operation will take you to Verde Island (if your diving abilities are up to the necessary level). In my oppinion, by far the nicest sites around there. But there is also plenty of great diving around Sabang if you don't want to pay the extra for Verde. Oh yeah, and if you night dive, do as many as you can! There are full of really cool creatures that come out at night there!

Cheers!

 

[jonix]

@codman: you missed a lot not trying victoria

@lead: as codman said 3mm is the norm, 5mm if you chill easy. i personally use 0.5mm everytime

 

[chip104]

Another option is Alona Beach, Bohol. Lots of dive shops and divers from all over. But I find the dives in PG a bit more challenging (currents).

I was there this [-]weekend[/-] monday, tuesday, and wednesday, using a rashguard and swim shorts. But it does depend on how cold you get - a 3 mm would be good for me.

 

[happybuddha]

Another option is Alona Beach, Bohol. Lots of dive shops and divers from all over. But I find the dives in PG a bit more challenging (currents).

I was there this weekend using a rashguard and swim shorts. But it does depend on how cold you get - a 3 mm would be good for me.

I agree with Chip, fish life is more plentiful in PG, with the exception of Balicasag I've never seen a lot of life at Alona.

This time of year should certainly be shorts diving, I was surprised how warm it was this past Chinese New Year, normally would be ~22C during CNY, but was much warmer, ~25-26C, at CNY.

I was in Malapascua this past Holy Week and used a shortly, I actually got chilly a couple of times (and that's unusual for me).

Drew