Question Help with December Phillipines Dive Trip Itinerary

[shivanit]

My partner and I are both AOW divers and are going to be flying in / out of Cebu Dec 25 - Jan 6. We are focused on great diving and appreciate the large pelagic animals (not super interested in macro or much diving). Our plan would be to stay at nice resorts and spend the days diving for the most part, but bonus if we manage to get in a few other activities.

I have read a ton of trip reports and posts on here and really don't know what the best itinerary is for our short trip (I wish work allowed me more time!!). Also, I totally get that travel is slow and it take a long time to cross Cebu, I also get that ferries could cancel.

So I'm wondering what the best itinerary would be. I am interested in Sogod Bay (South Leyte) for ethical whale shark encounters, Moalboal for the sardine run, Malapascua for the thresher sharks and Bohol (Panglao/Balicasag) for turtles, etc. I know it is not feasible to get to all of these places in our short trip (11 days / 13 if you count arrival/departure day).

Can you help me with a proposed itinerary or help me narrow this down? Welcome alternative suggestions if you think I've narrowed in on the wrong area. And bonus if you have suggestions of where to stay and dive shops.

Thanks!

 

[Centrals]

@shivanit
Dec 25 - Jan 06!!! The busiest time for travelling in the country.
You really need to book AHEAD for ACCOMMODATION.
Dec 25. Stay in Cebu City.
Dec 26. Arrange transfer all the way to Malapascua.

Evolution Diving Resort in Malapascua, Cebu, Philippines

The Evolution Diving Resort in Malapascua offers amazing recreational diving, the best tech diving facility in the region, and gorgeous beachfront rooms!

evolution.com.ph

There are other reputable operators eg. Thresher Sharks Divers.
Dec 30. Leave early afternoon for Cebu City. Still have time to dive in the morning but your gear will be wet.
Overnight in Cebu City.
Dec 31. 07:00 Ocean Jet ferry from Terminal 1(ticket booth is outside the terminal) to Maasin. Public transport to Padres Bugo or your host can arrange private pick up as the ferry is only once a day.

Welcome - Peter's Dive Resort Philippines: Scuba Diving in Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte

www.petersdiveresortph.com

There are others to choose but the selection is very very limited eg. Sogod Bay Scuba Diving Resort

Jan 03. Take the afternoon ferry back to Cebu and arrange private transfer to Moalboal.

Dolphin-House – A small piece of paradise

Jan 06. Cebu or arrive on 05th, 24hrs no fly penalty.

 

[Centrals]

There is a ferry from Northern Cebu Province to San Isidro in Leyte but I have no experience on it.
Another way is to leave Malapascua early to Cebu City, catch the frequent ferry to Ormoc by Ocean Jet or Super Cat at Terminal 1. There might be another operator out from different terminal.
You need to make arrangement for private transfer in Ormoc. Public bus is available but takes long time and the frequency is limited.

 

[Jay_Remi]

So I'm wondering what the best itinerary would be. I am interested in Sogod Bay (South Leyte) for ethical whale shark encounters, Moalboal for the sardine run, Malapascua for the thresher sharks and Bohol (Panglao/Balicasag) for turtles, etc. I know it is not feasible to get to all of these places in our short trip (11 days / 13 if you count arrival/departure day).

I understand the desire to see as many places as possible. But going to four different locations - quite apart from each other - in just 11 days, that sounds a bit too much.
I guess the choice would be: do you priortize spending time underwater, or trying to see different places with lots of transfers and moving around? With such itinerary, it would be at least 50/50.
My recommendation would be: select 2 or 3 places max, preferably close to each other and have fun diving.
Start from Cebu to Panglao (many ferries), then onwards to Moalboal (ditto), then head to Malapascua.
If it were me, with only 11 daysI would do only two: Panglao and Malapascua.
This is just my own very personal opinion. I'd rather dive than spending time on buses and ferries non-stop with my gear wet.

 

[shivanit]

Thank you all! To clarify, I know 4 locations is too much given the number of days. i was really trying to get help on 1) which locations to prioritize (which 2 would you recommend for teh best diving, for someone very interested in large pelagic, not so much muck or marco), and 2) a suggested itinerary.

The above is helpful so appreciate the feedback but certainly welcome more suggestions if others have it!

 

[shivanit]

Think I've landed on an itinerary. Any feedback / concerns with this?

Dec 25 - Fly from Tokyo to Cebu. Ferry to Panglao (Bohol)
Dec 26 - 28 Panglao (Bohol) Diving
Dec 29 - Travel to Moalboal via Cebu ferry (+ 3 hour van)
Dec 30-31 Moalboal diving + optional excursion to Oslob to see whalesharks
Jan 1 Travel Moalboal to Malaspacua in private transfer
Jan 2-4 Malaspacua Diving
Jan 5 Travel to Cebu City (maybe dive in the morning)
Jan 6 flight from Cebu to Hk 12:30pm

Welcome input!

 

[Centrals]

1. There is a direct ferry from Panglao to Oslob.

How to Get from Oslob to Bohol by Ferry: Complete Guide

Getting to Bohol can be a little tricky if you're travelling from other tourist spots in Cebu such as Oslob or Moalboal. If you're planning your trip from Oslob to Bohol by ferry, this guide will provide all the information you need.

thefroggyadventures.com

Please check the schedule of the ferry from Bohol to Oslob.
Make sure the operator does not rely outsider for back gas on Alona Beach.

2. Malapascua first because of its isolated location.
3. Leave Moalboal at the end because it is only about 3hrs to the airport.

 

[shivanit]

So I am re-thinking my locations based on the research on these forums. Lots of people say the sardine run is great, but the rest of Moalboal is not given it didn't recover from the typhoon. So if I have 12-13 days and I limit it to Malapascua and one other destination, what should it be? The options I think are Bohol, Apo Island, and S. Leyte. Any suggestions? We would LOVE to see whale sharks although I know it's not guaranteed. We would lean toward turtles and large pelagics over macro diving. We would love one location with something to do when not diving, but it's not an absolute must. thanks in advance - it's so difficult to decide what the best option is.