Just arrived in Philippines. Top 3 locations? Complete Newb

[Antarctic-Adventurer]

I just flew into Manila today and have 30 days here to travel around the whole islands. I have never been here before though and wonder if some vets here can give me a quick heads up on what would be the 3/4 top places for diving here. I am primarily here to dive.

Naturally I am reading a lot here but a quick summary would be really useful...

Cheers.

 

[ozziworld]

You should go to any of the dive shops and they should get you pointed in the right direction.

To get you started, you can look into

Anilao (macro)
Apo Reef
Tubataha (but season is over)
Malapascua (threseher sharks)
Panglao Island
Ticlao (Mantas)
Puerto Galera

There are way too many to list off the top of my head but you will definitely enjoy the Philippines - Welcome and Mabuhay

 

[eagerbeaver]

Anilao (macro)
Apo Reef
Tubataha (but season is over)
Malapascua (threseher sharks)
Panglao Island
Ticlao (Mantas)
Puerto Galera)macro/drift)
Dumaguete(macro) aces to Apo Island(walls and macro) - different from Apo reef
Siquijor(witch island!)
Bohol/Cabilao(macro)
Moalboal
Subic Bay(wrecks)
Coron Bay(wrecks)
Sogod Bay

What kind of thing are you after and what is your budget?

Cheers,

Matt.

 

[rickthediver]

For September I'd say

Puerto Galera - convenient for Manila and great macro, quiet right now so accommodation is plentiful and cheap

Coron bay - good wrecks, quiet seas in September and still warm in the water

Visayas - Bohol - nice walls and schools of larger pelagics

With 30 days I'd limit myself to three destinations. It can be slow traveling around so best not to do too much

Have fun!

Rick

 

[shugar]

yeah... anilao or PG... you can use this as a start-off (get acclimated) or as a last stop since it's easier to get to manila from these places w/o flying

then the visayas: bohol, dumaguete (apo island), cebu - you can take fast ferries between these locations so you don't waste dive days in off gassing

if you're up to it GenSan is pretty cool...

i'd give coron a try as well as it's a wonderful place

Jag

 

[CebuDivecentre]

Hi there,

If we can be of any assistance to you just drop me a line . We are based in Moalboal, Cebu and the only British owned facility on the island .

Hope too see you soon in sunny Moalboal

Regards

Carl Dales
Owner
Cebu Dive Centre
Panagsama - Moalboal
Cebu - Philippines

 

[Philip Nollett]

Hi, Can recommend Cebu, a good friend of mine has just opened an hotel near Boljoon (Stu Gould, British, long established in Cebu - Padi instructor). Handy for Balicasag, Panglao. His website is granadabeachph.com, - take a look. Has his own local style boat.

Fabulous choice of Country, sure you'll love all aspects of it.

Regards

Philip Nollett (uk)

 

[jonix]

nearest manila - anilao or puerto galera
by plane - bohol, cebu, southern leyte


link to some dive ops operating in the country

Open Directory - Recreation: Outdoors: Scuba Diving: Regional: Asia: Philippines

 

[clgsamson]

Hi, Can recommend Cebu, a good friend of mine has just opened an hotel near Boljoon (Stu Gould, British, long established in Cebu - Padi instructor). Handy for Balicasag, Panglao. His website is granadabeachph.com, - take a look. Has his own local style boat.

Fabulous choice of Country, sure you'll love all aspects of it.

Regards

Philip Nollett (uk)

"No smoking resort", why? . looks very nice though.

 

[eagerbeaver]

"No smoking resort", why? . looks very nice though.

Maybe coz smoking is a major contraindication to diving? And because it's naaaasty?