Question Liveaboard in Philippines or Indonesia

[Splashette]

Hi, first time posting on ScubaBoard so apologies if I'm using the wrong forum.

I am planning a trip to either the Philippines or Indonesia, end of 2025 or early 2026, and would like to do a Liveaboard. I am considering Tubbataha in the Philippines because it sounds like really spectacular diving. Although in 2007, I did a Liveaboard in Palua, which was spectacular, and thinking that Tubbataha might be a similar experience. I know you can't get enough great diving but I am also considering other parts of the Philippines like Visayas or Indonesia's forbidden islands. There is so much out there to explore and the info is overwhelming. Other factors - I am a single female and might be traveling alone so safety is an issue. I have advance certification but wouldn't consider myself pro or highly technical. I would love to see Thresher, Hammerhead and Whale sharks plus muck diving for the first time. I would also love explore small unpopulated islands from a skiff boat as I did in Palua. If you were going to this part of Asia to dive, where would you recommend I do my Liveaboard if given my first opportunity to dive this part of the world? Overwhelmed. Thank you.

 

[Beth3141]

By any chance, would you be able to suggest an island in the Phil with nice beaches, rustic and not too touristy, I'll end my trip there. Thanks again.

My 2025 trip will only be my second trip to the Philippines. Sorry no help regarding beaches. @dirtfarmer looking forward to Malapascua this year. Thanks for the heads up on the beaches there.

 

[Splashette]

If your going to finish your trip with Thresher Sharks at Malapascua it's the perfect spot for your beach time you are asking about.

Thank you!

 

[Splashette]

My 2025 trip will only be my second trip to the Philippines. Sorry no help regarding beaches. @dirtfarmer looking forward to Malapascua this year. Thanks for the heads up on the beaches there.

Mike's is a winner! Thank you!

 

[Anish]

Malapscua is great, for threshers. But don't expect a lot of pretty reefs etc. You dive deep (30m) swim around and wait for the sharks. If you don't see any, you move to another location and wait again. You must use Nitrox for enough bottom time to catch them. You also drop in the water at like 5am just as the sun is rising so light underwater isn't great at that hour. It's an interesting dive but not a lot of variety. I did my AOW/Nitrox there as well so it was worth the effort. The drive to the tip of Cebu island is a bear and the crossing can be rough so be aware of that. Still worth it cause Threshers are rare to see anywhere else.

 

[Splashette]

Malapscua is great, for threshers. But don't expect a lot of pretty reefs etc. You dive deep (30m) swim around and wait for the sharks. If you don't see any, you move to another location and wait again. You must use Nitrox for enough bottom time to catch them. You also drop in the water at like 5am just as the sun is rising so light underwater isn't great at that hour. It's an interesting dive but not a lot of variety. I did my AOW/Nitrox there as well so it was worth the effort. The drive to the tip of Cebu island is a bear and the crossing can be rough so be aware of that. Still worth it cause Threshers are rare to see anywhere else.

Thank you Anish, that info is very helpful. I am currently making a list of places in the Phil worth the trek for good scuba diving from shore, in case the Liveaboard doesn't happen. I have different locations in Cebu, Apo, Malapscua, Puerto Galera. If you have any favorite dive spots reachable from shore, feel free to share

 

[Anish]

Thank you Anish, that info is very helpful. I am currently making a list of places in the Phil worth the trek for good scuba diving from shore, in case the Liveaboard doesn't happen. I have different locations in Cebu, Apo, Malapscua, Puerto Galera. If you have any favorite dive spots reachable from shore, feel free to share

I like PG for a relaxing holiday. Not exactly shore dives but very short (5 to 10 min) boat rides for most dives. You can go out for one dive and come back before the next. Kind of like Liveaboard diving but from the shore. Sabang doesn't really have a beach though if that's important to you. It's pretty cheap too compared to a lot of places. Cebu main island doesn't have great diving. I have dived Moalboal but hurricanes have washed out the reefs. Oslob whale shark was good but I have mixed feelings about supporting the activity where they feed the animals. I have not dived Anilao or other Dumagete area sites so can't really comment.

 

[Centrals]

Southern Leyte is one of the best in the country.
Whale shark spotting season(snorkelling only) is from Nov to May and there is NO feeding.

 

[Splashette]

Southern Leyte is one of the best in the country.
Whale shark spotting season(snorkelling only) is from Nov to May and there is NO feeding.

Thank you!

 

[Splashette]

I like PG for a relaxing holiday. Not exactly shore dives but very short (5 to 10 min) boat rides for most dives. You can go out for one dive and come back before the next. Kind of like Liveaboard diving but from the shore. Sabang doesn't really have a beach though if that's important to you. It's pretty cheap too compared to a lot of places. Cebu main island doesn't have great diving. I have dived Moalboal but hurricanes have washed out the reefs. Oslob whale shark was good but I have mixed feelings about supporting the activity where they feed the animals. I have not dived Anilao or other Dumagete area sites so can't really comment.

Oh well,Oslob is out, I don't care for that type of sea circus and thanks for the tip about Moalboal.