MikeCal
Registered
This is a continuation of my previous post on my first experiences visiting (and therefore diving) in the Philippines using feedback from others to plan my trip.
Quick background on myself, new to diving having gotten certified in April of 2024, and 70 dives.
A long travel day from Malapascau where I shared a taxi with a Spanish couple from Maya Port to Cebu airport (2000 pesos total for the 3 of us and only took about 3 hours), a Grab to the south bus terminal, bus to Moalboal, trike to hotel where I arrived at 6:30pm.
Dolphin House is nice though not cheap and nor were the meals. It's out by itself so limited options to venture out without hiring transportation. Also found it strange I had to book a triple room as no other smaller rooms were available but the hotel is pretty much empty.
Next morning the weather at the surface wasn't great with wind and waves so they suggested we plan to dive the next morning. The next morning there wasn't any improvement in the weather but they decided we head out (I was the only diver)to see the sardines then to a dive site just south of the hotel and relatively close to shore.
At first I wasn't sure about the sardine site when I saw all these snorkelers but once in the water it wasn't an issue as we were away from the shore from them. Spent an hour just viewing, swimming through, and watching Jack fish darting in now and then for a meal. Visibility wasn't ideal due to the clouds and likely the rain causing the river sediment to enter but still nice to see them up close in such numbers.
The second site was just us and was another hour dive in 86F water along some coral which wasn't that colorful but still enjoyable with all the small fish including a school of razor fish, lots of small pipefish, several snowflake eels (especially enjoyed watching one out on top of some nice coral looking for a meal), and a good sized green turtle resting.
Not my best day out but okay though it's a one and done for me as I don't think I will be revisiting the Moalboal area.
Off to Dauin tomorrow where I will be staying and diving with Bongo Bongo for 5 nights.
Quick background on myself, new to diving having gotten certified in April of 2024, and 70 dives.
A long travel day from Malapascau where I shared a taxi with a Spanish couple from Maya Port to Cebu airport (2000 pesos total for the 3 of us and only took about 3 hours), a Grab to the south bus terminal, bus to Moalboal, trike to hotel where I arrived at 6:30pm.
Dolphin House is nice though not cheap and nor were the meals. It's out by itself so limited options to venture out without hiring transportation. Also found it strange I had to book a triple room as no other smaller rooms were available but the hotel is pretty much empty.
Next morning the weather at the surface wasn't great with wind and waves so they suggested we plan to dive the next morning. The next morning there wasn't any improvement in the weather but they decided we head out (I was the only diver)to see the sardines then to a dive site just south of the hotel and relatively close to shore.
At first I wasn't sure about the sardine site when I saw all these snorkelers but once in the water it wasn't an issue as we were away from the shore from them. Spent an hour just viewing, swimming through, and watching Jack fish darting in now and then for a meal. Visibility wasn't ideal due to the clouds and likely the rain causing the river sediment to enter but still nice to see them up close in such numbers.
The second site was just us and was another hour dive in 86F water along some coral which wasn't that colorful but still enjoyable with all the small fish including a school of razor fish, lots of small pipefish, several snowflake eels (especially enjoyed watching one out on top of some nice coral looking for a meal), and a good sized green turtle resting.
Not my best day out but okay though it's a one and done for me as I don't think I will be revisiting the Moalboal area.
Off to Dauin tomorrow where I will be staying and diving with Bongo Bongo for 5 nights.
