Over Planners Anonymous Seeks Advice

[KayDee]

OK, after a painstaking and exhausting research of this forum I am totally and thoroughly confused {which may be normal}! Nevertheless, this is my conundrum; we are planning a 2 week dive trip in mid-May and have the following questions. First, we plan on 5 days of diving/vacation in Panglao Island {Alona Beach}, Bohol then on to Dumaguete (have not figured this out yet) for 5 additional days of diving/vacation. We are both California AOW divers with 300+ dives pp & 1 diver is a DM. In reality we are pretty flexible and easy going and never had a bad dive trip (Yeah Beer!), but still seek personal recommendations based on the following:
1. Accommodations: Clean Beach Front, Balcony, Mid-Range $, Necessities, as a minimum, A/C, Hot/Cold H2O, TV/Cable in room, Available Wi-Fi, Mini Bar, Mandatory: Bar & Restaurant On-Site
2. Dive Operator: Small groups/similar experience levels, no more than 6 divers {4 is best}, Flexible dive schedule & site with 2+ tank trips, Covered Boat, Drift Diving. Night Dives, Trips to Balicasag & Apo Islands (thatÃÔ all I can think of for now)
3. Surface Interval Must See/Do: LetÃÔ face it; as much as we would like to stay submerged we do need to breathe non-compressed air and enjoy the culture. I had the pleasure of traveling to Luzon for a couple of months in the early 1980ÃÔ and still remember the friendly, warm people and places. I need to share this experience with my husband
Sorry if this sounds a little obsessive but this is our 1st exotic big trip and frankly after spending untold hours on an overly pricey airplane from LAX we want the comfort & peace of mind that comes with good planning. Ironically, I spoke with a couple of dive vacation specialist and they all wanted to push us towards the mega resorts (not our style). Anyhow, your help, advice or comments are deeply appreciated.

KayDee

 

[clgsamson]

I've stayed in Alona Palm Beach (pricey), Isis Bungalows (mid) and Bohol Divers Lodge (mid; BDL). I dived with Philippine Island Divers which is the inhouse diveshop of BDL, experienced and will let you "play", no 1 hour limit then

There's also Alona Kew and Bohol Beach Club.

Surface interval/off-gassing and touring, I'm a satisfied customer of this outfit Dolphin and Whale Watching , the Coutryside tour is a must.

edit: pm Gilligan, he's the "resident SB member" in Panglao. Stays there for 3 quarters of a year.

 

[pakman]

I'll let others comment on Alona Beach accommodations. But a lot of this has been covered in previous threads on this forum... I have only stayed at the Bohol Beach Resort just north of Alona Beach. A slightly higher end place (for Bohol) but isolated from the rest of the resorts around Alona Beach.

Some transportation tidbits:
Bohol to Dumaguete - I believe there are two fast ferries (possibly more) that run frequently between the two. They usually run Cebu City->Tagbilaran->Dumaguete City.

The Cebu ferry pier is about 15 min from Cebu Int'l Airport.

Alona Beach is approx 30-40min by car/taxi from the Tagbilaran ferry pier.

Dauin dive resorts are approx 40min-1hr from the Dumaguete City Ferry Pier.

Both Dumaguete and Tagbilaran have domestic airports which good connections to Manila via modern passenger jets (737's and Airbus equivalents).

In Dumaguete, I've only stayed at Atlantis. Not the newest resort in the area, but it's got a nice layout, cozy rooms with big window patio doors that open up to you patio. Good mix of int'l meals on the menu. Wireless internet connection (but you might not get reception in all the rooms). Nice open air restaurant and patio for lounging around. Well organized dive shop area with convenient cubbies for storing all your gear. Can arrange day trips to Apo Island. House reef has mandarin fish (we didn't see them on our trip though). I was there in late Aug and nearly had the boat to myself everyday.

Oh on the things to do for Bohol, I think most people will say do the Tarzier seeing, chocolate hills, maybe one of those river raft cruises.

 

[chip104]

hmm....here goes:

1. Accommodations: Clean Beach Front, Balcony, Mid-Range $, Necessities, as a minimum, A/C, Hot/Cold H2O, TV/Cable in room, Available Wi-Fi, Mini Bar, Mandatory: Bar & Restaurant On-Site
Bohol:

Bohol Divers Lodge (mid): beach front, balcony (or patio), A/C, hot/cold H20, TV/cable, minibar, bar & resto onsite. no wifi

Alona Tropical (mid-low) clean beach front, patio, restaurant onsite, A/C & hot/cold H20 (but not the beach front cottages), no wifi.

Isis (mid-high): A/C & hot/cold H20, wifi, restuarant (no bar but drinks can be ordered), patio, beach front is small but they have a lounging area.

Lost Horizon (mid-high): A/C & hot/cold H20, wifi, minibar, restuarant, bar, balcony or patio, beach front is crowded.

Alona Kew (high): everything you mentioned, but comparatively expensive.

I'm not mentioning a lot of places, but check this out: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...rs/249439-alona-beach-bohol-courtesy-map.html

2. Dive Operator: Small groups/similar experience levels, no more than 6 divers {4 is best}, Flexible dive schedule & site with 2+ tank trips, Covered Boat, Drift Diving. Night Dives, Trips to Balicasag & Apo Islands (thatÃÔ all I can think of for now)

Many shops in Bohol can offer this. Best thing about Bohol is you can shop around and tell them what you want. Most of us are used to 3 tank trips, 4 if we ask. Some dive sites in Bohol are close to Alona so they go out for a dive and just go back to the beach to do the SI. Aside from what Pak and Caloy mentioned, Some of us have used Philippine Fun Divers. First time we went with them there was only 3 of us on the boat with 1 DM. Second time, there was 4 of us for 2 DMs and we shared a boat with intro divers.

3. Surface Interval Must See/Do: LetÃÔ face it; as much as we would like to stay submerged we do need to breathe non-compressed air and enjoy the culture.
You chose well with Bohol. See what Pak mentioned. Some of us rented scooters and did the tour ourselves, but you can also rent a tour guide and they show you around.

Edit: Just thought of other things - I went with nondivers to Balicasag island (also a great dive destination 25 mins away from Alona) to have a fresh seafood lunch cooked by the island locals. We were lucky that they just caught a fresh tuna. They always have red grouper and jackfish (mmmm!). After, we went to Virgin Island and took a walk along the sandbar which is only exposed during low tide (beautiful and I recommend it for couples). Bring beer! Go down to the pool tables to ask to rent a boat or ask the resort to arrange for one.

Hope that helps. Have fun on your first exotic trip. Welcome to the PPD. We can also be considered [unofficial] vacation specialist as well - circa 2004...

 

[KayDee]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Especially in regards to getting around-I had not thought about those elements-Great!

KayDee

 

[Babydamulag]

Chip is on target! I like it Travel Agent Chip!

hmm....here goes:

1. Accommodations: Clean Beach Front, Balcony, Mid-Range $, Necessities, as a minimum, A/C, Hot/Cold H2O, TV/Cable in room, Available Wi-Fi, Mini Bar, Mandatory: Bar & Restaurant On-Site
Bohol:

Bohol Divers Lodge (mid): beach front, balcony (or patio), A/C, hot/cold H20, TV/cable, minibar, bar & resto onsite. no wifi

Alona Tropical (mid-low) clean beach front, patio, restaurant onsite, A/C & hot/cold H20 (but not the beach front cottages), no wifi.

Isis (mid-high): A/C & hot/cold H20, wifi, restuarant (no bar but drinks can be ordered), patio, beach front is small but they have a lounging area.

Lost Horizon (mid-high): A/C & hot/cold H20, wifi, minibar, restuarant, bar, balcony or patio, beach front is crowded.

Alona Kew (high): everything you mentioned, but comparatively expensive.

I'm not mentioning a lot of places, but check this out: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...rs/249439-alona-beach-bohol-courtesy-map.html

2. Dive Operator: Small groups/similar experience levels, no more than 6 divers {4 is best}, Flexible dive schedule & site with 2+ tank trips, Covered Boat, Drift Diving. Night Dives, Trips to Balicasag & Apo Islands (thatÃÔ all I can think of for now)

Many shops in Bohol can offer this. Best thing about Bohol is you can shop around and tell them what you want. Most of us are used to 3 tank trips, 4 if we ask. Some dive sites in Bohol are close to Alona so they go out for a dive and just go back to the beach to do the SI. Aside from what Pak and Caloy mentioned, Some of us have used Philippine Fun Divers. First time we went with them there was only 3 of us on the boat with 1 DM. Second time, there was 4 of us for 2 DMs and we shared a boat with intro divers.

3. Surface Interval Must See/Do: LetÃÔ face it; as much as we would like to stay submerged we do need to breathe non-compressed air and enjoy the culture.
You chose well with Bohol. See what Pak mentioned. Some of us rented scooters and did the tour ourselves, but you can also rent a tour guide and they show you around.

Edit: Just thought of other things - I went with nondivers to Balicasag island (also a great dive destination 25 mins away from Alona) to have a fresh seafood lunch cooked by the island locals. We were lucky that they just caught a fresh tuna. They always have red grouper and jackfish (mmmm!). After, we went to Virgin Island and took a walk along the sandbar which is only exposed during low tide (beautiful and I recommend it for couples). Bring beer! Go down to the pool tables to ask to rent a boat or ask the resort to arrange for one.

Hope that helps. Have fun on your first exotic trip. Welcome to the PPD. We can also be considered [unofficial] vacation specialist as well - circa 2004...

 

[clgsamson]

Chip is on target! I like it Travel Agent Chip!

he'll be needing a new tie!

 

[KayDee]

American Express let us down (i.e. the airfare).
Oh heaven- Airfare is going to kill me- Any suggestions on obtaining a reasonable 1st or business class quote!

 

[jigo]

he'll be needing a new tie!

nah, i think his speedos will do.

 

[shugar]

American Express let us down (i.e. the airfare).
Oh heaven- Airfare is going to kill me- Any suggestions on obtaining a reasonable 1st or business class quote!

zee's the absolute expert when it comes to making el-cheapo flight arrangements...

but he's also in the absolute crapper now that he's not got any internet for the foreseeable future...

Jag