Palawan Diving???

[Nemo]

I am thinking of spending 2-3 months in the Phillippines at the beginning of 2004 and getting in a fair amount of diving. Most of the info I have read recently seems to be out of Cebu. Has anyone been diving in Palawan as well as the Cebu area that can make a comparison? If I fly to Cebu, can I get to Palawan without going to Manilla? Last winter I did a fair amount of diving at Bunaken, Lembeh Straits and Irian Jaya, can anyone compare the Phillipines to these sites? I don't mind remote dive locations but like a few creature comforts like cold beer, a ceiling fan and some decent food! My ideal spot would include a variety of sites from macro photography to adrenalin dives with big critters! Appreciate any info!!!

 

[Hory]

Nemo,

Best time to dive Palawan IMHO would be around April till end May if you want to go to Tubattaha. Tubattaha is a 5-day liveaboard and is about 12-14 hours travel from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It's a WWF preserve. All dives are shark dives. Manta ray, eagle ray, jacks, what have you. Some were so lucky to even spot whale sharks.

North of Palawan is Coron where you can do wreck dives (with or without penetration), lake dive, underwater river, etc.

Further north is El Nido with wild critters also.

Hory

:doctor:

 

[travelem]

Cebu Pacific Airlines has flights leaving everyday but Mon and Wed from Cebu City to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Price is PhP 2,800.
http://www.cebupacificair.com/

Other domestic airlines:
http://www.asianspirit.com/
http://www.airphils.com/
http://www.flyseair.com/
http://www.philippineshotelresort.com/airticketing/index.html

Domestic day or overnight ferries:
http://www.supercat.com.ph
http://www.wgasuperferry.com/passage/rates_frame.htm

Affordable bungalows and diving in Palawan:
http://mozcom.com/~l-mlodge/rooms.htm

 

[travelem]

The above bungalows are in Coron.
Here lists the transportation options of traveling within the Palawan:
eg. Puerto Princesa-El Nido-Coron-Manila
http://www.palawan.com/resorts/malapacao/getthere.asp