Philippines, Anda, Bohol and Malapascua. Any glaring pitfalls?

[Centrals]

I would replace "Bohol" with "Anda" in this sentence.

Anda gets very mixed reviews whereas Alona / Panglao in Bohol (Balicasag Island, Pamilacan Island plus short dives along Alona beach) are highly recommended (and easy to get to from Cebu).

Alona Beach is history for me.
I first went there in 1996 and the place had been OVER developed beyond imagination since then.
My last visit was right after the earthquake at 2013. Huge crack on the wall in the hotel we were staying in Cebu City did not bother us. The occasional aftershocks in Alona Beach was a bit uncomfortable eg. rattling of the window and the slight shaking of the bed!! The worst was the quality of the gas in two of the dive operators that we used. Smell of OIL. We left the first shop after the first day because of the issue. Went to the second one, bigger operator, and we raised of gas. We were advised to get on the boat early and checked the gas ourselves and picked the acceptable!!!!! After few days of diving my brand new sintered disc in my Apeks reg had a circular brown mark on it!!!! Many operators in Alona Beach were relied on outside supplier for the gas. NOT sure if it is still the case.
"Breath out through the noise".

Southern Leyte is far more tranquil.

 

[tbm13]

Alona Beach is history for me.

Ok, but it's still a good choice for others. It's easy to get to from Cebu city, has many dive shops, interesting dive sites (especially Balicasag) and other things to do not too far away (e.g. Chocolate hills).

Southern Leyte is far more tranquil.

Fair enough. Panglao is definitely touristy.

 

[BBQ77]

I would replace "Bohol" with "Anda" in this sentence.

Anda gets very mixed reviews whereas Alona / Panglao in Bohol (Balicasag Island, Pamilacan Island plus short dives along Alona beach) are highly recommended (and easy to get to from Cebu).

Indeed do not equate Anda to Alona/ Panglao and substitute Bohol for both.

But IMHO since i have been to Anda recently, I way prefer Anda to Alona /Panglao.
Anda is quiet, has few divers, great walls and has (I did not search for ) also macro for those who want. No hordes of tourists either.

 

[Blackcrusader]

I would replace "Bohol" with "Anda" in this sentence.

Anda gets very mixed reviews whereas Alona / Panglao in Bohol (Balicasag Island, Pamilacan Island plus short dives along Alona beach) are highly recommended (and easy to get to from Cebu).

Well you can fly to Panglao from Manila as well. I've done several two week dive trips to Panglao in the last several years. I rent a scooter and also often stay in a place that was listed on airbnb. I have the upstairs with 3 bedrooms a kitchen dining room air conned bedrooms and pay 900 peso a night. I have also stayed at a resort.

There are people who post about Panglao that have not been there for over a decade and really have not seen the changes that have made the place better. It certainly has good diving and outside of diving Bohol has other things tourists can do I prefer to dive with Bohol Divers Club right on the beach front as they do not have 1 hour dive time limits.

 

[BBQ77]

Good diving and lack of tourist scam. The daily fast ferry from Cebu to Massin has made the place a bit more accessible. The ferry will proceed to Surigao after Maasin.
Dauin would be a logical choice after Moalboal.

Anda: similar lack of tourist scams from what I've seen-- though probably more expensive than Leyte maybe? (feel free to quote some prices! I would love to know... ) . Fom reading, Leyte also has lots of variety.
Ferry from Cebu to Maasin is a good option to know about, but the fast one leaves at 7 AM for OP's information on this.
Malapascua: seeing thresher sharks alone is worth a few days there at least. I never tire of them even though the shops I use usuallly leave at or before 5AM... (not a morning person... ). IMHO I would favor Malapascua over Moalboal (been to both >4 times) if I can only pick one and have never been to either.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Anda: similar lack of tourist scams from what I've seen-- though probably more expensive than Leyte maybe? (feel free to quote some prices! I would love to know... ) . Fom reading, Leyte also has lots of variety.
Ferry from Cebu to Maasin is a good option to know about, but the fast one leaves at 7 AM for OP's information on this.
Malapascua: seeing thresher sharks alone is worth a few days there at least. I never tire of them even though the shops I use usuallly leave at or before 5AM... (not a morning person... ). IMHO I would favor Malapascua over Moalboal (been to both >4 times) if I can only pick one and have never been to either.

You can look up dive prices online or email dive operators. The person you are replying to hasn't been to Bohol since 2013. My last trip to Bohol I paid 43000 peso for 30 dives which included several trips to Balicasag. Dive prices depend on how many dives you will do with a dive operation.

This was with Big Blue Divers in Panglao in June 2024.

 

[Centrals]

Anda: similar lack of tourist scams from what I've seen-- though probably more expensive than Leyte maybe? (feel free to quote some prices! I would love to know... ) . Fom reading, Leyte also has lots of variety.
Ferry from Cebu to Maasin is a good option to know about, but the fast one leaves at 7 AM for OP's information on this.
Malapascua: seeing thresher sharks alone is worth a few days there at least. I never tire of them even though the shops I use usuallly leave at or before 5AM... (not a morning person... ). IMHO I would favor Malapascua over Moalboal (been to both >4 times) if I can only pick one and have never been to either.

Only one ferry at 07:00 to Maasin, hope the service will last.
First went there well over 20yrs ago and have been back on several occasions even the ferry only docked at Ormoc rather than Hilongo or Maasin.

There are only a handful few resorts in Southern Leyte.

Welcome - Peter's Dive Resort Philippines: Scuba Diving in Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte

www.petersdiveresortph.com

Everything you need to know is there.

You cannot compare Malapascua with Moalboal even before the destruction of Odette.
Malapascua did suffer badly from the super typhoon Yolanda but recovered. The topography of the sites probably have something to do with the degree of destruction.
My first visit was 2002 with Exotic.
How many divers had heard Malapascua and Southern Leyte 20+ yrs ago?

Typhoon Haiyan - The Aftermath in Malapascua - Evolution Diving Resort Malapascua

Find out how Typhoon Haiyan affected Malapascua and how the community is recovering from the destruction. You can help!

evolution.com.ph

Alona Beach and Moalboal!! I will keep my money in my pocket.

First visit Alona Beach in 1996 and only couple of buildings were built with concrete as the rest were using natural material!!!
Chiang Mai in 1988 was slightly better. I could not believe what I saw few yrs ago!!!!

 

[Johnboy70_99]

I spent 5 days in Anda and 7 days in Panglao in January (and 7 days in Dauin, and 5 days in Coron) I am going back next January, going back to Anda and also trying Camiguin. Panglao was my favorite place pre covid but it is too crowded and noisy for me now, especially Alona beach. I don’t have any plans on going back there for a while. Other resorts on the less crowded areas may not be as bad.

I agree Panglao is convenient, it’s a 5 minute ride from the airport to most resorts. As mentioned Anda is a 3 hour car ride each way. I think I paid around 3000php each way. To me it was worth it.

If you like a lot of Bars and Restaurants and people then Alona beach fits that. If you like peace and quiet and empty beautiful beaches then Anda is better.

 

[BBQ77]

I agree Panglao is convenient, it’s a 5 minute ride from the airport to most resorts. As mentioned Anda is a 3 hour car ride each way. I think I paid around 3000php each way. To me it was worth it.

Really not trying to argue, just comment on my own travel times last month:
- From ferry port Tagbilaran to my resort in Anda, weekday 3pm--> 5:15 pm with lost of afternoon traffic in the small towns (many also had a fiesta going on... )
- From resort to TAG airport on Panglao, Sunday AM 8AM --> 9:50 AM
And my driver was an older slower guy.

Otherwise I think you contrast it perfectly !

 

[Centrals]

Alona Beach – Gallivantrix

Posts about Alona Beach written by Gallivantrix

gallivantrix.com

It was NOT like that at all when I first went there in 1996!!! Not a sight of snorkeller or hawker trying to sell you anything. The beach was dead quiet any time of the day except on weekend or holiday when the local turned up in force.
Do not miss the place after experienced it in 2013.

Make sure the operator supply its own gas rather from outsider.

Get up early in the morning and walk to the intersection between the beach and the main road. I hope you won't see large number of tanks being delivered and distributed.