Gussy:
Thanks! How long was this ago?
Yapak II sounds like a hard drive. Is it?
Yapak II is indeed the best dive in Boracay. I have done it 3 times and every time it was thrilling. It is not a difficult dive as long as you have no euqlization problems ascending quickly...or else you'll miss the group and the dive site. If you go down to 40 m, you'll be diving on top of the dropoff to 60 m. On every dive I have seen sharks and tuna..awesome.
My favorite dive is Crocodile Island, beautiful soft coral garden and many small critters. Easy dive to 20m but sometimes strong current. Excellent Night Dive with Hawksbill Trutle, Spanish Dancers and micro-sized Squids.
Most popular is Friday's Rock, Balinghai where you can see see crates, Frogfish, ribbon eels, groupers, trigger fish, blue spotted stingrays...
There is one wreckdive, Camille, where you sometimes see Ornate Ghostpipefish and Pygmy Seahorses.
Apart from the daytrip that was mentioned in another post, there is a 3h trip to the walls on Panay Is. which is pretty awesome for wall diving.
Overall, Boracay is an excellent dive destination, especially when you are travelling w/ family.
I can recommend Aquarius divers w/ very kowledgable staff, especially their Korean Instructor. She can fing the smallest crtitters.
I usually stay at Crystal Sand, right on White Beach and 30 m from the dive shop.
I would recommend flying from Manila to Caticlan. Small Truboprop airplanes but the airport is adjacent to Boracay and only a 20 min boat ride to the island. Don't wear any shoes or long pants as you will be landing on the beach and wade to shore.
Kalibo is another airport on Panay Island, but you will have to endure a scenic busride to Catilclan and catch the boat there.
Nightlife is sedate, recently more and more classy restaurants and bars have opened. Very laid back.
Credit Cards are not accepted everywhere and, unless you have Mstercard/Cirrus (the only ATM on the island), you will have to go to the Tourist Center for cash (6 or 8% service charge for cash advance, can't remember).
Boracay is not cheap, especially peak season (Basic Room $80, $40 off-season/night). I just went there right after Mindulle Typhoon went through the general area and the rough seas an high winds made them barricade White Beach for the Typhoon Season, not a pretty sight. We had to dive the other side of the island where there are not too many options.
Boracay is not a famous dive destiantion so sometimes you will be alone in the water with your dive group only, especially during off-season. Add 30 C water and viz 20+m you have paradise.
One tip: contact the hotels directly for bookings, they will also offer you packages including flights and will pick you up at the Airport. You can also try the dive shops who will do the same for you.
Have fun in Paradise!
