philippines diving
- Thread starter foster261
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h2odragon1
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Cebu and Dumagete are two separate areas.
Cebu has an international airport, and you may be able to fly direct.
Dumagete is on the Island of Negros nearby. You could take a ferry from Cebu city to Dumagete.
In Cebu, I dove through Scubaworld on Mactan Is.. We went to some of the nearby nature preserves, and the diving was great!
In Dumagete, I did not dive, since I had a corneal abrasion. My wife had a fair time. She was inexperienced at the time, and the divemaster she dove with had no patience. Still, I have heard great things. A fgrined of mine is leading a group to Moalboal, (on Cebu Is.), then to Dumagete. http://www.pura-vida.ph/index.html is where they are staying, (I think).
Moalboal is on the western side of Cebu Is. about 3 hour drive from Cebu city.
You're in for a great time!
Cebu has an international airport, and you may be able to fly direct.
Dumagete is on the Island of Negros nearby. You could take a ferry from Cebu city to Dumagete.
In Cebu, I dove through Scubaworld on Mactan Is.. We went to some of the nearby nature preserves, and the diving was great!
In Dumagete, I did not dive, since I had a corneal abrasion. My wife had a fair time. She was inexperienced at the time, and the divemaster she dove with had no patience. Still, I have heard great things. A fgrined of mine is leading a group to Moalboal, (on Cebu Is.), then to Dumagete. http://www.pura-vida.ph/index.html is where they are staying, (I think).
Moalboal is on the western side of Cebu Is. about 3 hour drive from Cebu city.
You're in for a great time!
Telibert
Registered
@foster261
I went to Apo Island (just south of Dumaguete, Negros Orientas). Here's my blog: http://telibert-divelogs.blogspot.com/; and photos of the resort at: Diving Apo Island | Facebook.
Enjoy!
I went to Apo Island (just south of Dumaguete, Negros Orientas). Here's my blog: http://telibert-divelogs.blogspot.com/; and photos of the resort at: Diving Apo Island | Facebook.
Enjoy!
Mucksavage
Contributor
Dumaguete is the entry point in Negros Or. but all the diving takes place in Dauin about 15km south. It is nice muck diving - great for Frogfish, pipefish etc - very macro but some turtles about too. Day trips to Apo leave almost daily which is basically coral diving.
Mike's beach resort is new and probably your best bet as the other resorts are over priced and generally have poor food.
Which area did you want more info about?
As mentioned above Cebu is a seperate island - the main diving is Moalboal and Malapascua. Malapascua is a small, paradise island off the north tip of Cebu - great for shark sightings of Threshers and White Tips (and Devil Rays) but like most of the Philippines, fantastic for macro. We saw a Mimic Octopus a couple of weeks ago.
Mike's beach resort is new and probably your best bet as the other resorts are over priced and generally have poor food.
Which area did you want more info about?
As mentioned above Cebu is a seperate island - the main diving is Moalboal and Malapascua. Malapascua is a small, paradise island off the north tip of Cebu - great for shark sightings of Threshers and White Tips (and Devil Rays) but like most of the Philippines, fantastic for macro. We saw a Mimic Octopus a couple of weeks ago.
annasea
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I haven't stayed at Mike's Resort but I have stayed at El Dorado twice and based on the website info, rooms at Mike's are significantly more than El D's -- $57 vs $35.
El D's restaurant has a great selection and from what I recall, was reasonably priced, even for a budget traveller like me.
I noticed people walking in off the beach to dine at the restaurant at El Dorado so I don't think I'm alone in my assessment.
Good luck with whatever you decide, foster261, and be sure to post a trip report when you're back.
El D's restaurant has a great selection and from what I recall, was reasonably priced, even for a budget traveller like me.
I noticed people walking in off the beach to dine at the restaurant at El Dorado so I don't think I'm alone in my assessment.Good luck with whatever you decide, foster261, and be sure to post a trip report when you're back.
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I haven't stayed at Mike's Resort but I have stayed at El Dorado twice and based on the website info, rooms at Mike's are significantly more than El D's -- $57 vs $35.
El D's restaurant has a great selection and from what I recall, was reasonably priced, even for a budget traveller like me.
I have often stayed in Dauin at El Dorado, Pura Vida, and Mike's Resort. A standard double room with breakfast was about P2400 at El Dorado, P2800 at Pura Vida, and P2500 at Mike's, so they do cost about the same. The standard room at El Dorado is old, but clean. They charge for internet access P100 per day, bummer. The food at El Dorado restaurant is by far the best, but I like the friendly atmosphere at Mikes much better. Pura Vida's food is OK, and the restaurant is right on the beach so it is fun. There is a ref in room at Mikes and El Dorado, not at Pura Vida. Because Mikes is small, the staff knows you and is very friendly, and Mikes is brand new and top quality. I highly recommend Mikes.
If you are really looking for the lowest price room, consider Puerto Cita in Dauin. Rooms are P1000 per nite, but very shabby, and no restaurant. I've never stayed there, but I wanted to mention it for the budget traveler.
WARNING: One thing I hated about Pura Vida was they have a no outside food policy, strongly enforced by an armed guard. I bought some water and snacks at the local store and was intercepted on the way to my room by the armed guard. I was told I had to put my food in the hotel safe for the duration of stay. It was a very unpleasant experience that I have never had before. I need water in the room for meds I take, so this mercenary food policy was totally unacceptable to me. I won't go back.
We walked over to El Dorado for dinner some nights just for variety and to greet old friends. Mikes has great free internet, and great cable TV, so if you have a non-diving companion they will be occupied while you are gone. Because you have to pay for internet at El Dorado, it cost the same as Mikes. Diving with my own gear was cheaper at Mikes too, about P1000 per dive, versus P1100 at El Dorado. However, El Dorado has about 40 rooms, versus 12 at Mikes, so it might be easier to book at El Dorado in busy times.
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