Philippines in May

[Krazyklaws]

Hi there,

I'm thinking of a 2 week trip to the Philipines in around May. I've been trying to work out where best to go - but it's like sticking random pins in a map at the moment! Hopefully you guys can give me some pointers.

I was thinking 2 centre (would love liveaboard but on a limited budget).

I like the sound of Coron Bay - are there enough dive sites around there to keep us busy for a week? I'm not so worried about entertainment above water. A nice quiet spot and maybe a little culture, but will live with most things to get great diving.

Tubbataha Reefs sound awesome - only accessible by liveaboard?

Malapascua seems very popular.

Any other suggestions for a good mix of diving? Wrecks are a must have, but some pretty reefs and macro life too? Not to worried about threshers or whale sharks.

My partner and I are reasonably experienced, around 170 dives each, and have dived Indonesia, Maldives, Egypt and Thailand mostly.

Thanks in advance!

Karen

 

[Searcaigh]

Hi Karen,

No doubt Devon Diver will reply, but you don't need to travel too far from Manila.

Some good wreck diving nearby in Subic Bay and macros stuff just 2 hours drive away in Anilao, although also worth taking a 45 minute boat ride east of Batangas to Puerto Galera for some great macro and a couple of wrecks.

 

[Centrals]

The wrecks in Coron are far more interesting than those in Subic. Unfortunately both places are far remote from the other dive sites in the country especially Coron.
The wreck of Dona Marilyn near Malapascua is very good but if the sea is rough then...because the wreck is over an hr of sailing time away. There are one or two nearer though.

I would suggest both Coron and Malapascua but you might have to rush a bit.
BTW, typhoon can strike anytime from Apr onwards so please bear this in mind.

USS New York is the main attraction in Subic but I found the other wrecks far less interesting.

Coron is a must if you love wrecks and the vis is generally much better than Subic.
All the wrecks are miles away from Coron town so if you are staying in town do prepare to travel. The resorts closed to the wrecks are on the expensive side eg Sanget Island.

I can easily spend two weeks diving those wrecks in Coron.

 

[Sara_PhilTech]

Hi Karen,

Greetings!

This is Sara from PhilTech Divers. Philippines is the best Diving Destination for you. Anilao, Batangas, Philippines is a very popular spot for diving and is known worldwide. The waters are rich with marine life, abundant of corals and amazing diversity of fishes to explore.

Anilao, Batangas is one of the world-class diving spots in the Philippines. The dive sites in Anilao are excellent sites for photography because of the good visibility of marine life and diversity of fishes. From one resort, we can have a short boat-ride for island hopping and arrange for a dive tour and visit the superb diving spots, coves and islands like the Sombrero and Maricaban Islands. Along the coasts of Anilao, you have plenty of dive sites to choose from.

We offer affordable Accommodation and Diving Packages for clients and special discounts can be availed for large groups. Our diving rates include use of speed boat, use of our tanks and fills, use of weights and belt, and the service of our in-house Dive Masters and Dive Pass (daily marine conservation fee).

Dive with us at your own pace. Rent a boat and spent time at the sea as you please. We even pack lunches should you wish to enjoy the day out on the surrounding beach islands.

Our dive station caters to recreational and technical divers. We provide rebreathers as well as training for all levels of certification. Our highly skilled Dive Masters can show you the splendor of Anilao’s rich coral gardens or take you down to a challenging cave dive on the famous shark reef.

Come and experience a vast marine sanctuary here at the heart of a world class diving spot. We will take care of you.

You can contact me at sara@philtech.net for more details. We'll be very delighted to help you with your diving needs.


All the best,
Sara Tuazon
PHILTECH: Scuba and Technical Diving in the Philippines
Villa Ligaya Home Page

 

[paolov]

Batangas dive Sites : Balayan Bay - Anilao area

 

[elcoralreefdivecenter]

Hi Karen!

I just read your thread and the replies you've gotten so far, great! With 2 weeks in the Philippines i suggest you guys plan things ahead in order to make the most out your trip. In my experience Diving in the Philippines is best during March - May (great visibility etc.) i.e. high season for most of the local dive centers.

The nearest diving communities from Manila must be Batangas - Anilao, Sebang and Zambales - Subic Bay. All places have quite a few well established dive centers with highly skilled and competent divemasters/instructors (both locals and foreigners). Anilao is located about 2-3 hours (by road) South of Manila and Subic Bay about 2-3 hours in the opposite direction, North of Manila. In my opinion the diving in Subic Bay is far more diverse than the more relaxed reef diving in Anilao. Having said that, both places are great fun being a diver!

In Anilao (Dive Sites Anilao) you will be staying in one of the local resorts isolated from anything that isn't in some way related to diving. Both food and drinks are usually provided by the resort you're staying at and nightlife is pretty much void! The resorts in Anilao are usually quite small to medium in size, great for making new friends since you will be spending lots of time together during your stay at the designated resort. If heading South from Batangas port (1 hour by boat) you'll get to Mindoro - Puerto Galera, Sebang or White Beach, another great place for diving (Sebang in particular), with both reef and wreck sites. I havnt been yet so wont be able to tell you much about this place but i'm sure you can find out online!

Subic bay offers both Wreck and Reef diving with a wide variety of wreck sites (Dive Sites Subic Bay) just 15-25 minutes away from most dive centers. Many of the sites are worth visiting multiple times since some of the wrecks can be penetrated without being a certified technical diver. One of my favorite wrecks up there is the USS New York (Video Clip USS NY), a site definitely worth visiting once in the Philippines. When back from diving, Subic Bay offers lots of restaurants and a few bars where to mingle with other divers and travelers. The place is a lot more vivid if you will, with lots of other activities.

Our suggestion to you guys is to check out Anilao, Sebang, Subic Bay and Coron with regards to your holiday in the Philippines. Let us know if we can assist you in any way!

Regards,

The El Coral Reef Dive Center team!
www.elcoralreefdivecenter.com
www.facebook.com/elcoralreefdivecenter

 

[Rogersea]

Hi there,

I like the sound of Coron Bay - are there enough dive sites around there to keep us busy for a week? I'm not so worried about entertainment above water. A nice quiet spot and maybe a little culture, but will live with most things to get great diving.



Karen

Yes Coron has enough wrecks, other dives and activities to keep you busy for a week. I have spent time down there and really enjoyed myself.

If wrecks are a must I would recommend you visit there first and then go somewhere with the nice reefs and macro, really just about any of the other dive destinations can satify that requirement.

I also recommend you show up with a AOW card or take a course while here to ensure you are not depth restricted by any of the dive ops..

If you do make it to Coron you should try to make a day trip to Calauit Island Calauit Island - About Calauit Island . While I was in Busuanga, we took a Motor cycle to a small village and hired a fisherman to take us over to the Island... It was really a great time.


Hope you and your partner enjoy your trip.

Cheers,
Roger

Cheers,

 

[South Sea Divers]

If time is limited, Then you could come here and check out Puerto Galera. We are about 3 hours from Manila and have a bit of everything: good macro, a few wrecks, reefs, and some nice deep dives. Just remember anywhere you travel you will need about a day.

 

[Krazyklaws]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the replies!

I think Coron bay is going to be the first choice. Can anyone recommend a good resort / hotel & dive centre for a couple on a limited budget? I've had a quote for Sangat and it's a bit out of our price range. Also, the general consensus on Trip Advisor seems to be that its overpriced.

Does anyone know of a nice, clean budget resort?

Thanks again,

Karen.

 

[Centrals]

If you do not mind the daily transfer then there are eg. Discovery Divers, Sea Divers etc etc.
Gunther at Discovery Divers knows the wrecks inside out.