PI-12 days in December-Suggestions?

[RikRaeder]

I'm not even in the water for my Autumn trip yet, and here I am planning for December. I'm hoping to spend about 12 days diving from around Dec 23-Jan 4 this Winter. Presently, I'm torn between Saipan and The Philippines. Where would YOU recommend I dive in the Philippines if I have 12 days? I realize that I've been posting many trip reports lately, but I'M NOT RICH. Price is definitely a factor on this one (one reason I'm thinking PI).
I don't need a five-star hotel (but not a shack either), lobster thermadore every night (maybe just the last night) or silk sheets (but sheets are good!). I want to do as much diving as possible in GOOD conditions or better, and possibly get my AOW and a specialty or two. I don't mind traveling a bit to get there (one day tops). I'll have my own gear by then.
I also want to do all this as economically (not cheap, just not first class) as possible. As I mentioned, I'll be by myself (at least for most of the trip although some friends might drop by to dive for a few days or a week). PI Divers are living up to their reputation for warm hospitality. Thanks for your ideas and suggestions so far. Can I ask for your help one more time?

 

[pakman]

OK, sure most of the PPD'er are still nursing their Friday nite hangovers... so I'll start...

Lot's of options!
Well if it's cheap diving, you've found the right place... Some of the best prices for diving in the Philippines. What I would suggest is that you do your AOW in Puerto Galera (2hr drive + 1hr boat ride from Manila). There are tons of really good instructors in PG. If you stay at the major dive resorts, the rooms are about $50 per nite but you can save your $$ for diving/ lessons by staying at some of the cheaper local inns which are closer to $20 a nite (they're still decent rooms). Couple I could think of are Sunshine (sunsplash?) right next to Asia Divers and Sha-che near Tech Asia. If the $50/ night is within your budget I'm sure the dive tour operators in Japan have some good packages at the major resorts. Diving in PG is great (do a search on Puerto Galera). Great drift dives, nice wooden wrecks right at the beach with lots of frogfish etc...Here are some links to the major dive ops on PG. Atlantis is right on Sabang if want to be right near the nightlife... Asia Diver/ El Galleon is on Small Laguna beach so a little quieter but they've got a great outdoor bar called The Point... La Laguna is way over on Big Laguna beach so is more secluded. All three have great instructors/ DM's. I've used Asia Divers and LLBC.

http://asiadivers.com/
http://www.atlantishotel.com/puertogalera/resort/index.htm
http://www.llbc.com.ph/

Transportation... since you're traveling solo, you might want to consider public tranportation. I think there are public/ private buses that go from downtown Manila to Batangas pier where you can take a local ferry. That's the cheap way. If you book a private car/ boat thru the dive resorts, it'll be $100 one way... Or better, if you can get into a Japanese tour package, they'll have a nice chartered bus direct from the airport to the pier and private bangka to PG.

I'd also suggest swinging through Anilao (in Batangas opposite the channel from PG). Good diving. No night-life or anything else to do there though...

Now if you're into wrecks, get yourself up to Subic Bay or if you can afford the flights (they're cheap) to Coron in Busuanga (north palawan). Subic is a 2 1/2 -3 hr drive from Manila.

I'd recommend Yohan's. Owner is bit quirky but a loveable guy and his DM's are good. Rooms are dirt cheap.
http://www.subicdive.com/
There's a slightly nicer resort down the beach called Blue Rock run by an Aussie if you find Yohan's a bit too spartan.
http://www.bluerocksubic.com/

For Coron there is Discovery Divers... I did my AOW with them many moons ago. I think some PDD'ers were just there earlier this year and had good things to say about them.
http://www.ddivers.com/


Alternative is if you fly into Cebu, you could hit Malapascua (thresher sharks) north of Cebu and Bohol (alona beach).

 

[RikRaeder]

Wow. What a goldmine. As you say, I'll be trying to keep my dollars for diving. I've been to the PI before (my brother's wife is from Batangas) so I'm ok with riding the buses, etc. Thanks for all the links. I'll start plumbing them after work this evening. I don't have any problem with Japanese shops, but their not my first choice either. Thanks again. Anyone else recover from Friday and want to chime in, please feel free!

 

[paolov]

I'd also suggest swinging through Anilao (in Batangas opposite the channel from PG). Good diving. No night-life or anything else to do there though...

no night life ! there that is the best option , saves money and since it's vacation.... it provides additional number of hours of QUIET REST.. JUST STAY AWAY FROM VIDEOKE !!!

those videoke should be banned from resorts as it disturbs the peace of people who wants to have a quiet time.....


coffee?

you have another option that would save money in Batangas, depending on the brother in laws place.

if it is just a few minutes away from dive resorts in batangas, then have a relative take you to dive resorts for the day and go and stay at their place, ofcourse be prepared to a different type of accomodation.

.

.

 

[RikRaeder]

I've stayed there before. They're about 4km (on foot) from the Maritime School. Wouldn't want to lug my gear so far. The wreck places sound interesting...

 

[clgsamson]

You may want to join us in Southern Leyte on December 27-30, 2006. Some of the PPD members will be in-resort by the 25th while the rest of us will arrive on the 27th. Check this out www.sogodbayscubaresort.com

 

[Mike Veitch]

Saipan diving is not too good compared to PI....

if that means anything...

 

[iris_ice]

Saipan diving is not too good compared to PI....

if that means anything...

@mr. vietch: 'cause they lack the right fISHes out there, right? :crazy3:

@pak: wow, dear leader! you're on a roll today. you should wakeboard more often...

@rik: since you like wrecks, go to coron. i think dec-jan is the best time to go there. the islands are wonderfully protected from the northeasterly winds.

but if you want to dive with the local ppd family, go with coya caloy to Southern Leyte :thumbs-up it promises to be a wild DOR there

 

[chip104]

I second going to Southern Leyte with the PPD! Promises to be good time and great diving. You can also spend a week in coron. For a weekend of diving (which includes the superferry trip down there) we spent no more than $200 for 7 dives, meals & accomodation, nitrox, beers, boat, DM. And then you can also choose to spend you time between anilao/PG/Verde.

 

[RikRaeder]

I'm presently thinking of a bit of a tour. Want to get some training in so thinking of Subic, Coron, and also Southern Leyte. So far...