Planning 2 weeks in Puerto Galera and maybe nearby locations

[bvbellomo]

I may do a solo trip, probably early February to Puerto Galera, probably Asia Divers. Fiji is closer, but without a roommate, the price is so much higher.

If this happens, should I consider time in Anilao, Verde Island or anywhere else nearby? I'd much prefer to see a full reef than do muck diving, but Anilao is world class. I've also seen a lot on the Internet showing not all Anilao diving is muck diving, and there is some muck diving in Puerto Galero. Is it worth it do both on 2 weeks?

Lots of trip reports mention Verde Island, and my understanding is this is an option with Asia Divers (or anywhere nearby) if I get a large enough group together, but not realistic if I am solo.

Atlantis comes up a lot in trip reports. I am sure it is nice, but the price is higher, and the diving doesn't seem any better - so for me solo, that isn't worth it.

Is there anything worth seeing in Manila? El Galleon will do a transfer directly from the Manila airport, but it isn't cheap. I'd rather take a day to wander and go down on my own. Even if I do bus+ferry myself straight from the airport, it seems so much cheaper, and not much longer.

 

[d^2b]

While I was at El Galleon for 9 days, they offered 3 trips to Verde island. Verde island is great (much better viz than close to PG), but 3 trips was about enough for me. I don't know if solo would be a problem (at El Galleon) as we shared the boat with several groups.

 

[Centrals]

@bvbellomo
Private transfer all the way from Manila to PG is ridiculously expensive.

Si-kat

www.sikatferrybus.com

This is much easy on your pocket but need to stay overnight in Manila(time to rest after the flight). There are plenty of acceptable accommodation in Mabini. City State Tower is fine with me.

Thread 'Easy Access Schedule Puerto Galera Ferry Service'

Nov 12, 2019

• Blueringocto_73
• Replies: 106
• Forum: Philippine Paradise Divers

• 

US$30.00 each way and I had done it on numerous occasions.
Start early.

 

[bvbellomo]

I see flights I might take to Manila arriving at all hours, midnight, early morning, late at night. I'm also someone who sometimes sleeps well on flights, and sometimes can't - especially on the way to a trip. I'll be exhausted and more likely to sleep on the flight home. Whatever time I arrive, if I am dead tired, I am booking a hotel near the airport and crashing. If I arrive well rested in the early AM, I don't want to book a hotel near the airport unless there is something to do.

It is probably worth planning 1 night in Manila. City-State tower, or somewhere else cheap is going to be fine. Manila itself probably has better food, or at least more variety, than PG - I have no experience with the Philippines - just my experience with large cities in general. I know Manila isn't New York or Chicago, but TripAdvisor's top 3 site cover a few old buildings and a shopping mall. Doesn't seem like much to do.

I could also book a hotel in Batangas, go straight there from the airport, and cross over when I wake up.

 

[bvbellomo]

While I was at El Galleon for 9 days, they offered 3 trips to Verde island. Verde island is great (much better viz than close to PG), but 3 trips was about enough for me. I don't know if solo would be a problem (at El Galleon) as we shared the boat with several groups.

This is exactly what I'd want - even 1 trip where I could work in with another group is fine.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I may do a solo trip, probably early February to Puerto Galera, probably Asia Divers. Fiji is closer, but without a roommate, the price is so much higher.

If this happens, should I consider time in Anilao, Verde Island or anywhere else nearby? I'd much prefer to see a full reef than do muck diving, but Anilao is world class. I've also seen a lot on the Internet showing not all Anilao diving is muck diving, and there is some muck diving in Puerto Galero. Is it worth it do both on 2 weeks?

Lots of trip reports mention Verde Island, and my understanding is this is an option with Asia Divers (or anywhere nearby) if I get a large enough group together, but not realistic if I am solo.

Atlantis comes up a lot in trip reports. I am sure it is nice, but the price is higher, and the diving doesn't seem any better - so for me solo, that isn't worth it.

Is there anything worth seeing in Manila? El Galleon will do a transfer directly from the Manila airport, but it isn't cheap. I'd rather take a day to wander and go down on my own. Even if I do bus+ferry myself straight from the airport, it seems so much cheaper, and not much longer.

I want to go to Fiji but also need a roommate

 

[bvbellomo]

I want to go to Fiji but also need a roommate

I thought about asking people online. If someone is a no-show (including through reasons of no fault of their own) I'd be stuck with the whole bill myself. And the main reason for me to pick Fiji is to save time, so spending time coordinating other people's vacation defeats the purpose.

 

[Richard Dayan]

If you help me, then I will help you. Im an American who lives in PG. I need some Henderson hooded vests and some Oniel farmer johns. I can pick you up from the airport or other things you might need. I will pay for the stuff, just bring it to me. If you're interested, then PM me. Also, I know everything about this place.

 

[bvbellomo]

If you help me, then I will help you. Im an American who lives in PG. I need some Henderson hooded vests and some Oniel farmer johns. I can pick you up from the airport or other things you might need. I will pay for the stuff, just bring it to me. If you're interested, then PM me. Also, I know everything about this place.

At this point, I am about 60% sure this trip will happen. It will be 2 months until it happens if it does. I'd appreciate you posting advice on this thread, but if you need favors from tourists, you should ask someone with more immediate and more definitive plans.

 

[Richard Dayan]

At this point, I am about 60% sure this trip will happen. It will be 2 months until it happens if it does. I'd appreciate you posting advice on this thread, but if you need favors from tourists, you should ask someone with more immediate and more definitive plans.

I'm not going Anyware else soon, time is on my side. As for favors from tourists, the definition of the word favor means an act of kindness that is beyond the usual. I don't need favors, if I help you, I'm doing you a favor, not the other way around. I offered an exchange of service. I own this place, have my own private dive master and boat, and I am a legend here. The other dive shops and all the dive masters and instructors look up to me in awe. I scuba dive for pleasure not for profit. My dives are 90 minutes long not 45. When I dive Verde, I touch the bottom, I'm the only one who does night drift dives, and I go to dive sites no one else ever does. When the weather is bad, and the others are afraid or too lazy to go out, I'm out there enjoying having the whole place to myself. As for advice, here it is, you're going to have to learn the hard way that it's better to know someone here than doing it by yourself. Good luck, cause you're going to really need it.