So, I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to the Philippines. I was there last year (Bohol, Malapascua, Moalboal) and loved it.
This year I'm looking at Coron.
So, ground rules:
- I'm thinking somewhere around 15-17 days in the Philippines. Dates are very flexible, but I'm thinking early November most likely.
- I will be entering and leaving via Manila. Would prefer not to have a flight in the middle of the trip, but I don't mind booking a domestic flight from a different place on the way back.
- I think two locations is probably good for this amount of time. Not a fan of staying just a day or two at a location.
- I'm going specifically for photography. I love both reefscapes and macro, but I'd like something "more" from the locations too. Last time this was the threshers at Malapascua and the sardine schools at Moalboal to give you an idea what I mean.
Wow, this is already getting to be a long post (sorry), but basically I'm looking into something like El Nido first, then Coron, and then back home. Here's a bunch of questions for you knowledgeable about those destinations:
- I'm reading different things about the wrecks around Coron. Everything from "it's fine to go whatever certification level you are" to "No point going unless tech diving". I'm AOW (with Nitrox) and have no plan to dive anything more advanced. Will I enjoy the wreck diving in Coron? My wreck experience is limited to the standard Red Sea wrecks that are at recreational depths. Loved the Thistlegorm and Giannis D
- While googling I came across this "seafari" thing which seems to be a 3d/4n liveaboard-esque (not sleeping on the boat) way of getting from El Nido to Coron, with lots of diving on the way. Does anyone know if this is a good idea? Sounds really cool to me, so maybe start with a few days in El Nido, then the seafari, then the remaining days on Coron?
- What sort of diving can I expect around El Nido? The area interests me for other reasons, because I'm an avid landscape photographer when on dry land, and the nature looks beautiful there.
- aaaand last: Any other suggestions for a second location to combine with Coron instead of El Nido?
Appreciate any input!
This year I'm looking at Coron.
So, ground rules:
- I'm thinking somewhere around 15-17 days in the Philippines. Dates are very flexible, but I'm thinking early November most likely.
- I will be entering and leaving via Manila. Would prefer not to have a flight in the middle of the trip, but I don't mind booking a domestic flight from a different place on the way back.
- I think two locations is probably good for this amount of time. Not a fan of staying just a day or two at a location.
- I'm going specifically for photography. I love both reefscapes and macro, but I'd like something "more" from the locations too. Last time this was the threshers at Malapascua and the sardine schools at Moalboal to give you an idea what I mean.
Wow, this is already getting to be a long post (sorry), but basically I'm looking into something like El Nido first, then Coron, and then back home. Here's a bunch of questions for you knowledgeable about those destinations:
- I'm reading different things about the wrecks around Coron. Everything from "it's fine to go whatever certification level you are" to "No point going unless tech diving". I'm AOW (with Nitrox) and have no plan to dive anything more advanced. Will I enjoy the wreck diving in Coron? My wreck experience is limited to the standard Red Sea wrecks that are at recreational depths. Loved the Thistlegorm and Giannis D
- While googling I came across this "seafari" thing which seems to be a 3d/4n liveaboard-esque (not sleeping on the boat) way of getting from El Nido to Coron, with lots of diving on the way. Does anyone know if this is a good idea? Sounds really cool to me, so maybe start with a few days in El Nido, then the seafari, then the remaining days on Coron?
- What sort of diving can I expect around El Nido? The area interests me for other reasons, because I'm an avid landscape photographer when on dry land, and the nature looks beautiful there.
- aaaand last: Any other suggestions for a second location to combine with Coron instead of El Nido?
Appreciate any input!