Planning first time trip to Phillipines

[ekiledjian]

Hi there

I live in Canada and am considering coming to the Phillipines in April for a 2 week dive/relaxation trip.

Any advice on where we should stay/dive? We are looking for a good live aboard for the first week? Are there any you can recommend?

Thanks for your help


Ed

 

[chip104]

your post is kind of broad. It's like asking "where is a good place to ski in Canada and what ski resort should we use?" There are many places to dive here in the Philippines for 2 weeks.

The PPD forum is full of neat threads on different dive locales. Why don't you give us a bit more info - what do you want to see, what's your experience, where else have you been diving, how much in-country traveling are you willing to endure, did you just want to stay in one place, what kind of accommodations would you like, what's your budget?....

As for liveaboards, they most well known liveaboard is to Tubbataha Reef. Then there are liveaboards to Apo Reef or Apo Reef/Coron. Dive safaris are also planned but they are hard to hear about unless you receive local info or know specifically who is organizing it.

 

[shugar]

ed wants to do a liveaboard for a week (@ed: most tubbataha liveaboards are 4-5 days)

then spend the rest with a beach and local culture... sounds like he's coming over with a companion so that should be considered too

Jag

 

[jefffalcone]

I'm leaving for a three week trip to the Philippines thursday. I'll post a detailed trip report when I get home. Will be up by april 2, if that helps.

Just so you feel better, I asked the same question you did and got the same response. Didn't realize how big the Philippines is. Once I got a guide book I started wishing I had booked a longer trip.

 

[ekiledjian]

So where are you planning on going in the Phillipines.

I am looking for a 1 week liveabord then a week of relaxation on the beach / cultural discovery.

I have been to Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and many other Asian countries but never the Philippines. I feel a little lost. I cant find good diver information.

 

[eagerbeaver]

Search here or google for Puerto Galera, Dumaguete(Dauin), Cabilao, Sogod, Anilao, tubbataha, Coron, Subic Bay, Balicasag...that should get you started.

PM if you have specific questions

 

[h2odragon1]

Only 2 weeks?
For the liveaboard try
Home - Liveaboard Scuba Diving in the Philippines, Palau, Truk Lagoon
For the other times consider Anilao and/or Puerto Galera, or go to the Visayas and dive Panglao Is.
Puerto Galera, Philippines. Beach Resorts, Hotels and Scuba Diving Directory.
Dive Puerto Galera, Dive Philippines, Dive Action Divers
Municipality of Mabini, Batangas Philippines
Welcome to Aqua Venture Reef Club! Live out a real diver's dream at Aquaventure Reef Club, Anilao, Batangas -- Luzon's premiere watersport haven and family resort.
Welcome to Bohol, Philippines
Welcome to Flower Garden Resort
Isis Bungalows - Welcome to Isis Bungalows

You're in for a great time!!

 

[chip104]

For the liveaboards check out Tubbataha reef or Apo Reef. I just got in touch with an old diving buddy of mine who's doing a dive safari at Apo Reef and Coron (April 30-May 4): DIVE TOURS

Apo Reef is reef diving. The thing about Coron though is that it's mainly wrecks and adventure diving (cavern and a fresh water lake that you have to hike over a cliff to). Plus there's no night life. I had an awesome experience but I dunno if it's what you are looking for for a first time trip to the PI. But lemme tell you, it was majestic. Maybe you can decide for yourself - here's a trip report from when a couple of PPDers went: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...ecks-caves-lakes-trip-report-jan-21-22-a.html That being said, what kind of diving are you looking for and what kind of things do you like to see underwater?

For the week in the beach do you plan on diving or just beach-go? Do you want a place with night life or an "off the beaten path" (want to be away from the crowds)? Also how many people are you travelling with?


edit: for the Coron thread, it's very off topic so here's a summary of the important posts:

Coron Adventure Diving: Wrecks, Caves, Lakes! Trip Report (Jan 21-22) - ScubaBoard
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/1512884-post130.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/1512888-post133.html

I answer some questions:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...ks-caves-lakes-trip-report-jan-21-22-a-8.html

Second part of trip report:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ph...s-caves-lakes-trip-report-jan-21-22-a-10.html
read on for a couple of pages since Spoon finally chimes in and we answer some questions. Spoons posts are on topic, so just look for his.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/1519360-post276.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/1530568-post296.html