Questions about Cebu, El Nido, Coron, etc..

[qwimjim]

I doubt it, we went from Negros Oriental from a dive op just south Dauin.




Mmm you've not been to SE Asia before

No I haven't! What am I missing, is it a safety issue?

 

[qwimjim]

I've done the first 3. We did 2 and 3 combined in a 10 day trip. I feel like doing any less time than that and you couldn't really appreciate them both. Doing all four is certainly not possible, unless you want to spend all your time in bumpy, packed cars. It takes about 6-7 hours total to get from Moalboal to Malapascua island.

Regarding their presence, and least before the most recent typhoon, they were all present year around. I'll be interested to see if the sardines are still there after the typhoon. You could see the sardines by snorkeling (it's hard to miss) but it's crowded. I think it's better as a shore dive.

Monad Shoal was cool and is definitely a fun bucket list dive. I don't think I'd want to do it everyday. We did it 2 of our 4 or 5 days of diving which was enough I think.

Oslob was definitely a tourist spot, but I thought it was enjoyable. It really depends on your feeling about the ethics of feeding whale sharks. My take is that whale sharks have to eat a lot, and while they do come around for the feeding, it's not making up the majority of what they eat in a day. Also, it prevents fishing them and lets the locals appreciate that they can make a living by showing off the sealife, rather than dynamite fishing them into extinction (which we unfortunately saw evidence of in Malapascua).

In general I think Philippines diving is good, and out of the water life is fun. For overall quality of the diving it's not the best place in asia, but it's cheap, easily accessible, and a good time.

Ok thanks, I didn't realize the distances were so great from north to south, so if we have 7 days, what would be better, focus on the south (moalboal/pescador, oslob, apo) or the north malapascua/bantanyan?

 

[Blackcrusader]

Yeah but where else am I going to easily get to see whale sharks and sardine bait balls

The whale sharks also cruise the sardine run in Moalboal. There are times when they are there or not you need to get lucky. Oslob is close to Moalboal so you could do a day trip to see the whale sharks there. I had my son do his OW in Moalboal.

If you only have 7 days then I suggest get to one area and stay there. It's 4 hours from Cebu airport to Moalboal by car.

 

[drk5036]

Ok thanks, I didn't realize the distances were so great from north to south, so if we have 7 days, what would be better, focus on the south (moalboal/pescador, oslob, apo) or the north malapascua/bantanyan?

The distances aren’t so far, but these are hot highways you’ll be traveling on. Gotta wait for cows to cross the road, etc.

I think either north or south would work, but probably north is a better bet at this point? If you did 2 days around cebu city while settling in and 5 days in Malapascua I think you’d enjoy it.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Ok thanks, I didn't realize the distances were so great from north to south, so if we have 7 days, what would be better, focus on the south (moalboal/pescador, oslob, apo) or the north malapascua/bantanyan?

I'd would go to moalboal as pescadore island is there an oslob close by.

This is the entry from Sumised Lodge where I often stay. You scan snorkel the sardines as well as they are right along the house reefs.
A nice sandy entry from in front of the lodge.

 

[Searcaigh]

What am I missing, is it a safety issue?

Not at all, but don't expect Western standards with regards to beach cleanliness, you'll see plenty of rubbish.

Ok thanks, I didn't realize the distances were so great from north to south,

It's more that the infrastructure is very basic, traffic moves as fast as the slowest vehicles allow. I think it took us around four to five hours from Cebu City to the ferry point to Negros Oriental. The bicycle sidecars are a real PITA, and as I recall we didn't even get above third gear (Toyota Hilux) during the whole journey.

 

[Centrals]

Ok thanks, I didn't realize the distances were so great from north to south, so if we have 7 days, what would be better, focus on the south (moalboal/pescador, oslob, apo) or the north malapascua/bantanyan?

If you have travel by road in the country you will understand the reason.
Forget Apo Island as it is too far unless from Dumaguete/Dauin.
The beach in Malapascua is nice but it is a very small island. The Monad Shoal(thresher shark) is too deep for your son.

A small family of four and have never been to the country, I would just concentrate in one area(2 wks) if they are keen divers ie, Visayas.
Depending on your arrival at Cebu City. First stop is Alona Beach in Bohol Island(frequent fast ferry between Cebu and Tagbilaran) and then taxi. Day trip to Chocolate Hill is a nice outing.

Delve into the Enigmatic Beauty of Bohol's Chocolate Hills

Discover the Chocolate Hills of Bohol that spread over an area of 50 square kilometers or more and vary in size from 30 meters to 120 meters in height.

www.bohol-philippines.com

Diving at Balicasag is very good and some operator will allow non diver on board. They will be dropped off on the island andget pick up later. Some divers also take lunch there. Food is provided on broad for day trip.
Swimming off the beach is risky because of sea urchin hidden among the sea grass.
Second stop is Dumaguete(ferry connection) or Dauin. Day trip to Apo Island is regularly arranged(demand).

Liquid Dumaguete: Philippines Dive Resort - PADI 5 Star CDC Dive Center

Welcome to Liquid Dive Resort, a small boutique resort located on a secluded beach front in Dauin, home to some of the best diving in the Philippines.

www.liquiddumaguete.com

Third stop is Moalboal. Your host should be able to arrange the transfer but DIY(public) is also available. Operators in Moalboal run special trip to Oslob.
There is NO backtracking. You can do the way round but try not to catch your flight the same day you are leaving Bohol. Ferry gets cancel for various reasons.
Forget El Nido and Coron.

 

[Blackcrusader]

If you have travel by road in the country you will understand the reason.
Forget El Nido and Coron.

Well here is a LOB for 70k Peso which is a really good deal.

May 29 to June 4 Tubbataha Trip for only Php 70,000

Maharlika Dive Center | Mabini

Maharlika Dive Center, Mabini (Batangas). Gefällt 1.025 Mal · 2 Personen sprechen darüber · 17 waren hier. Fun Scuba diving experience, certifications, and tutorials. We cater all levels from...

www.facebook.com

 

[Centrals]

Well here is a LOB for 70k Peso which is a really good deal.

May 29 to June 4 Tubbataha Trip for only Php 70,000

Maharlika Dive Center | Mabini

Maharlika Dive Center, Mabini (Batangas). Gefällt 1.025 Mal · 2 Personen sprechen darüber · 17 waren hier. Fun Scuba diving experience, certifications, and tutorials. We cater all levels from...

www.facebook.com

Maharlika Dive Center is situated in Laguna which is miles away from the sea except Laguna Lake which is the primary main source of fresh water in the country.
Laguna de Bay - Wikipedia

This center has been in operation for just over an yr.

Good deal? Have you been on that LoB before?

 

[Blackcrusader]

Maharlika Dive Center is situated in Laguna which is miles away from the sea except Laguna Lake which is the primary main source of fresh water in the country.
Laguna de Bay - Wikipedia

This center has been in operation for just over an yr.

Good deal? Have you been on that LoB before?

For a start people just go direct to where the boat leaves from.
Other dive centers in Philippines are offering the same deal on the same boat. I have not been on that LOB before no. It is still a good deal. They are not offering nitrox on their dives though when I asked why it is because some like to do deeper dives on air but as their max dive time is 60 minutes I am not bothered by no nitrox. A lot of the diving especially for the whale sharks is in shallow dive depths.

The same trip is offered on liveaboard.com but they are asking Euro 1800 which is 105,000 peso. 70,000 is a good deal.

Narayana

Fantastic liveaboard diving in Tubbataha National Park and Apo Reef is available with the Narayana yacht. 8 en-suite, AC cabins cater to just 14 guests. Join the Narayana for great value for money diving in the Philippines.

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Also listed in this group Philippine Scuba Divers

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