Romblon lately?

[makar0n]

The overnight ferry option for Luzon to Romblon really makes sense for divers due to comparable cost (even with a cabin), ability to carry more gear without hassle, and no loss of dive days. We had family obligations that required us to fly to give us an extra day in Manila. Initially, the ferry was our first choice to gain an extra two days (in practical terms) of diving. Hope to hear from Makar0n how the diving was around Alad, Logbon and Bang-og Islands! ;-)

Haha need to sift through photos first and perhaps add some to the longer write up, but in short - amazing! Close to 30 different kind of nudis, 10's of crabs, few different seahorses (including 3 different kind of pygmy) and even a frog fish...and no other divers in sight. Definitely very glad did not bother with Anilao

 

[miniwid]

Thank you both for the info. I think it might make sense for me to fly to Tablas for my outbound leg and get the ferry back for the return leg to not lose a days diving.

The next decision for me is Three P v Sunset Cove. If you have any views on why one would be preferable over the other pls let me know. Thanks.

 

[makar0n]

Thank you both for the info. I think it might make sense for me to fly to Tablas for my outbound leg and get the ferry back for the return leg to not lose a days diving.

The next decision for me is Three P v Sunset Cove. If you have any views on why one would be preferable over the other pls let me know. Thanks.

So from my side after being to Sunset Cove twice now, to keep it short:
1) Nitrox (and 100% O2) - helps with that pesky NDL especially if you do 3+ dives a day over a longer period. Also very organized and safe handling of this i.e. testing, logging and labeling all cylinders (name, %, MOD)
2) No dive time limit (done even 100 min) and in general total flexibility as to when/where/how do you want to run the dive
3) Speedboat (not applicable currently but with engine working its a completely different league vs bangkas)
4) Alad Island dive sites and its general location (ie pretty central to all dive sites including WA)
5) Pool
6) General staff/owners friendliness and "can do" attitude - they went out of their way to accommodate certain "special" diving requests. Also one of the very few places where I let DM's prepare my gear without worrying - I normally have OCD about those things and usually end up doing things myself
7) Discounts for longer stays/more diving done

 

[miniwid]

So from my side after being to Sunset Cove twice now, to keep it short:
1) Nitrox (and 100% O2) - helps with that pesky NDL especially if you do 3+ dives a day over a longer period. Also very organized and safe handling of this i.e. testing, logging and labeling all cylinders (name, %, MOD)
2) No dive time limit (done even 100 min) and in general total flexibility as to when/where/how do you want to run the dive
3) Speedboat (not applicable currently but with engine working its a completely different league vs bangkas)
4) Alad Island dive sites and its general location (ie pretty central to all dive sites including WA)
5) Pool
6) General staff/owners friendliness and "can do" attitude - they went out of their way to accommodate certain "special" diving requests. Also one of the very few places where I let DM's prepare my gear without worrying - I normally have OCD about those things and usually end up doing things myself
7) Discounts for longer stays/more diving done

Thank you, this is really helpful as there isn't as much info on Sunset Cove on the web compared to Three P. Glad to hear it's a great place to stay.

 

[Centrals]

Thank you very much for all the info so far.
I am in the early planning stage of PG + Romblon trip for next year. Ferry is my only consideration and Starlite is the only choice. It is a 9hrs journey and schedule to arrive at 01:00. So I do not really need a bed, the reclining seat should do. I will bring a neck cushion.
As it is an evening sailing, my only concern is the weather. Jun - Nov is the typhon season. So Apr - May is my target.

MV Princess of the Stars disaster of 2008, happened not too far from Romblon with 800+ perished.

Three P will put me up on arrival at Romblon if I book over 3 nights which is great. I wonder if Sunset Cove has similar idea?
Romblon will be my first stop as it is the furthest and also more difficult to get to than PG.

Any advice please?

 

[makar0n]

(...)
I am in the early planning stage of PG + Romblon trip for next year. Ferry is my only consideration and Starlite is the only choice. It is a 9hrs journey and schedule to arrive at 01:00. So I do not really need a bed, the reclining seat should do. I will bring a neck cushion.
(...)

Do yourself a favor and don't try to save here and go for the 4 cabin - 800 PHP difference is really worth it. Much quieter part of the ship, closer to the small shop/dining area, and being able to sleep/stretch properly does make a difference the next day - begin totally tired vs let's go diving. Also away from any smoking areas that get quite popular. Attendants were pretty nice as well and as cabins were half full they would shuffle the guest around so that you (or your group) had your own cabin. Extra plus are the life jackets right in the cabin as well.

(...)
As it is an evening sailing, my only concern is the weather. Jun - Nov is the typhon season. So Apr - May is my target.
(...)

Been both in May and end of October, zero issues with weather.

(...)
Three P will put me up on arrival at Romblon if I book over 3 nights which is great. I wonder if Sunset Cove has similar idea?
(..l)

They (Sunset Cove) do have some place in Romblon as well - the ferry coming at 1AM+ is not ideal indeed - before it was 6 AM which was great. Unsure about cost as never used but generally Romblon is hardly expensive and they offer very good prices (especially that Ronny's wife is Filipino so she knows her way around there) - in addition to 10-20% discounts on diving/accommodation with longer stays or transfer from Manila to Batangas that cost less for 2 people both ways than Anilao resorts offer for 1 person 1 way
As we wanted to wake up up at the resort and be done with traveling they send a boat for us at night (so straight from the ferry to the resort) and that has worked perfect - you get to finish your sleep in a comfy place, have a lazy 10-11 AM breakfast that day and then head for diving - no pre-set dive times, its all arranged around you. Only note about the boat transfer is that it will depend on the weather - there is a short open sea stretch between Romblon and Alad Island so if its a bit wavey then night in Romblon it would have to be. That said they will pre-arrange everything so no need to worry.

 

[Centrals]

@makar0n
It is NOT the money. I prefer a quick exit in any boat/ship in Philippines and also close to the life jacket. I had couple of unpleasant experiences in the country and all involved crossing open water. Cabin is out of the question.
I will contact both places in due course.
Easter is on 20th Apr so late Apr to mid May will be great.

Thank you very much for the suggestion.

 

[makar0n]

(...)
It is NOT the money. I prefer a quick exit in any boat/ship in Philippines and also close to the life jacket. I had couple of unpleasant experiences in the country and all involved crossing open water.
(...)

I am all in for that, I love ships but ro-ro ferries make me worry a bit.
My thinking is - main deck (reclining seats) will be way more packed (stampede...), lower located, and life jackets will be around but not directly with you. 4 cabins are higher located, not crowded (there is only a few cabins there), the 10-15m long corridor they are on has 3 separate exits including 2 straight to the outside (with doors; one on each side of the ship - note here, that at least on the ship i was on the cabins themselves had no doors, just a curtain, so easy exit there). And your life jacket is right there, no need to hunt for it. Local medical point is around the corner and there is always few staff around - so in case of emergency giving directions or whatever might work better. Unsure what ship now serves the route but on some majority of life rafts are also located forward, literally right where 4 cabins are.
They do in theory also have totally private "VIP room" but thats not bookable on the website.

 

[Centrals]

Last time I sailed through a storm, I just sat on the upper open deck with the life jacket within touching distance. There was just enough sheltered area to get away from the element. A wee bit of inconvinience was bearable. I did take a look at the VIP room which I had paid for a seat and immediately decided to go somewhere else.
A crowded confined space is too risky in emergency.
Cabin has no door! Very thoughtful.

One step at a time. Arranged the accommodation first, flight and finally the ferry.

 

[Centrals]

I need to contact 3P to find out if they will accept walk in diver. If they do then it will make the planning a lot easier.
Thinking to mix this trip with DIY sight seeing of the island. 10 days with 5 - 6 days of diving.
Sunset Cove is a bit isolated.