Second dive trip to Cebu: Would welcome suggestions for dive locations

[PeacockMantis]

Hi,

We're going back to the Philippines for 4 weeks (not in the best season: Juli/August) and I'm looking for input for dive locations. Last time we also visited this period and due to the rainy season could not found any good snorkelling spots, so any sheltered locations would be welcome. Diving however was still good in Moalboal, Dauin and Malapascua, which we will visit again. We'll skip Alona Bay (hated the place) and Siguijor (big waves and no diving possible on the places where I wanted to go). We thought of flying to Palawan but am hesitant (wrong season), South Leyte or North Mindanoa (safe?), but any idea is welcome.

We're travelling with kids so looking for a nice beach, not crowded (therefore no no Alona beach) snorkelling opportunities would be great and ofcourse good diving.

Thanks in advance

 

[scoobydrew]

All good places. I was actually surprised by the diving from Mactan (the little island off Cebu which has the airport on. Don't write it off if you want to break up the journey near the airport. The sites nearby are not so good but there is a marine park not too much of a boat ride out which had some pretty awesome diving on it.

If you flew to Palawan then you could get a one way and get the flight back from Coron. So, fly in to Puerto princessa, head north to El Nido, hang out there a few days then take the boat up to Coron (8 hours from memory - take a bottle of rum along) dive the wrecks of Coron (recommend Sangat Resort) then fly back to Cebu. I do not know about the weather in those places at the times you have mentioned so you'll need to check that out.

There is a little island off Bohol called Cabilao which is really nice if you want low key, i.e. nothing going on other than diving and relaxing. They have a beautiful wall dive right off the shore. Nothing like Alona but easy enough to get to from Cebu

Always recommend going back to Malapascua

 

[Centrals]

1. Camiguin Island off the northern coast of Mindanao is nice and safe but the ferry from Cebu is slow but you can to Cagayan de Oro and then a ferry across. Plenty opportunities for hiking and cycling but diving is NOT that great.
2. If you travel down from Malapascua to Moalboal/Dumaguete then you can stop at Danao(North of Cebu City) and take a ferry across to Camotes Island. There is a dive shop there(Ocean Deep).
3. Sipalay which is about 6 hrs by bus from Dumaguate(North West). Very laid back and nice little beach, contact Artistic Diving or Easy Diving.

 

[critterdiver]

Try out Cabilao, small quiet island with some small beaches. Diving and the resort (cabilao beach club or pura vida cabilao) are great. Normally the diveshop sea explorers can make a dive boat transfer with 2 dives on the way going to Dauin. But it realy depends if the weather is ok, so July August could get tricky. Worst case scenario you can take the fastcraft form tagbilaran to dumaguete. I also recently spent a week in Anda Bohol (Amun Ini) beautiful private white sand beach, awesome dives as well there, corals, walls, macro etc. Unlike alona beach, its very quiet overthere. Buuuuuuut, wind is facing the resort in July/August.

Cheers

 

[xrcjdx]

i am always recommending the diving in south leyte. the area has been protected for quite a while, although a crown of thorns infestation about 5 years ago has thinned some of the reefs. napantao is high on the list of top dive sites in the philippines. malitbog (little lembeh) is a great critter dive. the padre burgos pier is a night dive without many rivals for stargazers, feeding lionfish, flamboyant ghost pipefish, etc etc. the diving is easy with generally easy slow drifts (if there is a drift at all) and all over is great place to practice your photography without worrying too much about blowing into a reef when your attention is on position/buoyancy. peters has a great staff, is very family friendly, and has perfect accommodation options for solo travelers up to families at a very reasonable price. peters also has a pool that is maintained and kept clean, but it is not anything special. on the other hand, pools are in short supply in the area, as it is mostly a diving destination. i think no matter where u stay the general area is worth a week easy. the downside is it isn't the easiest place to get to, but as u r not in a rush not a problem at all. if u decide to go this route ask again on this forum for travel advice and u will get the best and most up to date advice possible. the beaches in south leyte are not exactly powder white sand, but they will do. if u r looking for peace and quiet, a safe environment, friendly locals who love kids, and great diving, give south leyte a closer look.
as for traveling in july/august, while it is a crap shoot the water will be pleasantly warm, and i don't think it will be a wash out by any stretch. it is more like the transition from dry/hot to wet/hot. cross ur fingers and expect decent conditions especially in the east visayas.
as for snorkeling - although i am not a snorkeler imo there is some great stuff at shallow depth easily visible from the surface, and very well protected areas including but not limited to napantao and limasawa.