OP
clgsamson
Koya Kap
you meant "this early?", the arrangements?ishbaby:
Southern Leyte Diving (December 2006)
- Thread starter clgsamson
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OP
clgsamson
Koya Kap
posting some interesting read -
The Whalesharks of Southern Leyte
By Rio E. Cahambing
The first "expedition" is total chaos, with everybody moving to the front of the boat to take a better look at the moving creature on the water - so huge, fearsome and mysterious. The distinctive fins silhouetted on the horizon make everybody jittery, but in a few minutes, we were treated to a rare marquee performance, caught on videotape, of the biggest fishes of the world - the whale sharks of Southern Leyte!
We first saw them during the summer of 1993 while establishing the fish sanctuary in Tabugon, Liloan, Southern Leyte. The large dorsal fins jutting out the water's surface make tingling sensations on our spine.
We were novice divers then.
Long before the whalesharks in Donsol, Sorsogon made international headlines, the whalesharks of Southern Leyte had long been ordinary fare for small fishermen in Tabugon, Tagbak and Amaga in Liloan. People have gotten used to them that young boys ride on their backs as they scour for planktons along the village shores.
Now more than a thousand dives or so later, we are more than ready to dive and "shoot" Rhyncodon typus, popularly known locally as "Iho-tiki". They are back as they normally do every year. But we have noticed that they are increasing in numbers and sizes - some as large as L300 Mitsubishi vans and may reach 40 feet or more.
On this particular dive, we are unsure if they will appear at all because it is raining. No sun, no whaleshark, it seems that way. We hold out our patience and repaired to nearby Puy-ao Islet in Tagbak for some brewed native coffee.
After a few cups to awaken our dampened spirits, the skies clear up. We immediately rev up the engine and cruise directly to the sanctuary. We commissioned two outrigger canoes manned by young schoolboys. They are as excited as we are upon seeing the black spotted dorsal fins of our quarry.
Almost immediately after reaching the vicinity, they start circling around us. We lost count how many are within our midst. Maybe five, eight or perhaps more. In quick successions, they make their presence felt, surfacing from our left or right side. We got confused where to look first. The boys giggle with delight.
Now, it is time to go down and experience the dive of a lifetime.
As we descended, one by one, these huge fishes make a pass right before us. We can clearly make out large school of remoras, paying lip service to their mobile master.
Our videoman has his hands full covering this first-rate wildlife show. My dive companions seem to be shouting with joy. We knelt on the sand and waited.
But it did not take long, as we were treated to an "air show of B52's" As we looked up, they continue to swirl swiftly around us in amazing grace. So amazing that we forgot how long we had been underwater. It is basically a very shallow dive, but what makes it so special is that Southern Leyte is only one of the few places around the world that you can find and dive with whalesharks without the use of an ultra light or spotter. The whalesharks in Southern Leyte are simply at home in Sogod Bay, specifically in Tabugon Fish Sanctuary in Liloan.
Dag, our dive companion, signals that more is forthcoming. They showed no sign of letting up. We immediately spotted a thirty-footer on our left and decided to go near. What followed will remain one of the most memorable moments of our lives underwater.
As we near the shark, a two-meter manta ray suddenly appears and steals the show. Right before our very eyes, it makes a continuous reverse somersault, feeding on the planktons that whalesharks also feed upon. Now, to see a living manta in its element is simply awesome.
We very well know that mantas, locally known as "sanga" or "pantihan", are currently being "massacred" along Surigao Strait. They are reportedly "ambushed" by fishermen and brought to a buyer in Bohol. Seeing a living manta, at least, pacified our fears of their ultimate demise.
We are nearing the end of our dive. As we start our ascent, the whalesharks made one last pass before us and swam towards the depths of Sogod Bay.
Whaleshark Watch Advisory:
There is no 100% guarantee to spot a whaleshark in Sogod Bay. It takes proper timing, good weather, and a huge amount of luck to see one. Patience is the name of the game.
Beside Liloan, recent sightings confirm that whalesharks actually are all over Sogod Bay. They were spotted in Napantaw Fish Sanctuary in San Francisco, as well as in Limasawa, Malitbog, Libagon, Sogod, Pintuyan and even as far as San Ricardo.
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Whalesharks of Southern Leyte
By Rio E. Cahambing
The first "expedition" is total chaos, with everybody moving to the front of the boat to take a better look at the moving creature on the water - so huge, fearsome and mysterious. The distinctive fins silhouetted on the horizon make everybody jittery, but in a few minutes, we were treated to a rare marquee performance, caught on videotape, of the biggest fishes of the world - the whale sharks of Southern Leyte!
We first saw them during the summer of 1993 while establishing the fish sanctuary in Tabugon, Liloan, Southern Leyte. The large dorsal fins jutting out the water's surface make tingling sensations on our spine.
We were novice divers then.
Long before the whalesharks in Donsol, Sorsogon made international headlines, the whalesharks of Southern Leyte had long been ordinary fare for small fishermen in Tabugon, Tagbak and Amaga in Liloan. People have gotten used to them that young boys ride on their backs as they scour for planktons along the village shores.
Now more than a thousand dives or so later, we are more than ready to dive and "shoot" Rhyncodon typus, popularly known locally as "Iho-tiki". They are back as they normally do every year. But we have noticed that they are increasing in numbers and sizes - some as large as L300 Mitsubishi vans and may reach 40 feet or more.
On this particular dive, we are unsure if they will appear at all because it is raining. No sun, no whaleshark, it seems that way. We hold out our patience and repaired to nearby Puy-ao Islet in Tagbak for some brewed native coffee.
After a few cups to awaken our dampened spirits, the skies clear up. We immediately rev up the engine and cruise directly to the sanctuary. We commissioned two outrigger canoes manned by young schoolboys. They are as excited as we are upon seeing the black spotted dorsal fins of our quarry.
Almost immediately after reaching the vicinity, they start circling around us. We lost count how many are within our midst. Maybe five, eight or perhaps more. In quick successions, they make their presence felt, surfacing from our left or right side. We got confused where to look first. The boys giggle with delight.
Now, it is time to go down and experience the dive of a lifetime.
As we descended, one by one, these huge fishes make a pass right before us. We can clearly make out large school of remoras, paying lip service to their mobile master.
Our videoman has his hands full covering this first-rate wildlife show. My dive companions seem to be shouting with joy. We knelt on the sand and waited.
But it did not take long, as we were treated to an "air show of B52's" As we looked up, they continue to swirl swiftly around us in amazing grace. So amazing that we forgot how long we had been underwater. It is basically a very shallow dive, but what makes it so special is that Southern Leyte is only one of the few places around the world that you can find and dive with whalesharks without the use of an ultra light or spotter. The whalesharks in Southern Leyte are simply at home in Sogod Bay, specifically in Tabugon Fish Sanctuary in Liloan.
Dag, our dive companion, signals that more is forthcoming. They showed no sign of letting up. We immediately spotted a thirty-footer on our left and decided to go near. What followed will remain one of the most memorable moments of our lives underwater.
As we near the shark, a two-meter manta ray suddenly appears and steals the show. Right before our very eyes, it makes a continuous reverse somersault, feeding on the planktons that whalesharks also feed upon. Now, to see a living manta in its element is simply awesome.
We very well know that mantas, locally known as "sanga" or "pantihan", are currently being "massacred" along Surigao Strait. They are reportedly "ambushed" by fishermen and brought to a buyer in Bohol. Seeing a living manta, at least, pacified our fears of their ultimate demise.
We are nearing the end of our dive. As we start our ascent, the whalesharks made one last pass before us and swam towards the depths of Sogod Bay.
Whaleshark Watch Advisory:
There is no 100% guarantee to spot a whaleshark in Sogod Bay. It takes proper timing, good weather, and a huge amount of luck to see one. Patience is the name of the game.
Beside Liloan, recent sightings confirm that whalesharks actually are all over Sogod Bay. They were spotted in Napantaw Fish Sanctuary in San Francisco, as well as in Limasawa, Malitbog, Libagon, Sogod, Pintuyan and even as far as San Ricardo.
--------------------------------------------------------------
OP
clgsamson
Koya Kap
ay sori Ish...yes it is only a down payment, the balance to be paid when we check out of the resort.ishbaby:
I have similar experience with Club Paradise last 2004. I booked it February and by March it was fully booked. Foreigners always book early for their grand vacation.
Join us Ish..
OP
clgsamson
Koya Kap
definitely lower in the off season...hmm maybe 5-8 dollars? that is in July to October.ishbaby:
shugar
Contributor
yes she did... di pa rin working yung q-reply button ni ish...clgsamson:
@ish: the good part about reserving this early is that you nail the cost down - if gas prices go up P100 in the next 12 months your rates/package with the resort should not be affected
re 100 increase in price: parang awa na dyos ko, please lang... ang mahaaaaaaaal na ng gaaaaaaaaaasssssssss :l:
Jag
Have to make a breakdown first before deciding:
HMM, make it 20k total.
Moonie, anone????? Muhkang Coron is out if I had to go here hehe.
- Airfare - 6k
- 2 dives first day
- 4 dives 2nd day
- 2 dives last day (8k)
- Accommodation (3k)
- Food (1k)
- Regulator rentals ([$2] 312.00 3 days)
- Miscellaneous
HMM, make it 20k total.
Moonie, anone????? Muhkang Coron is out if I had to go here hehe.
clgsamson:
Just tell her i am going....and performing "old moves" she'll go!
:lol: :lol:
OP
clgsamson
Koya Kap
your accommodation would only be around P1,500 ata. $9.50 for 3 nights @ P53 exchange rate. Food cost will be around P500, chip-in. I'll post my costing later for me and My.ishbaby:
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