Suggestion for diving in Philippines?

[bodiver13]

Hello!

Greeting from Kapal Selam Dive Club! www.kapalselam.org

Can i ask a favor from the Philippines diving community here, regarding for suggestion on where to go in Philippines?

Our club is going to dive on 21 April - 30 April 2010, we all had bought round-trip tickets to Clark/Manila, but we are still undecided on where to go and which operator to use.

Can you help me out by suggesting where is good during end of April 2010? and also which operator do you think is good?
I know that by reading this long longggggg thread of forum will help me get some ideas, but i gave up on reading until the 3rd pages of the forum, there are simply too much! hahaha...

Appreciate your suggestion folks. Thanks.

Cheers,
Acuan.
Bali Indonesia Scuba Dive Club Kapal Selam Dive Club Bali

ps: i welcome operators to email me: bodiver13(at)gmail(dot)com

 

[schaffld]

I never hesitate suggesting Puerto Galera as a dive destination. The only exceptions would be if you are looking specifically for extensive wreck or cave/cavern diving. Also, although not impossible, large critters like whale sharks, mantas, dolphins, etc do not make regular appearances often enough to really promote PG as the place to dive to see these animals.

PG does have a great diversity of dive sites for beginner and advanced divers in both recreational and technical diving. Another great thing about PG is that the divesites are generally all very close to the beach. You can spend your surface interval lounging around a pool, having a leisurely lunch, or taking a short cat-nap. PG, specifically Sabang Beach, also offers plenty to do if you want to take a day off from diving, and has a great nightlife that thumps well into the wee hours of the morning.

Dive ops in PG range from very small informal (but very personal) shops run more like hobbies than businesses to the full-on all-inclusive dive resorts that cater to large groups. Some shops have been operating there for years (even decades) while others have popped up much more recently. I'm sure you are aware of the pros and cons of each type of operation so it really comes down to what appeals to you and your club.

It's hard to recommend one place over another. For me, the individual staff members currently working at a specific shop can really make the difference between a positive and negative experience. The transient nature of the place means that your favourite DM or instructor may have moved from one shop to another, and the dynamics of what was your favourite operation may have completely changed.

I've only dived out of a couple of operations in PG. However, if you have an idea of what kind of shop appeals to you, I can suggest a few places about which I've heard people speak highly.

I don't work for the Puerto Galera Tourist Bureau... these are just my suggestions.

Happy Diving!

 

[shugar]

like he said...

do you have anything specific in mind? what you want so see/do/go?

options for nightlife or lack thereof?

distance/s willing to travel to dive?

type/s of accommods?

level of diving?

number of places in the PI you want do hit during your trip?

duration of trip?

budget?

lots of variables there and the combos in the philippines can be mind-blowing...

recos:

PG
Anilao
Bohol
Sogod
Cebu
Malapascua
Moalboal
Dumaguete
CDO/ Duka
GenSan
Davao
Puerto Princesa
Coron
Subic
Siquijor

and that's just for starters...

Jag

 

[kwhkg]

just noticed that it seems you will be flying into Clark and not manila.Clark Air base is actually Angelos City. FYI Clark is about 1 1/2 - 3 hours away from Manila depending on traffic. Clark however is relativly close to Subic. As Jag menioned aboyt PG and Anila can be reached from Manila by land, the others are located in other parts of PH.

Anila is app 2-3 hours from Manila ,depending on trafic and PG is another 2 hours plus from Batangas becuase you will have to take a ferry

 

[Babydamulag]

Are you arriving at Clark or NAIA?

 

[CODMAN]

Schaffld gave a really good break down of PG diving! That's pretty much how it is! I also second PG for all the reasons he cited, plus it is close to your arrival/takeoff airport, so you can stay put and do lots of diving.

There are many good dive operators in PG. Of the small ones, I can strongly recommend DIVE DOJO NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON which is one of the small personalised diive operators. They give good service and can arrange transportation/ accomodations for you if you wish. They have top notch instalations for everything. But they are small, and depending on how many you are going to be, they might be too small (their bangka can sit 10 divers comfortably, maybe a few more if you squeeze). On the bigger side of things, Atlantis and Asia divers are two good ops to go with (they both have on site accomodations).

Then there is the option of going elsewhere...:cool2:

Others will be along with sugegstions I'm sure. Have fun planning your trip!

 

[blue steal]

Any recommendations on the smaller shops. I was going to stay at El Galleon and dive with Asia divers for 10 days this april, but my budget forces me to look for a smaller operation and less expensive accomdations. I would prefer Small laguna over Sabang for a more peaceful evening.
I heard that one end of Sabang is much quieter and this could be an option.
I would be coming from anialo/Mabini as this is my home base.

 

[jigo]

i recommend seariders. there's a link to the contact info in a thread on PG. low price, great service. mark of seariders can also hook you up to lodging that will fit your budget. he's in small la laguna.

 

[h2odragon1]

I agree with others, you can find the most varied diving in Puerto Galera. Dive Puerto Galera, Dive Philippines, Dive Action Divers Vacation in the Philippines Scuba Diving in the Philippines, Diving in the Philippines Dive Puerto Galera, Dive Philippines, Dive VIP Resort Diving Philippines - Atlantis Dive Resorts, Dumaguete and Puerto Galera, Philippines
Flying into Clark? then;
Visit Subic Bay
Search this site, (PPD), for more information, and more great leads!

 

[cim72lando]

Hello bovier13,

I visited your dive club website and I am impressed! It seems to me, members of your club has been to a lot of places that some divers could only dream about. The pictures taken by your underwater photographers are really nice and give me ideas on how to improve my own technic and what to look for,etc.
From your web site, it appears you are leaning towards going to Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte and then to Donsol which makes me think you are after whale sharks and at the right season too.
Sogod Bay should also give you an a lot of macro opportunities. Like your home country, the Philippines offers a variety of diving but your choice of Donsol and Sogod Bay should be satisfying. If you have not done, go to this link- ALBAY TOURISM: Whale Sharks - Butanding Give us a report of your trip in ScubaBoard.
My own trip, scheduled a month earler than yours is to dive Anilao,Batangas from a resort and Tubbataha. I have been to both places before and I would recommend them highly.

cim72lando