Trip Report Trip Report-Philippines-Puerto Galera-El Galleon/Asia Divers-April 1-14, 2019

[drk5036]

No doubt about that! I lived in Singapore from 1983-1985 and traveled extensively around SE Asia during that time. Went back again traveling around Thailand, India and Nepal in 1996 and then another stint in SE Asia 2012. Only 2 countries on the continent I haven't been to yet and probably won't get to in my lifetime: Mongolia and North Korea.

You should DEFINITLY go to Mongolia!! Obviously not a diving trip, but a ton of fun. Went on a week-long tour through the Gobi desert, riding horses and camels, sleeping in Ger tents, meeting locals, etc. The stars at night are maybe the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. 800 dollars, everything included.

 

[Trailboss123]

Trailboss,
Just read the response. I don't intend to take nitrox certification. I have 70 dives.

I'm padi OW air.

Will i still be ok going to galleon? Maybe I'll tell DM ahead and ensure i don't spend too much at deep...

When you went there, were there other "air" divers? Tia....

You can certainly dive without Nitrox, many people don't and didn't. Just be responsible to keep an eye on your computer and watch your no decompression limits.

 

[MomZo]

I dove the whole week in May and didn't use Nitrox.
Could be useful on some specific dive sites (Canyons, Horse Head), but never really felt limited by NDL anyway.
Some down currents could happen on these deep dive sites and that's the main reason I chose not to use Nitrox.

 

[WetPup]

Hi @Trailboss123

I'm *this* close to booking a trip to PG with El Galleon/Asia Divers. Just had a question regarding the organisation of the diving. Your posts indicate that you did a variety of diving, but if I was specifically planning on going just for the muck diving, can you simply request that with the dive shop? Or do the boats just have a predetermined plan for the sites each day and you just have to go where the boats go? I don't want to book this and find myself on reef dives every day just because that's what others want to do.

Cheers!

 

[Trailboss123]

Hi @Trailboss123

I'm *this* close to booking a trip to PG with El Galleon/Asia Divers. Just had a question regarding the organisation of the diving. Your posts indicate that you did a variety of diving, but if I was specifically planning on going just for the muck diving, can you simply request that with the dive shop? Or do the boats just have a predetermined plan for the sites each day and you just have to go where the boats go? I don't want to book this and find myself on reef dives every day just because that's what others want to do.

Cheers!

Dive sites are going to be determined by current, conditions and generally the consensus of the group. The group size on the morning dives are generally larger than the afternoon. Most afternoons there was mostly just us or a couple of people and dictating a muck dive would be definitely easier. All of the nudibranchs in my trip report were taken from reef dives- so if into Nudi's, you will want to do some reefs. The muck diving was definitely all about the very tiny and microscopic finds. If you are all about muck diving, you may want to consider Anilao instead of Puerto Galera. So, boats do not necessarily have a "pre-determined" site they are going to do- but each of the dives, particularly the morning ones, are typically a collaborative choice between divers, DM's with the currents and conditions taken into count. Obviously, the time of year and number of divers is going to make a difference. Regardless of how busy the resort and time of year, they do not pack the boats full of people. We were typically a max of 6-7 divers in the morning and 1-4 in the afternoons.

 

[WetPup]

Dive sites are going to be determined by current, conditions and generally the consensus of the group. The group size on the morning dives are generally larger than the afternoon. Most afternoons there was mostly just us or a couple of people and dictating a muck dive would be definitely easier. All of the nudibranchs in my trip report were taken from reef dives- so if into Nudi's, you will want to do some reefs. The muck diving was definitely all about the very tiny and microscopic finds. If you are all about muck diving, you may want to consider Anilao instead of Puerto Galera. So, boats do not necessarily have a "pre-determined" site they are going to do- but each of the dives, particularly the morning ones, are typically a collaborative choice between divers, DM's with the currents and conditions taken into count. Obviously, the time of year and number of divers is going to make a difference. Regardless of how busy the resort and time of year, they do not pack the boats full of people. We were typically a max of 6-7 divers in the morning and 1-4 in the afternoons.

Thanks for the info!

I've already been to Anilao half a dozen times though After a change of scenery. Even been to PG before, but it was a while ago and I stayed in town with a non-diving partner, not out near where El Galleon is. Wasn't a fan of PG itself, and haven't been back for that reason, but someone's convinced me to give it another go because "it's better if you don't stay in town".

 

[Centrals]

PG has developed beyond recognition!!! There are far too many operators especially those catered mainly two specific countries! Shop carefully and avoid those places.

Southern Leyte is a lot better. The night dive at the jetty is highly recommended but only open couple of time per week.

 

[Searcaigh]

Pup, do eet!

Asia Divers, perhaps skip the first dive and get your caffeine levels up first and definitely do a night dive on Alma Jane.

 

[Trailboss123]

PG has developed beyond recognition!!! There are far too many operators especially those catered mainly two specific countries! Shop carefully and avoid those places.

Southern Leyte is a lot better. The night dive at the jetty is highly recommended but only open couple of time per week.

Where in Southern Leyte do you recommend staying and what is the easiest way to get there. Assuming an international flight into Manila or Cebu-- then what and how to get there easiest?

 

[Centrals]

Where in Southern Leyte do you recommend staying and what is the easiest way to get there. Assuming an international flight into Manila or Cebu-- then what and how to get there easiest?

There are only a handful few operators in the area and I always use Peter.
Getting there is NOT that straight forward I am afraid and probably the only reason why so few divers make it there. But it does reward handsomely to those with determination.

Manila:
Fly to Tacloban and either by public or private to the resort. Please do obtain all the necessary information if decide to travel by public bus/van.

Cebu City:
Cebu to Leyte: 2019 Boat Schedule and Fare Rates -

Hilongos is the nearest entry point for Southern Leyte. Maasin is even closer but not too sure about the latest ferry schedule.

Check with the dive resort for the up-date.