Trouble deciding where to dive, never been to Philippines before!!

[FairyBasset]

We have a trip departing Anilao on All Star Stella Maris December 1-8 heading to Apo Reef, Puerto Galera & Verde Island.

Hi, I don't arrive until 20.12. And unfortunately for the later trip in December I booked my flight back on 6th from Cebu, so Its running just slightly to long. thats such a shame. Thanks for your help though and Ill keep it in mind for next time.

 

[FairyBasset]

FairyBasset, just a heads up to make sure you check into the status of Infiniti before booking. My wife and I were scheduled to go out on their Nov 24 trip and received word a couple weeks ago that there was a mechanical issue and the boat would need to be dry docked during our trip. Perhaps everything will be fixed by the end of November, but worth checking to be sure.

To the credit of the Infiniti, I will say they were very helpful in coordinating an alternate boat for us.

James

Thanks for that Info. According to Padi Travel the LOB is definitely running, they have been in touch with them.

 

[FairyBasset]

Thanks for all the great tips so far. No LOB going to App Reef at that time. Only LOBs around Vishayas.

I was wondering if its worth to fly over to Palawan and go to El Nido, or am I trying cover too much ground. Maybe I should do a week in Palawan and a week LOB around Malapascua area. Thoughts?

 

[FT]

If you like wrecks, that suggests Coron rather than El Nido. Malapascua and Leyte as a liveaboard seems convenient. It is a full day to travel from one to the other by any other means. With a goal of maximizing the number of dives, and with only two weeks, you might want to limit the number of destinations. Moalboal plus Malapascua plus either Coron or Leyte? The better thing about Leyte is you would ferry back to Cebu, whereas from Coron to Cebu is a flight and therefore some no-dive time before the flight.

 

[LiveaboardCom]

Thanks for all the great tips so far. No LOB going to App Reef at that time. Only LOBs around Vishayas.

I was wondering if its worth to fly over to Palawan and go to El Nido, or am I trying cover too much ground. Maybe I should do a week in Palawan and a week LOB around Malapascua area. Thoughts?

Hi there,

What a great trip to be planning. The Atlantis Azores and Resolute liveaboards both have safaris going to Apo Reef whilst you're there. Also, if you go to Malapascua be sure to choose a liveaboard safari that includes Kimud Shoal. It's hammerhead shark season from December onwards at Kimud. The Seadoors has Visayas Shark Special safaris whilst you're there that include Malapascua (Kimud and Monad Shoal for hammerheads and threshers) and other Visayas destinations.

Kathryn

 

[FairyBasset]

Atlantis Azores and Resolute liveaboards both have safaris going to Apo Reef whilst you're there.

Hi Kathryn as far as I know the apo reef tour on Atlantis Azores is not confirmed on 29.12 as I was looking at that one. Resolute could be a good option, but harder for me to do 2 back to back trips with my dates. I looked at seadoors but the boat didn’t look to nice. I’ll look again at all and get back to you. Can you let me know if AA is confirmed as running. Thx

 

[Luko]

I looked at seadoors but the boat didn’t look to nice. I’ll look again at all and get back to you.

Seadoors might not be good looking but the french staff may be more "permissive" with the way you want to dive. Also Jonathan is a very good photogapher as well as a Malapascua specialist (though I don't know whether he'd still be on the boat).

 

[LiveaboardCom]

Hi Kathryn as far as I know the apo reef tour on Atlantis Azores is not confirmed on 29.12 as I was looking at that one. Resolute could be a good option, but harder for me to do 2 back to back trips with my dates. I looked at seadoors but the boat didn’t look to nice. I’ll look again at all and get back to you. Can you let me know if AA is confirmed as running. Thx

Certainly, I'll do that now and message you as soon as I get a response.

 

[outofofficebrb]

You could do a safari that either starts/ends in Sipalay/Maoalboal depending on which week it is. It is a joint effort between Cebu Fun Divers and Savedra. It's about $970 for 6 days including all meals and overnight accom at hotels. Click the link below for a detailed schedule and more info.

If you are mainly interested in Coron, you can fly direct to Coron (Busuanga airport) and dive the wrecks there. I think a week there is probably a bit much unless you were going to spend some time beach hopping and diving a bit around El Nido. If that is your plan, I suggest doing a dive safari (4 days, 3 nights, inclusive of meals and accom in hotel) from El Nido to Coron with Submariner Dive Center. You could fly into Puerto Princesa and make the painful transfer by van up to El Nido, spend a couple of days on the beach, then start the safari. If you do this option, I don't think you'll have time to also go to Malapascua if you also do the Moalboal/Sipalay safari but you may have time to do Malapascua if you just do Coron with the Moalboal/Sipalay safari.

Dive Seafari | Submariner Diving Center

Dive Safari Philippines - Savedra Dive Center

Safari Tour 1: Moalboal – Alona Beach – Siquijor – Apo – Sipalay
Day 1: Moalboal – Sunken Island – Excursion Kawasan Waterfalls – Liloan.
2-3 dives. Overnight in Liloan.
Day 2: Liloan – Sumilon Island – Balicasag Island. 3-4 dives. Overnight in Alona Beach, Bohol.
Day 3: Panglao Island, 3-4 dives or 1 dive plus optional land tour to the Chocolate Hills. Overnight in Alona Beach, Bohol.
Day 4: Balicasag Island, Siquijor Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Dauin, Negros
Day 5: Apo Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Dauin, Negros
Day 6: Dauin, Sipalay 2-3 dives. Check-in in Sipalay, Negros.

Safari Tour 2: Sipalay – Apo – Siquijor – Alona Beach – Moalboal
Day 1: Sipalay – Basay – Dauin, 2-3 dives, Overnight in Dauin, Negros
Day 2: Apo Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Dauin, Negros
Day 3: Siquijor Island, Balicasag Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Alona Beach.
Day 4: Panglao Island, 3-4 dives or 1 dive plus optional land tour to the Chocolate Hills. Overnight in Alona Beach, Bohol.
Day 5: Balicasag Island – Sumilon Island, 3-4 dives. Overnight in Liloan.
Day 6: Liloan, Moalboal, Excursion Kawasan Waterfalls. Check in Moalboal

 

[borisphotosafari]

Seadoors is a smaller boat but comfortable. The owner is French, so the food is really good. I did a trip to Tubbataha with them a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. They are well priced with not many divers onboard.