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Why are you focused on reefs just in front of Mactan??? This is the place where the most fishermen are.
Liking Luko's review a lot (thanks again)... and this announcement, 'cause I can need all the advise I can get, 'cause I got tickets and nothing else yet for the family to the Visayas (Cebu) for late Dec. early Jan... and the more I read the more I seem to get conflicted on knowing if a particular place is still good or quite overrun or if a resort is a godd place for a decent price or a luxurious place for a royal price or more price than place etc... So much differing info on the internet... And even so we get to go to the Philippines for the price of a Bonaire flight (these days), with 4 of us, I have to watch what it all adds up to...I had a great time! I will try to post a report this weekend.
No, don't stay on Balicasag, it's totally secluded and remote from the land. There is nothng there apart from one resort that has been severely going downhill for years. def don't do that!
How many days are you spending in the Philippines? I've traveled there five times in the past five years and dived in several different places on different islands. My take--first it's great you're flying into Cebu and avoiding Manila. You're only a hour or two from several different places to dive that are great---Dauin or Panglao (Balicasag). Both are a hour or two away from Cebu by fast ferry. I really enjoyed my stays in Dauin--very kicked back small town vibe---Alona Beach area (Panglao) very different--very touristy and crowded. But if you're going to Panglao for diving you're just going to need to deal with that aspect of being there---it's not that bad. The diving at Balicasag Island is why most divers are there and I enjoyed my dives there very much--it's worth it. Dauin is very different--no big crowds--a small village you can stroll into and get a feel for real life in the Philippines. The diving is great too. Macro diving just off the coast there and also reef diving at Apo Island--which is my main reason for going there--love Apo. We stayed at Mikes Beach Resort in Dauin--small resort with only eight rooms, a pool, great restaurant and food and great people in the resort and dive shop. Not expensive--about $55-60 usd per night for a room--could be hard to book a room there in December--but contact them directly if you're interested in Mikes. We stayed a week in Dauin then took the ferry over to Bohol from Dumaguete for our week in Panglao--if I can answer any questions about my experiences in those two places I'd be happy to share them with you. PS--we were there in December this past year.
