Where to Dive (travel from Seoul)?

[Alexandra]

Help help help...

I am from Los Angeles and going to be going to Seoul on a Business trip. I would like to take advantage of this to add on a few days to go diving but am not sure where to go.

1) I want to minimize my airplane/airport travel time. So, multiple connecting flights loossing a day to get somewhere is not what I want to consider.
Looks like Puerto Galera in the Philippines is coming up at top choice.

Travel dates are Aug 9-14 or 15.

Is it safe to travel their alone?
Where should I stay?
I'd prefer hotel/resort with daily dive trips but would consider going on a dive boat if it's comfortable. Also considering getting my advanced certifcation.

Thanks for your help.

Alexandra
Alexandra@aol.com

 

[xine]

Search Puerto Gallera in google for more info. Looks like Action divers offer some good quality diving. Another alternative to Puerto Galera could be Cebu, where you can also fly direct out of Seoul by about 4 hrs. (Phillipine Airlines)

 

[Evil]

If u're flying to Cebu, then I would recommend Malapascua. About 3.5hrs drive from Cebu airport to jetty, then another 45 mins boat transfer over to the island. Wonderful place to dive & u get to see thresher sharks!

 

[Alexandra]

I've decided on Puerto Galera as it's easy to get to from Manila.

The problem now is choosing a nice place to stay that has a reputable dive center.

Choices are:
Action divers
Dive VIP
Mabuhay Dive Resort
Atlantis

Any reviews or feedback on these would be really super helpful. There seems to be little on the internet on them.

thanks,
Alexandra

 

[jiveturkey]

Don't rule out Saipan or Guam. Those places are well travelled routes from Korea and there are always cheap flights to be found.

 

[Alexandra]

Don't rule out Saipan or Guam. Those places are well travelled routes from Korea and there are always cheap flights to be found.

Thanks, but I already make my flight arrangements to Manila. So, now it's just a question of finding where to stay in Manila the night of Aug 9th and where in Puerto Galera Aug 10-15.

Alex

 

[Scuby Dooby]

I think you made the right choice, Puerto Galera is a much better choice than Guam for diving, couldn't say for Saipan though. In terms of where to dive and stay, if I stick to the list you posted above then I'd have to say Atlantis is your best bet. Very good, well known dive shop and a nice place to stay.

When I go to PG I tend to try and be, how can I say it politely. . . cheap! I usually stay in a place right next to Atlantis called the Steps & Gardens. They charge about 10 USD / night and it's a basic, comfy, quiet, centrally located place to stay. You get your own little hut with a nice view of the ocean but it's no where near as posh as Atlantis, suits me well.

A few other dive shops that you might want to try:

Asia Divers
Frontier Divers
Capt'n Greggs
South Sea Divers (really fun guys, small shop, best if you are a confident diver already, don't know that i'd want these guys if I needed my hand held alot).

I'm sure that any of them could arrange a place to stay for you, I know that Frontier Divers and South Seas often put their guests at Steps & Gardens. It's about a 5 minute walk (at most, maybe 3) to either shop.

Good luck and have fun!