Yet another itinerary thread

[David Novo]

After reading several threads, here is the itinerary I came up with for the second half of March:

How does it look?
I will be travelling with a non-diver (hence Alona Beach) and the Threshers + bait ball in Moalboal are my focus.

 

[Centrals]

You should be able to make it from Malapascua to Alona beach on the same day even by public transport.

 

[David Novo]

You should be able to make it from Malapascua to Alona beach on the same day even by public transport.

Even if I dive in the morning?

 

[Centrals]

Even if I dive in the morning?

Check the ferry schedule first while you are there.
There is a big difference in travelling time requires between private and public transfer from Malapascua to Cebu.
If you decide to stay in Cebu then you will miss the morning dive in Bohol.
There is NO win win situation because ferry schedule is your constraint.

BTW, I am not sure if operator in Moalboal will organize day trip to Oslob nowadays. Demand and supply and it won't be cheap if available.
The dive sites in Moalboal suffered really badly due to typhoon. I was there few months ago and I cannot see myself returning within next few years.
Sardine + Pescado Island. Time to move on.

The beach in Malapascua is much better than Alona Beach.

Alternatively:

How to Get from Oslob to Bohol by Ferry: Complete Guide - The Froggy Adventures

Getting to Bohol can be a little tricky if you're travelling from other tourist spots in Cebu such as Oslob or Moalboal. If you're planning your trip from Oslob to Bohol by ferry, this guide will provide all the information you need.

thefroggyadventures.com

 

[David Novo]

Sardines are still there?

 

[Centrals]

YES when I was there Aug 2024.
I believe they are still there.

 

[diveUAE]

Your itinerary looks ok.

Moalboal: I found the sardines mesmerising - Pescador quite ok - but but places are very, very busy with divers. Non diver might like to snorkel with the sardines, maybe walk around and try some of the cheap massage places (we had very good massages in Moalboal) We dove with Cebu Fun divers - would find another shop, if we go back.

I would do 1 more night in Malapascua and transfer Mala-Bohol on day 10 - avoids having to spend just 1 night in Cebu and you can dive all day on day 9.

From Alona, don't miss Balicasag - should be prebooked, as there's limited dive permits for each day. We dove with Philippine Fun divers and they were good.

 

[Raphus]

I cant recommend moalboa.
Been there in November. It was already destroyed and they Had 4 more Typhons since November.. pescador was OK. All other divesites were trash

I got a really really bad ear infection from the sardines.. some weeks later i met divers with the same Problem from the same dive. Heared the sardines are there because of a leak in the Pipes... Dont know if its true, but many divers get bad ear infections diving the sardines.

 

[David Novo]

So would you recommend just a day there for sardines + pescador and move on to Oslob and Malapascua?

P.S.: I have seen whale sharks twice: one randomly in the middle of the Atlantic (4h from the Azores) and 5-6 in Saleh Bay Indonesia (these are feed, probably like is Oslob).

 

[Centrals]

Three - four dives.
Sanctuary(quite a distance and some operators would only go there if there is demand. The sea fans at 40m are very good), Pescado(1-2 dives depend on the schedule) and the Sardine.
If you have seen whaleshark(feeding) then there is absolutely no point to go to Oslob.