Travelling options for 18 days

This itinerary is really early in the planning stages. Decide the maximum of three places other than Manila you want to visit - we can't decide for you - and then we'll devise a scheduele.

Manila is out of the question - it's only for getting into the country and out of it.

The key things we want to do is surf and dive (snorkel in between), the optional things are seeing the volcano and rice terraces. The places to see - Palawan (Puerto Princesa, El Nido) for sure, Panglao optional, and others depend on the loation of surfing - either explore Siargao and the caves, or volcano and whalesharks in Gubat.

The thing about both surfing and diving is that I've read a ton of forums, sites, comments, and can't decide which place is the better option - there is hardly any objective comparison. BTW, for snorkel/diving - we only snorkeled in the Mediterranean, so my guess is that any of the places in Philippines will be much better, but that doesn't mean we should pick the worst.

The reason why we're packing so many different towns is that we like to lay in the beach, but also like to see things when we're in another country - mountains, lakes - you name it, so staying in one place for 6 days sounds a bit time wasting. If you know the locations, Siargao is the furthest option, and that's why I'm wondering if it's worth going there.

Think you may well be underestimating how much time and hassle it is getting around the Philippines. Your first option would be a struggle in two months let alone just over two weeks. I have been to all the places you mention and Siargao is far better than Gubat, an no you cant see the wrecks in Coron without being certified. Think you need to start all over again and choose one destination that you really want to see and then plan from there..

Thanks - I may be underestimating, which means I'll be removing Coron from the list and stick to Siargao, Panglao and Puerto Princesa (or maybe only one of these two), with more time to get around there and less trouble with ferries / airports. The worst thing is I want to see everything and everywhere :)

Surfboy - do you have any recommendations to stay in Siargao? I used agoda.com to see available spots, some of the places also offer surf packages (kermitsiargao.com), which I'm a bit hesitated to take - if the conditions for surfing are bad, I can travel around with a motorbike, and if they're good, I suppose I can upgrade to that package.

Well we stayed at Satur Honor Resort which is literally right on the sand beach, very nice but simple place where you can rent out motorbikes..

https://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Surigao/Siargao/blog-705061.html

I'd forget about Palawan completely with this timeframe.

Think fly into to Dumaguete, ferry to Tagbilaran/ Bohol/Panglao - just because it's close - then fast ferry from Tagb to Cebu, fly to Siargao then ferry to Surigao to fly to Manila at the end.

Or do it in reverse with Surigao-Siargao first, and Dumaguete last.

That is a perfect 2.5 week vacation. Active, but not too rushed. You can hire motorbikes easily in all three places.

Sounds much more doable, might even be possible to squeeze a few days in Siquijor, would be a shame to miss that out..

Are you sure that you would like to be in those places this time of the year? Lots of people are in those places it might be worth it to try other places and visit your current chosen itineraries another time of the year.

CodyDeegan, can you elaborate more? Like - where to go (we must try surfing and must snorkel / scuba - that's the whole point of Philippines) if not the places mentioned above?

Thanks everyone for your input - appreciate it.