Were planning a diving trip to the philippines and have a fairly good idea of where the good sites are, were only in the early planning stages. The trip is likely to be for 2-3 weeks.
So far were looking into
Palawan
Coron
Puerto Galera
Bohol
We are also told that diving in the Sulu Archipelago is recomended but i hear this may be a dangerous place for tourists?
My questions are
Can we cover these areas in 2-3 weeks?
Which dive operators would you recomend for these areas?
Am i neglecting any other great dive sites?
Is the Sulu Archipelago a dangerous place and is it as good as people make out?
Hope you can help.
Sorry if the information seems a bit basic but this is the early stages of the planning so all help and advice will be grately appreciated!
Kind Regards
James + Claire
1- No, I guess you'd need at least 4 to 5 weeks for the whole
2- Puerto Galera : I can recommend Big Lalaguna beach resort dive centre (Frank Doyle), Bohol : I dived with Bohol Divers and it was fine.
3- Palawan isn't really amongst the best but you forget : Moalboal/Pescador (excellent wall dives), Apo Island (coral drift dives, probably the best in the Phils), Dauin/Negros (Macro/Muck like in Lembeh, you can couple it with Apo Island), Cabilao (possible from Bohol) and Malapascua (Thresher sharks and mantas).. there's also Tubbataha but only on liveaboards.
On a three weeks trip you should stick to Visayas and for instance Moalboal/DauinApo/BoholCabilao/Malapascua.
Another option is Tubbataha live aboard, then Coron and Puerto Galera.
4- Forget Sulu archipelago, I don't even know if there's a dive operation there, and there are so many good places to dive.
Agree with 1
First sort out if it's 2 weeks or 3 weeks
Take a day out of your itinery for travelling between each place
I would stick to fewer locations because you are going to lose time moving round.
Coron is wrecks - fab wrecks - but low vis
Tubbataha is liveaboard & the window is April - July -ish
P. Galera & Bohol are fine places to dive & do something top side when you are done.
I would agree with #1 and 2, sure seems like alot in that small period of time, you will be moving around too much. Stay AWAY from the Sulu Islands, Basilian, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga. You get the point!!! There is alot to see without going down there!!!
just to comment on diving in Coron.
I just came back from there one week ago.
The Japanease wrecks from WWII were AMAZING!
we used Nitrox on some wrecks, but not necessary.
it's a must-visit. They have a nice hot spring at the top of the mountain to relax at night.
We dived with DiveCal.
http://www.divecal.com/GroupsFS.htm<BR><BR>really cheap, and really good service.
Our guide's name was Thomas, an AMAZING guy!
If you guys d ecideto go there, say hell to him from Jackie and Jimin.
Have fun!!
Malapascua for thresher sharks and mantas.
Apo Island for corals and coral fish.
El Nido, Palawan for loads of dead corals and very little underwater life.
Tubbataha reef is only accessible from March to June on a live aboard trip. After me opinion is to expensive, but you will see very beautiful corals, coral fishes and lots of big reef sharks. By the way, the current at Tubbataha will be a challenge.
Jan L
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