Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Itinerary advice re diving Bohol, Negros or???

Country forums / South-East Asia Islands & Peninsula / Philippines

Hi people, We are planning 1 month in March & not sure whether to try a new spot or go back to tried & true. In previous years we've done Palawan, Sugar Beach, Apo island diving, Negros, Donsol, Boracay, & most recently Dumaguete Sequijor & Bohol.

Here's the basic plan but its open. 1 week in Luzon, 1 week Siquijor & not sure where else for 2 weeks. We have a new friend in Luzon that we met last year & he's recommended the rice terraces, Casiguran, Hundred Islands, Bolinao, maybe Zambales, basically doing day rides on motorbikes /boats to check out those areas over the week. We are pretty much beach people,love to swim & snorkel when we aren't diving & would like to see the rice fields but not sure if we should hang up here for a week or not. I'm sure if he's able to meet up with us we'll have a better trip with someone local & travelled. We also love the countryside on a motorbike.

We loved Siquijor, met amazing locals but it doesn't have the snorkeling or diving we are looking for. We did enjoy the variety on Bohol, diving, tarsiers, river ziplines, chocolate hills. After a very quiet trip we appreciated some action & music at livelier places in Alona but didn't hang out on that beach at all.

We are revisiting friends we made on Siquijor & spending a week over Easter there. Anyone heard or had experience with Easter there as I think it gets pretty busy with healers etc & not really sure what goes on but do know locals are very into the healers. Not sure if it's much for us if we aren't trying potions etc. but could be an amazing sight/experience.

For diving, not sure whether to go back to Bohol or Negros coast/Apo Island areas? Or should we try Apo Reef since weather should be better there in March? We had thought of Malapalusca in previous years but not sure if we want to do all that travel. Thinking wherever a plane or short boat ride can get us may be better. However we would do longer bus ride it if its highly recommended ie Malapalusca or Anda on Boho for chill time & Alona for diving?

The allure of other less known beach/adventure/ diving places is still there for us. We were in BoracayEl Nido & Coron many years ago & kind of hate to go back because we know things have changed. So if you have any other favourite places that have amazing snorkeling & or diving, that aren't on the regular loop, let us know

We really thought it was great diving in Alona, more so than Apo Island. never made it to Anda on Bohol & wonder how the diving there or if its more of a chill beach location & also if you know of some low-mid range places to stay.

Apologies for the rambling post, just trying to give a sense of what we are looking for!

Zambales is defintely worth a visit, great beach in Bolinao and Hundred Islands are amazing. Going to throw a bit of a curveball though, you have two weeks spare after Siquijor? How about Southern Leyte, specifically Sogod Bay, beautiful area, not overly touristed and has some mindblowing diving and the bonus of the Whalesharks and shouldnt be too difficult to combine with Bohol..

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Thanks for the Sogod Bay info, will look into that for sure. Think we will give Alona a skip this time, stay in Anda.

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