First diving trip ever, went to the Philippines because I wanted to see threshers. Decided to try muck diving because I wasn't sure if Id like it, well I found out I love it.

Camera: Sony A7IV

Lens: 28-60mm + WWL1B (wide) | CMC2 (macro)

I agree with you about your take on muck diving. I, too, thought it was similar to diving in a muddy lake—poor visibility and the occasional sighting of a strange creature. But when I visited Bali for the first time, I discovered my love for muck diving. It’s best to always go with a local guide. That way, you get to see the TRULY bizarre creatures that you’d otherwise almost always swim right past. Each dive is different, new creatures you have never seen before at each dive. Just awesome.

Super pics!

I used to manage a dive operation in the Lembeh Straits many years ago. When guests first arrived we’d “warn” them about first impressions: dark, seemingly empty and colourless….. but just to be patient….. I don’t think a single guest ever came away disappointed. Most were captivated and fascinated by the weird and wonderful critters they’d see.

So, yep, totally agree with you both.

10 hours ago, Jens H said:

It’s best to always go with a local guide.

The guides in Dauin were fantastic, without them I would have just been swimmig past so many things. I was pretty lucky that most dives I did were only 2-3 per guide, and the guides get excited about showing you things too. I had a few dives where it was just the guide and myself, and the time cap was supposed to be 60min, but the guide kept pointing things out and we went to 75min.

10 hours ago, TimG said:

I used to manage a dive operation in the Lembeh Straits many years ago.

Lembeh is most likely going to be the next spot I go to, I've been starting the planning process for that and I'm getting excited for it.

I ended up buying a full macro setup with the new sony 100mm f2.8 and have been practicing more macro shots in local waters.

7 minutes ago, rafiqd said:

Lembeh is most likely going to be the next spot I go to, I've been starting the planning process for that and I'm getting excited for it.

Hi Rafiq

If you want some informations... You can read (in french) ma review of our last trip in Lembeh.

Petit séjour plongée à Lembeh du 11 au 21/02/2026 - Compte-rendus de voyages - Plongeur.com - Le site de la plongée sous marine


The Solitude Lembeh is a great resort the best where I was in Lembeh.

On 3/23/2026 at 4:04 AM, rafiqd said:

Lembeh is most likely going to be the next spot I go to, I've been starting the planning process for that and I'm getting excited for it.

I ended up buying a full macro setup with the new sony 100mm f2.8 and have been practicing more macro shots in local waters.

Here's my trip report from Divers Lodge Lembeh - they dont seem to limit dive times, you come up when you're air is down to 50 bar.

3 hours ago, Chris Ross said:

Here's my trip report from Divers Lodge Lembeh - they dont seem to limit dive times, you come up when you're air is down to 50 bar.

That would be heaven to me, I usually come up with way too much air. Lol...

I’m doing a trip to Dauin later this year or early next year. I would love to add malapascue threshers. How did you get from one to the other/what’s the easiest route.

9 hours ago, kdgonzalez said:

I’m doing a trip to Dauin later this year or early next year. I would love to add malapascue threshers. How did you get from one to the other/what’s the easiest route.

Hi
I made the trip Malapascua Harbour -> Cebu Harbour... 5 hours
It is enough....

It will probably be a good choice to stay a night near Airport and take a flight next day... or if you can take a flight in the evening... why not.

They are also the Ocean Jet from Cebu to Dauin but it take a long time... and you NEVER sure that the trip will take place or not... (I had bad experience with Ocean Jet last year, and if you are followin Ocean Jet on Facebook... you will have the alert of the cancelation...very offen)

It is also possible to make a car trip from Cebu to the south of cebu island, and take the small ferry to make to cross to the next island. (15 minutes).. after that depending where you are less as 1 hour to the resort.

For me the best choice is probably flying from Cebu to Dauin it is really fast and no expensive.
Hope this helps

16 hours ago, kdgonzalez said:

I’m doing a trip to Dauin later this year or early next year. I would love to add malapascue threshers. How did you get from one to the other/what’s the easiest route.

Hi,

last time we did the Dauin Malapascua route on our 2023 philippines tour (Anilao, Coron,Tubbatah, Leyhte, Anda, Dauin, Malapascua). We did it by car and ferry. Very easy and confortable with our heavy dive and UW Camera equipment. Easily done in one day. We were not organized in advance and even miss the first early morning ferry from Negros to Cebu. After arrival Cebu island it took some time (arround 1.5h) to get a driver with car for transfer to Maya Port to Malapascua. We left Dauin arround 07.00 am and arrived Malapascua arround 05.00 pm. We paid 5000 Pesos for the car. If you organized in advance you should be able to do the trip in approx. 8 hours door to door. From my point of view no need for hotel, flight, etc.

If you have some negotiation skills a car with driver is still very reasonable. We were diving Malapascua again (4th & last time) this spring and the car with driver from Cebu Port to Maya was 3200 Pesos. From Maya to Cebu airport we paid 2800 Pesos. Might be little more expensive at the moment due to fuel price increase worldwide.

If you wanna see the treasures hurry up. There is a big underwater gopro circus going on at Kimbud Shoal. In April we had up to 28 boats anchoring. The ocean was bubbling. Guides told us in main season in may they have up to 50 boats (one full boat = 15-30 divers)☹️ +++++++the place is not big. Do not know how long the Treasher will play that game.

Br Markus