What to do? Where to go?

Hi.

I'm going to do a liveaboard to Tubbataha in april next year. The boat depatures the 10th and is back the 17th in Puerto Princesa. But my planned flight home isn't until the 29th. That means I have some days to spend without any plans for the moment. I've been thinking about going to Anilao, but I'm not sure.

Any ideas on where to go? I just want the return to the airport to be as smooth as possible.

Flight is not booked btw, but I think it's going to be with KLM, so I can go from both Manila or Cebu...

/K

If you're into rust, head down to Coron. Some great Japanese WWII wrecks around there, and the crowds are a lot smaller. I stayed on Sangat Island, as close as you can get to the dive sites, and one of the most amazing, peaceful places I've ever stayed at.

Also stayed and dived at Puerto Galera, which wasn't bad, as long as you like a very busy holliday destination, good night life, getting harrassed everytime you go outside, and too many bloody yanks. The diving itself wasn't bad though, not the best vis, but lots of macro life.

There's a few other places I want to check out next time I'm there, but I'll let others speak about them.

Ryan.

too many bloody yanks.

Uh oh, did somebody get up on the wrong side of his kangaroo this morning??

All good Steve, just an observation! A couple of the americans I met there were rude arrogent bastards, but I've been friends with and lived with enough yanks to know you're generally a good bunch!

did somebody get up on the wrong side of his kangaroo this morning?

Crikey Steve, is there a right side of a Kangaroo ?

Paul C

I rather prefer macro than rust, although a nice old wreck can be just as fun. Nightlife is not that important, but it would be nice with more than one waterhole...

If I go to Anilao... How difficult is it to get there? Someone who arranges tours to/from the airport (Manila or Cebu), do I just take a cab or is it a 70h hike?

I've now decided to go to Anilao, but with whom should I dive?

Looked a bit at Club Ocellaris because of a recent thread about htem, but I couldn't find info about pricing etc...

Other recommendations than those already here on wetpixel?

I'm going to read through most of them tomorrow, but feel free to give me advice anyway...

I would head down to Dumaguette on Negros. Great dive sites. Great macro, and unlimited shorediving (good house reef). Great diving at the Ducomi pier and Apo island

Use Pure vida and sea explorers - http://www.pura-vida.ph/ - http://www.seaexplorersscuba.com/index.php...8&Itemid=44

Or go to their neighbor - Eldorado Beach resort- http://www.eldoradoresort.org/new/index.html

I stayed on eldorado last time and it was very good.

Lasse

I second Dumaguette.... I live just down the beach from both Pura Vida and Eldorado, and have been diving with Eldorado for the last 2 months. I'm just new to underwater photography, but have been getting some great results here. You can check out our blog to read more about the area and see some photos, above and below.... http://www.haveinternetwilltravel.com

cheers!

An alternative view of El Dorado Resort (not shared by me) is in this trip report:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25711

As for Anilao recommendations, when I go there, I tend to like to be close to the dive sites I dive the most. I choose Planet Dive for that reason. The resort is pretty basic and the food is bland and very local (esp on weekdays) but it's cheap and 5-8 minutes to my favorite dive site. The house reef of Twin Rocks is also awesome for macro and WA, from schools of trevally to flambo cuttlefish and blue rings to squat lobsters.

The 2 premier muck sites are 50-60 min apart by boat. Club Ocellaris is closer to Basura but Basura hasn't been at her best in a while. She was damaged by typhoon and is still recovering. Still, easy coleman shrimp action and the frogfish (pictus and hispidus esp) action is pretty good. There've been reports of rhinopia again there too.

I'd recommend Anilao and Puerto Galera over Dumagete, especially if you're looking for ease of access from Manila. Anilao is closer to Manila but it'll be much like being on a liveaboard, you're pretty much stuck at the resort (which might not be a bad thing really), Puerto Galera has more shore based activities if you so wish. Diving wise you can't go wrong with either.

Club O, Planet Dive, Dive Solana are top notch operators in Anilao, another good one is called Balai

I only recommend 1 outfit in PG, thats Scubaplus Dive Centre, run www.scubaplus.com

Most of the macro images on my site are from PG, Wide Angle from Tubba. www.stewartsy.com

S.

Okay... Thanks all.

Do you think I should book anything in advance, or just turn up on their doorstep?

I think it would be nice to be at bit flexible, but I like when a good plan is made...

Not shure on what to do?

Book in advance....

Anyone who knows a working address to Club O? Haven't been able to go to their website the last couple of days... Any ideas anyone?

When in Anilao, we stay at Eagle's Point or Balai; but have also heard good things about Planet Dive. I hear PD is much more basic than the other two; and since I travel with kids, it's nice to have something above the basics. If you go here, you won't be disappointed with the diving. You can arrange transport from Makati (the business district of Metro Manila) to Anilao; it is reliable and if you know any Filipinos, have them book it for you....believe it or not, there are different prices for EVERYTHING for locals and foreigners. Whenever we travel in the PI, my husband (a pinoy) makes the arrangements without me being present; as soon as they see my white skin, they want to increase the price!!

I would not recommend Puerto Galera for diving; I went diving there and while the diving was nice, there are MUCH BETTER PLACE TO DIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES. Also, Puerto Princesa. Unless you like the wrecks in Coron, head away from there as fast as you can! The diving in and around Palawan STINKS (unless you're talking about heading out to Tubbataha, which you're already doing). You can still see the effects of dynamite fishing.

If possible, go diving on the island of Cebu. Moal Boal, Bohol, Dumagette, Malapascua....there is so much to see and dive here.

ENJOY YOUR STAY. Filipino people are so friendly and gracious....you may find yourself falling in love and never wanting to leave. I hope to live there, parttime, one day.