First trip to the Philippines

Hi, I am on my return trip from the Philippines, my first experience diving here. I am definitely a convert. My wife and I spent 12 days on Bohol, 10 of them diving with Philippines Island Divers, and we stayed at the Eskaya Resort, which is very nice. The dive operation was very good and we were pleased with them. Alan was our dive guide for the whole trip, and he was excellent.

The reefs were very healthy, and the variety of sea life was incredible. Water visibility was not great (probably about 60 feet/20 meters for most of the dives) but was adequate. We saw everything I had hoped to, although I should mention that we were not on the lookout for large pelagics. Our favorite dive sites were at Balicasag, although some of the ones within a couple of minutes from the Bohol Beach Club were first-rate, as well.

Here are a few pics from the trip below, and the link to the whole set can be found here: Bohol photos

It was a great trip, and we will be returning asap (probably next year) and adding another destination in the Philippines, too. Suggestions are welcome.

Erwin

Looks like a beautiful healthy reef system Erwin, was that your feel for the place? Really like the vertical frame on the last one.

Thanks,

Steve

Looks like a beautiful healthy reef system Erwin, was that your feel for the place? Really like the vertical frame on the last one.

Thanks Steve. Yes, it really was a very healthy reef system. It was as good as any I have seen. I would probably rank it equal to Wakatobi, which is the only comparable diving that I have done. I definitely plan to repeat this Philippines trip.

Stunning shots. I love the sense of texture and fractals I get from all your posted shots (except the nudi, but that's good for different reasons).

And if the viz was "only" 60 ft, you got a great blue out of it. So I'm also envious of your mad white balancing skillz.

RTRski

Wow ... looks like great diving and some truly outstanding shots! It's probably not my "favorite image" of the bunch, but the "standing nudi" is pretty cool. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite ... there are so many great captures.

As others have commented, the coral looks like it is incredibly good shape ... I need to get out to the pacific.

Congrats and thanks for sharing!

Really, really nice images! I especially like the first 2 images...

really nice. How was the diving from " the wife perspective" ?

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. Much appreciated.

With respect to Vasuw's question about the "wife perspective," it was an excellent choice. Eskaya is a very comfortable and luxurious resort, and she loved it. More importantly, the diving is suitable for my wife, who has MS. She is a good diver, but requires extra help climbing back onto the boat, and she can't stand when she is suited up with BCD, tank, weights, etc. The boat crews with Philippine Islands Divers were exceedingly helpful in accommodating her. This is the case for most dive operations that we have gone with. Anyway, the diving is fine, current sometimes a little strong, but nothing too extreme. She and I both want to return to do more diving, because we liked the diving so much.

In addition to the great diving, the area has other cool tourist stuff: the Chocolate Hills, a 16th century church, Tarsier monkeys, and other attractions, too. I am a real convert to diving in the Philippines. My only complaint is that it is a pain to get to, but so are many of the best dive destinations (for those of us in the southern U.S.).

Cheers,

Erwin

Wonderful gallery You got there Erwin!

IMO the wideangle shots of tablecorals are stunning!

Seems like a nice place to visit untill the corals are still healthy.

Thanks for sharing!