Philippine Diving

I have been asked to go to the Philippines in April and do not know where to dive.

I have been offered a choice of Anilao, Batangas or Balicasag, Bohol or Coron, Busuanga or Samal Island, Davao.

Which of these do you suggest?? Which has the best macro?

Thank you in advance for your advice,

Elmer

Well not first hand info yet , but i will go myself in May to several places and i did quite a exhaustive research; seems that most productive place for macro is Anilao . Although seems that Dauin and some other places are really good for also.

At Anilao i will be at Club Ocellaris . But don't know what's the problem that they don't received my e-mails . If you contact them please p.m. to see if you can forward a message to them since i need to do some small changes to my booking ( i will really appreciate if you can help me in this regard )

Enjoy your trip and let us know how was your experience.

Regards

JA

Ease of access and great Macro...hands down is Anilao. They've finally finished the highway and if you leave for the resort early enough, it's only a 2 hour drive. It's been labeled as the nudibranch capital of the world. If you need suggestions on where to stay, feel free to PM me.

Balicasag/Bohol has great diving. Beautiful walls, and fans on Balicasag.

Coron if you like wrecks and low vis, that's what it's famous for.

Never been to Samal.

Cheers

Stu

I have been asked to go to the Philippines in April and do not know where to dive.

 

I have been offered a choice of Anilao, Batangas or Balicasag, Bohol or Coron, Busuanga or Samal Island, Davao.

 

Which of these do you suggest?? Which has the best macro?

 

Thank you in advance for your advice,

 

Elmer

Samal is in the Davao gulf and I particularly remember the place because of 2 things: The Caracoles festival (typical Pinoy fest carnival sorta thing) and the crappy accomodations. This was like 2006 so things may be changed. My notes say there's a sandy critter site on the nearby island of Malipano. Pearls were a deal but they only sold lower grades since the higher grades were reserved.

Samal and the surrounding islands have nice white sandy beaches. I've always threatened to return. If you want a "sure" thing, Anilao delivers. There's something to being adventurous and treading on lesser travelled paths though.

Well not first hand info yet , but i will go myself in May to several places and i did quite a exhaustive research; seems that most productive place for macro is Anilao . Although seems that Dauin and some other places are really good for also.

 

At Anilao i will be at Club Ocellaris . But don't know what's the problem that they don't received my e-mails . If you contact them please p.m. to see if you can forward a message to them since i need to do some small changes to my booking ( i will really appreciate if you can help me in this regard )

 

Enjoy your trip and let us know how was your experience.

 

Regards

 

JA

Checking in today, inquiries@clubocellaris.com ought to work, does for me. I'll mention you, what name? If you don't hear back from them email me, kc@kilili.com

As for where to dive,

Anilao is best, esp. nudis. Puerto Galera good, but many dive operations are constraining timewise. So many operators there. Dauin not so good now that wharf is closed to diving, but Apo Island, across from it is great, and I saw many interesting things. Highly recommend Apo Island Resort, very relaxed diving, many long dives, few divers, sometimes only me.

Bohol and surrounding area also quite nice, Seaquest Dive, again, relaxed long dives. Ditto Club O.

For some of what I saw: http://www.nudipixel.net/photographer/ken_tucker/

Thank you all very much for your advice.

Anilao it will be. What will the water temperature be towards the mid to end of April?

Also, how strict is PAL regarding carry-ons. Will they allow me to carry a backpack and roll on with my camera gear?

Thanks again,

Elmer

Checking in today, inquiries@clubocellaris.com ought to work, does for me. I'll mention you, what name? If you don't hear back from them email me, kc@kilili.com

 

Thanks Ken

 

I will send an email to you

 

Regards

 

Jose Alejandro Alvarez

Anilao it will be. What will the water temperature be towards the mid to end of April?

 

Also, how strict is PAL regarding carry-ons. Will they allow me to carry a backpack and roll on with my camera gear?

April and May will be the warmest months there, so water temps could be high 20's ºC in some spots. Daytime high hitting 35-38ºC

I had no problems with a Thinktank Streetwalker HD backpack and a laptop bag, but many Asian airlines are getting strict on bigger roller bags. If luggage is a concern, get the Sportsplus Global card from the PAL website. Allows 1 extra 50lb bag for an entire year. $120/year

S.

Do you think I can take both a thinktank backpack and a kata roll-on bag as a carry-on on PAL?

Do you think I can take both a thinktank backpack and a kata roll-on bag as a carry-on on PAL?

I haven't seen anyone take 2 items of that size on board. I check my housings etc when on PAL. I've seen some of the bigger roller bags asked to be checked in or gate checked.

s.

I hate to, but I guess I'll put my housing into a pelican and check it in.

Thanks,

Elmer

I hate to, but I guess I'll put my housing into a pelican and check it in.

It's a direct flight from any of the Pacific gateways, (YVR, SFO, LAX) very unlikely it will get left behind.

s.

Balicasag/Bohol has great diving. Beautiful walls, and fans on Balicasag.

Is there much marco in Bohol?

My host has suggested I consider diving there.

Thanks,

Elmer

There's lots of macro - try Pangalao at Bohol.

Macro is good in Bohol, but maybe not quite the variety as Anilao.

Just returned from Anilao, it was wonderful. Thank you for all your suggestions.

We really enjoyed the diving and the critters, it is great macro.

Also really appreciated the Filipino hospitality, everyone was friendly, helpful and gracious.

I plan to return to dive Puerto Galera and Tubbataha Reef.

Thanks again for your helpful suggestions,

Elmer

Just returned from Anilao, it was wonderful. Thank you for all your suggestions.

We really enjoyed the diving and the critters, it is great macro.

Also really appreciated the Filipino hospitality, everyone was friendly, helpful and gracious.

I plan to return to dive Puerto Galera and Tubbataha Reef.

 

Thanks again for your helpful suggestions,

Elmer

Elmer,

Where did you stay in Aniliao? What did you think of the place and the dive op?

I'm planning a trip next April.

Thanks,

Harry

Checking in today, inquiries@clubocellaris.com ought to work, does for me. I'll mention you, what name? If you don't hear back from them email me, kc@kilili.com

Highly recommend Apo Island Resort, very relaxed diving, many long dives, few divers, sometimes only me.

Bohol and surrounding area also quite nice, Seaquest Dive, again, relaxed long dives. Ditto Club O.

For some of what I saw: http://www.nudipixel.net/photographer/ken_tucker/

Ditto Apo Island. The original community run marine protected area. It is worth a visit if just to see what the solutions are for protecting the marine environment. The reserve here has been going for 20 years and works as a way to increasing fishing catch ( spillover effect first documented to exist here) and a way of earning through eco tourism.

Also some of the nicest people you could hope to meet. However I would recommend staying at Liberty' s place http://www.apoisland.com/ who is barangay captain and helped start the reserve. The place is clean cheap and exceptionally friendly. Drawbacks for the fussy are no running water (no where on Apo) and limited power.

Erol

We stayed at the Acacia Resort in Anilao, http://acaciadive.wordpress.com/, it is new, cozy and has a camera room with 24 hr security.

Acacia was wonderful and the owner, Oliver took great care of us. We dove when we wanted to and routinely did 80+ minute dives. Had a great guide and one of the highlights was a purple lacy rhinopia. We are planning on returning soon.

Elmer

Crystal Blue or Solana in my opinion would be the best resorts in Anilao... Feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance