markmaloof
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Hello fellow divers! My wife and I are dying to return to SEA/South Pacific waters (we have been to Thailand three times and once to Palau/Yap, the best diving we have ever done). We have 100 dives under our belt, so somewhat experienced, and are planning on going to the Philippines first two weeks in March. Flying from NYC to Manila, hundreds of dollars cheaper than flying direct to Cebu. A dive master in Belize told us about Dumaguete/Apo Island, and we thought about there (and like the fact that there are flights from Manila to Dumaguete), but have been reading much about Malapascua, very interested (though there was one negative blog article from 2010 I read, the diver loved Sogod, but had a mediocre experience in Malapascua, overpriced room, bad vis, and his description of the way overcrowded and murky Thresher "novelty" dive turned me off from wanting to try it.)
I'll try to be brief: we are self sufficient types that while we are not adverse to "resorts" (if that is the ONLY option, as it seems to be with Dumaguete), we like the idea of our own lodging, choices of places to eat, and since we sometimes like to take a day off for our sinus cavites to have a break, a sandy swimming (and possibly snorkeling) beach is a nice thing to have (or at least a jungle to explore). Malapascua seems to have this all, and except for that one negative blog post I read, I have read nothing but raves about Malapascua. Also found a op called Evolution Dive that seems to be top notch (safety first, we'll pay a little more for better crew, boats, gear, etc).
But we figure maybe two weeks would be a bit much (?), and mabye we should try another spot, knowing we will loose a day traveling (we are willing to pay for the quickest transport possible, but, ahem, I know that is not often an option there!)
Also we are curious to see whale sharks, but have reservations abou the Oslob "petting zoo".
So a couple places we are thinking of:
Alona Beach, Bohol: has what we like, real sandy beach, different places to stay and eat, quiet nights, supposed to be good diving.
Turtle Bay dive resort: ok, it's a resort, but it looks nice, and if we (with possible guilt) decide to see the whale sharks in Oslob, they do a 5.30 am trip there. (and from what I understand, Moalboal is supposed to be nice in general).
Sogod(this may be out, I think from what I have read it may take two days to get there from Malapascua, we would rather kill one day traveling)
Could always do Dumaguete/Apo island as planned, stay at a resort, but at least could fly back to Manila when we leave.
Lastly, I know it may take a couple days to get there from Mala, but what about Donsol? I know you can snorkel with Whale Sharks there (without the petting zoo feeding aspect), and it's supposed to be sleepy (not necessarily bad), but is there good diving there? Might take up too much time traveling, we have not booked flights yet, but figure on spending two weeks in the Philippines.
OH! Very improtant: do you think we should do Malapascua first, or for the second half? We are flying in and out of Manila.
Very sorry for this novel, but we have never been, and there are so many choices, it's conflicting. Wish we had a month!
I'll try to be brief: we are self sufficient types that while we are not adverse to "resorts" (if that is the ONLY option, as it seems to be with Dumaguete), we like the idea of our own lodging, choices of places to eat, and since we sometimes like to take a day off for our sinus cavites to have a break, a sandy swimming (and possibly snorkeling) beach is a nice thing to have (or at least a jungle to explore). Malapascua seems to have this all, and except for that one negative blog post I read, I have read nothing but raves about Malapascua. Also found a op called Evolution Dive that seems to be top notch (safety first, we'll pay a little more for better crew, boats, gear, etc).
But we figure maybe two weeks would be a bit much (?), and mabye we should try another spot, knowing we will loose a day traveling (we are willing to pay for the quickest transport possible, but, ahem, I know that is not often an option there!)
Also we are curious to see whale sharks, but have reservations abou the Oslob "petting zoo".
So a couple places we are thinking of:
Alona Beach, Bohol: has what we like, real sandy beach, different places to stay and eat, quiet nights, supposed to be good diving.
Turtle Bay dive resort: ok, it's a resort, but it looks nice, and if we (with possible guilt) decide to see the whale sharks in Oslob, they do a 5.30 am trip there. (and from what I understand, Moalboal is supposed to be nice in general).
Sogod(this may be out, I think from what I have read it may take two days to get there from Malapascua, we would rather kill one day traveling)
Could always do Dumaguete/Apo island as planned, stay at a resort, but at least could fly back to Manila when we leave.
Lastly, I know it may take a couple days to get there from Mala, but what about Donsol? I know you can snorkel with Whale Sharks there (without the petting zoo feeding aspect), and it's supposed to be sleepy (not necessarily bad), but is there good diving there? Might take up too much time traveling, we have not booked flights yet, but figure on spending two weeks in the Philippines.
OH! Very improtant: do you think we should do Malapascua first, or for the second half? We are flying in and out of Manila.
Very sorry for this novel, but we have never been, and there are so many choices, it's conflicting. Wish we had a month!
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