Where to go next ?

[pughio83]

Sogod bay southern Leyte has everything, with whalesharks between nov-march, top macro and reefs

 

[diver 85]

We recently(Oct 2012--all newbies to PI) did a combo of Dumaguete(Dauin) for 5 days then transferred by water to Moalboal, Cebu for 5 days.....Group of 18 & had a great time......Also did Oslob(whaleshark dive) while staying @ Turtle Bay Resort(Cebu)---well worth it.......

 

[Nill Space]

Instead of opening another "where to go" thread i will ask here (really need your help).

We are planning to dive Philippines for 21 days around Feb-March.
And don't know, where to go

Visited (everything in): Coron, PG+Verde, Dauin+Apo, Panglao+Cabilao,
Going to visit for sure: Malapascua (up to 1 week)
Not going to visit: Livaboards (too expensive for us now)

Preferences: DON'T like macro, DON'T take photos, like big\pelagics, like medium-large scools, like sharks, octopuses, catlefish, turtles e.t.c., like really good muck (not macro), like wrecks

So, we have around 2 weeks (after Malapascua) and will be on North Sebu. What's next? Also logistics-wise?

Thanks!

 

[Centrals]

We are planning to dive Philippines for 21 days around Feb-March.

Visited (everything in): Coron, PG+Verde, Dauin+Apo, Panglao+Cabilao,
Going to visit for sure: Malapascua (up to 1 week)

Preferences: like big\pelagics, like medium-large scools, like sharks, octopuses, catlefish, turtles e.t.c., like really good muck (not macro), like wrecks

So, we have around 2 weeks (after Malapascua) and will be on North Sebu. What's next? Also logistics-wise?

My suggestion:
Malapascua + Camotes Island( big wreck at 60m) + Coron and Subic.
The logicstic is rather complicated!
1. From Maya(ferry to Malapascua) get a bus heading to Cebu and ask to be dropped off at Danao. Ferry to Consuelo(Camotes). Ocean Deep has a branch by Mangodlong Resort.
2. Flight from Cebu to Busuanga(Coron).
3. Flight to Manila and then bus to Subic Bay.

Malapascua: Make usre you dive Dona Marilyn which is quite a distance away and you might have to ask around for it.
Camotes: The wall next to the wreck is absolutely beautiful.

Should be enough wrecks for one trip.

 

[Kenr]

My suggestion:
Malapascua + Camotes Island( big wreck at 60m) + Coron and Subic.
The logicstic is rather complicated!
1. From Maya(ferry to Malapascua) get a bus heading to Cebu and ask to be dropped off at Danao. Ferry to Consuelo(Camotes). Ocean Deep has a branch by Mangodlong Resort.
2. Flight from Cebu to Busuanga(Coron).
3. Flight to Manila and then bus to Subic Bay.

Malapascua: Make usre you dive Dona Marilyn which is quite a distance away and you might have to ask around for it.
Camotes: The wall next to the wreck is absolutely beautiful.

Should be enough wrecks for one trip.

he has already been to Coron

 

[Centrals]

he has already been to Coron

Silly me!
Then it shall be Malapascua, Camotes and then flight from Cebu to Clark for Subic Bay.

Alternatively, Malapascua, Southern Leyte and then Camotes or Camotes and then Leyte. Planning the route would be tedious but possible.
1. There is a ferry from Maya to somewhere in Leyte and then onwards to Sogod Bay.
2. There is a ferry connecting Ormoc(Leyte) to Camotes . BTW, Camotes is the collective name for the four tiny islands not too far from Ormoc. No idea where this ferry will dock but Mangodlong is the place where the dive shop is.

 

[Nill Space]

Thank you, Centrals!

Still need some clarification.

1. Camotes - wreck on 60m? We are not tech How many different good dives there? How many days? What's interesting on that wall?
2. Leyte - if you forget for a sec about whale sharks - what's left? It's kinda far in the corner - so should be really worth it for the trouble to get there. Again, how many different good dives there? How many days?
3. Subic bay - how is it comparing to Coron? Many dives/days?
What about water ecology of the bay? All the rivers outpouring (and we all know that rivers in Asia are like sewers). We hate diving in a "septic tank" (Sabang port, "muck" area near shore for example)

Moalboal - not worth it?
Mactan?

 

[Centrals]

1. Camotes: The wreck is probably too deep for recreational diving! The Tulang Wall is beautiful. Two days of diving is enough.
2. Leyte: The whaleshark is the added bonus while there are several good sites to keep you occupy for several days eg. Limasawa Island, the night dive at the jetty, the sanctury. The problem is getting there as you had mentioned.
3. Subic Bay: The vis should not be too bad in Feb/Mar. LST and El Capitan are always better because they are farther away from the estuary. Can't compare with Coron though.
4. Moalboal: The sardines had gone and so is the wow factor. Three days is the absolute limit for me.
5. Mactan: They are OK if you have time to kill. If it is good you should hear more about it.
6. General Santos: An hr away by plane. The site(Tinoto wall) below South Point Divers is a must so are other off-shore reefs.

 

[Nill Space]

Subic Bay - You "Can't compare with Coron" beacause it's different class/level or...?
Also, maybe i was not clear about it -i was NOT talking about the vis.
Is it like garbage bin there (underwater)?

Getting to Layte from Malapascua (without stopping at Camotes) - what do you know about ferry from Bogo to Palompon?
Doable? Tickets on arrival to the port? Any idea of the price\crossing time?

General Santos and Mindanao in general - aren't they kinda dangerous for traveling atm?

Thanks for your continuous effort!

 

[frank707]

Boat connection between Malapascua and Santa Fe (Bantayan Island) and San Isidro (Leyte) think this helps