Going to Philippines - which standard?

neuro · Oct 16, 2008

Hello.

I'm flying to Philippines for the first time on Nov 8th. First to HKG, then after a few days to the islands. I'm planning to take my diving gear with myself (BP/W, regs, ABC).
Then I have a few questions:
1. Will 3mm short wetsuit be enough for dives in November? (It was fine the same time of year in Malaysia last year)
2. What about the tank walves in dive centers - is DIN popular, or do they have DIN-YOKE converters? Or.. what?

3. I read quite many threads about preferred dive locations in Philippines. Still, my wife is non-diver and she WON'T do the course during holidays (planned, but later).
What places would you recommend for 12-14 days stay so she won't get bored? I saw fine places on members' pics like the Enchanted River, Chocolate Hills, some place with pygmy giraffes. We'd definitely like to see sth more besides underwater life.
I fancy wreck diving as well as bigger sea creatures - any recommendations on where to go, stay and dive are welcome!

Thank you, best regards,
Piotr

jigo · Oct 16, 2008

1. 3mm shorty should be ok in november. water wont be too cold yet unless you're a warm water wuss like many of us here.
2. DIN not very popular here. some shops may have converters but would be best if you bring your own just in case.
3. you should dive coron for the many wrecks there. not much topside activity there though except one day tour on Calauit where there are giraffes, zebras and other african grazers. not sure about a pygmy giraffe though. 12-14 days may be too long for coron. i suggest you split your trip between two places. bohol would be nice. no wrecks but great dives plus lots of topside activities to choose from.
hope this helps. too bad your wife wont consider getting certified. plenty of time for her to do that if you decide to go to coron.

h2odragon1 · Oct 16, 2008

Diving for you and for your wife;
Bohol- Chocolate Hills, Loboc river cruise, Tarsiers, Blood Compact Site, more...
Puerto Galera- visit the Interior for the Magaya, (a tribe that lives the traditional way)
Annilao- she can visit Tagatay and the volcano, or the casino
Boracay- Golfing at the Fairways Bluewater or she can go to one or more of the spa's
She can stay busy at most of the resorts. She also runs the risk of having as good a time as you.

WARNING: DIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES IS THE MOST ADDICTIVE FORM OF DIVING

Babydamulag · Oct 16, 2008

Most shops use both valves (same valve with the insert or not) for DIN and Yoke users. We prefer DIN. A 3mm shorty is my preferred wetsuit always. If your wife is a non-diver you need to do two things.....FIRST: Get her to an instructor so she can get certified and SECOND: Non-divers must have fun or they will ruin the divers fun! Taking her to Puerto Galera is NOT a good idea. It is dive oriented. You need to take her to Boracay or Cebu. You simply will have a terrible time if you do not entertain the NON-DIVING family members.
Trust me on this.....I've seen it a million times. GOOD LUCK DUDE!

neuro · Oct 17, 2008

Thanks a lot! Coron is the place we are goin to begin with - it looks very promising. Are there any nice beaches around? My wife is more than happy having a nice sandy beach for suntanning and piece of not too deep water, at least for some time

I understand that Calauit is easily accessible from Coron for a day trip?
Bohol seems like another destination for the rest of our holidays. Still after reading about Donsol I thought I could give it a try - what are the chances of seeing whale shark next month there?
Do all those 3 locations seem reasonable for 13-14 days vacation? Or should I split it to 2 places max?

Thank you, cheers!
Piotr

Live_in_Sin · Oct 17, 2008

jigo:
1. 3mm shorty should be ok in november. water wont be too cold yet unless you're a warm water wuss like many of us here.

3mm shorty!!?????? Are you nuts? or covered with layers of fat???????

Zeeman · Oct 17, 2008

Live_in_Sin:
3mm shorty!!?????? Are you nuts? or covered with layers of fat???????

A rash shirt and board shorts are always plenty for me, on all but the night dives (and then only for the return boat trip)

HomelessDiver · Oct 17, 2008

Live_in_Sin:
3mm shorty!!?????? Are you nuts? or covered with layers of fat???????

I will admit seeing several people here that said they were cold in the drink, but to be fair - they were all very skinny. Rash guard & board shorts are all I've used. In the last 1.5 year, we've seen 27c lowest temp (aside from typhoons). Right now we avg 28 to 30, easily warm--- but then again, its up to your own comfort levels and rate of temp reduction.

just my 2cents...... ok, half a cents worth

Babydamulag · Oct 17, 2008

Hey! I resemble that remark!
Most divers in the PI dive with minimal outer wear.......up to you.

Live_in_Sin:
3mm shorty!!?????? Are you nuts? or covered with layers of fat???????

jbb · Oct 19, 2008

Babydamulag:
Hey! I resemble that remark!
Most divers in the PI dive with minimal outer wear.......up to you.

O.k. to give the other side of the spectrum - I'm 6ft and 200lbs and I bought a 5/4mm Bare which is now about a 4/3-2mm after the number of dives I've done in it. I get cold occationally so I bring my cold water hood (just because I have it anyway for diving near Seattle) as much for thermal as sun protection (check the signature "kalbo" - bald). I usually dive 3-4 times a day for a week and at about the 3 day mark my core temp has dropped and I need the thicker wet suit and sometimes the hood, now that the suits been compressed, to keep from getting cold.

So you need to know your body makeup (muscle to fat) and metabolic rate and how your body reacts to cold water immersion.

Going to Philippines - which standard?

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