bibeldyboo
Registered
Hi All,
This is yet another, where should I dive in the Philippines post.
I'm heading in from the USA, and will be landing in Manila on the morning of March 18th. I'm leaving as quickly as I came, evening of March 23. I'm trying to figure out where exactly to go. For me, this is a once in a lifetime trip (hopefully it won't just be once, but it certainly feels that way). I'll be traveling solo. Cost isn't a huge issue, but the better on the wallet the better. The last place I dove was in Belize, and I thought Lighthouse Reef was awesome. My fondest experiences was the Lizard Island and the Yongala wreck in Australia. This is my only my second time in the Pacific and I'm really excited. I don't mind traveling a bit, and have already realized that the 18th and 23rd are lost days, but want to be able to do lots of dives on the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd. I tend to like off the beaten path places as well. I also wouldn't mind a nice beach and / or good food (good doesn't mean fancy).
What I enjoy:
Tied for 1st: Healthy reefs and extensive coral coverage
Tied for 1st: Small creatures w/great biodiversity; including nudibrach, octopus, shrimp / crabs, seahorses
3rd: Shark encounters, especially whale sharks
4th: Large schools of fish
5th: wreck diving
I'm pretty torn right now about where to go. I've never done muck diving, but it sounds awesome. I'm afraid that if I do muck diving, I'll miss out on the healthy corals / reefs I also love. I'm torn about where to go.
1. Anilao
Pros: convenient, awesome muck diving / biodiversity, can be paired with Puerto Galera
Cons: not much coral (or is there), $$$, single divers pay a lot more
2. Apo Island
Pros: Awesome coral coverage and health, doesn't seem to be an issue as a single diver
Cons: Not much in the way of Biodiversity when it comes to tiny creatures, most difficult to get to, bad flight timing
3. Sogod Bay
Pros: Good coral coverage and health, some macro creatures / biodiversity, chances to see whale sharks, good flight timing, doesn't seem to be an issue as a single diver
Cons: Coral not as good as Apo, macro not as good as Anilao, 3 hour ride from airport
The above are not ranked in any order. I'm also open to other suggestions as well, I'm still learning about all the different areas out there.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Really looking forward to my trip!!!!
This is yet another, where should I dive in the Philippines post.
I'm heading in from the USA, and will be landing in Manila on the morning of March 18th. I'm leaving as quickly as I came, evening of March 23. I'm trying to figure out where exactly to go. For me, this is a once in a lifetime trip (hopefully it won't just be once, but it certainly feels that way). I'll be traveling solo. Cost isn't a huge issue, but the better on the wallet the better. The last place I dove was in Belize, and I thought Lighthouse Reef was awesome. My fondest experiences was the Lizard Island and the Yongala wreck in Australia. This is my only my second time in the Pacific and I'm really excited. I don't mind traveling a bit, and have already realized that the 18th and 23rd are lost days, but want to be able to do lots of dives on the 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd. I tend to like off the beaten path places as well. I also wouldn't mind a nice beach and / or good food (good doesn't mean fancy).
What I enjoy:
Tied for 1st: Healthy reefs and extensive coral coverage
Tied for 1st: Small creatures w/great biodiversity; including nudibrach, octopus, shrimp / crabs, seahorses
3rd: Shark encounters, especially whale sharks
4th: Large schools of fish
5th: wreck diving
I'm pretty torn right now about where to go. I've never done muck diving, but it sounds awesome. I'm afraid that if I do muck diving, I'll miss out on the healthy corals / reefs I also love. I'm torn about where to go.
1. Anilao
Pros: convenient, awesome muck diving / biodiversity, can be paired with Puerto Galera
Cons: not much coral (or is there), $$$, single divers pay a lot more
2. Apo Island
Pros: Awesome coral coverage and health, doesn't seem to be an issue as a single diver
Cons: Not much in the way of Biodiversity when it comes to tiny creatures, most difficult to get to, bad flight timing
3. Sogod Bay
Pros: Good coral coverage and health, some macro creatures / biodiversity, chances to see whale sharks, good flight timing, doesn't seem to be an issue as a single diver
Cons: Coral not as good as Apo, macro not as good as Anilao, 3 hour ride from airport
The above are not ranked in any order. I'm also open to other suggestions as well, I'm still learning about all the different areas out there.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Really looking forward to my trip!!!!