markb
Registered
Hi all
Just booked my flight to Manila and am looking for some top diving in PI.
I've done 2 previous trips which were -
1. Coron, wrecks - great fun diving all of them. Not Truuk so they say but not expensive + had a good time in Coron Town (Seadive was great value). Then on to Apo Island. 3/4 dives a day/night A1, Cogun and Coconut the picks. V quiet at night though but with mates that time so ok. (Solo trip this time). On to Alona Beach, stayed at Peter's. Reefs ok but no trips to Balicasag. Nightlife not too busy but had a good time.
My Ratings
Diving: Coron 8/10 Apo 8/10 Alona 6/10
Other: Coron 8/10 Apo 4/10 Alona 7/10
2. Malapascua - dived with Evolution who were just setting up so only me diving most days - can recommend them I would dive with them again if I returned to do tech diving. No fish there on the local dives - had been warned about this on boat over by a young DM working on the island. Dona Marilyn/ Gato Island very good though + did a trip out an island that was 2 wall dives (can't remember the name) very nice, lots of life on healthy reef walls.
Then down to Moalboal. Quiet place but nice enough for a few days. First dive at Pescator Island with the sardines - fantastic! Other dives ok, vis not great but saw a few turtles, frogfish etc.
My Ratings
Diving: Malapascua 7/10 Moalboal 6/10 (sardines 10/10 - but don't think they are there now).
Other: Mal 4/10 Moal 6/10
So I've read the guides over and over and looked at this same question been asked over and over on here (bearing in mind that I'm looking for some nightlife - but not party central) and I'm thinking . . . Biri Island + Sipalay. Surigao is being promoted by a poster on here as well but the guides seem to rate this as a dusty old town?
What I like most - big schools of fish + wrecks. Small stuff ok but not top of the list.
If anyone can give me some advice I would love to hear it! In particular I would like to know how Biri Island rates (Samar not really covered in many guides) and if the waters off Sipilay really are full of schools of tuna etc.
I did think about Dumaguete as it seems a great city to visit but the best diving in that area is Apo island and I didn't want to go to places I've already seen.
Thought about Sogod but wrong time of year for the Whale Sharks + too quiet I think.
Thanks in advance!
Mark
Just booked my flight to Manila and am looking for some top diving in PI.
I've done 2 previous trips which were -
1. Coron, wrecks - great fun diving all of them. Not Truuk so they say but not expensive + had a good time in Coron Town (Seadive was great value). Then on to Apo Island. 3/4 dives a day/night A1, Cogun and Coconut the picks. V quiet at night though but with mates that time so ok. (Solo trip this time). On to Alona Beach, stayed at Peter's. Reefs ok but no trips to Balicasag. Nightlife not too busy but had a good time.
My Ratings
Diving: Coron 8/10 Apo 8/10 Alona 6/10
Other: Coron 8/10 Apo 4/10 Alona 7/10
2. Malapascua - dived with Evolution who were just setting up so only me diving most days - can recommend them I would dive with them again if I returned to do tech diving. No fish there on the local dives - had been warned about this on boat over by a young DM working on the island. Dona Marilyn/ Gato Island very good though + did a trip out an island that was 2 wall dives (can't remember the name) very nice, lots of life on healthy reef walls.
Then down to Moalboal. Quiet place but nice enough for a few days. First dive at Pescator Island with the sardines - fantastic! Other dives ok, vis not great but saw a few turtles, frogfish etc.
My Ratings
Diving: Malapascua 7/10 Moalboal 6/10 (sardines 10/10 - but don't think they are there now).
Other: Mal 4/10 Moal 6/10
So I've read the guides over and over and looked at this same question been asked over and over on here (bearing in mind that I'm looking for some nightlife - but not party central) and I'm thinking . . . Biri Island + Sipalay. Surigao is being promoted by a poster on here as well but the guides seem to rate this as a dusty old town?
What I like most - big schools of fish + wrecks. Small stuff ok but not top of the list.
If anyone can give me some advice I would love to hear it! In particular I would like to know how Biri Island rates (Samar not really covered in many guides) and if the waters off Sipilay really are full of schools of tuna etc.
I did think about Dumaguete as it seems a great city to visit but the best diving in that area is Apo island and I didn't want to go to places I've already seen.
Thought about Sogod but wrong time of year for the Whale Sharks + too quiet I think.
Thanks in advance!
Mark