In September I'm going to a wedding in China, so after doing some sightseeing and traveling around I've been looking for a good beach/dive destination. I've ruled out China as the scene, as well as the sea life looks to be dead. So having spent 2 weeks around the Cebu area before (Maolboal, Alona Beach & Cabilao) I thought a week in the Philippines would be a good option.
The easiest option at first looked to be Boracay, but having read about the diving there I'm looking for elsewhere.
We'd like to stick to one place really, with some night life for a few beers and good diving, ideally with good travel links back to Manila so getting there and away is easy.
As for the diving, we have both done ~40-50 dives and are Padi AOW divers having mainly dived in Thailand at Koh Tao, Phangan, Pee Pee & Lanta,but also in Australia & New Zealand.
We haven't yet seen Whale Sharks but this isn't essential, it would be nice to see Turtles and the odd Shark though. Manta Rays would great to see also but realise this would probably have to be on another trip.
Having searched the forum the options I've found and the reasons I'm discounting for now are:
Boracay - Spoiled
Malapascua - Quiet and quite out of the way
Sogod - Very out of the way
Cebu area - have been here before would like to see somewhere else ideally but isn't essential
Palawan - Not that interested in wreck diving.
Apo area - Nowhere stood out as an option
So any other ideas or advice would be great, thanks in advance.
The easiest option at first looked to be Boracay, but having read about the diving there I'm looking for elsewhere.
We'd like to stick to one place really, with some night life for a few beers and good diving, ideally with good travel links back to Manila so getting there and away is easy.
As for the diving, we have both done ~40-50 dives and are Padi AOW divers having mainly dived in Thailand at Koh Tao, Phangan, Pee Pee & Lanta,but also in Australia & New Zealand.
We haven't yet seen Whale Sharks but this isn't essential, it would be nice to see Turtles and the odd Shark though. Manta Rays would great to see also but realise this would probably have to be on another trip.
Having searched the forum the options I've found and the reasons I'm discounting for now are:
Boracay - Spoiled
Malapascua - Quiet and quite out of the way
Sogod - Very out of the way
Cebu area - have been here before would like to see somewhere else ideally but isn't essential
Palawan - Not that interested in wreck diving.
Apo area - Nowhere stood out as an option
So any other ideas or advice would be great, thanks in advance.