Hi,
I have my first trip to the Philippines next March for two weeks and am tearing my hair out slightly over where to dive. So spoiled for choice - not a bad dilemma to have, lol!
I’m AOW with approx. 150 dives and will be travelling solo on a pretty tight budget. Generally speaking, I love a mix of big stuff, pretty reefs and critters. Love wrecks, too, but unless the vessels are spectacular, more for the marine life than the history.
I also love very laid-back, quiet places which aren’t commercialised but still give you the chance to mix with the locals. Not into the party scene at all.
Please can anyone suggest an itinerary or must-see places? I thought, due to travelling times, I’d be best limiting myself to two places or, at the most, three.
My thoughts so far are:-
* Malapascua looks wonderful. Thresher sharks, small stuff, island visits and relaxed, convivial place;
* Tubbataha sounds amazing and absolutely up my street, but unless anyone can suggest a truly budget liveaboard I think sadly it’s going to be out of my reach this time;
- Coron - how is the fish life on the wrecks? I’ve read it isn’t great. But there’d be an opportunity to do a short budget liveaboard to Apo Reef. Also diving with dugongs? And the topside scenery and activities look marvellous. How busy is the town, though? Would I be better off on Coron Island?
- Donsol/Ticao Island. Sounds beautiful and remote with opportunities for whale sharks (which I’ve never seen) and mantas, but the other side of the coin is that it sounds as though it might be a bugger to get to in my limited time;
- Southern Leyte. Sounds quiet and laidback with varied diving and the chance of seeing whale sharks in an environment I think I’d very much favour over Donsol or Orlob. Also easier to combine with Malapascua than some of the other places I’ve mentioned?
i really am overwhelmed at the moment - would be extremely grateful for any other suggestions or thoughts on the above. Thank you in advance!
I have my first trip to the Philippines next March for two weeks and am tearing my hair out slightly over where to dive. So spoiled for choice - not a bad dilemma to have, lol!
I’m AOW with approx. 150 dives and will be travelling solo on a pretty tight budget. Generally speaking, I love a mix of big stuff, pretty reefs and critters. Love wrecks, too, but unless the vessels are spectacular, more for the marine life than the history.
I also love very laid-back, quiet places which aren’t commercialised but still give you the chance to mix with the locals. Not into the party scene at all.
Please can anyone suggest an itinerary or must-see places? I thought, due to travelling times, I’d be best limiting myself to two places or, at the most, three.
My thoughts so far are:-
* Malapascua looks wonderful. Thresher sharks, small stuff, island visits and relaxed, convivial place;
* Tubbataha sounds amazing and absolutely up my street, but unless anyone can suggest a truly budget liveaboard I think sadly it’s going to be out of my reach this time;
- Coron - how is the fish life on the wrecks? I’ve read it isn’t great. But there’d be an opportunity to do a short budget liveaboard to Apo Reef. Also diving with dugongs? And the topside scenery and activities look marvellous. How busy is the town, though? Would I be better off on Coron Island?
- Donsol/Ticao Island. Sounds beautiful and remote with opportunities for whale sharks (which I’ve never seen) and mantas, but the other side of the coin is that it sounds as though it might be a bugger to get to in my limited time;
- Southern Leyte. Sounds quiet and laidback with varied diving and the chance of seeing whale sharks in an environment I think I’d very much favour over Donsol or Orlob. Also easier to combine with Malapascua than some of the other places I’ve mentioned?
i really am overwhelmed at the moment - would be extremely grateful for any other suggestions or thoughts on the above. Thank you in advance!