ivorynightfall
Registered
Hi!
I've gotten fantastic advice on this board so would humbly ask again for your expertise.
I'm an OPW diver, got certified 3 years ago in Hawaii. Since then did Seaventures at Sipadan for 6D/5N and loved it; Mike Ball liveaboard for 5D/4N at Great Barrier Reef last year and had a fantastic time. I need my annual scuba diving fix again, and am thinking the Philippines. What and where do you recommend? I'm open to a dive resort, though I am prone to getting eaten alive by mosquitos and have actually not super high standards for accommodation (people have recommended Evolution and Liquid but I'm not sure how they compare to a liveaboard?). But I might prefer a liveaboard, so everything is all set and I don't have to do much thinking other than to just enjoy. I've been looking at MV Stella Maris, Thresher Shark Divers, Asia Divers and all look interesting but I'm wondering -
Which are the best sites to dive if I like to see sharks, sea turtles, big fish - etc.? I'm just usually terrible at spotting wildlife myself, so macro is hard for me. I've talked with friends who've been and the recommended Apo, Palawan, Malapascua but I'm not sure how to balance those especially given transit.
I'm not too bothered by having to take multiple transit options to get to a location if it is ultimately worth it. I only get like ~3 weeks to relax a year and want to make the most of it. I really do want friendly staff though, since I am not a super technical diver by any means and really want to relax and not have to deal with any drama.
I do like live aboards, could probably do max 8 days at this point and my budget (including all equipment rentals but probably can't include transit there from within Philippines) is probably around $2500 USD.
Earliest I can make it to Manila is June 4th, and that is probably quite difficult. I'd prefer to get there around June 10th and then do diving mid-June. Is diving in early June that much better than mid-June? What are the transition trips like versus the regular trips?
I'm considering getting Advanced certification since I did some night dives in Australia that I loved and want to continue. Should I do before / after / during - or at all?
Thanks so much for your advice in advance!
I've gotten fantastic advice on this board so would humbly ask again for your expertise.
I'm an OPW diver, got certified 3 years ago in Hawaii. Since then did Seaventures at Sipadan for 6D/5N and loved it; Mike Ball liveaboard for 5D/4N at Great Barrier Reef last year and had a fantastic time. I need my annual scuba diving fix again, and am thinking the Philippines. What and where do you recommend? I'm open to a dive resort, though I am prone to getting eaten alive by mosquitos and have actually not super high standards for accommodation (people have recommended Evolution and Liquid but I'm not sure how they compare to a liveaboard?). But I might prefer a liveaboard, so everything is all set and I don't have to do much thinking other than to just enjoy. I've been looking at MV Stella Maris, Thresher Shark Divers, Asia Divers and all look interesting but I'm wondering -
Which are the best sites to dive if I like to see sharks, sea turtles, big fish - etc.? I'm just usually terrible at spotting wildlife myself, so macro is hard for me. I've talked with friends who've been and the recommended Apo, Palawan, Malapascua but I'm not sure how to balance those especially given transit.
I'm not too bothered by having to take multiple transit options to get to a location if it is ultimately worth it. I only get like ~3 weeks to relax a year and want to make the most of it. I really do want friendly staff though, since I am not a super technical diver by any means and really want to relax and not have to deal with any drama.
I do like live aboards, could probably do max 8 days at this point and my budget (including all equipment rentals but probably can't include transit there from within Philippines) is probably around $2500 USD.
Earliest I can make it to Manila is June 4th, and that is probably quite difficult. I'd prefer to get there around June 10th and then do diving mid-June. Is diving in early June that much better than mid-June? What are the transition trips like versus the regular trips?
I'm considering getting Advanced certification since I did some night dives in Australia that I loved and want to continue. Should I do before / after / during - or at all?
Thanks so much for your advice in advance!
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