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Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro will give you a 'liveaboard but on land' experience. 4 dives a day plus a night dive if you wish, dive sites between 2 and 10 minute boat ride from the shop.Will be visiting in April, and would like to know the best islands for land based dives, not interested in a liveabpardon. We are AOW, have about 50 dives under our belts (all in Roatan). Thanks in advance.
I love Moalboal, and I'm glad to hear the reef is recovering. I was there in the summer for the first time since Covid and I was shocked at the changes, but after a few days you can see where all the new growth is happening. Had a good discussion with Koz and Paul from Savedra about it.I walk with my gear for shore diving from my house almost everyday. I live in Moalboal. For most of the accessible coastline within a few kilometers it is less than 100 meters from the beach to the wall. The corals here are healthier than they've been in a long time and still getting better. Panglao is still better but either way you'd be riding a boat to the best diving sites. Siquijor and Camiguin are also decent for shore diving.
I would suggest Alona Beach. It's actually really nice just going right out in front of the strip of diveshops and having your surface interval at a restaurant there. Lots of options for accommodation in walking distance.
Moalboal did get hit very hard. It'll shock you for sure, especially at the sites right by shore.Apparently both Moalboal and Southern Leyte were hammered by Odette around 16th Dec 2021. And there have been many reports on the devastating damages sustained in both areas.
I have not been to both places for well over 10yrs. So I am returning to Sogod Bay in Feb and just bought another ticket to Cebu so I can visit Moalboal as well. I want to see it with my own eyes to find out the damages and the recovery.
How could I resist US$150.00 round trip ticket which also includes 20kg checked bag.
Malapascua was literally flattened by Yolanda 10 yrs ago. However, I went back few months later and the island was recovering pretty fast. Of course there were damages everywhere but life move on.Moalboal did get hit very hard. It'll shock you for sure, especially at the sites right by shore.
But if you look close, you'll see the growth. When you get deep it gets better. Pescador is still amazing (just not so much on the flat area on top). And the sardines came back.
My first dive back there this summer I was devastated. But after a few days I saw so many promising signs that I still left with a smile.