Dear diverse,
Two weeks ago (April 22-30) I returned from my diving vacations in Philippine and I would like to share my impression about it, may be it will be interesting and useful for some of you. The mane goals for this diving expedition ware to see Whale-Sharks and to upgrade my diving license to Advanced Open Water Diver.
1. The best place in the world to see Whale-Sharks is Donsol (Philippine), and the season is from February to May. You may fly from Manila to Legaspi (Legazpi), it takes about 50 min and than by taxi 1-1.5 hour to Woodland Resort (1km from Dolsol, everybody know this place).
2. Woodland Resort is only one hotel in Donsol, there are several other accommodations but there are quite basic. Woodland Resort has bungalow type blocks, the rooms are good, with toilet and shower (about 12 rooms with out air-condition for 18 UDS and about 12 family type with air-condition for about 30 UDS). There is a restaurant where you can by boatel-water and beer and food too. The beach in front of the resort is not very attractive but okay. In general, Woodland Resort is a good place to stay, but local cocks will wake you up at 3 AM.
3. The dive center Prosafary is located directly in Woodland Resort (www.prosafary.com) and it is only one dive shop in Donsol. These peoples are amazing! You may contact them in advance and they will arrange everything including taxi from Legaspi airport, diving, accommodation in Woodland and Whale-Shark interaction!!! This dive-shop runs by Thomas (German), instructors Jutta (German) and Gustav (Norwegian) and dive-master Omar (Philippines). Jutta was my instructor for Advanced Open Water upgrade and she is a really grate and relatable teacher. Omar is a best local diver and Whale-Shark spotter. All teem is extremely professional, disciplined and friendly. The diving boat is a traditional Philippine vessel; it is big, with sun protection roof, compressor and very well adapted for diving. It was very enjoyable to dive with these peoples!!!!
4. Whale-Sharks are grate!!!!!!!!!! It is a really big fish!!! In Donsol they are about 7-11m (max size for whale-shark is 15-18m). You may see 10-15 sharks in an hour (normal session is about 3-4 hours). But due plankton (that why they are in Donsol) water visibility is only 2-3m, so that you cant see all fish. They are moving very fast and it is difficult to swim side-by-side (scuba diving is not aloud only snorkeling). Whale-Shark Interaction Area is just 200-1500m from Woodland Resort.
5. Diving was conducted in different areas. One interesting place is Manta Point (25m depth, 20m visibility). It is a sunken island in Ticao Pass. You may see Mantas in this location with 50:50 chance, I was lucky to see it! Also, in this area I saw Mantas jumping from water!! The other place is San Miguel Island (15-25m depth, 20-25m visibility). It is a grate place to see soft corals. I never believed that soft corals can be so beautiful and interesting; it is really National Geographic side!!! Also, you may see many see-snakes (1-4 in one dive) and sometimes cuttlefish. It is very sad to note, that there are not so many tropical-coral fish due dynamite fishing!!!!
In conclusion, I would like to recommend all of you to go to Donsol, dive with excellent Prosafary dive-teem and see Mantas and Whale-Sharks! I will remember this diving vacation for very long time!!!!!!
With best wishes!!
Happy diving!!!
Two weeks ago (April 22-30) I returned from my diving vacations in Philippine and I would like to share my impression about it, may be it will be interesting and useful for some of you. The mane goals for this diving expedition ware to see Whale-Sharks and to upgrade my diving license to Advanced Open Water Diver.
1. The best place in the world to see Whale-Sharks is Donsol (Philippine), and the season is from February to May. You may fly from Manila to Legaspi (Legazpi), it takes about 50 min and than by taxi 1-1.5 hour to Woodland Resort (1km from Dolsol, everybody know this place).
2. Woodland Resort is only one hotel in Donsol, there are several other accommodations but there are quite basic. Woodland Resort has bungalow type blocks, the rooms are good, with toilet and shower (about 12 rooms with out air-condition for 18 UDS and about 12 family type with air-condition for about 30 UDS). There is a restaurant where you can by boatel-water and beer and food too. The beach in front of the resort is not very attractive but okay. In general, Woodland Resort is a good place to stay, but local cocks will wake you up at 3 AM.
3. The dive center Prosafary is located directly in Woodland Resort (www.prosafary.com) and it is only one dive shop in Donsol. These peoples are amazing! You may contact them in advance and they will arrange everything including taxi from Legaspi airport, diving, accommodation in Woodland and Whale-Shark interaction!!! This dive-shop runs by Thomas (German), instructors Jutta (German) and Gustav (Norwegian) and dive-master Omar (Philippines). Jutta was my instructor for Advanced Open Water upgrade and she is a really grate and relatable teacher. Omar is a best local diver and Whale-Shark spotter. All teem is extremely professional, disciplined and friendly. The diving boat is a traditional Philippine vessel; it is big, with sun protection roof, compressor and very well adapted for diving. It was very enjoyable to dive with these peoples!!!!
4. Whale-Sharks are grate!!!!!!!!!! It is a really big fish!!! In Donsol they are about 7-11m (max size for whale-shark is 15-18m). You may see 10-15 sharks in an hour (normal session is about 3-4 hours). But due plankton (that why they are in Donsol) water visibility is only 2-3m, so that you cant see all fish. They are moving very fast and it is difficult to swim side-by-side (scuba diving is not aloud only snorkeling). Whale-Shark Interaction Area is just 200-1500m from Woodland Resort.
5. Diving was conducted in different areas. One interesting place is Manta Point (25m depth, 20m visibility). It is a sunken island in Ticao Pass. You may see Mantas in this location with 50:50 chance, I was lucky to see it! Also, in this area I saw Mantas jumping from water!! The other place is San Miguel Island (15-25m depth, 20-25m visibility). It is a grate place to see soft corals. I never believed that soft corals can be so beautiful and interesting; it is really National Geographic side!!! Also, you may see many see-snakes (1-4 in one dive) and sometimes cuttlefish. It is very sad to note, that there are not so many tropical-coral fish due dynamite fishing!!!!
In conclusion, I would like to recommend all of you to go to Donsol, dive with excellent Prosafary dive-teem and see Mantas and Whale-Sharks! I will remember this diving vacation for very long time!!!!!!
With best wishes!!
Happy diving!!!