Where's good, late December-early January?

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nwflyboy

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Location
Seattle, WA, USA
Scouting around for a location for a week of diving late December 2019-early January 2020 and looking for suggestions.

We're experienced divers, from the USA but have done Indonesia and Thailand a few times each, have not visited the Philippines yet. We're spending time with family in Bangkok for Christmas (2019) and want to take a week after that to get in some nice diving somewhere around the region within a day's travel.

We're pretty spoiled from the land-based or live-aboards we've done across the region and elsewhere (it's a bad problem to have) and of course we're looking for healthy reefs, lots of critters, good viz, warm water, comfy accommodations, good food. Not interested in nightlife or major party scene. Quiet, out of the way places are fine - we're going there to dive and relax, not to get hammered and dance. We generally prefer "boutique" dive operators, with small groups of people in the water rather than crowds. We're not necessarily looking to quickly spend loads of money, but we don't shy away from paying for a bit of comfort and luxury.

So where is good in the Philippines at this time of year (last few days of December, first few days of January)? Open to either land based or liveaboards.

Thanks for suggestions!!!
 
Anilao is a good bet. Only three hours drive from Manila, nudibranch capital of the world, and some great reefs like sombrero island and ligpo island. Quiet area, zero nightlife. You can check out our resort if you are interested. www.blueribbondivers.com. Winds are now going the right way so water is flat like a pond next to us as we are protected by the peninsula
 
Southern Leyte.
Getting there is NOT that straight forward but compensate with good diving. Whaleshark season!
At that time of the year you really need to reserve the place as well as the domestic transfer pretty early. BTW, there are only a handful dive-operators/resorts in the area.
 
Southern Leyte.
Getting there is NOT that straight forward but compensate with good diving. Whaleshark season!
At that time of the year you really need to reserve the place as well as the domestic transfer pretty early. BTW, there are only a handful dive-operators/resorts in the area.

Thanks. Can you offer any suggestions for those operators/resorts? I'll get out the map and take a look at how to get there...
 
Anilao is a good bet. Only three hours drive from Manila, nudibranch capital of the world, and some great reefs like sombrero island and ligpo island. Quiet area, zero nightlife. You can check out our resort if you are interested. www.blueribbondivers.com. Winds are now going the right way so water is flat like a pond next to us as we are protected by the peninsula

Thanks, will investigate.
 
Thanks. Can you offer any suggestions for those operators/resorts? I'll get out the map and take a look at how to get there...
Peter.
Getting there:
1. Through Tacloban via Manila and then overland.
2. Through Cebu City but require a ferry ride and then a short transfer from Maasin or a lot longer from eg. Ormoc(more frequent ferry connection).
Th extra travelling time required has put off a lot of divers coming to Southern Leyte.

Another option is Malapascua which is famous for thresher shark.
Operator: Evolution.
But the tiny island should be packed to the rim with divers at that time of the year.
 
I'll second the vote for Anilao, Philippines.

Cheap flights from Bangkok to Manila.

Easy to get to, many boutique resorts, affordable, and really healthy reef systems and fish populations. If you like macro, you'll love the nudis, frog fish, and pygmy seahorses around the area.

Blue Ribbon is a good option, along with Casa Escondida, and Dive & Trek (great shore diving, great snorkeling, great food, but rooms are basic to say the least.) Those are the places I've personally been to, but there are many more options available.
 
Kindly consider a trip to Scandi divers resort in Big La Laguna, Puerto Galera. We have forty dive sites within 15 minutes of the resort, 40 rooms for every budget and some very nice international food choices. We have a nice white sand beach in front of the resort and a nice house reef which is great for snorkeling.

You are welcome to visit our website here wwwwww.scandidivers.com

You can check out some of the action from our dive sites here

For more details you are welcome to contact me directly at salesmanager@scandidivers.com
 
Oops, sorry @Scandi Divers, I forgot to add you to my list above.

While Scandi Divers is located in Puerto Galera, they are in a beautiful smaller cove shared by only a few properties, and is away from the party scene of Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera. They're easily accessible via Air Juan seaplane :thumb:, or a private boat from Berberabe, Batangas can be arranged. The staff there at Scandi Divers are very good and can set you up.

Puerto Galera also has the benefit of having multiple dive shops, just in case you forgot something, have a gear related issue, or just want to pick up a piece of gear.
 

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