Newbie diver headed for Philippines??

[PinayDiver]

Hi Jontay,

You may want to check this map for your dive-destinations planning.

From Manila ALONE, without getting on another plane, there are already three possible areas:

Puerto Galera, as H20 mentioned (two hours road trip, one hour by boat)
http://www.atlantishotel.com/puertog...ettinghere.php

Anilao, Mabini (three-hour road trip)
http://www.aquareefclub.com/about.html

Subic (if you like WWII wrecks), a three-hour road trip as well
www.divebluerock.net/here.html

The links are potential point-people for your initial data-gathering but, really, once you get to the areas, you'll have your pick of places-to-stay and the local DM can group you with other divers anyway.

If you plan to get on a plane for the other islands, try to include Malapascua for the thresher sharks and mantas. I've got getting-there information in this story I once wrote for a travel magazine just for fun.

[h2odragon1]

Pinay Diver; If Jontay likes wreck diving, don't forget Coron. A diferent wreck each day for aweek is easy.
Jontay; Sorry if we're spending to much of your money, but diving in the Philippines is GREAT!!!
Puerto Galera is within your budget, and return-to-diving skills. Anilao is also great, but for more Intermediate divers, perhaps after PG. If you realy want to become addicted to Philippines, like I am, try the Visayas,(central region). My wife dove Dumagete 2005 and we are going to nearby Cebu in Feb. Water vis is great I hear, and there are more Pelagics.
I always give a WARNING; DIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES IS THE MOST ADDICTIVE FORM OF DIVING!!!
john aka dragon

[PinayDiver]

Sure, John, Coron diving is of course on the shortlist. My initial list was if Jontay never got off a plane from Manila for the other islands.

But since the Visayas has been mentioned (no pressure, Jontay, just info-sharing ), Sea Explorers offers island hopping so you can squeeze in more Visayan diving destinations (squeezes in Moalboal, Dauin-Dumaguete, Bohol) in one go.

Laaater, perhaps on a future trip, you could time it around mid-March when transition trips to Tubbataha also hit Apo Reef.

For now, for your needs/desires, because we don't want you paralyzed with indecision haha, go with Puerto Galera.

[Babydamulag]

PPD'ers are the most helpful folks in the world! Wow, you guys always surprise me. Why would anyone want to go anywhere other than the Philippnes?

[The Publisher]

BDMLG, Warren knew exactly who it it was when I said "the money tree grows" and send his regards in return.

[Babydamulag]

LMAO!!! I hope he told only truths about me!!! lol

BDMLG, Warren knew exactly who it it was when I said "the money tree grows" and send his regards in return.

[PinayDiver]

BDMLG, Warren knew exactly who it it was when I said "the money tree grows" and send his regards in return.

Hi D,
I'm guessing you continued to have poor viz during your PG stay. Our organizer just postponed our trip to PG this weekend. Tropical depression, he mumbled.