Any recommendations for Dive resorts in Bohol?

[greenturtle]

Hi,

We're planning a trip to Bohol, Philippines. Any recommendations for resorts with reasonable rates? (incl pickup from Cebu airport)

What dive sites would be recommended? We hope to see Hammerheads

Thanks for any advice.

Cheers,
Greenturtle

[The Publisher]

GT,

Bohol is a TOTAL blast! You must go see the tarsiers at the Bohol Tarsier Sanctuary, which is the official one. I think the donation is like less than half a dollar for the entrance.

The caves in Danao, in the North of Bohol are an all day sort of thing, bring sandals, a change of clothes though, you WILL get wet and a little dirty.

The Loboc River tour/cruise that serves lunch or dinner is definitely worth it too. If you can select a resort, then do your own tour thing or do it through the resort.


Alona Kew White Beach Resort

Alona Palm Beach Resort

Amarela Resort

Amorita Resort

Ananyana Resort

Blue Sky Sea Resort -budget and quiet

Bohol Beach Club

Bohol Fun Divers

Bohol Tropics Resort Club

Crystal Coast Resort

Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa- REAL upscale!

Olman's View Resort

Panglao Island Nature Resort

[greenturtle]

Thanks! Will check out the resorts mentioned.

[h2odragon1]

http://www.cherryshome.com/rooms.html
http://www.isisbungalows.com/en/index.html
http://www.flowergarden-resort.com/M...me_english.htm
More options for you.

[Peteguam]

Boy am I glad you asked this question. We've just scheduled a video trip there in early June and "first person" comments are really appreciated.

Hows the diving compared to Dumaguete, Puerto Galera?

Anyone have any experience with Seaquest Dive Center there?

[The Publisher]

Pete,

We just got back from Dumaguete. Although I saw more odd critters in Dumaguete for videotaping, the diving itself is better in the Panglao region.

In fairness to Duma, a typhoon had been in the area 2 weeks prior, but there just wasn't as much coral there compared to Alona Beach (Panglao).

Apo Island is awesome diving though, 20 minutes away from the shores, but the waters were clearer for me on Balicasag Island, 20 minutes away from Panglao Island in Bohol.

Alona beach seem to be one big wall, shallow out for quite a ways, then dropping down to 70-90 feet to the bottom. At the bottom there are all sorts of bizarre things, like crabs that remove and grow polyps on themselves, colonial salps at night, carrier crabs that rip off pieces of sea fan and hold them over their bodies like roman gladiator shields, etc.

[greenturtle]

http://www.cherryshome.com/rooms.html
http://www.isisbungalows.com/en/index.html
http://www.flowergarden-resort.com/M...me_english.htm
More options for you.

Thanks. We're thinking of diving with Prosafari
http://www.prosafaricenter.com/

and staying at

Alona Tropical Resort
http://www.alona-tropical.com/

Anyone dived or stayed at the resort before? Any comments?

Thanks!

[Peteguam]

Pete,

We just got back from Dumaguete. Although I saw more odd critters in Dumaguete for videotaping, the diving itself is better in the Panglao region.

In fairness to Duma, a typhoon had been in the area 2 weeks prior, but there just wasn't as much coral there compared to Alona Beach (Panglao).
.

Dave- I think I ran into the same thing at Duma right after a massive 3 day monsoon rain in Feb. Thanks for the info on Bohol. I've gotten to trust the comments of those that have been to a location and have traveled extensively rather than the usual hype on websites, etc.

Theres not very much around on Bohol and the dive travel business that I'm associated with is trying to develop tours to the PI. That's the reason for the tv series. Pete

[greenturtle]

Just got back 12May. The Alona House reef was good, saw some pretty decorative spider crabs (these have legs like kebab!)

Enjoyed Balicasag Island most - schools of Jacks that does the "tornado" as well as swimming in "S" formation up and down. Before you know it, you swim into another school of Jacks. There were barracudas and turtles too.

Cabilao Island was a bit disappointing, corals were pretty but was hoping to see more marine life. I dived with ProSafari, very flexible and professional.

http://www.prosafaricenter.com/

Will be posting some photos soon

[The Publisher]

Balicasag island diving rocks! I captured lots of HD footage of those tiny spider crabs too. did you see the little light pink colored crabs in the red gorgonians that have polyps growing on them to match the gorgonians?

Looking forward to the photos!

Greenturtle, Pro Safari is a member here. I have been in their retail dive shop in the nice mall in Tagbilaran. Nice retain dive shop. Let us know how you liked Alona Tropical.

Between Alona region, the local islands, the shoals, there is at least a weeks worth of diving. At Alona beach, I had a HUGE black frogfish in 7 meters of water think I was the COOLEST rock to perch on, so he or she swam right over to me while I was kneeling on the sand bottom, and it wiggled along the bottom, pointed upwards, and swam right onto my chest and just sat there.

There is at least 5 days worth of really interesting things to do on Bohol not dive related too.