From: jeff@is.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp (Jeff McAffer)
Subject: Dive in the Philippines
Reply-To: jeff@is.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Organization: University of Tokyo, Good Times Department.
Distribution: rec
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 04:33:51 GMT


Damn, I just found this group after I got back from the Philippines.
I see there is a blurb in the archives re: the Philippines but just
though I would add my two cents.

We went to Cebu (about 1.25 hours south of Manila by air).  There are
many direct to Cebu flights from different places.  It was great. I
have not done alot of diving but I was assured by my 20 year veteran
friends that this was good.  We dove in two distinct locations, Mactan
Island (off Cebu) and Moal Boal.  Cebu itself is about 30 minutes from
the good diving places on Mactan.

In general the water was very clear, warm (we dove with no wetsuits at
all) and reasonably calm (just watch for tidal currents).  The
underwater geography seemed to consist mostly of islands (big and
small) which are essentially pillars in the ocean.  That is, a few
meters from the shore, there is a fairly deep veritcal drop.

Part of the time we stayed in the Coral Reef Resort on Mactan Island
(just off the coast of Cebu by bridge).  This is really resortish. 
(including the price.  about $100/night.  It was the best we could do
given that we decided to go to Cebu the day before) Very private and
quiet (unfortunately about 45 minutes from the Cebu nightlife).  The
bonus is that about 100m from the beach (not bad) there is a 160 ft. 
wall covered in coral, sponge, etc.  There was no lack of fish life
although nothing very large.  We consistently saw Lionfish and played
with Blowfish.  Lots of color and tropical lifeforms.

Now this was relaxed diving.  The hotel had ok equipment and they
carry everything back and forth to the beach and put it on you (if
desired) etc.  I tried to get them to carry me from my beach chair but
they thought I was joking :-) Dive, all equipment and guide was $28.
Dive at high slack tide if possible.  That way you just swim out from
the beach and there you avoid the currents associated with flowing
tides.

We went to Moal Boal by car next.  They tell you it is 2 hours but
believe 3 and refuse to go in anything that does not have air
conditioning if it is summer.  This was extremely uncomfortable (small
car, big people syndrome) It was well worth the trip.  The town was
very small, all palm huts (half of which were dive shops) and right on
the water.  We just went to the first shop we saw.  They were pretty
good if you got by the snobby Swiss people (not a generalization) who
were working there for the summer.  There were a number of equipment
failures before we set out so be careful and check things closely.
Get this, all equipment, air (of course), guide, and boat trip out and
back for $16!  ($10 if all you needed was a tank) We did not stay
there overnight but heard that you could get huts for $4/night.

There are a number of dive destinations in the area.  We went on only
one dive to Pescadore (sp?) Island.  Just a little island about 20
minutes by boat.  GREAT!!!  All sorts of random stuff.  There is a
small cave (or rather indentation) and lots of coral etc.  Again there
were not many big fish but lots of variety.  A fairly large octopus
was caught by a local (dinner).  The location is in surprisingly good
condition considering the traffic it must see.

I rented a camera and got some good shots.  The first time for UW
photography.  Be warned, the water is not as clear as it looks.
Especially when you flip the flash on.  Oh well, dive and learn.

We did have one bad experience with a dive outfit on Mactan Island.  I
don't remember the name but can find it if people are interested.  To
summarize, they wouldn't give us more than 1500 lbs of air and you had
to swim along way to get to the wall.  I think the place can be
typified by saying that they had only one kind of mask.  "What do you
mean the mask doesn't fit?  No one else has problems!"  Yeah, right.

Anyway, we also heard that Bohol, a largish island within sight of
Cebu, was pretty good but did not have time to get there.

Well, I could go on.  Anyone interested in more details can email me at
jeff@is.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Picked up a book on diving in Indonesia ("Underwater Indonesia" I
think).  Its great.  Has dive locations, info etc.

--
atode, |m         -- What happened to all my disk space?