Hi All, I have a 3 days leave in end Feb 2013. I have already got a ticket to Manila. I will touch down in the early afternoon. I am contemplating between Bais and Apo Reef. I am not a diver but I can snorkel. I always wanted to see many dolphins surrounding boats and I read this may happen in Bais. However, I have read in this website the best time to see dolphins is between March and October. So may I know what are my chances to see many dolphins in Bais in Feb? I have been to Panglao to see dolphins in a distance but I prefer it to be nearer. Thanks.
February is certainly not the best time for dolphins, also the Tanon straight at that time can pretty rough. I assume you talk about Apo Island. Apo Reef is Mindoro Occidental
Hi Rhoody, Thanks for the speedy response. I am really referring to Apo Reef in Mindoro. Say that I give up Apo Reef too, will the weather in Apo Island be good for snorkeling? Thanks.
check out Dauin For snorkeling you don't have to go far or even to Apo Island or Apo Reef in Mindoro. Check out Dauin marine sanctuary... they have good snorkeling sites and provide equipment to. For Dolphin watching in February there are few breaks in the weather and if you go out early in the morning you could be lucky. The winds pick up later in the afternoon so yes it is still possible to experience the dolphins provided you be at the docks by 7 or 8 am, the dolphin site is barely half an hour away and if your lucky you can spot them less than 20 minutes from leaving the docks. Also the chance of seeing whales is in the months of the Amihan and February is right for that. Except the info on this site is kinda out dated me thinks. Cause the prices are not current anymore.
Dolphin watching in february is not good, and if you have only 3 days it is a gamble. don't waste your short vacation on gambling. Dauin's corals are silt-covered and not much colours. still amazing colourful fish but a far cry from what it was a year ago. big damage done. will need a few years to get back where is was. Pandan Island-Apo Reef kicks butt. Great beaches and healthy corals, marine life and no plastic-bag fish. February, surely Apo Reef
Thanks for all the advice. As my flight land at 1400hrs, I will not be able to catch even the last flight out to Dumaguete. O-| Guess I have to settle for somewhere else. Thanks again for everyone's advice. Appreciate it.
Yes Maryfee I agree with you it is sad to see the corrals covered with silt and broken it is about 40 % as it was a year ago. Greetings J.Diver