⌛ Siquijor from Moalboal?

Roundtrip in Visayas

Yes this is possible, but I can not really recommend it, since it would be a very long trip aboard the dive-boat. Also you might have to pay quite a high price, as it will be difficult to team up with other divers wanting to make the same day-trip. You will not get a dive operator to take 3 persons all the way from Negros to Pescador at anything near the normal dive prices.

Also there are other nice dive sites around Moal-Boal than just Pescador, so it`s definitly worth to spend at least 3 days there. What you might do instead, if you don´t have time to stay in 4 different places, is to skip Siquijor and do one or two daytrips to Siquijor from a dive resort on Negros. This is only about a 1 hour ride in each direction with a dive-boat.

Please do not miss out on Apo Island, if you want to dive in this region. If you decide to stay on Siquijor but not on Negros, then arrange one or two daytrips from Siquijor to Apo Island. This would also be about a one hour ride in each direction.

But again I would say, that staying in Negros is more interesting than staying at Siquijor for the non-divers of the group. At least if they are just somewhat active people, i.e. like some night-live, seightseeing etc. Siquijor is fine to visit also, but not at the cost of missing out on Negros.

I would make the round-trip like this:

* From Manila to Cebu with the first possible flight and then direcly on to Moal-Boal with a private vehicle, prearranged to pick you up in the airport. Since you are 7, this is not so exensive pr. head, and the resort in Moal-Boal can arrange this for you.

* After 4 nights / 3 days in Moal-Boal on to either Bato or Lilo-an with another private vehicle. From there on you take a public ferry to Negros and let yourself pick up by another private vehicle from the resort, you have booked at. Several of the resorts will do this for free.

* After 6-7 nights on Negros, on to Tagbilaran with fastferry and from there you take a taxi or van to Panglao Beach.

* OR, if you prefer, take only 4-5 nights on Negros and then on to Siquijor with fastferry for a 3-4 night stay, and then from there on to Panglao with fastferry via Dumaguete.

* After another 5-7 nights on Panglao on to Cebu with fastferry and then on to Manila.

* Staying the last two nights in Manila is a brilliant idea, as - if nothing else - this will garantie, that you make your international flight back home in time. Relying 100% on a domestic flight to not be late or cancelled is never a good idea.

The above plan would be appr. a 3 week trip all in all. If you have less than 3 weeks available for the entire trip, then I will suggest to leave out Moal-Boal and fly directly from Manila to Dumaguete, thus starting your vacation on a resort in Daiun or perhaps Zamboanguita.

If you have more than 3 weeks available for the entire trip, then you might choose to include one or two extra destinations in the roundtrip. This could be a 3 day/4 night stay in Malapascua to see the tresher sharks and a nice white beach, if you don`t mind appr. 5 hours transport from Cebu to get there and the same going back to Cebu again. This could be entered either as your first destination before going to Moal-Boal, or as the last before going back to Manila. It is pretty quiet for the non-divers at Malapascua, but they will enjoy the beach and there are one or two bars to hang out at in the evening as well.

Or you could visit the other side of Negros and stay and dive in Sipalay for 3 days/4 nights to see some wrecks and another nice white beach. This would require about 4 hours of transport in each direction and should naturally be entered after your stay in Dauin/Zamboanguita.

Or you could fly from Cebu to Camiguin with Seair, stay and dive there for 3 days/4 nights, then back to Cebu again. This should then be done as your last destination after returning to Cebu from the already outlined roundtrip. Or you could fly from Cebu to Boracay and spend 3 days/4 nights there on the way back to Manila. Or from Cebu to Palawan for a somewhat longer stay there, then on to Manila from Palawan.

Possibilities are many, depending on how much time and money you have to spend.

Best regards, Lars

 

Hello Lars

Thanks you a lot for info!

I selected Pescador because found information, that around this dive site we can meet whale sharks, manta ray etc. By now I read about Apo island and think that it will be good destination too.
So, I think we can forgot about Pescador while this trip and do all diving around Dumaguete and Siquijor

Of course staying in Dumaguete is best choice for us.
But Siquijor also one of our goals. We want to do a little trip on this island (just sightseeing) and visit healers (mananambal and mambabarang)
I think, 1-2 day will be enough for Siquijor?

Because we have only 2 week for our trip, I made following itinerary:
May, 1 Arrival to Manila 11:15, sightseeing
May, 2 Fly to Dumaguete (arr. 08:15 or 15:25)
May, 3 - May, 5 - diving, relaxing etc
May, 6 transfer (ferry) to Siquijor. Sightseeing, visit healers (not for surgery, just to see).
May, 7 transfer (ferry) to Tagbilaran via Dumaguete
May, 8 - May, 10 Bohol (chocolate hills, tarsiers, waterfalls, caves), Panglao (beach/relax), Pamilacan (dolfins, whales).
May, 11 transfer (ferry) to Cebu, direct fly from Cebu to Bangkok (20:05)

It is a good plan?

What dive sites can you suggest for 3 days diving (3, 4 and 5 May)?
Our primary interests are underwater photo/video. We would like to see big creatures, like whale sharks, manta rays etc. Ah! mandarin fish, of course

p.s. My English is far from perfect, so excuse me for errors

 

Roundtrip in Visayas

Hi vlad

Your english is fine - no problem there. Since you are a bit short on time, you do well to limit your number of destinations. Presuming that your flight out of Manila is may 13, so that your will still have 2 nights there at the end of the vacation, I would suggest to proceed directly to Dumaguete with an afternoon flight on may 1. You might then, at your discretion, add one more night in either Daiun or Panglao to your plan.

As for diving, you obviously want to go to Apo Island one or maybe two times, and then you can make another day trip to dive around Siquijor or make some single dives along the coast of Negros. At one of the dive-sites along the coast of Negros you can see the mandarin fish. Just ask your diveshop manager about that.

Maybe it would be a nice idea to use a dive trip to Siquijor as a transfer. Instead of going back to Negros with the boat when finished diving, then just bring your luggage and have them drop you off at your resort in Siquijor, before they go back to Negros with their other customers or the empty boat. You will then spend 2 nights and 1 day on Siquijor before proceding to Panglao with the fastferry. I would presume, that most operators would be willing to do this, but of course you need to ask about this in advance. And to check out and pay your bill before departing also.

You might also want to do a bit of diving from Panglao Island, as there are some interesting dive sites around Bohol as well. For me and many others, Balicasaq Island is the highlight there.

Unfortunatly your chances of seeing whale sharks, mantas or other big things are pretty slim in this region. Whale sharks are some times spottet at Moal-Boal, but an encounter with this impressive animal is far from something, that can be reckoned with at this site either. It should therefore not be the sole reason for going to Moal-Boal, as the risk for dissapointment will then be large.

And if you skip Moal-Boal, you will definitly need to settle for seing some nice corals with colourfull fish, fish schools, turtles, sea snakes and many other small but nice things.

When going from Panglao to Manila there is no need to go via Cebu, unless you like to spend some time in Cebu city also. But since you are very short on time on this trip, it will be better for you to take a domestic flight from Tagbilaran on Bohol. They have daily flights to Manila from there as well.


Best regards, Lars

 

Hi Vlad, your English, I think, is perfect to me! Don't be so modest. While in Siquijor, be careful of the 'mambabarang' (just kidding) ...it's alright with the 'mananambal'. I guess you know what these words mean.

Fundiver198 is right. There are lots of interesting things to see around Dumaguete and neighboring towns, beside the Apo Island which is a good destination for divers. I was born and grew up in the city of friendly people.

 

Hello Lars,

Thanx you again for your valuable advises!

Especially for idea of using dive trip to Siquijor as transfer to Siquijor. This will save a lot of time for us.

About Cebu/Manila. Note, that we will fly home not from Manila, but from Bangkok with 2-days stopover in Bangkok. This is why we select direct fly from Cebu to Bangkok.

About sharks and other "big things". Funny, but I think that sharks just afraid me While I dived several times at Chumphon Pinnacle (near Koh Tao, Thailand) I have almost "warranty" that I will see resident shark, but I meet no one
First time when I see sharks (white tip reef shark) was Sipadan island last year
Ok, I will try to meet whale shark and manta ray next time (Honduras, Utila)

Lars, could I ask for your suggestions about best dive sites for diving during 3 days?
What is your personal "top-10" around Dumaguete/Siauijor?
I think, 1 whole day we must dive at Apo island. What else?

 

Hello Swany,

Yes, I read an article: http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/magic-of-siquijor.php

Thanx!

By the way, where can I learn some words on local language (Tagalog)?
I always try to learn local language while my trips in respect to local culture.

 

Hey Vlad,
as I am here each day in the waters around Duamguete, I guess I should give you some suggestions. If you look for BIG stuff you might have bad luck in Dumaguete and Apo. Even I saw whaleshark Manta and Eagle ray and last week a Hammerhead in Apo.
On 2 divespots around Apo are some nice schools of Jack-fish, some giant Trevellis and some Bumpheads around. Also around Apo Clown-Frogfish, blue Ribbon-Eal, Nudibranches, Turtle Seasnakes.
There is a spot on Apo where there are chances to find Hammerheads.

The whole Dumaguete Area is Macro-diving. For that you need the right guide, who knows the area. Mandarinfish can be found in the Sanctuary in front of Atlantis at 17.15 - 18.00. I know it sounds funny, but thats what it is...
The Car-wrecks is an absolute must, I made a post her on DI:

The Car Wrecks

Masaplod Sur is famous for Nudibranches and Crab-Eyed-Goby, but also I nice little Reef.
Masaplod Norte is a lot of Sand with many blue Spotted Stingray and a small little reef in the middle of the Sanctuary.
Dauin is a huge Sanctuary, that you either dive it from the South or North (always as a loop) Nice reef, good change to find some reall special stuff in the south part.
dauin North is just a great Aquarium dive with fantastic Corals in the shallow.

El Dorado housereef is also an Aquarium Dive, quite sandy with colorful coralpatches and many fish-fish. Also quite some Blue Spotted Stibngrays around.

DUCOMI (The Pier) is a must-dive, but as it is private property it needs a special permit (and payment) to dive it.

Mainit is a nice drift dive and if your guide knows where to jump in the water there is a good change to swim in the middle of big school of Baracudas. you end the dive in the middle of underwater Hotsprings.

Hope it helped a bit.

What shop are you diving with? and where do you stay?

cheers

Rhoody

 

Flights

Hi Vlad

Sorry, I did not see that your were flying out to Bangkok directly from Cebu. Even in this case, I will still stick to my suggestion to just use Manila as a stepping stone on your way to Visayas.

You will spend two days in Bangkok, and no need then to spend a night in Manila also, when you have so little time. Manila is not that interesting, frankly.

You could choose to fly into Cebu as well, but this would replace a 1 hour domestic flight with a 5 hour trip on a bus. So I think, you are better off to stick with the plan, that you have outlined allready.

Lars

 

Fundiver, sorry to say it again, you have NO clue what you talking sometimes. you spend 3-4 days easy in Manila and see great cultural stuff. As an example, just in intramuros and the surrounding areas you can spend easy 2 days (unless you run through it like americans in 10 days through whole Europe).

We all appreciete your great valuable informations, but please stick to things you know something about and don't confuse readers with totally wrong information. Thank you

Rhoody

 

anyway Vlad,
your schedule is great. You don't have a lot of time in Manila anyway. You probably arrive in your Hotel after arrival around 13:00.have a rest and refresh.
Let us know what Hotel you are, I am sure there is something around to visit for a few hours before you have dinner.
As it is Thursday the evening is easy to fill with some nice bars or clubs with live-music. For general points of have a look in our

Philippine Travel Guide​

.

We have several districts of Manila in there, where to go, what to do and what to see. In the next couple of weeks it will be extended, so its worth having a look for an update there from time to time.

cheers

Rhoody