TRAVELSPECIAL
Tumalog falls in Oslob, Cebu
Pixie Hawkfish in Moalboal
freely, with new juveniles appearing often. Seeing these giants glide past was aweinspiring, and on nearby Sumilon Island we added blacktip and whitetip reef sharks to the list.
Finally, in Moalboal, we swam through the legendary sardine school. Thousands upon thousands of sardines formed a living, shifting wall, parting and reforming as predators darted in. It was mesmerising, a natural wonder we’ ll never forget.
Reflections
Looking back across two summers, what stands out isn’ t just the diving, though the reefs, wrecks, sharks, and sardines were unforgettable. It was the freedom of travel, the warmth of the people, and the sense of discovery that comes from keeping plans loose.
Once the flights are paid for, the Philippines can suit most budgets. Simple guesthouses and homestays are plentiful,
dive operators are professional and welcoming, and travel between islands is straightforward, if sometimes unpredictable.
Our advice? Do your research, but don’ t over-plan. Stay longer where the diving captivates you, move on quickly if it doesn’ t. Let the islands set the pace. For us, the Philippines was more than a dive destination – it was paradise, both above and below the waves, and it’ s calling us back already. �
The team relax in Bohol
Essentials
GETTING THERE: Fly to Cebu International Airport via Singapore or Manila; Prices vary across the calendar from £ 800 to £ 1,400. We recommend Singapore Airlines or Philippine Airlines, but you need to shop around for a deal and route that suits your needs.
DIVE CENTRES: Mactan, Cebu: SiDive, sidive. com Coron Island: Pirates Diving Centre piratescoron. com and Easy Diving sipalay. com Dauin, Negros Oriental: aivymaesdivers. com Malapascua Island: Thresher Shark Divers malapascua-diving. com Moalboal: Magic Island magicisland. online. com
WHEN TO GO: This region has a tropical rainforest climate: Warm, humid and rainy. High season is December to April, but you can dive year-round. Bear in mind that peak season for Typhoons is held to be July through October, but last year they were still blowing across the Visayan Islands in mid-November. Water temperatures range from 26 ° C in January and February to 29 ° C from May to August.
CURRENCY: In some of the more remote islands, cash is still king, so make sure you have a supply of Philippine Pesos for small purchases. Dive centres tend to accept cards, but ask in advance where possible.
RESOURCES: This trip was arranged by Maria Steer and Darren Gibbs of Thurrock Aqualung Club: tinyurl. com / 2zynm3dh Philippines Tourism: tourism. gov. ph UK government advice: gov. uk / foreign-travel-advice / philippines Backpacker savvy: lonelyplanet. com / philippines
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