Threshers, Rays & Critters in the Philippines
Earlier this year, client Sara Jenner asked us to design a trip to the Philippines combining rest, relaxation and diving. In this article she describes her trip to Malapascua and Bohol in search of thresher sharks, critters and pelagics.
After much discussion with my travel consultant (Cath), I decided on a twin-centre holiday in the Philippines. I was looking for some much-needed rest and relaxation in the sun, with a good mix of diving (so I could play with my new underwater camera) … most importantly, at an affordable price, and the Philippines seemed to tick all these boxes.
I started my adventure in Malapascua, staying at the Buena Vida Resort and Spa, which was a fabulous choice and only a five-minute walk to the dive centre. The hotel offered everything I needed plus plenty of personal touches. And I can highly recommend the ‘overnight oats’ with frozen banana from the breakfast buffet to set you up for the day. Malapascua is famous for its pelagic thresher sharks, and I made the necessary early start to see them three times during my week-long stay! The diversity of macro life was astonishing and makes this an ideal place for any keen photographer. My favourite site was ‘Chocolate Box’ (Chocolate Island) as it was inundated with small critters and nudibranchs.
Next stop was Bohol. I stayed at Alona Vida Beach Resort, which is relatively quiet considering its central location, and the dive centre is situated in a lovely peaceful site. There were plenty of great dives just a few hundred metres off the main beach, with beautiful coral-covered walls teeming with macro life. For bigger pelagic species it’s worth heading out to Balicasang Island – I encountered big shoals of jackfish and barracudas, lots of groupers and rays and countless green turtles there. However, the highlight for me was Dolijo, which felt like swimming in an aquarium. The reef is covered with hard and soft corals, giant sea fans and enormous barrel sponges. We saw giant frog fish, different angel, butterfly, and cardinal fish, various moray eels and, every so often, a graceful eagle would glide past – paradise!
I was so impressed with the holiday Cath created for me, that within a week of returning I had already booked my next dive adventure with her – in search of some ‘big stuff’ in Socorro!
Contact our expert Dive team for help creating your very own dive adventure to the Philippines, or any other of our amazing diving destinations around the world.
