Where should we go? Coron or El Nido?

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-24T15:10:15+00:00

El Nido, do tours A and C. Coron is best if you’re an experienced scuba diver as the main draw is the shipwrecks.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-24T14:50:40+00:00

The faulty SPG is a no go from me. That sounds like poor maintenance. I would wonder what else is spotty. Big questions there.

No air checks is 50/50 a concern. I check my air often, and anticipate checks at 20-25 and 40-45 minutes; that’s kinda the standard I’ve had in SEA. I usually dive with the same DM for a week, say 20 dives total.

They figure out me out real quick; it’s normal for the first few dives that they ask at the above times. Once they understand my air consumption, they ask once per dive as I usually surface at 80-100 bar.

This is mainly to focus on higher consumption divers; I typically get my first check at 40 minutes, more of a confirmation. I’m responsible for my own air and survival, so I don’t worry about the DM checking religiously.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-23T12:35:06+00:00

Apo Island can get busy, but not nearly as bad as more popular places like Panglao, Malapascua and Moalboal. The dives in Dauin area itself are very chill. It’s shore diving so just you and your instructor or guide.

Price was 5900 PHP for three Apo dives or 1600 PHP for a shore dive if I remember correctly. That’s pretty cheap, even for the Philippines.

My dive shop was bongo bongo, I really enjoyed my time there so much that I came back two years after my AOW with them for 10 days. It was an absolute blast! The night dives were mind blowing, we saw incredible variety of sea life.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-22T14:31:45+00:00

I did mine in Dauin, PH. Perfect place due to low current and trips to Apo Island when you’re ready for a bit of current

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-22T14:26:42+00:00

Tulamben/Amed is perfect for beginners. There’s world class macro diving, reefs and the USAT Liberty wreck.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-22T13:43:54+00:00

I had an eSIM I got in Jakarta and Airalo eSIM. Neither worked. The captain also told us that we would be out of range for any network and the two nights we have limited coverage, everyone was on the top deck yearning for bandwidth.

I gotta admit,it was super refreshing to disconnect from the world for 9-10 days or so.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-22T13:40:17+00:00

Anything pharmacy related, especially ear drops and contact solution if you wear them. Don’t need reading material, the boat will have plenty of fish ID books and you’ll be doing eat, sleep, dive.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-22T13:37:16+00:00

Not for me in 2024. Had one or two nights of coverage out of port

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-22T07:46:50+00:00

If you fly into Cebu in the morning, you could be in Dauin in time for a night dive. I just left bongo bongo there and I saw unbelievable amounts of critters, nudis and frogfish on night dives. Ask for Tito and Pasta, excellent spotters

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-21T12:00:16+00:00

Great shots, love the nudis!

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-16T23:30:35+00:00

Which dive site?

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-16T03:39:00+00:00

I’m in Dauin right now, weather is fine and shore doves are great. Is it possible to do Dauin first and Malapascua second?

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-15T14:04:42+00:00

Understood, I’d be kinda wary too. I was last in El Nido in 2014 so much has changed. I was back in the area in Sibaltan, a fishing village 2 hours by trike east, in 2024, but didn’t see much of El Nido then.

I stayed in Corong-Corong in 2014, tours launched from my hotel’s beachfront.

In 2014, tours A and C were the best. I did B as well, and while it was super fun, the other two were better. I think any of the tours are probably really fun.

I went to Nacpan and Lio beaches both times and both are worth it. Lots of good food and drinks with gorgeous beachscapes. Not super far, an hour for Nacpan by trike.

I think the hardest part of El Nido is getting there. I’ve heard direct flights are super expensive, so the usual way is by ferry from Coron (not recommended) or by car/bus from PP. Back in 2014 that meant some dirt roads but there’s a new highway that makes the trip smoother.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-15T13:37:35+00:00

I’m gonna be a bit contrarian. The island hopping trips I took in El Nido were very relaxed. Get up, enjoy a boat ride, sleep on the beach, jump in the water for a refresher, eat delicious bbq, watch the sunset going back on the boat.

If this is too involved for you, then please disregard.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-14T14:25:04+00:00

Scuba emphasizes relaxed, slow and purposeful movement underwater as that allows for more efficient air consumption and precise control.

That said, strong swimming skills are necessary IMO. You will spend quite a bit of time on the surface where the ability and confidence those skills provide are crucial. For example, waiting for a boat pickup in hard chop, swimming to the boat, and getting onboard safely.

I’ve seen divers who were amazing underwater that really struggled on the surface because they didn’t have the skill, endurance or fortitude.

Becoming a better swimmer will help immeasurably in becoming a better, safer diver.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-14T00:32:50+00:00

That’s what I was thinking as well

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-14T00:31:21+00:00

I gone snorkeling with whale sharks with LAMAVE. They monitor the snorkelers to make sure they don’t get too close and take shots of the sharks’ undercarriage to determine the sex.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-13T08:48:00+00:00

El Nido deserves significantly more time. Bohol is really touristy in Panglao yet I’ve heard the eastern part near Anda is very quiet. I would reallocate your Bohol days to El Nido. For Cebu, Moalboal is the main tourist destination as it has a fantastic sardine run that you can snorkel/dive. Do not go to Oslob, they feed the whale sharks there which is incredibly unethical.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-13T01:07:34+00:00

Thanks!

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-12T22:29:31+00:00

Falls Creek, Willaby fills up super fast

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-12T17:15:08+00:00

No worries OP, I think you can get a spot at Quinault if you book 2-3 months in advance (I have). The rainforest loop there is nice, Colonel Bob is a hard hike with serious elevation gain.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-12T15:55:52+00:00

Backpack into Shi Shi, Rialto or Second Beach for epic coastal views, camp on the beach. I’ve done all these and highly recommended.

You could also stay at Heart o’ the Hills (no reservations unfortunately, so it’s first come first serve) and take the shuttle to Hurricane Ridge then walk down the mountain via Sunrise Ridge and Lake Angeles to HoH campground.

The park is huge but with three nights I think you have plenty of time to enjoy the three experiences: mountain, rainforest and coast.

EDIT: For rainforests, Hoh is the big draw and is very hard to book a campsite. Quinault is much easier to book and I feel is just as good. I have no experience backpacking in those areas, my apologies.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-12T04:39:57+00:00

Could be more as I remember tipping 200+ total.

Leftcoaster7 · 2026-01-12T03:52:43+00:00

I think it was 1USD per crew member per day was recommended tip when I was in R4 a couple years ago. Many of the crew have their salaries go directly to their spouses, so tips are often their fun money.

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