Diving NEAR Thailand,Philippines

Well plenty of great diving spots in Thailand, but in the countryes around also do have superb places, so this first proposal

Pandan Island

Pandan is a small Island near Mindoro Occidental, just south of Manila, not to far, many ways to reach the place even by seaplane landing you in the critalline waters off the beach of Pandan...

This place is run by Dominique a French men for over 20 years now, the dives are famous around the Island with the company of Giant Stingrays ( nobody died of stingray hit there yet...)

Well check the website if interested, great place...

Hmm...

This place is as well on Mindoro Island, north of it, so toward Luzon the big main Island.

Sabang is a nice little village on the Hill side, next to puerto Gallera. Good view of other few islands... Those island create channels with very strong underwater current, best drift dives i made was there!

You really have to jump in the water all the diving team together and there you speed under water through rocks and tunnels, beautifull...Few diving clubs available, make sure to go with experienced people of the area...

The boat trip from Sabang to Luzon, Batangas can be done on some funny pinoy wooden ferrys with floaters, if the wheather is fine - good, if the weather changes - can be a bit scarry...

Nice diving place, not far from Manila...

Yeah, the currents are reputed to be absolutely bitchin' man.
One of these days i'll get myself out to there.
Thailand is ok for diving but mecca diving it ain't alas.

I've heard Nasugbu on Luzon is opening up to diving too and has some great sites - anyone been there?

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Originally Posted by forreachingme

Nice diving place, not far from Manila...

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I have dived PG a few times. Great diving. The marine life there is spectacular, especially the small stuff. In all honesty I would dive PG in preference to thaialnd at the moment.

Late night flight out of BK, get manila 4am, van down to batangas, ferry over. In the water by lunchtime. 4 dives a day.

...and a small, but curiously seedy night life.

The Dauin area and Apo Island have some great diving in the Philippines as well. Much better than thailand, although we were lucky enough to see a whale shark in thailand so that was a highlight!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by forreachingme

This place is run by Dominique a French men for over 20 years now,

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What was he before he became a French men ?:)