Negros |
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Negros Island is a large island in the Visayas. It’s eastern shore is separated from Cebu by a narrow channel, while it’s west coast faces the Sulu Sea. Much of the diving is in the south of the island.
Like many of the Philippines dive spots, it is blessed with the combination of big fish encounters and fascinating smaller critters that will keep avid divers happy for many dives.
Negros’ most famous dive sites are around Apo Island in the south, while the west coast is gaining a reputation as an excellent dive base.
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 There are a total of eleven sites on Apo Island. The Sanctuary, sometimes known as Clownfish City is one of the most popular sites. Coconut Point is a series of stepped terraces with large schools of Trevally & Barracuda.
Sharks can sometimes be seen at Coconut Point, but the best spot for larger visitors of Mansa Point. In addition to plentiful schools of larger fish, Sharks, Eagle Rays & Manta Rays are seen here.
On Negros itself, there is some great muck-diving around Dauin - a small town south of Dumaguete. On the Dauin's sandy slopes it is possible to find numerous species of Seahorses, Ghost Pipefish, Frogfish, Pegasus Sea Moths, Stonefish, Flambouyant Cuttlefish and many more critters. Some of the dive sites are not the cleanest, but for muck-diving enthuisiasts this area is unlikely to disappoint. For those not taken by the muck-diving bug, Masaplot & Dauin Sanctuary have more traditional coral reefs to explore.
It is also possible to dive around Sipalay on the west coast of Negros, which has many good dive sites just a few minutes from shore. There is a couple of nice WWII wrecks, good wall diving and an enjoyable house reef to explore.
Dive resorts in the south & east of Negros also visit the sites of southern Cebu & sometimes Bohol.
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Most divers who visit Negros do so either by visiting Dumaguete in the south of Negros or taking a Safari from other parts of the Visayas.
To explore Negros' west coast, Sipalay is the most convenient option.
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- Dumaguete
- Sipalay
- Mactan Island
- Panglao
 
Dumaguete is a vibrant city in the south of Negros Island, within the Visayas. It is most famous for its university, however it is also the major dive base for trips to Apo Island Marine Sanctuary.
There are quite a few dive centres in the area, most of which are based either in Dumaguete itself or in Dauin just to the south. Day trips are made to all the sites in the area including Suquilor & Apo Island. Many of the dive centres are connected to resorts.
Dumaguete has a domestic airport which has regular flights to & from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Once in Dumaguete, most of the resorts are no more than 30 minutes drive away and you may be able to arrange a transfer from the airport with a dive centre. It is also possible to reach the area from Cebu either by taxi, bus or boat.
There is a good range of accommodation around Dumaguete catering for all budgets. Budget resorts tend to be close to the town with more upmarket resorts along the coast.
Aside from diving, there is quite a lot to do around Dumaguete. The bustling town is very clean and has good shopping. In the surrounding area there are hot springs, jungle treks, lakes, waterfalls, pretty villages & even a golf course to enjoy. One of the most popular tours is to see Dolphins & Whales which can often be seen in the surrounding waters.
Sipalay City is located on the west coast of Negros in the Visayas, facing the Sulu Sea. It is one of the Philippines newest and most unspoilt destinations with a superb white sand beach and excellent diving nearby.
There are now around 5 dive centres in the area which make daily trips to the many dive sites around Sipalay. Some can arrange Safaris to destinations further afield.
There is talk of an airport being built in Sipalay, but at present, the only way to reach the area is to travel by land from Dumaguete or Bacolod. Both Dumaguete & Bacolod have airports that connect with Manila. Dumaguete can be reached from Cebu.
There are now quite a few budget & mid-range options to choose from and also a few more upmarket places to stay. Many of the dive centres have or are connected to resorts and can organise your accommodation.
Sipalay is a peaceful place and an idyllic holiday base. Aside from diving, swimming & snorkelling are popular and stunning sunsets can be enjoyed most evenings. Life is generally based around the sea, with plenty of beach activities.
Mactan Island is just to the east of Cebu City and is one of the most convenient places to dive in the country. It is also one of the country's most popular tourist spots.
Due to its popularity, there is a well established dive scene here with quite a few dive centres, which visit the sites on Mactan's east coast as well as Olango Island across the channel. There are also dive centres in Cebu City itself which also make trips to the dive sites of Mactan Island.
Some dive centres also run trips to Bohol's dive sites to the east.
The island is very easy to reach, as Cebu City's airport is actually based on Mactan Island. The airport has many domestic flights & some international flights, including connections to Singapore, Hong Kong & Tokyo. From here, a simple bus or taxi ride will take you to your resort. Alternatively, for those with more patience, it can be reached by ferry from most parts of the Philippines. Bus routes connect here to other parts of Cebu.
There is a wide range of accommodation options in Mactan and also in nearby Cebu. Near the beaches, most accommodation is more upmarket.
Aside from the diving, there are many activities around Mactan, including sporting activities, sight-seeing, shopping & good nightlife.
Panglao is a small island connected to Bohol in the Visayas. It is the most popular spot in the area for tourists, with a large range of activities and tourist facilities.
There is excellent diving in the waters surrounding Bohol and the number of dive shops reflects this. It has calm waters for those learning to dive as well as excellent dive sites for experienced divers, including Balicasag, Bohol's rival to Sipadan in Malaysia.
To reach Panglao Island, first you need to get to Tagliaran City, the capital of Bohol. The airport here connects with Manila, while it is also possible to get a ferry or speedboat from Cebu. Once in Tagliaran, it is a short journey to Panglao, which is connected to Bohol by bridge.
This is one of the Philippines' top tourist areas and has a range of accommodation to match, from simple bungalows on the beach to very expensive hotels. Most of the options are around Alona Beach, while Dumulan Beach further up the coast & Dauis in the north have more upmarket options. There is also a dive resort on Balicasag, right on top of the area's best diving.
Diving is not the only activity here. There are plenty of activities around the beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, treks and nature trails plus the Chocolate Hills, Bohol's most famous landmark.
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