3.1.4.1 - 22 AUG 2008

THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB established 1953 - DIVING FOR DIVERS

(LINK CHECK 22/8/2008)

MARINE DIVERS CALENDAR 2008 / 2009

CONTACT MARINE DIVERS: info@marinedivers.com Tel: (852) 2656 9399 / 9194 0221, Fax: (852) 2656 9399

ARTICLES

EXPEDITIONS AND TRIP REPORTS

EL NIDO, PALAWAN & MARICABAN ISLAND

PHILIPPINES

18 - 27 Apr 2003

  Clownfish

  El Nido

  Palawan

  Philippines

TRIP SUMMARY

DIVES DONE
10 (10 Day - 10 LB)
Day 2 - 2 - 26.9m LB, 20.8m LB
Day 3 - 3 - 31.2m LB, 20.3m LB, 16.2m LB
Day 4 - 3 - 35.1m LB, 25.5m LB, 22.9m LB
Day 5 - 2 - 33.1m LB, 22.2m LB

ITINERARY
Day 1 - Fly to Manila (Philippines), overnight in Manila, sample Manila nightlife
Day 2 - Fly to El Nido, Palawan, transfer by Banca to Lagen Island resort, afternoon tour, sand bar dinner
Day 3 - Diving, snorkelling, kayaking trip
Day 4 - Diving, snorkelling, kayaking trip, poolside dinner
Day 5 - Diving, snorkelling, kayaking trip
Day 6 - Diving, snorkelling, kayaking trip
Day 7 - Early morning Mangrove tour, transfer by Banca, Fly to Manila, car to Batangas, Banca to Maricaban island

Day 8 - Trip to Puerto Galera

Day 9 - Diving, Banca to Batangas, car to Manila, Manila nightlife, overnight Manila

Day 10 - Manila city tour, Fly to Hong Kong

CONCLUSION
Great dives
Good snorkelling

Good activities

Very colourful
No large critters other than Barracuda, Trevally, Jacks, Squid, Octopus, Potato Cod, Crocodile fish!
No night dives
Excellent weather
Clearer water / good viz
Protected area, no evidence of explosive fishing
Excellent resort
Excellent staff
Good food
Very Comfortable accommodation
Relaxing place

Good for kids
Very exclusive
Good fun - what its all about for a holiday!!

Anything wrong? Not really, always a few things could improve - like HP sauce at breakfast,

but have to remember are in SEA!!

All in all - one of those great little holidays - well recommended, though expensive you

need to pamper yourself sometimes....

TRIP IN DETAIL

El Nido - Introduction
A chance to dive one of the best spots in Philippines for the first time, at a rather expensive report of repute, with excellent service and staff. The possibility of seeing Bottlenose Dolphins, Whale sharks, Reef Sharks Bryde’s Whale, Green sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles, who knows....
El Nido is the Protected Area of Bacuit Bay on the north west of Palawan.

El Nido Protected Area
(Parts in italics from El Nido Resorts literature)

El Nido, an area blessed with a scenic landscape and a diverse environment. Within the bay are 45 islands and islets, offering a wide range of attractions and sites for marine and land based activities.

Lagen Island
A showcase of El Nido’s flora and fauna. A trail at the back of the Lagen Island Resort passes through a forest that provides various niches for a diverse variety of birds and mammals. The trail ends in a private cove where one can take a kayak back to Lagen Island Resort. Along the way is a small cave where inside, one can possibly see bats hanging from the walls.

Anna managed the trail and kayak back in 40 minutes - apparently a record!! Saw Palawan Hornbills, Long Tailed Macaques.

The El Nido Resorts’ Lagen Island Resort is the newest in the group, 51 rooms of 3 types - ours was Beachfront - a terrific view of the setting sun from my bed (or the balcony). Most rooms set round the lagoon formed by a breakwater, Very luxurious, peaceful, just what’s needed if you want to relax. TV only in suite rooms. Table tennis and pool tables for something to do after dinner. Excellent shallow pool, utilised most days on our return from a hard day of activities - warm soothing water to wallow in while watching the sun go down, or you could sip some Calamanse juice at the bar. Little Ginger often opted for the hammock. Buffet breakfast and Dinner, packed lunch at sea.

Pinasil Island
Pinasil Island has a Cathedral like cavern assessible by dingy or kayak. Its cool interior is lit at certain times of the day by sunlight coming through an opeing at its peak.

Vigan Island
Located near Pangulasian Island, it is also referred to as “Snake Island” because of a fine natural sandspit (s-shaped sandbar) that “snakes” off its shores. The sandspit is clearly visible only when the tide is low. On both sides of the sandspit are shallow swimming areas.

Miniloc Island
Among the attractions Minloc Island is famous for aqre the Big and Small lagoons. Beleived by scientists toi be caves whose roofs collapsed millions of years ago, the lagoons of Miniloc are ideal for kayaking, snorkelling and swimiing. Another favourite snorkelling site in the island is right off the pier of Miniloc Island Resort where there is a fish feeding station. Several dive sites are located around the island.

Entalula Island
Entalula Island, with its fine white beaches lined by coconut trees, is a perfect example of a tropical island. The beach in Entalula island is a favourite place for picnic lunches. Right off the beach is a good swimming site, espechially for beginners.

Tapiutan Island
Further out of the bay facing the South China Sea, Tapiutan’s rich marine life provides opportunities for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Matinloc Island
In Matinloc Island, Kalmung point and Kulasa beach are among the places to visit for swimming or snorkelling. Another famous attraction in this island is Secret Beach, a sinkhole which is accessed by snorkelling into a small opening through a limestone wall. At the corner of the sinkhole is a pocket white sand beach - hence the name “Secret Beach”

Paglugaban Island
Picnic lunches may be arranged on the northern side of the island. There is an extensive shallow reef area which is good for snorkelling. On the western side of the island is a cave with five chambers, four of which are underwater. The first chamber, may be accessed by kayak, has interesting stalagmite and stalactiteformations.

Pangulasian Island
With its many attractions, it is possible to spend an entire day at Pangalusian Island. The long stretch of white sand beach is perfect for sunbathing and offers the best view of the sunsrt. In the waters fronting the beach are clusters of coral reefs that make Pangulasian a good snorkelling and diving site. A trail located in the middle of the island is a good place for birdwatching, esapechially during early mornings and late afternoons. The trail ends at the peak of the island and provides an excellent view of the bay and nearby islands.
The south east point was the site of a former resort which burnt down some years ago. A concrete sea wall and platform offers a good BBQ spot. The snorkelling off the beach was shallow with many fish.

Dilumacad Island
The beach on Dilumacad Island is an area for snorkelling, swimming, and picnic lunches during island -hopping trips. For divers, there is an underwater tunnel at the northern side of the island and a fringing reef on the southern side.

Palawan Mainland
Along Palawan mainland, the best beach areas to visit are Ipil, 7 Commandos Point and Lapus-Lapus Beach. On the eastern side of the bay are several mangrove river areas. Aberawan River is the recommended site for a mangrove tour. The highlight of the tour is seeing Egrets roosting in the mangrove trees at the mouth of the river. Another attraction found in the Palawan mainland is Cudugnon Cave which archaologists believe was a burial site during the Neolithis period. Also in the mainalnd are several coastal villages, the largest and most populated of which is El Nido town.

Cadlao Island
Of all the islands in El Nido, Cadlao has the highest peak at 609m ASL. It is the largest island, with a land area of 1006 hectares. Cadlao island is known for its white sand beaches, hidden lagoons, and its lush forest cover.
On the SW side of Cadlao Island is Cadlao Lagoon. While I was off diving, Anna kayaked over to here, then snorkelled with Richard. Excellent and very colourful soft corals in crystal clear azure waters.

Pacanayas Island
This is an almost circular island, a rock balancing on a wave cut pinnacle, almost ready to topple. The island is surrounded by a fringing reef, a shallow plateau at 6m dropping off on the east side to 20m plus and a sandy bottom. To the West and south west, the reef extends over an extensive area. Excellent corals, many coral bommies, the eastern drop off offers a 60 degree bank where we found the turtle, before becoming a sandy bottom.

Pinagbuyutan Isand
Pinagbuyutan Island is on of the most striking islands in El Nido because of its shapoe and sheer limestoine walls. It is possible to have a picnic lunch at the beach area on the southestern side of the island.

Well we managed to cover much of the area, with all of the featured islands above visited, leaving others to visit on the next trip, plus trying different spots and activites.

Named Islands not visited:
Cauayan
Tambalanang
Inambuyod
Popolcan
Malapacao
Dibiluan
Komokorosog
Guintungauan
South Guntao
North Guntao
Destacado Rocks

DAY BY DAY

DAY 1 - 18 Apr 2003
Depart HK 1800 on Cathay Pacific (no other carrier available due to SARS) to Manila
Taxi to Manila for overnight in hotel - Shangri-La - very comfortable room
Nightlife....unfortunately Manila was closed as was Good Friday - lesson No 1 - dont go to Philippines on a religious holiday if you want to find bars open
Dinner at the Peninsula with friends
Late to bed

DAY 2 -19 Apr 2003 - Resort Day 1
Up early
Breakfast - chaos - hotel packed, had to wait for a table
Checked out
Taxi to airport - small airline at domestic part - A Soriasso / Island Transvoyager Inc
Flight Manila to El Nido on small Dornier 17 seater, only 5 passengers, rest airfreight - fresh veg etc
Landed at El Nido to reception by local singers
Short wait at arrivals for transit boat
Small boat transfer to Banca
Banca transfer to resort - just the two of us. Sorry! 2.5 with Little Ginger. (In case you are wondering by now, LG is our Orang Utan!!)

Reception at resort, check in, yet more singers!
Buffet Lunch
Escort to room, check out the view! Unpack a bit
1600 Island hopping tour by small boat then Banca - met Richard, our watersports coordinator for the week.
Visited Pinasil Cave - cathedral cavern with small boat.
Transferred to Banca for pleasant trip to Cudugnan Cave on part of the mainland - nice beach, soft sand, bats and bones. A crawl through a gap into the back chamber, torches needed.
Further trip north to Vigan or Snake Island. Walked the sandbar, finding Sand Dollars (type of urchin), crabs in pools. Plenty of sea grass, but no leaf fish etc.
Back to resort for 1730, to the bar!!! for a cool one.
Quick change, back to the pier for the Dinner cruise - transported to the sandbar SE of Langen Island - well set up tables, oil lamps, music, buffet and BBQ. Very romantic. A full moon rising just before we left for the trip back.
Back 1800
Hit the bar again - one of the quietest in the Philippines that Saturday night!!
Sort out kit for the next day, enjoy sitting on the balcony watching the stars.

DAY 3 - 20 Apr 2003 - Resort Day 2
Having decided this trip we were going to take it easy, 0900 was to be the start time each day.
Anna did early forest trail and Kayak - hornbills and Macaques
Up 0800 for breakfast
Met Richard and Chris the DM at the pier, checked had the right dive kit, set off towards Maniloc Island on a flat calm sea - same every day, hardly a ripple. 2 man banca crew
Philippine Navy Motor Gunboat sitting off resort as President’s daughter staying for a while
Arrived Twin Rocks to east of Maniloc
Dive 1 - Twin Rocks - excellent, spotted a 900mm Crocodile fish and Turtle - good start.
Kayak large lagoon
Lunch at small lagoon - excellent - fish, sausage, chicken, pork, rice, salad, fresh fruit
Snorkelling small lagoon - very good - many coral, Barracuda, Jelly, Clown, Trigger
Dive 2 - SW Entalula - very good - Picasso trigger, Blue spotted Ray, Lobster, Triton trigger, Nudibranch, Puffers, Cornet, Clown
Rougher water on way back - normal as wind strengthens and shifts throughout day, sun beginning to set
Back 1730
Bar for a soft one.
Watch sunset from poolside and room.

Dinner
Table tennis and Pool, last drink.
Early bed!!

DAY 4 - 21 Apr 2003 - Resort Day 3
Up 0800 breakfast
0900 depart with Richard, Chris and banca crew
Dive 3 - South Miniloc - very good - Large Potato Cod, Nudibranch, Lobster, Clams, many small squid, clowns, Hermit crab
Dive 4 - 3 Marias - good - many coral, Triton trigger, Barracuda, Nudibranch, Mantis Shrimp, Clams, White Cowrie, Turtle, Cuttlefish
Snorkel 3 Marias - very good - many fish
Lunch at Miniloc Resort - very pleasant, older than Lagen, but quaint

Fish feeding snorkelling off pier at Miniloc - large Jacks, many Sgt Major, Triton Trigger, many coral, mullet, clown, clams
Dive 5 -Twin Rocks - very good - went back to trey to find the crocodile fish, Triton trigger, Clowns, Nudibranch, Plurobranch, Puffer, Box, Lion, Flat worm, Squid, Squid eggs
Kayak large lagoon
Back 1800
Bar and pool
Lantern lit Dinner round poolside
Bar and early bed.

DAY 5 - 22 Apr 2003 - Resort Day 4
Up 0800 Breakfast
0900 depart with Richard, Chris and banca crew plus security giarge complete with 12 guage shotgun
Dive 6 - Tapuitan - very good - 1000s Jellyfish - like swimming through a minefield, Hawksbill Turtle, Nudibranch, Sea snake, Swim throughs between boulders
Visit shrine on North Matinloc
Snorkel Tapiutan Strait - very good - 2 turtle, clown, sea grass but no Manitee or Leaf fish, catfish
Dive 7 - Matinloc - good - 1000s Jellyfish , Nudibranch, large boulders
Lunch on boat - usual

Dive 8 - Paglugaban - very good - 2 large Stone, Lion, Nudibranch
Snorkel Pangulasian resort beach on SE side of island - very good
Long drive back
Back 1815
Bar and pool to watch sunset .
Dinner in restaurant

DAY 6 - 23 Apr 2003 - Resort Day 5
Up 0800 breakfast
0900 depart with Richard, Chris and banca crew for long run to north.
Dive 9 - Dilumacad - very good - through the tunnel (Lobster), then deep, many Nudibranch, Shrimps, back through tunnel
Kayaking in Cadlao Lagoon
Dive 10 - Pacanayas - very good - all the way round the island - Green Turtle on deep side, Barracuda, Octopus
Philippine Navy Corvette sitting off Ipil beach
Lunch on 7 Commandos Beach

Snorkelling 7 Commandos Beach - very good, sandy patches, plenty of coral, Octopus, Cornet, Clowns
Snorkelling Pinagbuyutan south - poor
Kayak / Snorkel into Lagen resort from north - very good - large Starry Puffer, plenty of large fish
Back 1700 - earlier so can relax
To the bar, then a dip in the pool for last time
Couple of toes rubbed raw from salt water and dive boots - bit of first aid, need to rest up
Dinner in Restaurant

DAY 7 - 24 Apr 2003 - Resort Day 6
Up 0430
0500 Mangrove tour - sunrise - small boat to Aberawan River - Mangrove snakes, Egrets

0700 Breakfast
Bed for a while
Pool for a dip
Packing
1400 Check out
1500 Transfer to El Nido by Banca
1630 Flight to Manila
1745 Arrive Manila
1800 Pickup by driver for Batangas
2045 Arrive Laya beach for private banca to Maricaban Island Resort
2130 Arrive MIS, met Evo and Josie
Beer, Dinner, chat till 0300
Finally to bed - very comfortable breeze, easily fell asleep

DAY 8 - 25 Apr 2003
Up 0800
Breakfast
Avoided diving as needed to rest feet for a day or so.
Tour round resort, chat

Private banca to PG for drink in Point Bar and lunch at El Galeon, but Anton on day off!!
Shopping and tour, visit Atlantis chat with Andy, Anna take look at rooms
Desert in Capt Greggs, enjoy the famous Gin juice
Visit Pauls Bar - in Batangas!
Visit Johno at Action Divers - shut - whereis everyone, or are they trying to avoid me?...
Back to Capt GreggS for banca
Back to MIS for 1700
Relax and chat
Dinner
More chat
Early night 2300

DAY 9 - 26 Apr 2003
Up 0700
0800 Dive 1 - Colloseum then Sharkey’s - 40m but no big critters, viz not brilliant, good dive
Breakfast

1100 Dive 2 - Training area to Garden Wall - 6m to 20m - many yellow nudibrnach at point, Blue spotted ray, Puffer, Lion, Cornet, Clown, Barracuda, many shoals of small fish, excellent hard corals, very colourful, excellent dive
1730 Depart for Batangas in banca - sunset over Anilao
1815 Private car to Manila
2030 Arrive Manila
Quick change out on the town
Dinner at Hard Rock,
Back to Hotel bar for nightcap
Bed - very comfortable room

DAY 10 - 27 Apr 2003
Breakfast
1000 Manila City tour
1630 packing
1730 check out
Taxi to airport
1800 Check in
2000 CP Flight to Hong Kong
2145 Arrive HK
2230 Taxi home
Home 2315
Start unpacking and answering emails!!!

ANNEX 1 - DIVES

DIVE 1
20 Apr 2003
Twin Rocks

DT = 22 mins
TDT= 45 mins
Max depth = 26.9m
Viz: 20m
Banca
Sightings: Large Potato cod, Barracuda, Hawksbill Turtle, Clown, Large Nudibranchs, Lion,

900mm Crocodile fish, Cornet, Mantis shrimp, even a lost snorkel with a tiny nudibranch

on it!

DIVE 2

20 Apr 2003
SW Entaluca

DT = 22 mins
TDT= 45 mins
Max depth = 20.8m
Viz: 20m
Banca
Sightings: Picasso trigger, Blue spotted Ray, Lobster, Triton trigger, Small Nudibranch,

Puffers, Blue spotted Ray, Stars, Cornet, Clown.

DIVE 3

21 Apr 2003
S Miniloc

DT= 16 mins
TDT= 45 mins
Max depth = 31.2m
Viz: 20m
Banca
Sightings: Potato Cod, Spanish Dancer, Nudibranch, Lobster, Giant Clam, Squid, Clown, Hermit crab, Triton trigger.

DIVE 4

21 Apr 2003
Three Marias

DT = 7 mins
TDT = 51 mins
Max depth = 20.3m
Viz: 20m
Banca
Sightings: Triton trigger, Hermit crab, Barracuda, Nudibranch, Mantis shrimp, Clown, Star, Giant clam, White Cowrie, Emperor, Turtle, Cuttlefish

DIVE 5

21 Apr 2003
Twin Rocks

DT = 16 mins
TDT = 61 mins
Max depth = 16.2m
Viz: 20m
Banca
Sightings: Triton trigger, Hermit crab, 2 large squid, Clown, Nudibranch, Yellow Plueorbranch?, Porcupine puffer, Box, Puffer, 2 Lion, Flat worm, Squid eggs, Leatherjacket

DIVE 6

22 Apr 2003
Tapuitan

DT = 16 mins
TDT = 47 mins
Max depth = 35.1m
Viz: 15m
Banca
Sightings: Batfish, Box, Nudibranch, Spanish Dancer, Sea snake, Hermit crab, Clam, 1000s Jellyfish, Blue spotted Ray, Green turtle

DIVE 7

22 Apr 2003
Matinloc

DT = 51 mins
TDT = 53 mins
Max depth = 25.5m
Viz: 15-20m
Banca
Sightings: Emperor, Nudibranch, Hermit crab, 1000s Jellyfish, Stars, Puffer, Large Box,

DIVE 8

22 Apr 2003
Paglugaban

DT = 52 mins
TDT = 54 mins
Max depth = 22.9m
Viz: 15m
Banca
Sightings: 4 Lion, Nudibranch, Clown, 2 large Stonefish,

DIVE 9

23 Apr 2003
Dilumacad

DT = 43 mins
TDT = 45 mins
Max depth = 33.1m
Viz: 15m
Banca
Sightings: Nudibranch, Lobster, Cleaner shrimp, Nudibranch, Stars, Shrimp.
Tunnel swimthrough.

DIVE 10
23 Apr 2003
Pacanayas

DT = 53 mins

TDT = 55 mins
Max depth = 22.2m
Viz: 15m
Banca
Sightings: Turtle and remora, Barracuda, Nudibranch, Octopus, Batfish, Cornet, Clown.

ANNEX 2 - COSTS
(2 SHARING)

GINGER AYRES
Chief Instructor, Marine Divers

  Pleurobranch Berthella martensi?

  El Nido

  Palawan

  Philippines

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