Philippine Fun Divers/Isis Bungalows, Jan, 2012,by Carl D Scott, TX, US (![]() |
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No photos available at this time | |||
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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Accommodations | ![]() |
Food | ![]() |
Service and Attitude | ![]() |
Environmental Sensitivity | N/A |
Dive Operation | ![]() |
Shore Diving | N/A |
Snorkeling | N/A | ||
Overall Rating |
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Value for $$ | ![]() |
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Beginners | ![]() |
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Advanced | ![]() |
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Comments |
Alone beach is a popular tourist destination in this area, consisting of perhaps 1 km of white sand beach, packed with hotels and seaside outdoor restaurants and small bars. However, it's not too noisy at night. Most visitors are not divers, but there are many. Most accommodations are modest by American standards, but prices are typically appropriate for what you get. If you want fancy, they have it at a price, of course. Isis Bungalows is on the far South end of the beach, away from the busier sections. Staff is friendly, but restaurant service is marginal. Be prepared to be proactive! Food is good in the Thai-dominated restaurant, and there is a variety of nearby restaurants serving mostly the same dishes of fresh seafood, chicken, and pork. As for the diving, there is a wide variety here. I highly recommend going to Balicasag Island 1-2 days during your visit, as the reefs there are outstanding, teaming with life. Local dives are a mixed bag, but you never know what cool things you might encounter there. Macro critters are more easily spotted on Panglao sites, as the corals are not as thick. Service with PFD is outstanding. Their guides are top notch, and the office staff are very accommodating, helping with travel arrangements or anything else you might want. I recommend working with them, above trying to work directly with any of the hotels here. The service (and competency level) is that much better. PFD is truly one of the best run dive operations I've had the pleasure to dive with. |
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Reporter and Travel |
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Dive Experience | 251-500 dives | ||
Where else diving | [Unspecified] | ||
Closest Airport | Getting There | ||
Dive Conditions |
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Weather | sunny | Seas | choppy |
Water Temp | 81-82°F / 27-28°C | Wetsuit Thickness | 2 |
Water Visibility | 40-60 Ft/ 12-18 M | ||
Dive Policy |
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Dive own profile | no | ||
Enforced diving restrictions | Since some dive trips are to nearby Balicasag Island (worth it), dive times must be reasonably limited to ensure a sufficient surface interval while returning near the stated time frame. However, dive times of 70-75 minutes were permitted. Otherwise, safe diving practices are indicated. | ||
Liveaboard? | no | Nitrox Available? | yes |
What I Saw |
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Sharks | None | Mantas | None |
Dolphins | None | Whale Sharks | None |
Turtles | None | Whales | None |
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best): |
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Corals | ![]() |
Tropical Fish | ![]() |
Small Critters | ![]() |
Large Fish | ![]() |
Large Pelagics | N/A | ||
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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Subject Matter | ![]() |
Boat Facilities | ![]() |
Overall rating for UWP's | ![]() |
Shore Facilities | ![]() |
UW Photo Comments | No boat facilities for cameras. Shore facilities are limited to a dedicated rinse tank. However, there is a table in the dive shop, if you need a place to do something with your gear. |
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