Korean Job Discussion Forums

Masta_Don · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul

I'm trying to plan my winter break now (Feb.) and decided I want to get certified to scuba dive. Money's not really an issue since I think I can afford either place. What do you guys recommend for a white guy travelling by himself for a week? And please feel free to make suggestions on what to do/where to go once there.

I can handle strange food (although not a big fan of seafood but can't really get away from it in Asia) and grungy accomodations.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

Diving central when I was in the Philippines seemed to be Sabang, Puerto Galera, about three hours and a boat south of Manila. It had pretty coral and was full of German divers. It's not as family-friendly as Boracay with all the working girls there for the divers, but maybe there's more nightlife than Boracay.

Filipino food itself is not exciting and is too sugary, but both spots have a wide selection of foreign restaurants and cheap accommodations, although I found Puerto Galera cheaper and less touristy. If I were single and wanted authentic diving I would go there, but I haven't been to Bohol so I can't say anything about there.

Ken:>

Natalia · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

Purely from a holiday point of view (I don't dive) - Borneo all the way. There is a lot more to see and do. The orang-utans and the tribal cultures and the mix of people (including a significant group of people from the Philippines). And all those different people result in some really great food.

But I suppose that's of no use if you simply want to go diving.

Delirium's Brother · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:33 am Post subject:

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Sabang is kind of a hole. Lots of old German dudes with barely legals they have rented for the week. And I'll never forget my early morning walks before the diving and having the mood interrupted by all the hookers leaving their Johns' hotels where they had spent the night. I've met some divers who went there to dive and had to leave after a few days because they just couldn't handle the vibe. Having said that, if you don't mind that type of atmosphere, then Sabang is an excellent value for diving. The diving is nice and it's cheap. There are lots of really cheap dive hotels that actually take care of all your diving for you. And the dive sites are 5-10 minutes by motorboat from the hotel. It's a very convenient setup. And it's only about 3 hours from Manila.

In Borneo, everyone knows the place to dive is Sipadan. Sipadan is widely considered to be one of the top 5 dive destinations in the world. However, it's incredibly hard to get there as you have to take multiple flights, a bus, and a boat to get there, and needless to say, it's not cheap.

If you're just getting certified, don't go for a top destination because you won't really enjoy it much because the course will have you doing other things. I would say go to the Philippines to get certified. After your course is over, spend a week or two there diving (take advantage of the prices and build your experience). Then when you're ready to be blown away, shell out some dough and go to a world-class dive destination like Sipadan, Palau, Similan Islands (Thailand), etc. You will enjoy the top expensive places much more if you are already a trained and experienced diver.

As for me, I'm off to the Similans on Friday. Very Happy

Masta_Don · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul

So between Sabang and Bohol what do you guys recommend? It seems like I have to choose between diving and nightlife. Is that so? I guess I would pick diving since that's the goal of this trip but a good balance would be nice.

Also I really want to go to Borneo instead. If I only have a week is diving going to take all my time? Borneo just seems like more of an adventure but I don't know if I'll have time to appreciate it.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

wormholes101 · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

I would definitely recommend Philippines over Borneo for doing an open water course. Borneo instructors are mostly local and in my opinion are pretty shady lazy dudes who won't teach you very well. You'll end up being amenace to yourself and others. Philippines on the other hand has quite a selection of expat instructors who are generally more dedicated to their profession.

As mentioned by others, with the limited time you have you wight wanna go for something closer to Manila such as Sabang rather than head all the way down to Bohol. Although Bohol has amazing diving, you won't know what you are missing, it's like trying 24 year old scotch as your first whiskey. You'll have a great time in Sabang.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

ThePoet · Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:27 am Post subject:

Last February, I went to Sabang beach / Puerto Galera and I certified in PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Underwater Photography. I went back in June to certify in Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, and Nitrox. I will be going this February to get my Night Dive certification and have some fun dives.

I really recommend Frontier Divers at Sabang Beach. A lot of ex-pats have used Frontier and it was recommended to me. I can see why. The staff is super friendly, accomodating, and helpful. You can visit their website at: http://www.frontierscuba.com/cf/c-cont.html

Rick at Frontier can arrange accomodation for you but right next to Frontier Divers is a hotel called the Triton. And if you go there for a month, you can have an air-conditioned room with hot showers for 16,000 pesos (320$) for the whole month. Other than that it is about $1000 pesos a day (20$). There are lots of great places to eat...just down the beach from Fronteir is Captain Greggs. They have a barbeque every night...you can get a one pound ribeye or T-bone with an AYCE salad bar for around 10 dollars. There are lots of good places to eat western or filipino.

You can get to Sabang very cheaply. If you go to the Swagman hotel and get their "Fly the bus" package, you can go from the swagman to Sabang for 500 pesos (10 dollars) and back for the same price. But I would not recommend the Swagman to stay if you stay for a night or two in Manila...overpriced. There is a hotel about 3 blocks away called Cherry Blossoms which has aircon rooms for 28 dollars a night. Check out the "fly the bus" package at: http://www.swaggy.com/swaggy/hotels/travel2.htm. For some reason they do not list the Manila - Sabang route, but it is still there.

If you want to see pictures of Sabang and some underwater creatures, go to my photos at: http://www.casey-allen.net/photographs.htm and click on Philippines 1 or Philippines 2

I hope that helps with your decision...and if you do go to Sabang in February, email me and we can get together for a san-mig.

Poet