Philippines August 30th through September 14th 2025
Just returned from a two-week trip to the Philippines.
The first week, August 30th through September 5th was on the Alantis Liveaboard Adventure (name recently changed from Azores) doing the Visayas itinerary. During this week 24 dives were logged at sites around Cebu, Pescador, Leyte, Panglao and Pamilagan. The food, staff, and accommodations were all good. The diving was done from the 2 skiffs and was very good. Found many things to look at and photograph.
Did 2 dives at Leyte to, hopefully, see at least one Thresher Shark. On the first dive I was lucky and not only saw a Thresher Shark but got pictures and a video of one swimming by in front of me filling the whole frame.
Went to Tan-Awan to dive with Whale Sharks. We were on SCUBA with the day-trippers snorkeling above us. When returning to the moored skiff outside roped off Whale Shark area and preparing to surface two Whale Sharks came over to give us a close up check out. Got pictures and video.
The second week, September 6th through 13th was my 9th time at Atlantis Resort Dumaguete. As always, the food, staff, accommodations and diving were very good. One day was a 3-dive trip to Apo Island. Dove many of the sites near Dumaguete logging 31 dives. On these dives found many creatures to photograph or video including: 6 spices of Octopus; many Frog Fish from small to large; Ornate Ghost Pipe Fish; Scorpion Fish, Ribbon Eels, Electric Clam, a Manta Shrimp out of its den; many Nudibranchs including 2 having a “get together”; and other marine life, some very small.
Dennis' photos are at the button below.