Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

Dive Review of Paul's/Liberty's in
Philippines/Apo Island

Paul's/Liberty's, Dec, 2010,

by John Woolley, WA, US (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 11 reports). Report 5891.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Undercurrent readers are up-front and personally aware of the sorry state of the world’s marine environment. So shout out loud when you find a success story like little Apo Island. A community that recognized that the reef is their life and stopped it’s destruction.

Well yes, there is electricity only three times a day for two hour spurts. And yes, in the room’s bathrooms you have to take bucket baths. Those rooms are however very clean and very comfortable. Might it be inconsistent for us to worry about the destruction of reefs, often brought about by local pollution, and then not stay in a place that is designed to minimize that destruction because of the lack of amenities? I’ll answer that: yes. So go to Apo Island and stay at Liberty’s Lodge.

But not just because it is the right thing to do, but because you’ll find wonderful, wonderful corals and some really nice drift diving, some of which brings you right through large schools of Jacks. And you’ll find incredibly friendly staff, very knowledgeable dive masters, a yummy but limited menu, visitors from around the world who are really interesting, and an island community that welcomes you to their small village. And don’t forget to walk through the village and stop at the open-air billiards pub and shoot some pool. If you are lucky, you'll get to dance to some live music (the drummer was one of the dive masters). There are some really nice walks around the island, albeit steep walks.

Finally, in the open-air boat that takes you to the island (about 30 minutes) it is quite likely that you will get wet, so be prepared. But when you step off the boat, in your wet shorts, you'll be welcomed into open, friendly arms.
Websites Paul's   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Puget Sound, Bahamas, Saba, Honduras, Belize, Hawaii, Thailand, Australia
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 82-83°F / 28-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Mostly you wanted to stay with the dive master as he knew where cool stuff could be seen. That said, the coral was so wonderful it was fine to stay in a spot and look provided that the group (3-5) stayed in visual distance.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? no

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
Was this report helpful to you?
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 529 dive reviews of Philippines and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 
Featured Links from Our Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Reef & Rainforest, Let our experience be your guide -- Reef and Rainforest
Reef & Rainforest
is an agency for travelers that scuba dive. We specialize in planning scuba diving adventures to the Philippines.

Want to assemble your own collection of Philippines reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.1 seconds