Diving, Whale Watching and Backpacking – The Bohol Way

Experience Bohol in three ways. A tropical beauty where you can dive, whale watch and even just enjoy going around by backpacking.

There are a lot of great dive sites in Bohol. The most popular and regarded as the best is the Balicasag Island. Some say it’s shaped is circular and flat while others say it is crab-shaped. Lined with palm trees and white sand beach, its waters are the best place for black coral bushes and cathedral-like caves. Divers love its crevices, overhangs and steep walls. Schools of barracudas, jackfish and mackerel are found here. Large green turtles and grey reef shark are also seen in this island.

In the southern part of Bohol is the Panglao Island. The currents here are deep and strong. Most diving sites here are great for macro photography because of the many colors of hard coral. Its reef platform is shallow and canopied with hard and soft corals. This island is also great for drift diving.

Cabilao Island is the favorite hangout of hammerhead sharks. A much awaited encounter with seahorses, stargazers and pegasus is a great night dive experience.

Pamilacan Island is the farthest dive site in Bohol. It is noted for big whale sharks, mantas and the rarest as well as most expensive Conus Gloria Maris seashell. It also houses a colony of white and black banded sea snakes. But the main tourist attraction here is whale and dolphin watching. It is recommended that you do whale watching during the months of March to June as the waters as calm and clear while the dolphins love strong currents. Both animals are best seen not later than 8 in the morning. Melon-headed whale, giant sperm whale, pygmy killer whale, bottlenose dolphin and spinner dolphins are just some of those that inhabit the waters of Pamilacan. Read the rest of this entry »

Newport Landing Whale Watching in California – A Great Vacation and Travel Destination

If you want to check out whales in their natural habitat then Newport Landing Whale Watching is for you. The trips leave from Newport Beach daily and there are various whale watching departure times to choose from. It only takes a few minutes from Los Angeles to reach the departure site in Orange County. With tours being offered year round you should have no problem finding a time to see the whales.

The best time to see the Grey Whale is when it is migrating during the months of December through April. Since the Newport Harbor is so close to Laguna Beach, where hundreds of Grey Whales pass during their migration, it is easy to plan a time where you will surely see lots of whales.

If you are available May through November then you will more likely to see blue whales, finback whales, dolphin pods numbering in the thousands, sharks, seals, killer whales, and more. Of course, you will likely see other marine creatures during this time of the year as well. The whale watching cruises at Newport Landing are excellent and are perfect for families, friends, churches, businesses, or other large groups of people. Anyone will enjoy seeing these marine animals in their natural habitat and it is a life experience that won’t soon be forgotten. There are cruises that are open to the public or large groups may choose a private charter. Read the rest of this entry »

Whales Vacations In Costa Rica For Romance

The whales of the world come from the Artic and Antarctic to a huge shelf off the Southern Pacific Coast called “the Dome”. Why the Dome? In this area low-oxygen cold waters well up through shallow warm waters, creating a rich eco-system and marine life. The humpback takes leave of his cold Antarctic home, traveling over 11,000 miles for a romantic vacation in these warm waters from July to November. Those whales living in the Arctic take leave to the warmer waters off Costa Rica during October to April. The real purpose of both groups is romance and making babies.

Up to 35% of all whale and porpoise species, around 25 varieties, are found in these warmer waters. The largest of all whales is the Blue Whale. This whale has been hunted to almost extinction with about 5% remaining since 50 years ago. Humpbacks seem to be the majority whale to be seen in this area and their numbers are down to 10,000. Pilot, Sperm, Pygmy and False Killer whales are also to be seen here. What is surprising to me is to think that the Humpback whales come from two divergent places, the Artic and Antarctic, two cultures of Humpback whales to meet, romance and mate. The meeting time and place seems to be heightened in October and November. The dance and songs begin.

Literally, a symphony of whale songs begins. Each year they are different, maybe changing their tune to attract a more beautiful female. This call of the ocean can be heard for 1000 miles away. The two hemispheres have their own unique songs, but surprisingly they are similar to the prior year’s but also different and exceedingly complex. Each consists of grunts, squeaks and hauntingly beautiful sounds. It seems the males only sing their songs in the warm waters off the Ballena/OSA coasts. Read the rest of this entry »