Local Area
Dumaguete
University town Dumaguete is locally referred to as the “City of gentle people”. You can find many different bars and restaurants in town, live music and a vibrant atmosphere with a mix of students and tourists.
With modern facilities such as hospitals, doctors, dentists, supermarkets and immigration office, Dumaguete is an easy base for diving further afield. There are also numerous land-based activities here, including trekking, canyoning, waterfalls, hot springs, lakes and city tours. The city has a pier and airport creating easy access to many other locations in the Philippines.
Dauin
14km south of Dumaguete is the small coastal town of Dauin. World famous for muck diving in volcanic black sand, many divers compare sites here to diving in the Sulawesi. Also known as a great base for doing amazing trips to Apo Island, waterfalls, the famous Malatapay weekly markets, and hot springs.
Dauin, although a small and sleepy town, has a few inviting restaurants and the local food choices are great.Apo Island
Apo Island is also very famous as being one of the only functioning marine protected areas in the Philippines. Stunning reefs with an abundance of marine life and turtles guaranteed on most dives.
The area is protected by a several successful marine sanctuaries that are currently home to some rare species of marine life. Triggerfish, parrotfish, pennant fish, moray eels, surgeonfish, snappers, lionfish, wrasses and fusiliers are all common sightings, with sharks and mantas occasionally swimming through.
The whole region is ideal for macro-diving and photography, and is well suited to all levels of divers. There is a variety in wreck dives, walls, drift dives and gentle relaxed dives throughout the area.
Siquijor and Sumilon offer fantastic wall diving where it is possible to see rays, sharks and even whale sharks if you are lucky. It is also easy to access the islands of Siquijor, Sumilon Islands and Bohol from here.
Climate
Each region has its own micro climate, but most tend to follow the simple pattern of summer during the months of May – September, winter from October – January and spring February - April. Dumaguete has 2 distinct seasons. Dry season from December-May with the hottest months being April and May; then wet season from June to November. The average maximum temperature for this region is 34 degrees Celsius with the lowest dropping to 23 degrees Celsius. Typhoon season is officially from June to October and hits the northern end of the Visayan region. Being below the official typhoon belt Dumaguete does not tend to have a typhoon season.
Top things to do in Negros Oriental
• Scuba Diving in Apo Island
• Bird watching in Negros Oriental
• Visit the twin lakes in Balisansayao and Danao
• Visit the Casaroro Falls in Valencia
• Visit the white sand bar in Manjuyod and go watch dolphins in Bais City
• Climb Mt. Kanlaon
• Discover the Mabinay Caves
• Experience the sweet delicacies of Negros,especialy the Sylvannas
• Visit the monkey sanctuary in Santa Catalina
