Philippines 2017/18

[Sam93]

Hey,

My partner and I, along with 4 other keen travelers (2 sailors and 2 shore lovers) will be sailing from Subic Bay, Philippines to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia over December/ January this year.

We are all fully aware of the concerns and risks related to the Sulu sea and Mindanao regions and plan to stay well clear of the hot spots. I have done a lot of research into these issues, everything from; previous sailors going through the area, Governmental sites and Noonsite, and have gained an 'external' appreciation for the area.

We have a plan to minimise the risk however would like to know if anyone on this forum has any recent knowledge, personal experience or know of any 'convoys' going through the area? In order to make the trip as pleasant and as safe as possible.

Regards,

Sam

[Pelagic]

Hi Sam, welcome to CF.

I have my own yacht presently based in SBYC and have made that trip often.
How many weeks do you have between Subic and KK so that I can make suggestions ?

[Sam93]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Hi Sam, welcome to CF.

I have my own yacht presently based in SBYC and have made that trip often.
How many weeks do you have between Subic and KK so that I can make suggestions ?

Thanks! We have 3 weeks.
will be sailing through the northern part of the Archipelago diving etc before heading down the west coast of Palawan to KK.

[Pelagic]

Here are some general notes to consider.
The NE Monsoon tends to blow at its hardest around that time (similar to the Xmas Trades in the Caribbean) so favoring the west coast of islands will give you the most protected sailing conditions.

With 3 weeks and about 600nm + 25% seaway direct, there is plenty of time to reach KK

Palawan Passage on W. Coast of Palawan is well marked and the South China Sea is heavily patrolled so it is the recommended route heading South.

My Map shows a suggested trip plan, which you can vary depending on conditions

90nm from Subic to Puerto Galera and Hamilo Cove breaks that up into 6hrs for first and 2nd day to get your non-sailors adjusted.
PGYC is a very social yacht club and with many dive resorts in PG, easy to go diving
2 days run down to Pandan resort where you can organize a dive to Apo reef or head across directly to Busuanga/ Caluit Island.

There is a great Game Farm to walk around at Caluit and very protected anchorage, where you can get a nice feed of crabs.

Sangit Resort and others can take you diving on Japanese Wrecks, but if time is an issue, worked down the lee side of the islands towards Halsey Harbor, where you can also find wild Tiger Prawns to enjoy and spectacular diving……thus making your way with least seaway towards El Nido.

Port Barton is a nice and well protected stop with Turtle Sanctuary, healthy Corals, teeming with fish, deserted Beaches with very friendly dogs
.
My last rest stop would be Ulong Bay on the way to Malaysia as it is a Naval Base and well protected.

Personally, I would clear in to Sabah at Kudat rather than KK, as I love the place, but you may have time constraints by then.

Hope this helps.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Sam.

[Sam93]

Thank you very much for the feed back and recommendations!

It is comforting to get some positive comments about the area!
Also good to know that we had roughly the same plan of attack.

I have forwarded the info to the rest of the crew and they are all very excited! (especially the part about the safari park!!)

My parents (owners of the vessel) will be delivering the yacht from HK to SBYC at the end of November. Do you have any suggestions/contacts for the SBYC end?

Thanks again,

Sam

P.S will you be in the area around the 20 Dec 17, would love to buy you a rum in order to return the favor.

[Steadman Uhlich]

PELAGIC that was a great post!


Nicely illustrated with photos and the route map from Google Earth helps..

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Sam93

Thank you very much for t Do you have any suggestions/contacts for the SBYC end?

Thanks again,

Sam

P.S will you be in the area around the 20 Dec 17, would love to buy you a rum in order to return the favor.

Yes, I am a member, I will pm you the marina department's email.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Steady Hand

PELAGIC that was a great post!


Nicely illustrated with photos and the route map from Google Earth helps..

Thanks Steady,
we will actually be making the same trip next March, but will probably take around 3 months.
So many places to explore in this area

[lucseawalker]

Very good advice I agree with you! 3 weeks is not very much time but it is indeed possible if you don't spend so much time visiting shore

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Here are some general notes to consider.
The NE Monsoon tends to blow at its hardest around that time (similar to the Xmas Trades in the Caribbean) so favoring the west coast of islands will give you the most protected sailing conditions.

With 3 weeks and about 600nm + 25% seaway direct, there is plenty of time to reach KK

Palawan Passage on W. Coast of Palawan is well marked and the South China Sea is heavily patrolled so it is the recommended route heading South.

My Map shows a suggested trip plan, which you can vary depending on conditions

90nm from Subic to Puerto Galera and Hamilo Cove breaks that up into 6hrs for first and 2nd day to get your non-sailors adjusted.
PGYC is a very social yacht club and with many dive resorts in PG, easy to go diving
2 days run down to Pandan resort where you can organize a dive to Apo reef or head across directly to Busuanga/ Caluit Island.

There is a great Game Farm to walk around at Caluit and very protected anchorage, where you can get a nice feed of crabs.

Sangit Resort and others can take you diving on Japanese Wrecks, but if time is an issue, worked down the lee side of the islands towards Halsey Harbor, where you can also find wild Tiger Prawns to enjoy and spectacular diving……thus making your way with least seaway towards El Nido.

Port Barton is a nice and well protected stop with Turtle Sanctuary, healthy Corals, teeming with fish, deserted Beaches with very friendly dogs
.
My last rest stop would be Ulong Bay on the way to Malaysia as it is a Naval Base and well protected.

Personally, I would clear in to Sabah at Kudat rather than KK, as I love the place, but you may have time constraints by then.

Hope this helps.