Philippines info please

[pendragon]

I am planning to visit the Philippines later this year for an extended stay, departing from Brisbane
I am not visiting SW Mindanao or in general any Muslim area nor Indonesia.

I checked out www.noonsite.com , but I can't find everything I am looking for eg:::
I have read a few stories of yachts having problems with pilfering etc. Does anyone have some good pointers to prevent this?
Any general tips regarding cruising safety, local customs, shopping, visa extensions and where to get them.

Also I like a list of typhoon holes(long/lat please) and any anchorages.

Any info at all is welcome.
Many thanks.

[Alan Mighty]

Take a Captain Cook at:

1. Conant Webb's Cruising Guide to the Philippines for Yachtsmen http://svsoggypaws.com/files/Cruisin...20-%202009.pdf

2. Cruiser's Wiki: Philippines: a Cruising Guide RIBnet Forums - Powered by vBulletin

3. https://www.southeastasiapilot.com/philippines

[NCWDave]

Some very good reading^^^ thank you. My wife was born n raised in Davao. We are looking for a condo there, I am leaning towards one that floats. The most likely approach is move up to a capable boat here on the West coast, I live near Seattle. Then Hawaii ultimately Philippines / Langkawi.

[Alan Mighty]

Originally Posted by Alan Mighty

1. Conant Webb's Cruising Guide to the Philippines for Yachtsmen http://svsoggypaws.com/files/Cruisin...20-%202009.pdf

Webb gives locations for 70+ cyclone holes (see pages 27-9). And gives a quality rating for about 10 that he has visited.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by pendragon

I am not visiting SW Mindanao or in general any Muslim area nor Indonesia.
.

SW Mindanao I can understand but what's your problem with the other areas?

[daletournier]

There's alot if wonderful Muslim areas as well as Christian areas in Indonesia, you will miss out on much if you think that way.

[grahamb]

we fond Indonesia to be a most welcoming place indeed...….the locals will on occasion board without an invite...….but without intent...….never felt threatened......a yacht is so unusual for them......may have our anchorages...… if you send anticipated route by PM....see also ….'.Gadfly the yacht' blog...…

[pendragon]

re: Indonesia . I am of dutch descent and lived there for a year also had a run in with a navy patrol boat once. US1000 baksheesh got us get out of the situation.
So please stick to the thread of this forum, thanks

[NCWDave]

Skimmed your blog awesome! will read in detail asap.

[pendragon]

[QUOTE=Alan Mighty;2817090]

1. Conant Webb's Cruising Guide to the Philippines for Yachtsmen http://svsoggypaws.com/files/Cruisin...20-%202009.pdf

Thanks Alan, that's great info, Just what I was looking for..

Info I am still missing is stuff regarding security : say, leaving the boat at anchor, tied up on some jetty ( nobody o/b), dingy on the beach, as owner went to the local market, immigration office etc..

[NCWDave]

Hi! I would like to bump this thread as it is a subject close to my heart. Any more experience to share plz? I can add that the Southern Sulu and Northern Celebes including the Moro gulf is a no go. Period. Abu sayyaf terrorists are very active in this area. They are well funded, ruthless and untouchable. There are plenty of stories of peeps who have traveled the area and didn't get hurt. Also accounts of kidnappings and beheadings. fwiw you can walk across a freeway blindfolded and probably not get hurt. That does not mean it is a smart thing to do.
I do know there are areas of Southern Indonesia that are actively attracting cruisers with a delightful red carpet.

[grahamb]

We found that Puerto Galera was delightful...…...good anchorage …...and so pretty......with restaurants just a short boat ride......and cheap connections to Manila if needed.....no drama with locals ……. we sought villages to anchor at...…..no problem leaving boat unattended there....or dinghy on shore......we made a point of having a really beat up cowling on the outboard......which was a only a 2 HP anyway...….but kept the 15 HP on board...with ostentatious s/s chain all over...….any local market is often around waterfront...…...in sight of yacht...…..other boaties told of minor pilfering in bigger anchorages...….getting diesel is an exercise anywhere.....

[Pelagic]

If you can find a copy, this gives you a nice overview from someone who has sailed extensively throughout the Philippines
https://www.biblio.com/book/combing-...ng/d/687421638

No more security concerns here in the Philippines, than anywhere else.

Yachting still in its infancy, so less support but more opportunity to enjoy natural non commercial encounters with locals and quiet solitude in a multitude of anchorages.

Most resorts are still yacht friendly so always a good place to get local info from an expat

I used to be the managing editor of PGYC Cruiser News and received so many wonderful tales of fellow cruisers enjoying the Philippines
Here are some of my own cruising photos

[NCWDave]

Mr Currans book is very hard to find, I will continue to look. There is a really nice property overlooking PGYC for sale, tempting very tempting. Building a Jetty with water n power in the Cebu area is not out of the question either. But I want to cruise SE Asia for a while first then we will decide. The Zebra n Giraffe look like a place on N Palawan. Coron?