Ticao Island Resort

We had such a good time diving and staying here that we added another night. The whole team was lovely and helpful from beginning to end, and the dive guides, GL, Janjan, and Sam, were great at showing us around and spotting mantas. On one dive we spent more time cleaning up, pulling a whole ghost net drifting over the reef. It showed how much they care about the ocean, and to me that matters far more than ignoring destruction just to show tourists mantas. We were also lucky enough to see a whale shark out of season. This is really the place to go for a perfect time.

The staff are what make this place, from the food and beverage crew to the diving team. Grace deserves a special mention for welcoming me and making the whole trip memorable. The resort sits on its own private beach, with villas right over the water and a lovely view. Rooms are comfortable, though not luxurious by Western standards. The food and cocktails are okay, and massages are very cheap. For scuba diving, it's a short hop to manta bowl instead of the much longer trip from Donsol. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a budget-friendly resort with diving.

I've stayed here a few times and would definitely return. The diving is amazing. One night, don't forget to kayak into the lagoon to see the fireflies and the bioluminescent water along the way.

The people at Ticao Island Resort clearly care about making sure guests have a good time. Many come to see whale sharks and mantas, and leave with a warm feeling about the place. Our stay was amazing, and it went by too quickly.