For snorkelling with the whale sharks, Donsol is the place to be. An hour and a half away by boat is Ticao Island, and this is where all the diving is done. Below are the details on where Donsol and Ticao Island are and how to get there.
DONSOL
- Donsol is located at the southernmost tip of Luzon, Philippines in the province of Sorsogon, Bicol Region.
- The closest airport is Legaspi Airport. There are 8 flights daily between Manila and Legaspi and there is 1 flight every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday between Cebu and Legaspi. Below is the complete flight schedule as updated on 14 September 2011. Airlines may change schedule without prior notice:
- Legaspi and Donsol can also be accessed by land from Manila. The travel distance from Manila to Legaspi is about 500KM and this will take about 10 hours. Respectively, the travel distance from Manila to Donsol is about 550KM and will take 11 to 12 hours of travel. Reliable bus companies would be Cagsawa and PhilTranco.
- Donsol Eco Tour packages include airport transfers and the airport referred to would be the Legaspi Airport. Upon guest arrival at the Legaspi Airport, our driver will have a sign with “DONSOL ECO TOUR” and/or the guest name. Our driver is usually positioned right outside the arrival area or at the shed right across the street from the arrival gate.
- Travel from Legaspi to Donsol is by land and this will take about 1 hour. Guests may opt for a quick stopover at the bank, fast food drive through, or toilet. This is free of charge. However, longer stopovers for shopping, sightseeing, and such are subject to overtime charges and your driver will have to contact the office to check if this will be permitted as our driver may have other transfers scheduled for the day.
TICAO ISLAND
- Ticao Island is an island in the province of Masbate, Bicol region. Politically this island is owned by the province of Masbate, but geographically Ticao Island is closer to the province of Sorsogon.
- Ticao Island is a 1.5 to 2 hour boat ride from Donsol. In fact, since Donsol is strictly a snorkelling area, all the diving in the region is done around Ticao Island. This means that all dive shops in Donsol have to travel 1.5 to 2 hours (one way) for the diving. This is why we recommend Ticao Island Resort for the accommodations of guests that plan on diving for several days.
- There are 2 airports near Ticao Island – Legaspi Airport and the Masbate Airport. For proximity, ease and reliability of transportation, we recommend the Legaspi Airport. Donsol Eco Tour only arranges private transfers from the Legaspi Airport. Flight schedules to and from Legaspi can be found here.
- Just like the transfer arrangements to Donsol, Donsol Eco Tour packages normally include airport transfers and the airport referred to would be the Legaspi Airport. Upon guest arrival at the Legaspi Airport, our driver will have a sign with “DONSOL ECO TOUR” or the guest name. Our driver is usually positioned right outside the arrival area or at the shed right across the street from the arrival gate.
- Public transportation routes from the Legaspi airport and the Masbate airport are available. Click here for details on the public transportation routes.
- Via private transfers, travel time from Legaspi to Ticao Island is about 3 hours. There are two route options for the Legaspi to Ticao Island transfers. The more common route during the whale shark season is a 1 hour land transfer to Donsol and then a 1.5 to 2 hour boat transfer from Donsol to Ticao Island. Another route, which commonly used outside the whale shark season, will consist of a 2 hour land transfer from Legaspi to Bulan and then a 1 hour boat transfer from Bulan to Ticao Island Resort.
- Since Legaspi-Donsol-Ticao Island is one of the two routes, we suggest for the whale shark interaction to be scheduled before travelling to Ticao Island or after visiting Ticao Island. Such an itinerary will be time and cost effective. For your convenience, your Donsol Eco Tour Travel Consultant will be more than happy to help you design an itinerary.