My Wife and I stayed Sangat in beginning March for 8 nights. Reaching there was more convenient than we initially thought. It was an hour flight from Manila on smaller plane, the visual from above was amazing while arriving in Coron, series of green islands on blue ocean. We were picked up promptly from airport on arrival, half an hour drive and similar time on boat and Sangat emerged within the rocky hills. The rock bar stands out, the island area is a small bay with white sandy beach, clear sea waters and lots of greenery and within that the huts and facilities are spread out.
We stayed in the newly constructed very nice beach chalets, traditional huts on high stilts right on the beach overlooking the sea. Spacious enough with two large beds and decent sized bathroom. Arriving on our first day which was hot, we wondered whether the ceiling and a small table fan in the room be enough during the nights. But the concern was put to rest, there was cool wind coming in every night from the sea, the traditional design of the chalets with high ceilings let wind pass through cooling the room, and at times we kept the bamboo sliding doors open with netted doors closed which helped further. Some of the nights we even had to cover ourselves as the wind was strong and cooler.
The diving was great and dive team excellent, it was first time for us to experience wreck diving and enjoyed it thoroughly. The wreck sites were varied and interesting with different types of World War II ships, spooky and fun at the same time to be able explore inside, along with healthy coral formation and marine life around it. The reef was just as beautiful and we came across turtles in multiple dives. The dive sites are just about 10 mins in different directions that made the whole experience so much more convenient, as we could come back after a dive, take a little rest and go for the next one. What made the experience stand out was the dive team, very experienced and friendly, made us feel safe throughout. We always had one dive guide provided for two of us, and at times even one dive guide provided for single diver. It was a pleasure to get to know the team and dive with them – Will, Luke, Kaloy, Daniela thanks to all of you, specially Daniela for understanding my Wife’s preference for coral and marine life and tailoring the dives accordingly during the wreck dives, my Wife enjoyed the dives even more.
Coming to the food, nothing fancy there but adequate and whatever prepared was always tasty. We always found new menu over our entire stay. The diving made us feel hungry anyways so we were always looking forward to it. My wife being used to more spicy food, missed a little punch though. The cocktails and the specials for the day at the bar, was something we always looked forward to every day. The staff was always helpful and remembered what we liked.
Then there is super positive Alaiza from the front office, she was our one stop shop for everything, from receiving us in Sangat, helping us familiarize with facilities, suggesting and arranging tours for us, checking in and out, she just made it a breeze with her infectious smile.
It was a pleasure to get to know the owner Andy as he stays in the premises and makes an effort to reach out to the guests. It was very interesting to know his story and this place is clearly his labor of love and passion over the years.
We found the place unpretentious, somewhat pure at heart, you get what you come for and somewhat more because of the people that make up this place. The easy nature of this place gets to you. Lying in a hammock in the afternoon below your hut looking at the sea, winds rocking you gently, with a beer by your side, you tend to sink in and be in that moment.
That’s hard to come by these days, can go back in a breath.