DONSOL

Executive summary by darmansjah

UNTIL the discovery of whale sharks off the coast here in 1998, Donsol was an obscure, sleepy fishing village. Now it has become one of Philipines’ most popular tourist locations. During the peak months of March and April, the question isn’t whether you will see a shark, but how many you will see. You can also dive at Manta Bowl to catch the manta rays and take an evening river cruise to see fireflies.

Vitton Beach Resort is next door to the visitors centre. Its spacious grounds mean that even when the

beach is busy with boats and whale watchers, the comfortable cottages in their garden setting are quiet (from US$40; 63 0927 912 6313).

The nearest airport serving Donsol is the Legazpi Airport. To get there, fly into either Manila or Cebu and catch one of the many daily flights to legazpi serviced by AirphilExpress or Cebu Pacific. Donsol is a one a half hour drive from Legazpi.