Donsol Whale Shark

Your Central Point of Information on Donsol, Philippines

Resorts, Hotels, Accommodations, and Other Resources

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When to go to Donsol: activities like SCUBA diving with manta rays, firefly watching, kayaking, tours, etc. are good all year, but whale shark interaction is best December through May (though there are usually sightings November through June).

Booking a hotel in Donsol: it is advisable to contact one of the listed accommodations to get the best deal unless already included in a tour package. Certain resorts host activities like whale shark interactions and firefly tours, so be sure to inquire with your place of stay first before signing up for a service elsewhere.

USEFUL TIP: watch out for fraudulent websites that pretend to be the listed resorts. Also, some tour operators fail to pay their proposed hotel their dues, which can cause raise some issues. Be safe: check with the hotels below and/or ask your tour operator for the hotel name and call their number from below.

RESORTS

Amor

Address: Dancalan, Donsol
Manager: Sylvia Amor
Number: +63 (909) 518-1150
* Open December through May
* Closed June through November unless pre-booked (restaurant closed)
* Aircon and fan rooms available with private bathroom
* Hot and cold shower for select rooms

* Aircon rooms start at Php2,200 per night (2 beds, without breakfast)

Casa Bianca

Address: Dancalan, Donsol
Manager: Rafi Belmonte
Number: +63 (906) 309-9372
Email:
* Aircon and fan rooms available with private bathroom
* Hot and cold shower for select rooms
* Open December through May (closed otherwise)

* Aircon rooms start at Php2,200 per night (2 beds, without breakfast)

Giddy's Place Dive Resort

Website and online booking: http://www.giddysplace.com
Address: 54 Clemente Street, Town Center of Donsol
Manager: Raymond Yap
Reservations: +63 (917) 848-8881
Resort Number: +63 (2) 425-2627/+63 (917) 828 8851
Email:
* Open all year-round
* Butanding Bar and Restaurant open from 6am to 1am
* D'Spa Donsol - full service spa with scrub & hot stone massage
* All rooms airconditioned with private bathroom (except backpacker rooms)
* Hot and cold shower facilities
* Only resort with WiFi, credit card facilities and cable TV in Donsol
* Swimming and dive training pool
* Donsol's only in-house PADI scuba instructor

* Aircon rooms start at Php2,500 per night (2 twin beds, with breakfast) for standard rooms

Vitton

Address: Dancalan, Donsol
Manager: Annie (same as Woodlands)
Number: +63 (927) 912-6313
Email:
* All rooms airconditioned with private bathroom
* Hot and cold shower facilities
* Swimming pool
* Open December through May (closed otherwise)

* Aircon rooms start at Php2,200 per night (2 beds, without breakfast)

Woodlands

Address: Dancalan, Donsol
Manager: Annie (same as Vitton)
Number: +63 (927) 912-6313
Email:
* Open December through May
* All rooms airconditioned with private bathroom
* Hot and cold shower facilities
* Closed June through November unless pre-booked (restaurant closed)

* Aircon rooms start at Php1,800 per night (one double bed, without breakfast)

HOMESTAYS

Houses with some rooms converted for guest stay. No facilities

AguLuz Homestay

Address: Barangay Awaii, Donsol Town Center
Manager: Marilyn Razo
Number: +63 (917) 209-4757
* Open all year round
* 5 rooms available (1 room with private bathroom)
* No hot shower facilities

* Aircon rooms start at Php1,600 (1 double bed, without breakfast)
QUICK TIPS

- Bring cash. Nearest ATM is 1hr15min away.
- No credit card facilities in Donsol except in Giddy's Dive Resort.
- Take note of transfer times. Airport is 1hr15min away.
- Whaleshark interaction is in the morning for about 3hrs.
- Scuba diving is a whole-day activity. Sites are 2hrs away.
- There is no travel agency in Donsol.
- There is no official money changer in Donsol.

- Whaleshark season starts November and ends in June.
- Diving and other activities all year round.

More on Donsol

Accommodation Reviews (TripAdvisor)
Whale Sharks (HubPages)
Butanding Festival Photos (Giddy's Place)
Beautiful Donsol Photos (Danielle Caceres-Bricheno)
Butanding Experience and Protection (Travel-Philippines)
Sudsod / Night Fishermen by the Sand Bar (Onanie on Flickr)
Donsol (Wikipedia)
Map (Google Maps)
Video (YouTube)

Donsol and Nearby Activities

Day and Night Activities (kayak, dine, bar, etc.) (Giddy's Place)
Fireflies at Night by Ogod River (Pic from Calvin's Hub)
Mayon Volcano (Wikipedia)
Manta Ray and Scuba Diving (e-Philippines)
CWC Wakeboarding (CWC)

Just Some of the Things to Do in Donsol
- dive with manta rays;
- watch fireflies at night;
- kayak the river;
- visit nearby islands for snorkeling;
- get a glimpse into local life and livelihood (e.g. sleep early, rouse early, some catch shrimp in the dark of the night by attaching lanterns or flashlights to their heads to attract shrimps and fish- "sudsod");
- eat the spicy local food along with Filipino favorites;
- sightsee;
- sing karaoke at Shanley's or Giddy's Place;
- eat and drink at the Butanding Restaurant & Bar (by Giddy's Place) or Barracuda Bar (by Vitton);
- interact with whale sharks (sightings usually Nov-June, with higher chances of interaction Dec-May)

Questions? Donsol Accomodation Not Yet Included?
Feel free to email us at info@donsolwhaleshark.com. We love to answer your questions, and keep our list up-to-date and comprehensive