Scuba Diving the Philippines is impressive, varied and spectacular
© Philippines Travel Guide written by Brett Jankowiak
Scuba diving Philippines does not get any more diverse, anywhere in the world! No
matter what level of diver you are, diving Philippines has something to
offer you. In fact I can just about guarantee that the scuba diving you do
in the Philippines will blow your mind and make you think twice about diving
when you get home. You will literally be spoilt when diving in the
Philippines.
Water Temperature.
The water temperature diving in the Philippines, is similar to diving in
your warm bath at home! It is absolutely divine. A balmy 22 C to 25 C during
the cooler months of December to March and 25 C to 28 C during the warmer
months of April to November. Water temperatures like these, gives you the
opportunity of diving in the comfort of lycra skin suits or 3mm wetsuits.
When you are use to diving in 5mm and 7mm steamers or even dry suits, this
type of diving is pure heaven.
Why Dive the Philippines?
The Philippine Islands, which there are over 7,100, have the widest variety
of marine life in the world. The diving here is still being discovered, it
does however have a number of popular spots which are very familiar with the
diving tourist and these sites are world class. Outside these popular diving
locations lie thousands of unexplored scuba diving opportunities. Since the
Philippines has so many islands, with some of them not easily accessible,
the allure for the scuba diver in the Philippines to be the first to explore
an underwater reef or to discover a wreck is a real possibility.
Statistics from the Philippine Department of Tourism indicate that scuba
divers visiting the Philippine Islands, return for an average of 10 trips
each. If this is not a high recommendation on the quality and health of the
scuba diving industry in the Philippines, then I’m not sure what is!
Scuba Diving Philippines - What Sort of Diving?
Philippines scuba diving has everything to satisfy the most fussy diver. All
you have to do, is put your wetsuit on and put your tank together, even then
there is someone there to assist you. From here it gets easier. Someone will
carry your gear on and off the dive boat for you, help you put your scuba
tank and gear onto your back and help you out of the water when you have
finished. Sound easy? You bet it is. Now, what type of diving should you
expect? Well pretty much everything you can think of is covered.
Pristine reef diving.
Exhilarating drift diving.
Big pelagic fish action.
World War II wrecks to be discovered.
Fantastic wall diving.
Muck diving for those who like macro photography.
Deep diving.
Coral Gardens.
Night Diving.
Swim throughs and caves.
Technical diving.
Soft coral spectaculars.
The majority of dives are conducted by boat, usually a very short trip from
your resort. If you are not diving from a boat you can generally find
fantastic reefs right in front of your resort, nice and easy shore diving.
For the ultimate experience, live aboard dive vessels can also take you to
areas seldom if ever visited by scuba divers, this is the ultimate
experience.
Diving Philippines – What will I see Underwater?
The list is too big to try and let you know what you will see underwater,
but I will tell you about the marine life you will definitely see
underwater. The marine life is exceptionally abundant, from rare nudibrachs
to a high density of the 27 species of clownfish or Amphiprion Sp., not to
mention the gregarious colours of the soft corals and the vibrancy of the
hard corals. If big fish are an attraction, then schooling barracudas,
sweetlips, Thresher and Hammerhead Sharks will not disappoint you. The
biggest fish in the world also frequents Philippine waters, the mighty Whale
Shark. Even mammals are widely seen, both dolphins and dugongs.
Diving Philippines gives you so many options that every dive will be
different and mind blowing, even if it is at the same dive site!
Note: The Philippines has had it’s fair share of dynamite fishing and
cyanide poisoning. This is slowly being pushed out, as more Filipinos
recognize a better future in tourism dollars. Cyanide poisoning is used for
capturing fish for marine aquarium enthusiasts. This practice is being
addressed by the Marine Aquarium Council in conjunction with Philippine
Authorities, who are training local fisherman in the use of ecological net
catching of small fish. They are also teaching good husbandry techniques for
the sustainability of this industry.
Diving Philippines is everything and more you want it to be. Your
expectations will be met and driven further than you thought possible, the
possibilities are endless.
© Philippines Travel Guide written by Brett Jankowiak