Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Nasugbu, a Dive Paradise Near the City of Manila
Planning to get out of the town and relax in a place with a beautiful scenic natural ambiance? Why don’t you try going to Nasugbu, Batangas? Nasugbu is one of the closest diving destinations from Manila. You can drive to Nasugbu for about a couple of hours (that is if you don’t encounter any traffic).
Nasugbu faces the magnificent South China Sea. It has a great dive site with plenty of sea creatures. Who would ever realize that there are dive sites close to the Philippine’s capital.
One of the dive spots in Nasugbu is Blue Holes, which is made up of three sinkholes. While in Blue Hole, expect to find different kinds of fish like angelfish, damselfish, sweetlips, parrot fish and large groupers.
Other than the diverse species of fish in Blue Holes, you can also find different kinds of coral such as barrel sponges, gorgonians, and anemones. If you are lucky you can even catch the sight of Hawkbill turtles and some species of pelagic fish.
Another dive spot in Nasugbu is Pink Wall, diving to a rocky bottom going in to a small cave. It will lead you to a wall covered with vast amount of soft pink corals. You will be left breathless by astonishing pink corals surrounded by abundant species of fish. The approximate depth of this dive spot is from 20 to 90 feet.
Fuego point is one popular dive spot in Nasugbu. The interesting characteristic of Fuego point is that it’s shaped like a horseshoe. Fuego point is divided to two parts namely the north side and the south side.
The south side has an interesting deep. Diving to a 110 feet with the corals along with the large angelfish, large grouper and remoras.
The north side is mostly gaining popularity not only to foreign divers but also to local divers as well. Its has a beautiful scenery of walls and canyons.
If you’re looking for stingrays you should go to the Coral Garden. Normally you can see these stingrays covered in sand. Coral Garden is also one popular site in Nasugbu. The name is taken from a tight hug of a variety of corals scattered all over the sandy bottom.
These are only a few of the many dive spots in Nasugbu, Batangas. It’s easy to find an inn or a resort to spend the night in Nasugbu making it ideal for weekend trips and holidays. If you are looking for a weekend get away or a good place to spend a holiday break, then come to Nasugbu, Batangas for a great time under the waves.
Anilao, Diving Options in Batangas
When it comes to finding the perfect diving spot, the Philippines has a great many and on top of this list is Anilao in the province of Batangas. This dive spot is recognized as one of the favorite hangouts of people looking for a weekend getaway. Being just a couple of hours away from the national capital of Metro Manila, it is a suitable spot alternative for city residents who want to take a dip in its resorts or engage in scuba diving or snorkeling. Aside from its world-class amenities, Anilao is home to the biggest contingent of various marine life species, including more than 90% of coral species and a huge number of nudibranch.
Diving in Anilao reached its peak during the early years of the 80’s when divers from different parts of the world discovered the place and started diving the area extensively. However, the diving place was still due for development during that time. Aside from that, Anilao was affected by dangerous style of dynamite fishing by the local residents. Consequently, foreign divers began to look for other dive sites in the Philippines, such as Tubbataha or Palawan. However, slowly but surely, Anilao is getting back on its feet after local efforts to preserve natural wildlife went into full swing.
Dive sites in the area are perfect for beginners as well as expert divers. Local 
and foreign divers can look forward to comfortable temperatures throughout the year. The customer service is exceptional and commonly the local personnel will take care of the itinerary of their clients. Dive sites in Anilao offer affordable prices and are truly a worthwhile diving experience.
At some dive sites, beginners don’t like to indulge in scuba diving for fear of getting into situations they can’t handle, but Anilao offers several alternatives in the nearby resorts lined-up on the coast. Some of the more popular dive sites in Anilao include Cathedral and Twin Rocks. Both provide a guarantee of an enjoyable diving experience for beginners and experts alike.
Although designed as a resort and diving site, Anilao likewise offers other amenities for customers who are not inclined to diving. Visitors can look forward to spa and massage treatments. Snorkeling is a very popular alternative to diving.
Situated on the northeast area of Anilao is Lake Taal, where majestic Taal Volcano, the world’s smallest volcano, is located. Residents from this city can likewise tour this natural wonder which has another lake within the volcano’s crater. Guests could even consider going on a hiking trip towards the slope of Taal Volcano. Finally, there are other diving alternatives which visitors can delve in outside Lake Taal.
So when looking for dive spots in the Philippines, always consider Anilao; you won’t be disappointed.
[Tags]Diving, Anilao, Philippines, Dive Site, Batangas, Diving in Anilao, Divers[/Tags]
Wreck Dive in Subic Bay: Its Diving Pleasures
One of the good things in life, encased within the mystical waters of Subic Bay, Olongapo, is to opt for diving pleasures for a ship wreck dive within the crystal blue waters of this place.
Open to both novice (through a guided diving tour) and professional divers, a year-round diving treasure can be garnered in several wreck dive spots that holds a number of battleships that had sunk in Subic Bay in various times throughout history.
The best and the most perilous of all is the USS New York cruiser which is located between the Alava Pier and the end of the northern runway spot. Diving down to its interiors is a feat that most divers have to master, and yet, beholding this 1891 World War I vessel that is way below the surface – submerged around 88 feet of Subic Bay water – is a breathtaking venture beyond compare.
Upon taking a good wreck dive within this ship, various types of marine life would be pleasantly seen which includes the lionfish, lapu-lapu, talakitok, spotted seet lip, spotted rays, barracuda and the lobster.
Next to venture in a Subic Bay wreck dive is the small 3000 ton freighter known as El Capitan. Situated in the Ilanin Bay, this AN LST ship sits proudly with its top feature around 16 to 40 feet below the surface – making it easily accessible for most divers and also those who engage in snorkeling.
Although Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption has damaged this ship’s hull, it still is good for a diving feature to look into since there are lots of tropical fishes that would be exciting to watch as they swim past the divers in complete abandon with their tails swishing to and fro.
Another wonderful wreck dive to take, as one would plunge deep into the waters of Subic Bay, is the San Quentin that is mainly made of wood. This is known to be the oldest ship wreck in history that was used in 1898 during the Spanish-American war.
And, before one would leave the comforts of Subic Bay waters, and its wreck dive spots, the Oryoku Maru, which served as a passenger ship for many families during its prime, should not be an option to leave behind. Coined as the “Hell Ship,” this vessel also opened its services to 1600 American prisoners of war.
Within its historical hull, marine life in this diving spot holds a variety of tropical species.
Wreck diving in Subic Bay would also be most fulfilling if one would go diving for the Seian Maru. There are a handful of living species like the spotted sweet lip, coral trout and others that would make underwater photography a true delight.
These five great wreck dive spots in Subic Bay should never be forgotten by those who wish to go for a good diving experience since these areas make Olongapo a favorite place to be in by most divers and tourists alike.
Diving In Paradise
This is the right time for all the parents around the world thinking about the safety of their little ones and sending them into summer camp activities. If you are looking for something different because summer is the hottest season, why not try a scuba summer camp? Children may find it very keen and interesting observing and being part of the underwater world. Not only that it allows them to learn something that once they learned it, they will never forget it plus it may chill them up. It is the greatest gift they will ever get and the greatest skill they ever learned.
Located in the Central Visayas of the Philippines; east of Cebu and southwest of Leyte is the island Bohol. It is surrounded by the Camotes Sea on the north; by the Cebu Strait on the west; and by the Bohol Sea by the south. Bohol is sometimes called the “Jewel of the Philippines,” probably because it is filled with great history and landmarks.
Covering an area of 4,117 square kilometers, and essentially an agricultural province, corps and fishes are likely the major industry. It is one of Asia’s greatest scuba diving destinations, Bohol has an undersea paradise waiting to be observed and populated by remarkable coral reefs with wonderful marine life. They even offer island-hopping where you can go from one place of the island to the other and whale-watching voyages can be organized.
Scuba diving not only gives the diver the sense of excitement but also the sense of belonging with the marine life as well; and giving them a wider thought and knowledge about the inhabitants of the deep seas.
Bohol is not only the home of beautiful beaches. It is also the home of the famous Chocolate Hills and the World’s Smallest Monkey Tarsier. Aside from its pristine white-sand beaches and the Chocolate Hills, Bohol also includes old churches, magnificent falls and caves and the famous historical landmarks. Different tourist destination sites are being developed by the Department of Tourism to boost their industry even higher. Don’t forget the generosity and hospitality of the Filipino people that gives the other nation the sense of belonging, it’s just amazing.
Bohol is not only the tourist attraction in the Philippines which offers scuba diving. Boracay, is another tourist spot of the Visayas not only by the foreign people but as well as celebrities. With its pearly white sands, people can’t resist admiring the island even more.
Wreck Dive Sites in Subic Bay
Dive sites in the Philippines always afford a grand sight of the underwater world—coral reefs, sea plants and creatures. But diving at Subic Bay is quite another thing. Aside from the usual spectacular sights underwater—sharks, dolphins, turtles, stingrays, and others—there is a bonus of seeing touching remains of World War II ship wreckage. Some report a total of 30 reef dive sites and 30 wreck dive sites.
Subic Bay in Olongapo is a mere two-hour drive from Manila through the North Luzon Expressway. It’s the nearest dive site to Manila that can afford amazing diving spots where reefs and wrecks are both available. Dive centers dot the Subic coastal landscape and each are just minutes away from reef and wreck dive sites. Hence, Subic Bay is unofficially the “Pearl of the Orient” due to the abundant spots where these treasures are located.
The wreck dive sites reveal mostly World War II vessels—huge war or battleships, supply ships, sea patrol boats, landing amphibians, antique steam ships, some submarines and crashed planes. But there are more. Post war incidents of ship sinking occurred there. Some say there are some ten large ships added to the wrecks of the war. Then there are the Spanish ships that sank at these Subic Bay wreck dive sites, so the place literally swarms with wreck dive sites. Accordingly, somewhere there is the San Quintin vessel, a warship in the Spanish-American War. Another is a Spanish galleon believed to have sunk in the 16th century and a Chinese Junk ship.
Among the historic wreckage are: The 116-meter long USS New York is in these Subic Bay wreck dive sites. It’s in a depth of about 27 meters. This warship was built in 1891 in Philadelphia and was greatly used in the Spanish-American War. It was intentionally sunk in December 1941 at this Subic wreck dive site to prevent the Japanese from capturing it.
An LST ship measuring 80 meters long is also down there in the wreck dive site some 34 meters deep. It was an huge amphibious ship tank of the US Coast Guard that crossed oceans and crept up shores to deploy troops. And El Capitana, a naval ship launched in August 18, 1917.
Subic Bay wreck dive sites are more than a cache of underwater sea wonders. They are a treasure of sea wreckage buried in history annals but alive in the hearts of serious wreck divers.
Balicasag Island, A World Class Dive Site
Not too many dive sites in the world can offer about $40 for two dives. Like most dive sites in the country, Balicasag Island, in the Philippines, can offer this great service and add to it many wonderful locations.
Balicasag Island, Philippines, is a flat island four kilometers southwest of the Duljo Point off what is known as Pangalo Reef. The sandy coraline beach of Balicasag Island is a site to behold making it ideal for vacationers. The whole of Balicasag Island can be toured in a day.
Balicasag Island is fringed by a narrow reef about nine to 49.5 meters wide, one of the many reasons why Balicasag Island is a favorite destination of many foreign and local divers. Other than this, the locals exhibit the homegrown Filipino hospitality that makes visitors come back again and again.
You will find hard coral covering the submarine cliffs’ tops and sponges and gorgonians at the base. The Balicasag Island is also home to a huge community of fish.
Here are some interesting places you can check out when you visit Balicasag Island.
Diver’s Haven is a dive site that features a grand array of fish and marine life. Because of the many features of this dive site, it becomes a place of bliss for many divers who visit Balicasag Island.
Another interesting dive site in Balicasag Island is called the Turtle Point. This dive site is located on the eastern side of the island. It features caves about 60 to 75 meters down. The dive site is called Turtle Point due to the fact that the place is a haven for turtles. They make the caves their own lair to hide from perceived hazards.
Located on the southwest side of Balicasag Island is the Cathedral Wall. This dive site is a section of a wall that has many recesses where divers can explore. You may need to bring a torch to have a grand view of the marine life. Reef fish, sponges, and big jacks can be found here along with other forms of marine life.
The north side of Balicasag Island is covered with thick coral forming a kaleidoscopic multi-colored reef full of an assortment of tropical fish. This dive site is amply called the Royal Garden.
A dive site you can’t afford to miss is the Black Coral Forest. You can actually have the rare opportunity to swim through the black coral that abounds in this part of Balicasag Island. Black coral is rarely found on a shallow 90-foot depth.
Balicasag Island is an hour and ten minutes away from Manila to Tagbilaran or Cebu by air. You can get to Balicasag Island from Cebu through Bohol via a connecting bridge and get to Alona beach, which is the jump off point. Accommodations on the island are usually worth Php 2,500, an average price for accomodations in the Philippines. Take note that prices can change without notice.
Balicasag Island is the location of the best dive sites in this part of the Philippines. The place offers rare experiences that anyone can afford even on a tight budget.
A Plunge into the Deep Blue
One of the most exciting adventures is to explore the bottom of the sea. Scuba diving; it may seem dangerous, however it offers a once in a lifetime experience. An example of Asia’s finest diving destinations is the island of Bohol, Philippines. This island is located in Central Visayas region. Bohol dive sites are numerous across the island. Under its deep blue lies a vast paradise unfolding before every diver’s sight.
Most diving sites in Bohol could be found in Panglao Island. A smaller island connected to mainland Bohol through a bridge. It is composed of two neighboring towns namely Dauis and Panglao. Divers usually select an appropriate beach resort as a starting point towards their desired diving spot. These beach resorts cater to every diver’s need, from equipment to tourist guides.
Bohol dive sites in Panglao vary in its area of difficulty. Dive sites suitable for beginners are Kalipayan and Arco Point. The Kalipayan dive site is located in the Southeastern part of the island. It is also known as the “Happy Wall”. Arco Point appears to be at the center of southeast portion of Panglao. It’s other name is “Hole in the Wall” because of the presence of a vertical funnel passage.
There are also a number of Bohol dive sites which require more proficient diving skills. The Pungtud Wall dive site is located in Pungtud Island, Panglao. Normally, its currents can be strong; however one can still go there during a calm weather condition.
Duljo Point could be found at the southwest portion of Panglao. Napaling on the other hand, is situated at the center of northwester side of the island. Rico’s wall and Rudy’s Rock are both sited on Balicasag Island. Another island of Panglao situated on its southwest point.
A popular dive site, on Balicasag Island requiring a more advanced scuba diving skills is very often sought after. This scuba diving site in Bohol is known as the Black Forest. Novice divers are advised to stay close to their dive master while exploring this site.
These scuba diving sites in Bohol could compete with any dive site in the world. They are blessed with remarkable marine life which adds color to the deep blue. A diver can expect to see exquisite corals, various nudibranches, snappers, barracudas, stonefishes, highly-prized seashells, and a many more awe-inspiring sea creatures.
Scuba diving in Bohol is a one-of-a-kind experience. The island is equipped with a whole bunch of dive sites that could match world-class diving spots. The total vacation package spent on the isle of Bohol specifically in its scuba diving sites would make it not only an enjoyable one, but at the same time memorable, plus it’s all worth the money spent.
Experience a Weekend Diving Trip in Anilao
Anilao is a town in Batangas that is a famous destination for weekend trips, especially for diving. Many resorts in Anilao offer great diving packages to excellent dive sites in the area. There are about 24 dive sites in Anilao. Among these dive sites are the following listed below.
The Cathedral – This dive site is a marine sanctuary in Anilao. The Cathedral has two big mounds where a cross was planted in between these mounds. The dive site looks like an underwater roofless amphitheater. The Cathedral is a famous dive site in Anilao where many types of reef fish can be found.
The Sombrero Island – This dive site is a drift dive in Anilao. The name of the island is derived from its appearance during low tide, shape like a hat or sombrero – a local term. The Sombrero Island is a good dive site for coral lovers.
The Mainit Point or Hot Water Point – This is a dive site in Anilao that has everything to offer. Hard corals, nudibranches, ribbon eels, and mantis shrimp are among the marine life that can be found in the Mainit Point. Occasionally, sharks can be found in this dive site. This dive site also has natural hot springs where you can boil eggs in them.
The Mapating or Shark Cave – This dive site in Anilao is a challenging one even for experienced divers. Strong water current prevails in the Mapating. A great variety of sharks, pelagic fish, and other marine life are rich in this dive site, which has a series of drop-offs.
The Twin Rocks – This is a dive site that has a capsized barge wreck. The giant clams, batfish, frogfish, and mushroom corals are among the things that you can find in the Twin Rocks in Anilao. Some blue spotted stingrays are also present in this dive site in Anilao.
The Ligpo Island – This is a dive site in Anilao that can be circumnavigated in just one dive. The Ligpo Island is also a good dive site for coral lovers where different types of corals can be found including large gorgonians. Various reef fish and sometimes, pelagic fishes can be seen swimming nearby in this dive site.
The dive sites mentioned above are just some of the wonderful sites in Anilao, Batangas. Anilao is about two-and-a-half hours away from Manila, Philippines. Buses traverse daily in this route from Manila to Anilao.
Anilao, Batangas is a wonderful place to go for weekend diving trip with its plenteous dive sites around. It is truly invigorating and refreshing when you visit the various dive sites in Anilao.
The Tranquility of Diving in Bohol
Tired of unrelenting work and deadlines in the office? In addition, the unforgiving smog and noise of the city makes life wearisome and taxing. It is about time to take a vacation from all of these by taking a dive in the Island of Bohol.
Bohol, one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the Philippines boasts a vast unfathomable haven for scuba diving and snorkeling that offers a blend of the most spectacular vertical wall drop-offs, colorful coral reefs, and thriving habitats for tropical fish and other extinct marine species.
Most of the sites are found in the southernmost of the province with Panglao Island as the most sought diving site in the province. It has the white-sand Alona Beach to offer as starting point for diving tours. It is a small coralline and limestone island connected to mainland Bohol by two bridges.
Kalipayan site is known as the “Happy Wall” located at the southern part of Alona Beach. It can be reached by banca, or the adventurous ones can swim from the beach going to the site. The site offers normal and calm current conditions with average diving depth of 10 meters and maximum depth of 20 meters. The site has soft and colorful corals, sea fans, small groupers and juvenile barracudas.
Another wonderful site to visit is the Arco Point located at the center of the southeast side of Panglao Island. It is near the exclusive Bohol Beach Club and known as “The Hole in the Wall” with a vertical funnel with an entrance of 9 meters and exit of 18 meters. It also offers a great spot for snorkeling with various marine species like groupers, triggerfish, butterfly fish, wrasse, sea snakes and moray eels. Currents are normal and calm with average depth of 10 meters and a maximum depth of 25 meters.
Black Forest, situated along Northeast of Balicasag Island, offers advanced divers great spot with average depth of 20 meters and maximum depth of 40 meters. Novice divers should stick with their dive master in deeper water since currents are rough and erratic which makes faster drift dive. Divers will find forests of black corals, and can find large groupers, Napoleon Wrasse, barracuda, tuna, snappers, and batfish. In the shallow waters, one can find great variety of fish, sea stars, sea cucumbers, and colorful crinoids.
For a budding diver, Bohol diving sites are great places to explore and appreciate its marine life. It is an astounding and relaxing haven for both weary professional and tourist far-off from the raucous city life.
Wreck Diving at Black Island
One of the popular wrecks in Philippines visited by diving enthusiasts is the Black Island Wreck. The Malajon Island, one of the islands in the Calamianes group of Islands, is also known as Black Island because of its black rocks.
Coron, Busuanga Island and the Calamianes Islands (site of Black Island) are collectively known in the Philippines as the Calamianes group of Islands. They are the northern islands of Palawan. Busuanga Island, the main island of the Calamianes group of Islands, is about an hour and 20 minutes by air from Manila, Philippines.
Busuanga Island is in between the Sulu Sea and South China Sea. The most spectacular nature scenes of the Philippines are found on Busuanga Island. Here you’ll find underwater and land caves, huge limestone cliffs, jungles, rivers, hot springs, and mangrove swamps.
On September 24, 1944, Busuanga Island became a witness of World War II. The US Navy conducted an aerial bombardment of Japanese support vessels and cargo in the waters of this island. A number of shipwrecks were kept secret in the waters of this island. Busuanga Island now has become a sanctuary of the diverse species of marine life that make these wrecks their home.
The wreck lies right off the Black Island beach, right in front of a stranded ship at shore. Malajon Island is on the west side of Busuanga Island. Getting there will require a three to five hour boat ride. You can spend the night in the small resorts in the area while diving in Black Island Wreck and other wrecks along the way.
The Black Island Wreck is a small converted tanker designed to carry specific fuels. These fuels were placed in isolated tanks to replenish the fuel supply of the land-based depots. These tankers were from the Japanese Imperial Army.
The Black Island Wreck is a great dive site for wreck diving novices because of the shallow depth. The wreck’s depth starts at 21. 32 meters is the deepest point with a 20 meter visibility The dive site is also perfect for undersea photographers and night divers. The wreck has plenty of fish who make their home in it.
There is also a huge diversity of marine life on the Black Island Wreck. You can find large scorpionfish as well as lionfish on this site. You’ll be fascinated by the schools of batfish, trumpetfish, and sweepers that share their habitat. Emperor angelfish and six-banded angelfish are also live around the Black Island Wreck. Sponges, hydroids, and crinoids are also found here.
You will have a beautiful dive experience in the clear waters of Black Island Wreck near Busuanga Island.
