DIVE RESORTS of the PHILIPPINES
To Tsm:
Recently questions came up to create a FAQ folder for global dive destinations + muff dive options. As a dive instructor with PADI for many years, I dived mainly in Asia and could contribute some infos. Vide my attachement on the Phillippines. This is pure dive info. TSM datas could be added.
This pocket guide shall enable you to get in touch with scuba diving operators in the Philippines for your early planning. If you need any further useful infos for your trip or would like to give us comments to upgrade this listing, please refer to:
Bubbles Dive & Travel Center, Kuala Lumpur, Fax -60-3-7570709,
e-mail: wlfgang@pc.jaring.
My Metro Manila One whiff of Manila Bay should be enough to convince even the hardiest of SCUBA divers that the Capital City is not a center of underwater excellence.
However, many of the dive operations listed here are either headquartered in Manila or have some form of liaison and booking office there. SCUBA equipment sales are on the increase, as evidenced by the thriving retail trade, largely as a consequence of sophisticated and professional training programs which are producing more and more licensed divers with a keen desire to enjoy their new sport with the best equipment. In addition, the outstanding support the Government has given the industry is reflected in the ever-increasing number of visitors arriving in the country specifically to enjoy the world-class SCUBA diving the country has to offer.
More Dive information ...
The pride of Batangas is Aniue, Nasugbu, Batangas. Tel. 63-912-3228550 Fax 63-912-3228554 Mindoro Pearl of Mindoro is the name locals have christened Puerto Galera and its environs. Declared a Marine Sanctuary in the 80’s, Puerto Galera is home to many dive operations serving an ever increasing number of visitors every year. Off Island trips up to several weeks in duration are frequently arranged to Apo Reef, the wrecks of Coron Bay and elsewhere at short notice by the Puerto dive shops. Friendly and professional competitiveness and a keen awareness for the environment has kept the diving pristine, and over 20 superb local dive sites challenge divers of all levels. Pandan Island is another excellent but hidden place near Sabalyan with easy access to Apo Reef.
ACTION DIVERS, Small Lalaguna, Puerto Galera, c/o Swagman Travel, Flores St., Ermita, Manila. Tel (63-2) 5223650, Fax (63-2) 5223663
ASIA DIVERS, Small Lalaguna, Pueno Galera, Tel/Fax (63-912) 3050652.Tel (63-2) 5223650 Fax (63-2) 5223663 e-mail asiadive@mozcom.com
ATLANTIS DIVE RESORT, Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera, Cell (912) 3080672, Tel (63-2)5223650 Fax (63-2) 5223663
CAPTíN GREGG'S DIVE CENTER, Sabang Beach. Puerto Galera. Cell.(912) 3065267 Fax Mla. (63-2) 5223663; 5223650
COCKTAIL DIVERS. Sabang Beach, Pueno Galera, Cell (912) 3065828,Tel. Mla. (63-2)583932, Fax (63-2) 504749. Westin Philippine Plaza: Tel (63-2)832-0701 Ext. 1506
EL GALLEON BEACH RESORT, Small Lalaguna, Puerto Galera. Cell. (0912) 3057087,Tel. 8903627
LALAGUNA BEACH RESORT, Big Lalaguna, Pueno Galera. Tel/Fax (63-912) 3065622 Tel. Mla. (63-2) 5212371 Fax (63-2) 5212393
PACIFIC DIVERS DIVING SCHOOL White Beach, San.Isidro, Puerto Galera, Cell.(0912) 3043984,
PANDAN ISALND RESORT, Occidental Mindoro, c/o Whitetip Divers Mnl url: www.whitetip.com
SEOUL BEACH CLUB, Sto. Nino. Puerto Galera, Cell. (0912) 3080491
SOUTHSEA DIVERS, Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera Tel. (63-2) 586883
Cebu
Cebu has become a leading center of SCUBA diving in the country, and is emerging as a major regional SCUBA hub as the Mactan International Airport brings in planeloads of tourists, mainly from Taiwan and Japan, eager to sample the underwater treasure trove of the surrounding Visayan Sea. Mactan Island has benefitted in particular from this boom. and the number of high class operations along the rock and sand beaches around the Island testify to this. It is significant that several Manila SCUBA retailers have opened branches in Cebu to service the growing demand for quality equipment and reliable service.
Marinduque
Little known Marinduque is a delightful and secluded island with stunning diving. Easy to reach by regular, short PAL flights, Marinduque is the gateway to the virtually undiscovered Sibuyan Sea, which has some of the best diving available anywhere in the Philippines.
JOYOUS MARINE CLUB INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, Fantasy Elephant Island, Bgy. Lipata, Buenavista,Tel. Mla.(63-2) 973109; Fax (63-2) 8175556
Zamboanga
An experience on the frontiers of SCUBA yet with all the luxuries of home, Zamboanga has been a well-kept secret. Until recently...
MARINDUQUE MARINE SPORTS, Brgy. Balaring, Boac (PO Box 9, Boac) Tel. 1241, Cell (0912) 3111438; Fax (63-423) 322092 Zamboanga Del Norte
DAKAK PARK AND BEACH RESORT, Taguilon, Dapitan City Tel. (63-2) 7210426, Fax (63-2) 7222463
Palawan
Palawan, stepping stone to the Tubbataha Reefs and theSulu Sea, Puerto Princessa has some notable dives of its own close by. To the North, the awesome wrecks of Coron Bay and the Walls and Reefs around El Nido are options that the jaded diver can not afford to ignore. All around the island, which was anciently connected to a separate landmass than that of the rest of the Philippine Islands, are some truly amazing dives including an underground river and cave system explored recently by none other than Commander Jacques Cousteau and his Calypso divers.
Boracay Island
Who hasn't heard of Boracay and its beach? The white, white, powdery sand (with millions of sandflies) was formed over millions of years of attrition on the local reef structures, and the shallow waters off thefamous beach are ideal for training and leisurely exploratory dives. To the North and South of the island, more challenging sites await, and within reasonable distance are several excellent dive sites with big fish and colorful corals.
La Union
The Lingayen Gulf enjoys protection from all but the worst storms year round, and has some interesting cave and and canyon formations. Colorful, shallow reefs and white sands are ideal for training, and further west and north are some superb sites which divers of any lovel should visit.
OCEAN DEEP DIVER TRAINING CENTER, Barrio San Francisco, San Fernando, La Union. Tel/Fax (63-72) 414440
COCONUT GROVE SCUBA CENTER c/o Coconut Grove Resort ; Bowls Club. Km. 246, National Highway, Paringao, Bauang, La Union. Tel. (072) 414276 Zambales / Subic Olongapo City and Subic Bay were once the domain of the US Navy. Now, with the Navy gone, the once forbidden wreck and coral sites are now easily accessible by day tripping divers. Duty Free diving equipment is also for sale in the former base at very reasonable prices.
SUBIC BAY AQUA SPORTS, INC., Bldg. 249, Waterfront Road., Subic Bay Freeport Zone, SMBA, Olongapo City. Tel. (63-47)384-3005; (63-2) 8135688, Fax (63-2) 8135677
Cagayan
Cagayan de Oro Scuba divers have long been discovering Cagayan, but the lucky few with boats and compressors have known for a while now that the coves and bays around the island are undiscovered gems.
ALIBUAG DIVE TOURS, 2nd floor, 3R Builders Bldg., Lapasan Hiway, Cagayan de Oro City.
Tel 722591 BUBBLES DIVING CENTER, Agoho, Mambajao, Camiguin. Tel 879040; Fax (63-88) 871009.
Bohol
Bohol Adjacent to Cebu, Bohol has its share of underwater treasures. A relaxing and intoxicating tropical climate and a gently swelling sea hides an exotic marine world of abundant and colorful life.
BALICASAG ISLAND DIVE RESORT Balicasag Island, Panglao. Tel 3369. Makati Tel. (63-2) 8121984, fax 8121164
ATLANTIS DIVE CENTER, Alona Beach, Panglao Negros Oriental. A relatively new diving destination, the laid back tranquility of Dumaguete is an added attraction when planning your diving vacation.
Apo Island
Apo Island, one of the best dive sites in the country, is easily accessed from Dumaguete City.
Live Aboard Vessels ...
Live Aboard Vessels Exploring the Sulu Sea, Coron, the Cuyo Islands, Bohol, Apo Reef, and more remote, unspoiled and pristine dive sites, Philippine liveaboards are on a par with the best the world has to offer. To make sure of your berth, especially if you wish to dive Tubbataha during the short season (3-4 months, March to June), remember to book early. But liveaboards operate year round, and the opportunities to explore some of the best diving the world has to offer in comfort and style should not be missed.
M/Y BLACKFIN, Maris Chartering Inc., RM. 8, Upper Penthouse, Legaspi Tower 2000. Tel. 8105085, Fax 8191157
M/Y ISLAND EXPLORER & M/Y SEA RAY, Cruise Island Adventure, 714 J. Abad Santos St., San Juan, Metro Manila. Telephone 780115, Tel/Fax 706501
M/Y LADY OF THE SEA II, Buenas Sistemas Adventures. No. 4 San Martin St., Magallanes Village, Makati. Tel. 8310457, Fax 8310466
M/Y NAUTIKA, PCP Holiday Cruises, Inc., 44 Brixton Hills, Sta. Mesa, Manila.Tel/Fax 614230
M/Y QUEEN ANN, c/o Zum Keinen Anker, Rizal Ave., Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Tel. 2853
M/Y TRISTAR Tristar Sea Ventures, 2038 Kalamansi St., DasmariÒas Village, Makati. Tel. 8167088; Fax 8109180 divelist.htm-jake@jake.com