Philippines’ Best Diving Sites – the Luzon Plunge Part II

As we promised, let us continue jotting down the most-visited dive spots in the Philippines. This entry will guarantee you to be an underwater photographer. In a single destination, you can have a chance to see a fleet of shipwrecks; one of the CNN Travel’s top picks; and one of the New Seven Wonder of Nature. The island is a large narrow strip with several islets around it located near the western part of Luzon, the island of Palawan.

The diving hotspots in the province are plentiful. Considered as the “Diving Mecca of the Philippines”, it adds to the difficulty level on where to start the plunge. Once again, will lend a helping hand and already prepared a list below:

Coron Bay – The Chuuk Lagoon of the Philippines

It is comparable to the Chook Lagoon of Micronesia. Famous for its sunken ships, Coron is the best shipwreck diving destination in the country. It is one of the remnants of World War II. On September 24, 1944, 11 Japanese ships took refuge in the waters of Coron Bay and near Busuanga manned by the Japanese Imperial Navy. However, the U.S. naval forces detected the anchored Japanese war and supply ships at Coron. Taking this opportunity, Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey planned the assault. Led by Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, the U.S. naval aircraft launched a surprise aerial attack to take down the enemy. Catch a glimpse of history several meters below sea level of Coron Bay, Palawan. The once formidable warships turned into a safe haven for various marine flora and fauna.


Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park – A CNN Travel Top Pick

Do you want to go to the center of marine biodiversity? Palawan has the largest Marine Protected Area in the country, the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Nestled at the heart of Coral Triangle, it is an important buoy for the preservation of marine life not just in the country but the entire planet as well.

One of the Philippines’ oldest ecosystems, Tubbataha consists of two large atolls (North and South) and a smaller one called Jessie Beazley Reef. This world-renowned coral reef structure is a UNESCO World Heritage site and enlisted by RAMSAR as one of Wetlands of International Importance.

Tubbataha hits the 8th place of CNN Travel’s best dive sites in the world. It seems overrated, but Tubbataha is indeed a diver’s paradise. Bird enthusiasts may want also to flock around the two islets of Tubbataha that were frequented by migratory birds. Some of the fowl visitors are internationally threatened and endangered.


Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park – A New Seven Wonder of Nature

Another Palawan’s pride, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park formed 20 million years ago with two main parts. The limestone/karst mountain landscape and an 8.2 km underground river that flows through a cave then out in the sea. The two of the world’s largest are inside Tubbataha. The underground river called Cabayugan River is the world’s longest river (8.2 km) and the Italian Chamber, the largest cave in the planet.

Because of its pristine environment and its unique abundant biodiversity, it garnered several worth-mentioning international recognitions:

• World Heritage Site
• Ramsar Site or Wetlands of International Importance
• Important Bird Areas
• A National Geographic Monument

One of the prestigious awards it bagged is being hailed as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature on Nov. 11, 2011. The park’s management only allows one kilometer of the park lasts for about an hour.

This is the island of Palawan for you. A world-class tourist destination packed with internationally known attractions. One last to go and we will complete our three-part Luzon Plunge.


Philippines’ Best Diving Sites – the Luzon Plunge Part I

Do you want a kind of underwater experience in a kaleidoscopic level? You don’t need to travel abroad because you’re already at the right place. Diving in the Philippines sites sprouted left and right because of the archipelagic structure and interlinked water systems that contributed to the rich marine biodiversity of the country.

The Philippines is a surplus of dive spots and some are not even yet subject for exploration. One worth mentioning is the Marble Capital of the Philippines, the province of Romblon located almost at the center of the Philippines. Due to its remoteness, Romblon retains its aura of mystery and pristine nature. One of the overlooked tourist destinations in the country, yet it has a way to charm travelers both land and sea.

In the dry regions, lies Spanish-era churches and you can find here one of the challenging peaks in the Philippines, the Mt. Guiting Guiting. Under the land mass, under the depths of its seas, is a diverse marine life. We suggest that before you go there bring a handful of extra batteries, memory cards, and a charger as well.

Romblon boasts thirty dive spots in and around the area. Definitely, a one-day trip would not be enough. Quality beats quantity, so we pick out a few dive hotspots ready for you to discover in no particular order.

Giant Clam Sanctuary
As its name suggests, it serves as a sanctuary for giant clams that lies beneath the sandy surface of the sea. Situated near Tiamban beach, this protected area is open for viewing all year round.

Cobrador Sunken Island (CSI)
Do you want to see an island covered with corals? Sunken Island or Takot Reef Is a submerged island is might be the right dive for you. Starting at a ten-meter mark and going down a slope for about thirty meters. A plethora of photo subjects is within a click such as different fish species, nudibranchs, and cuttlefish. You can visit the Sunken Island any time of the year.

Carmen’s Cliff
If you’re tired of the typical horizontal view you can switch to portrait mode at Carmen’s Cliff. Near the shores of Tablas Island, its vertical wall is akin to a painter’s canvass or graffiti wall. Prepare to be amaze at a wall decorated with vivid coral communities. At a close inspection, you may spot swarm fishes, sharks, mantas, and eagle rays swimming around the area.

Blue Hole
From above the skies, a blue hole is like a black blot on the blue landscape of a sea or an ocean. It is not Mother Nature’s imperfection. Conversely, a blue hole is one of her wonders she used to fuel the curiosity of men. By chance, our country has one and it is located in the waters of Tablas Island, Romblon. You may want to instantly enroll in the nearest Philippine diving course school because only expert divers can manage a more or less 32m in deep descent. It cradles rays, tuna, snapper, surrounded with a coral wall and garden. Small white tip reef sharks mingle at the bottom.

Time Square
Another Tablas Island dive spot. Contrary to its popular name, expect a remote dive in this area. Time Square is an isolated area great for snorkeling. Ready for a non-stop lens capture as you meet wondrous sea creatures like fusilier fishes, surgeonfishes, breathtaking coral formations, nudibranchs, and moray eels.

Still can’t get enough of Philippines’ spectacular diving sites? The list is not yet finished and by the end of this, you can plot your own diving saga.


What are the foods to eat in the Philippines

How to be in love with the Philippines? Many Tourists know this country because of the beaches and many beautiful vacation spots and also because of the nature it has and the weather. But many of them have become one of the fans because of the foods that can be tasted in the country. It’s a taste that brings you home. Since the summer in the Philippines is getting started, many of the turista (tourist) prepare their things to visit Philippines for scuba diving and also taste again the food what Filipino really proud of.


What are the Philippines cuisines?

Lechon

courtesy of Google Images

Lechon Baboy (pig), it is influenced by Spanish. It is a roasted pig, cooked in charcoal while being stung in a bamboo. It's become a national dish in the Philippines, it is typically served on special occasions such as Christmas, fiesta, reunion and etc,. The city of Cebu serves the most delicious lechon in the Philippines.


Adobo

courtesy of Google Images

A popular dish that consists of meat, vinegar, garlic, peppercorn, oil, bay leaf and soy sauce. Filipino citizen considers this as “Pambasang Ulam (national dish)”. Typically the meat of the adobo is chicken and pork, but today some Chef try to cook seafood in it. Also, this local food can be tasted in the snack flavored as adobo.


Sinigang

courtesy of Google Images

One of the favorite dishes of the Filipino. A soup tastes sour because of the flavor of tamarind. It is cooked with the ingredients of meat, tamarind, vegetable, onions, siling berde (pepper green), and tomatoes. Mangoes and kamias can be a replacement with tamarind and shrimp, chicken and fish for the meat.


Kare-kare

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It consists vegetables, meat and serves with bagoong. Traditionally, it serves in fiestas, at the province of Pampanga without kare-kare, the fiesta is cannot be considered complete.


Tapa

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A beef fried or grilled is served at breakfast together with sinangag (fried rice) and fried egg.


Crispy pata

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A crispy, delicious and juicy leg of the pig, add vinegar sauce for the better taste. It has lots of cholesterol, so watch out and don’t eat too much.


Pancit

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Noodles dish in the Filipino cuisine that symbolizes “long life and good health”. It is typically served on birthdays.


Lumpia

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A fresh and fried roll dish that consists of vegetables inside. Lumpiang sariwa and lumpiang pirito, how it called in the Philippines. And for dessert, a sweet deep fried roll with saba banana is what you can eat and it is called as turon.


Halo-halo

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A Filipino known dessert, combinations of shaved ice, condensed milk, ube, leche plan, macapuno, beans, mongo, banana, sago, gulaman, jackfruit and ice cream. It is best to eat contrast with the hot and sunny summer weather.

Want to taste any of them? Dive Philippines and discover it. Come and visit the country!


Best Place for Diving

Dive Resort Philippines

Want a resorts o place where you enjoy scuba diving, an ideal place? Here are the top Dive Resorts Philippines destination where you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving all in one.

PUERTO GALERA - It is located in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. This place is well known for numerous beaches and snorkeling and Scuba diving spots. It is considered as one of the most delightful and developed beach resort in the Philippines. This bay is the only bay in the Philippines listed by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World.

Puerto Galera Philippines

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CABILAO ISLAND – Cabilao is a small island located in Bohol. The Island is encompassed by a coral reef that falls steeply down to in the ballpark of 50 meters. Those people that already experience diving in Cabilao, described this island as true Diver's Paradise.

Cabilao Island

courtesy of Google Images

BALICASAG ISLAND – Balicasag Island also located in Bohol. This island has crystal blue waters provide a clear vivid view of its corals, fishes like Whale Shark Philippines and other marine life. An excellent place for snorkeling and diving, what other said.

Balisag Island

courtesy of Google Images

APO ISLAND - This Island is located in Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, Philippines. Apo Island is known as best composed marine sanctuaries, and it is documented by the global science community. This island has a unique rock formation and surrounded of white sand.

Apo Island

courtesy of Google Images

TUBBATAHA REEF NATIONAL PARK – This place is located at Sulu Sea in Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan. Palawan known for having an underground river where many tourists come to visit that spot, and that river became one of the 7 wonders of nature. Tubbataha Reefs national Park declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1993.

Tubbataha Reef

courtesy of Google Images

SARANGANI BAY - If you want an experience diving in Mindanao, this place is what you are looking for. This is located in southern tip of Mindanao, Philippines, like others diving resorts it also has marine sanctuaries that you can really enjoy.

Saragani

courtesy of Google Images

MALAPASCUA ISLAND - Malapascua Island is located in Cebu Philippines, a tiny island. The island became popular in early 90’s for diving destination. It is known for having a wide white sand beach, beautiful coral gardens and excellent local dive spots. Some people called it Bounty Beach.

Malapascua Island

courtesy of Google Images

Enjoy every place in the Philippines and discover the hidden paradise. Meet the whale shark in the Philippines in every diving you do and makes friend with them. See you in your next dive.

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Dive Philippines | Diving Philippines | Scuba Philippines | Dive Resort Philippines | Dive Course Philippines | Whale Shark Philippines | Diving Course Philippines | Diving Puerto Galera Philippines | Scuba Diving Philippines