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The Best Diving in the Philippines

The Best Diving in the Philippines

The Philippines is an excellent destination to fit any diver’s needs. The Pacific waters have it all: dive sites fit for new and advanced divers, great sights for macro and wide-angle photographers, and anything from wreck diving to blackwater diving. Not only that, but the land is stunning with white sandy beaches and dense jungles. Here are some of the top destinations in the Philippines for divers.


Malapascua Island, Cebu

                                         

Malapascua Island is a small island located just north of Cebu’s mainland. Malapascua’s waters are unique as they are the only waters where thresher sharks roam daily. The sea is part of a marine park and divers are able to watch the sharks be cleaned by the schools of fish. The sharks lurk in the early morning to avoid direct sunlight, so divers often start their day before the sun rises. As divers travel to the Monad Shoal, they will get to watch the sunrise over the calm waters. The island is also home to plenty of macro marine life such as nudibranchs, seahorses, scorpionfish, and more that are perfect for macro photography.  Photo courtesy of Hugh Ross.

Dauin, Dumaguete

                                         

Located in the province of Negros Oriental, Dauin is ideal for photographers and lovers of macro life. Underwater creatures often seen include seahorses, pipefish, nudibranchs, blue-ring octopuses, mandarin fish, and more. Not only that, but there is a unique collection of experiences that will be sure to excite any visitor such as muck diving and pristine coral reefs. Diving in Dauin is great all year long with the dry season lasting from December to May and the wet season lasting from June to November. Dauin is famous for its often cheap, always luxurious beachfront resorts. Photo courtesy of Dumaguete.com


Puerto Galera


                                        

As a vibrant town with diverse waters, Puerto Galera is perfect for any level of diver. The diving experience can vary greatly — ranging from canyons to wrecks to muck diving and just about everything in between. The location is also perfect for macro and wide-angle photographers alike due to the coral reefs’ rich biodiversity. Some of the reefs are even considered to have the most biodiversity in all of Asia. The town is also home to plenty of dive schools that are perfect for beginnings and advanced divers looking to expand their skills. Guests have just as much to explore on land as they do in the water as there are stunning mountains and waterfalls to explore. Guests are often able to see creatures such as nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, cardinalfish, and more. Photo courtesy of Asia Divers.


Subic Bay, Luzon 


                                         

Nestled just about 100 kilometers away from Manila Bay is Subic Bay on Luzon Island. The bay has a history of serving as one of the largest US Naval Bases in Asia and is thus home to more than 20 interesting shipwrecks. These wrecks are unique due to the volcano Mount Pinatubo that has coated the wrecks in ash. The USS New York is perhaps one of the most well-known wrecks in Subic Bay due to its pristine condition and canons. The ship is only available to explore during select times due to its proximity to the pier. For technical divers and divers experienced in deep water diving, the F-4 Phantom wreck is a dream. At 45 meters deep, the plane is often teeming with fish in the calm waters. Diving in the bay is great all year round but is ideal during the November to May dry season for greatest visibility. Photo courtesy of Arizona Dive Shop, Philippines.


Tubbataha Reef

World Heritage Site


                                        

With the most biodiversity in Asia, divers can encounter 600 species of fish and 360 species of coral in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Tubbataha is the largest marine park in the Philippines at 970 square kilometers. Guests can only experience the lively waters on a liveaboard during the calmer months of March to June. Diving experiences often include wall diving as well as exploration of the two atolls, Jessie Beazley Reef, lagoons, and coral cays. Perhaps the most exciting experience from exploring the park is the chance to see large marine life such as whale sharks, tiger sharks, and manta rays. Photo courtesy of Philippine Tourism USA.


Anilao, Batangas


                                         

Famous for its muck diving and blackwater diving, Anilao is an ideal destination for those looking to get up close and personal with the smallest of critters. Macro photographers will love swimming through the pinnacles, walls, and coral gardens to get the perfect shot. Some of the critters include elusive subjects such as the Ambon scorpionfish, Bobbit worms, and stargazers. The best time to dive in Anilao is from October to June, and April and May are considered to be the peak of the season. However, diving is available all year long with colder temperatures from December to March and rainier weather from July to September. The location is extremely convenient as it is just two hours away from Manila and has access to all of the dive sites from Balayan Bay, Batangas Bay, and Maricaban Island. Photo courtesy of Mike Batrick / Crystal Blue Resort.


Bohol, Central Visayas


                                        

Located in the Central Visayas region, Bohol is an island most well-known for its coral reefs and the unique Chocolate Hills. The Chocolate Hills are perfectly rounded hills that turn brown during the summer, leaving them to look like drops of chocolate amongst the dense green jungle. However, the land isn’t the only distinct quality of the island as it is also known for some of the best diving in the world. Divers can find both hard and soft coral along the stunning coral reefs or find large marine life such as the blacktip shark. Certain dive sites, such as those found off of the nearby Balicasag Island’s shore, are perfect for more advanced divers. There are strong currents with steep walls and even hammerhead sharks from December to January. Although Bohol itself is a popular tourist destination, Anda is the perfect spot for visitors who want to experience the amazing Bohol dive sites and be set away from busy tourist life. Diving in Bohol can be done all year long but is best from January to May. Photo courtesy of Dive-Bohol.com.

Six Awesome Liveaboard Destinations

Six Awesome Liveaboard Destinations

 

Liveaboards provide a one-of-a-kind experience for travelers looking to fully submerge themselves into a diving adventure. Guests are able to spend a week (or more!) filling their days with diving and their nights watching the sunset across the open water. Liveaboards can provide all of the same luxuries as a typical on land resort such as spa treatments, snorkeling, gourmet meals, and excursions. Here are our picks of some of the six best destinations for a liveaboard vacation.


1) Galápagos Islands - Ecuador


                                          


The Galapagos Islands are scattered across the equator and have warm weather year-round. While diving in the Pacific waters surrounding the islands is great all year, December to May is the warmest season with the calmest waters and highest visibility. Divers during this season most often see hammerhead sharks and manta rays. July to November is ideal for more advanced divers hoping for more intense, choppier waters. Although the ocean is generally a bit colder during this season, it is known for nutrient-rich water that attracts all kinds of sea life, specifically whale sharks. Diving in the Galapagos is done on liveaboards from tenders or Zodiacs, and guests are able to have a unique experience living out on the open waters. 


2) Socorro Island - Mexico


                                              

Socorro Island is the largest island in the Revillagigedo Archipelago and is famous for its vibrant wildlife, both on and off the shore. The volcanic island does not have an airport, making it a popular spot for liveaboards. The diving season lasts from November to May as that is when the water is at its calmest. Throughout this season, divers often get to see hammerhead sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, and humpback whales. From January to March, there are even frequent sightings of bottlenose dolphins. In addition to these, sightings of silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and silvertip sharks are possible as well. Getting to the Socorros requires an open ocean crossing about 22 hours from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California.


3) Raja Ampat - Indonesia


                                      


Located off the coast of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua, Raja Ampat is an Indonesian archipelago that is known for its extensive biodiversity. The islands form part of the Coral Triangle — an area known as a home to 76% of known coral species. In Raja Ampat’s waters, there is countless marine life and stunning coral reefs to see. The most popular sights include manta rays, reef sharks, walking sharks, turtles, nudibranchs, and so much more. Diving in Raja Ampat is ideal from October to April as it has the driest weather with calm seas that make for smooth liveaboard sailing. The clear waters consistently have a visibility of 80-100 ft all year long, which is perfect for spotting even the smallest of critters. 


4) Tubbataha Reef - Philippines


                                      

Tubbataha Reef is a protected marine park in the Philippines’ Sula Sea. It is known for being a nesting ground for green sea turtles and is made up of a northern atoll, southern atoll, and the Jessie Beazley Reef.  Visitors can only explore the clear waters from a liveaboard as it is located over 10 hours away from land. The diving season takes place from mid-March to mid-June as that is when the water is at its calmest and clearest with a visibility of up to 114 feet. The reef is known for its vast biodiversity as it is reported to have over 1,200 species — 181 of which are threatened.


5) Solomon Islands - Oceania Pacific

                                        


Diving in the Solomon Islands is perfect for visitors hoping for a more private, secluded experience with untouched reefs. There are nearly a thousand islands in the archipelago, and almost all of them are uninhabited. The water temperature is consistently in the low to high 80s, making it comfortable to dive in year-round. However, January through April is monsoon season, which brings the greatest amounts of wind and rain that could disrupt diving. What makes the Solomon Islands so unique is that their waters hold a time capsule that sends divers back to World War II with its numerous plane and shipwrecks at various depths. In addition to these one-of-a-kind wrecks, divers can also explore reefs, walls, slopes, pinnacles, and more. Visitors can choose to spend their time in the Solomon Islands on a liveaboard or from a resort on land.


6) Chuuk Lagoon - Micronesia


                                       


Chuuk Lagoon is a mountainous island that was once a former Japanese naval base during the second world war. The island’s history has been kept alive in its own waters with its array of sunken treasure, submerged ships teeming with marine life, and even human remains. Divers in the Lagoon’s Pacific waters get to explore part of this history, and often even find artifacts such as ammunition or guns. The wrecks vary in their depth, making them accessible for just about any level of diver. The temperature is consistently warm year-round; however, December to April is ideal due to the lack of rainfall and wind during this season. 

Rocio del Mar Liveaboard - Sea of Cortez 2021 Trips - Dive Adventure

Rocio del Mar Liveaboard

Sea of Cortez 2021 Trips

Awesome Dive Adventures

Saturday to Saturday
$2,845 per person, double occupancy

Liquid Diving Adventures Price $2,645 - SAVE $200

                                    

Called "The World's Aquarium" by Jacques Cousteau, the Sea of Cortez provides a world-class international dive experience with a domestic flight. Simply fly to Phoenix, Arizona, and, in just a few hours, guests are boarding the boat in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. 

The Sea of Cortez is a breathtaking destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, and exploration. Dive on untouched walls and reefs abounding in marine life. Encounter large and small whale species, snorkel with whale sharks, dive with playful sea lions, and see countless eels, octopus, fish, and jumping mobula rays. It's a macro photographer's dream with nudibranchs, colorful blennies, dancing jawfish, and sea horses. 

                                    

Between dives, guests hike and explore remote uninhabited islets and at night gaze at the Milky Way. Give the Rocio crew one week and they will create a lifetime of memories while forging new friendships aboard Rocio del Mar. Guests will dine on incredible cuisine and enjoy the friendly service that has made the crew famous.

           July 3-10, 2021 - July 10-17, 2021 - July 31-August 7, 2021 - August 7-14, 2021
                          August 28-September 4, 2021  -  September 4-11, 2021

Awesome Drift Dive Destinations

Awesome Drift Dive Destinations

                                     

 

For many of our fellow dive buddies, there’s nothing like a dive with wild current. Coral heads flying by, schools of fish and critters all doing their best to fight the flow and find shelter from the current in a coral head. Drift diving is one of the most exhilarating types of diving in the underwater world and there are some great dive destinations where you can jump in and enjoy the ride. No matter where you decide to experience drift dives, remember, Dive Safe! Whether you are an expert or a novice drift diver, safety comes first. Here are some rules to follow for a safe and fun drift dive:
– make sure you carry and use an SMB;
– streamline your gear to avoid damaging the reef;
– be properly weighted and neutrally buoyant;
– concentrate on your surroundings and changing conditions;
– do not fight current, work with it not against it.

 

Cozumel, Mexico

 

When planning a dive trip to Cozumel, you should prepare yourself for some great drift dives. Cozumel is a renowned destination for divers with a whole lot to offer. Cozumel is known for drift diving as well as other amazing reef dive sites. With its combination of great visibility, generally calm surface conditions, and strong currents, divers can experience drift diving at its best. Whether you’re an experienced diver, a beginner, looking to add drift diving to your skill set. Some amazing drift dives to try when diving Cozumel include Santa Rosa Wall, Pun ta Tunich, Palancar Reef, and Columbia Wall.

Santa Rosa Wall - Divers come back from Cozumel unable to stop talking about the Santa Rosa Wall, and for good reason. It is one of the deeper dive sites you will do when diving Cozumel, it is worth getting down there to see the fantastic coral formations, barrel sponges, and the incredible marine life. You can see sea turtles, huge groupers, and majestic eagle rays gliding through the waters here.

Punta Tunich is another great site. With coral ridges rising up from the sandy base at 70 feet, you’ll see schools of grunt and snapper, as well as large sea fans, bright, beautiful sponges and intricate corals. 

Planacar Reef offers three miles of reef and is suitable even for the beginning scuba diver. If you are diving Cozumel as a newly qualified diver and want an experience that lets you use the skills you learned, Palancar reef is easy and rewarding, with its hugely diverse sea life population and coral formations. The gentle currents and temperate water allow you to drift comfortably as you enjoy the surrounding world of colourful fish, sponges, coral and sea fans. This is also a really good dive site if you are an underwater photographer.

                                    

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the best dive experiences in the world, thanks to the large marine critters and unique wildlife found at these special islands. There is no shortage of currents at the Galapagos Islands, which attract pelagic species to top sites such as Wolf and Darwin Islands. Jump in, go with the flow and enjoy the schools of hammerheads and rays that pass you by.

 

The Cabo Douglas dive site is located on the North West side of Fernandina Island. One of the central Galapagos islands, Fernandina has an active shield volcano 'La Cumbre', which has been subject to eruptions within the last ten years. Fernandina is one of the most unspoiled environments in the world and one of the few places in the Galapagos which has never suffered any kind of invasive species. Many of the animals on Fernandina exist only on the Galapagos Islands. Marine iguanas have also evolved to survive on these islands making them completely distinctive to the region. The island is also home to a great number of sea lions, turtles, pelicans and Galapagos penguins. The dive sites at Cabo Douglas don’t cover a very large area but offer the opportunity to see so many rare species that it is thrilling diving.

Red Sea, Egypt

Elphinstone Reef in Southern Egypt is a long sausage-shaped reef that sits in the open ocean and is perfect for drift diving. The walls of the reef drop thousands of meters to the inky depths and are covered in hard and soft corals and filled with marine critters. The currents will take you along the walls at ripping speeds of up to 2 knots, with no diving effort needed at all on the right day. Diving Elphinstone is definitely one to add to the bucket list for experienced divers looking for adventurous dives. The ‘Simply the Best’ itinerary offered by Emperor Divers includes the Elphinstone Reef. This cruise offers some of the best Red Sea drift diving sites, including Elphinstone Reef, Daedalus and the Brothers. Divers enjoy the colourful corals and critters and the occasional passing oceanic whitetip shark.


                                      

Palau, Micronesia

Drift diving in Palau is often compared to hang gliding. Instead of riding winds, you are riding the marine currents maintaining neutral buoyancy and perfect trim. Many of the techniques of drift diving were developed in Palau, including the reef hook. Using a reef hook is the bit different than a typical drift dive. The waters of Micronesia are known for the abundant marine life and amazing currents. The dive spots of Palau, like German Channel, Ulong Channel and Blue Corner will wow you and have you flying through the sites full of colorful soft corals, turtles, sharks, manta rays, and tons of other fish.



                                   

Maldives, Indian Ocean

 

The Maldives offers plenty of drift dives to those lucky enough to visit. Teeming with life, many species of sharks are commonly seen as well as sea turtles, schools of fish, manta rays, and whale sharks. Add Lhaviyani Atoll, Noonoo Atoll, and South Ari Atoll to the top of your dive list here. Most of the liveaboards in the Maldives offers itineraries that include some fantastic drift diving.

Atlantis Resort Dumaguete Welcome Back - 35% Savings

Atlantis Resort 

Dumaguete, Philippines 

Welcome Back - 35% Savings

                                   

Book a 2021 vacation and take 35% Off the normal rate for deluxe accommodations, delicious meals and up to five world class dives per day! Book Worry Free with the ability to reschedule your vacation for up to 18 months at the same rate.

Deposit 50% within 7 days of your booking, the remaining 50% is due 60 days prior to arrival if the country is open to tourism
Or
If the country is not open to tourism 60 days prior to arrival, you can reschedule the same vacation during the next 18 months at no additional charge for accommodations, meals and diving, subject to availability.

Guests may cancel up to 1 week before their arrival date with no penalties.
Cancel 2-7 days prior to arrival - 20% Cancellation Charge
Cancel 24-48 hours - 80 % Cancellation Charge
Cancel less than 24 hours - 100% Cancellation Charge
Cancellations will be given a credit, net of the cancellation charge, toward a future booking at either of our land based resorts or liveaboard to be utilized within 12 months. Offer expires March 31, 2021



Atlantis Resort Puerto Galera Welcome Back - 35% Savings

Atlantis Resort 

Puerto Galera, Philippines 

Welcome Back 35% Savings

                                      

Book a 2021 vacation and take 35% Off the normal rate for deluxe accommodations, delicious meals and up to five world class dives per day! Book Worry Free with the ability to reschedule your vacation for up to 18 months at the same rate.

Deposit 50% within 7 days of your booking, the remaining 50% is due 60 days prior to arrival if the country is open to tourism

Or
If the country is not open to tourism 60 days prior to arrival, you can reschedule the same vacation during the next 18 months at no additional charge for accommodations, meals and diving, subject to availability.

Guests may cancel up to 1 week before their arrival date with no penalties.
Cancel 2-7 days prior to arrival - 20% Cancellation Charge
Cancel 24-48 hours - 80 % Cancellation Charge
Cancel less than 24 hours - 100% Cancellation Charge
Cancellations will be given a credit, net of the cancellation charge, toward a future booking at either of our land based resorts or liveaboard to be utilized within 12 months. Offer expires March 31, 2021.





Cayman Islands Re-Opening to Divers - Forecast to June 2021

Cayman Islands Re-Opening to Divers - Forecast to June 2021




While our entire team is eager to welcome you back to our resorts, the Cayman Islands Government announced on February 4th that the borders will not reopen to international travelers in March as previously targeted.
 
No timeline has been given for the Cayman Islands to reopen the borders to international visitors.  The Cayman Government has announced that the path to reopening is contingent on much of the Islands’ population having received a full COVID-19 vaccination regimen.  The vaccination program is off to a good start but the endpoint to allow reopening has not been defined.  Despite this uncertainty, we are working towards reopening Clearly Cayman dive resorts in June 2021.  This timing coincides with the Cayman Islands General Election in May 2021 as we believe a reopening plan is unlikely to be announced before then.   
 
We plan to reopen our resorts at the very first opportunity when it is allowed by the Cayman Government and practical for our guests to return.  We hope that the June 2021 timeline is realistic but will continue to keep you informed as we receive additional details.

Costa Rica Photography Workshop with Temo Dersch - Aug 21 to Sept 1, 2021



Learn how to make the best of your underwater camera with TAUCHEN – Magazine -Photographer Timo Dersch August 21, 2021 to September 01, 2021 

12 Days, 11 Nights

$3,165 USD Per Person Double Occupancy


Take your photography skills to the next level on this 12-day wildlife safari and photography workshop in Costa Rica, a bio-diverse country in Central America home to amazing marine life and unique tropical wildlife. Join Timo on a 12-day photographic adventure through stunning Costa Rica as you learn what it means to shoot underwater, and how to use wide-angle and macro lenses to capture a diverse array of sea life such as sharks, schooling fish, turtles, eagle rays, and humpback whales. On land, we will search out hummingbirds, resplendent quetzals, toucans, other colorful birds, sloths, monkeys, frogs, flowers, and much more.


                      

DAY 1 – Arrive San Jose - Guests will arrive in the capital city of Costa Rica in San José where you will be met by your driver for the short trip to your San José hotel. If you arrive early you will have time to explore the city at your own leisure, before you meet for a group meeting This will be a great opportunity for you to get to know your guide and fellow travelers, as you discuss the itinerary for the days ahead. It is the perfect time to ask any questions that you may have before the tour well and truly begins.

 

DAY 2 – Guanacaste - We will get an early start as we head north to the beach town of Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste. The beaches here are beautiful, with gorgeous scenery and blue waters.
On the way, we will make a stop for lunch and a visit to the Llanos de Cortés Waterfall. a spectacular cascading waterfall with a nice pool for a quick swim before reaching our hotel at the beach.
In the afternoon we will have a dive briefing and introduction to the underwater workshop over the next few days.

 

DAY 3 to 7 – Guanacaste - Spend the next 5 days diving the waters off the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica rich with marine life, (10 dives in total) Information will be given daily on topics such as wide-angle underwater photography, ambient light shots, diving with large animals, strobe exposure, and positions, avoiding backscatter and composition. You will dive for 3 days locally throughout the Papagayo area, 1 day at Catalina Islands off of Playa Flamingo, and 1 day at the Bat Islands National Park area famous for the Bull sharks that frequent the area.

 

DAY 8 - Palo Verde National Park- Today starts the land portion of the trip and we will explore three unique and different ecosystems over the next four days. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we head out for a wildlife boat trip on the Tempisque River. Palo Verde National park is an exceptional place for birdwatchers and nature lovers in general, a two hours boat trip will introduce us to these important ecosystems, gigantic crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and more wildlife than you ever imagined may be spotted. Great bird-watchers prizes can show up, such as the Jabiru, osprey, the white ibis, tiger herons, and scarlet macaws amongst others.

 

DAY 9 – Monteverde Cloud Forest - On day 9 we will head inland as you head up the continental divide to the misty cloud forest of Monteverde offering great views and a number of landscape compositions as we change from dry forest to cloud forest. A stop will be included at the Llanos de Cortés Waterfall where waters cascade into an incredible pool below before we arrive at Monteverde. In the evening we’ll again see what surprises the night time cloud forest has for us on a guided walk with one of the local guides followed by dinner at a local restaurant in the mountain town of Santa Elena.

 

DAY 10 - Monteverde Cloud Forest to Arenal Volcano
You will spend the morning exploring the misty cloud forest and on the lookout for the famous Resplendent Quetzal that is endemic to the region. Among the subjects will be the high elevation hummingbirds. Capturing these tiny birds takes some skill as they flit from flower to flower feeding on nectar. After the cloud forest visit, you will continue your adventure towards the Northern Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica, home to the iconic Arenal Volcano and lots of tropical birds and wildlife. The focus for the next few days will be exploring the volcano area and wildlife photography as we immerse ourselves in the tropical rainforests of San Carlos.

 

DAY 11 – Arenal Volcano

After breakfast, we will head out to explore the Arenal Volcano. There will be many opportunities to photograph the extraordinary Arenal volcano, surrounded by lush rainforest and tropical scenery We will visit the hanging bridges and the La Fortuna waterfall as we capture the volcano from different angles along the way. We will get the chance to have lunch and homemade tortillas with Dona Mara followed by a relaxing evening in the volcanic hot springs amidst a variety of abundant tropical gardens.

 

DAY 12 – Departure

You will have the morning to relax and explore the photographer-friendly grounds before packing up for your departure flight. We will head back to San José for drop off at the San José International airport for your evening departure home.


IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an estimated schedule & we’ll do our best to stick to this itinerary, but certain conditions may necessitate changes. Good photographic experiences & plenty of chances to view wildlife will be our goals at all times.


  • Participants are required to bring an underwater camera, laptop for editing
  • Optional recommended equipment: Memory Cards, battery, Battery charger, Flash and Macro Flash, wide-angle lenses, Macro, Telephoto, additional lenses, power cord, drone (optional)
  • Once you have booked your trip you will receive an equipment checklist
  • Itinerary works for flights in and out of San José (SJO) Costa Rica
  • Must be certified Diver to participate.



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