Diving in the Philippines--The ultimate experience in marine biodiversity

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Category: What To Do

Published on Saturday, 21 January 2012 04:57

The Philippines offers some of the most spectacular diving on the planet. With over 7000 islands and varied landscape, the country is among the richest in the world in terms of biological diversity, and is considered a "biodiversity hotspot", according to Conservation International.

The aquatic attractions offer something for everyone: there are around 40,000 square kilometers of coral reefs to explore, home to 2,400 species of fish and 500 species of coral. Whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles and manta rays are just some of the sea life to be found in Philippine waters.

Divers may also wish to explore some of the numerous shipwrecks scattered around the archipelago. Around 800 ships were lost in Philippine waters during the Second World War alone; these ships, along with many others from different eras, provide a wide array of dive sites of varying difficulty levels for beginners and experts alike.

Some famous diving spots in the Philippines:

Anilao, Batangas

Located three hours away from Manila, the 24 dive sites in Anilao contain some of the highest diversity of small marine creatures. The reefsystem boasts beautiful arrays of hard and soft corals, which in turn are home to numerous species of fish, crustaceans and cephalopods, such as the blue-ringed octopus and mantis shrimp; giant seahorses and schools of jacks also frequent the area.

Related links:

Anilao Diving
Asia Dive Sites, Focus on Anilao

Tubbataha Marine Park

This marine sanctuary is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the country's first national marine park; it is widely considered the best diving site in the Philippines. The dramatic coral formations that make up the Tubbataha Reef support around 1000 species of aquatic life, rivaling the Great Barrier Reef in biodiversity. Hammerhead sharks, manta rays, hawksbill sea turtles, and even whale sharks have been sighted in these waters. The best time to go diving in Tubbataha is from March until June, when the waters are calm and visibility is excellent.

Related links:

Tubbataha Reef
Asia Dive Sites, Focus on Tubbataha Reef

Subic Bay, Olongapo

Unlike other dive sites that are primarily known for their marine life, Subic Bay's main attraction is the six shipwrecks scattered around the bay. These include the 19th century Spanish gunboat San Quintin; the ex-USS New York, one of the most well-preserved dreadnought wrecks; and the Japanese luxury liner Oryoku Maru, sunk in 1945.

Related links:

Subic Bay Dive
Dive Philippines
Dive Subic Bay

Malapascua Island

This island, located north of Cebu island in the Visayas region, has some dramatic underwater scenery, with drop-offs reaching 200 meters down. Malapascua is particularly well known for its shark diving -- thresher sharks, whitetip sharks, and manta rays are commonly seen in its many dive sites.Neighboring small islands, meanwhile, are home to many other smaller species such as reef sharks, bamboo sharks, moray eels, scorpion fish, and cuttlefish, and the rare mandarinfish.

Related links:

Malapascua Diving
Malapascua Online
Sea Quest Dive Center: Malapascua

The Philippines offers myriad diving experiences, each one a unique adventure in its own right. Don't worry if you're a first-time diver; there are several dive schools and centers around the country to choose from that provide top-quality instruction from expert trainers.

Related Links on Philippine Diving:

Asia Dive Site >>

A Guide to Asia: The Philippines as one
of the Top 10 Dives Sites in the World >>

Scuba Dive Philippines >>

Scuba Travel >>

PADI Scuba Diving in the Philippines: Dive Schools and Resorts >>

Dive Philippines >>

Good Dive >>

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