Diving in the Philippines

There are many great things to do in the Philippines. One great idea is scuba diving. Some people say scuba diving is like being weightless. There are many place where one can go scuba diving. These are my favorites.

SUBIC BAY, OLONGAPO Wonder Over Wrecks - Subic Bay, Olongapo


Just a 2 1/2-hour drive north of Manila, Subic offers a picturesque vista of the blue mountain and sea set against a green backdrop of a three-layered virgin forest. Originally developed as a naval base by Spanish colonizers way back in 1885, Subic Bay became the largest US naval facility in the Far East. In 1991, Subic Bay was transformed into a Freeport economic and tourism zone.

Subic Bay boasts of interesting wreck dives. The bay hosts a formidable combination of wrecks like the 19th century Spanish gunboat San Quintin, Japanese luxury liner Oryoku Maru, and the ex-USS New York. The average depth for the six wreck sites is 45 ft. Complemented by a rainforest and a white sand beach, Subic Bay has tourism-support facilities that include a marina, yacht club, hotels, shopping arcades and food shops. It also boasts of an international airport.

Dive Sites	Average Depth	Maximum Depth
Oryoku Maru Seian Maru Ex-USS New York AN LST El Capitan San Quintin	15 meters 18 meters 15 meters 32 meters 12 meters 12 meters	20 meters 27 meters 27 meters 35 meters 20 meters 16 meters

How to Get There
By Own Transport:
You can drive all the way from Manila to Subic. Travelling time range from 2 1/2 hour to 4 hours depending on the flow of traffic. A private car transfer from Manila can be arranged.

By Bus:
: There are several daily trips from Manila to Olongapo. Or you could take a shuttle from Manila to Angeles then catch the connecting shuttle to Subic at 1000. Shuttle will drop you at your destination.



BATANGAS PROVINCE Weekends On Water - Anilao, Batangas 


Only 140 km south of Manila, Anilao's proximity makes it a popular destination for weekend diving trips. Even excursions are ideal in this southern town where resorts are situated within short boat rides to excellent dive sites. Diving is mainly in coral slopes and shallow gardens among sandy patches. Choose from any of the 24 dive sites between the coast of Anilao and Maricaban Island. The most popular site is the Cathedral (average of 60 ft.), a roofless cavern with a blessed cross flanked by two large sea mounts. Ideal diving season is from November until May.

Dive Sites	Average Depth	Maximum Depth
Sombrero Island Malajibomaoc Ligpo Island The Cathedral Eagle Point Koala Arthur's Rock Dead Palm Twin Rocks Mainit Point Red Rock Beatrice Rock Bahura Layag-Layag Kirby's Rock Caban Cove Dari Laut Sepok Wall Bethlehem Mapating Rock Merriel's Rock Devil's Point Red Palm	10 meters 18 meters 27 meters 19 meters 10 meters 18 meters 10 meters 10 meters 6 meters 15 meters 8 meters 14 meters 15 meters 10 meters 12 meters 10 meters 20 meters 15 meters 10 meters 20 meters 18 meters 15 meters 10 meters	18 meters 24 meters 61 meters 30 meters 18 meters 24 meters 21 meters 21 meters 12 meters 30 meters 12 meters 27 meters 30 meters 18 meters 33 meters 15 meters 27 meters 27 meters 15 meters 40 meters 24 meters 24 meters 24 meters

How to Get There
Due to its proximity to Manila, Anilao is frequented by weekend divers and day trippers. One simply has to take 2 to 2 1/2 hour land trip to Anilao from Manila. There are daily buses that run from Pasay City to Batangas, after which you may take a jeepney to Anilao. It is advisable to get yourself a car or have one arranged for you as Anilao is somewhat out of the way for most of the jeepneys.