RP a buffet of world-class dive sites

The Philippines is a smorgasbord of world-class dive sites and a diver's dream come true. The warm waters surrounding the country's 7,101 islands present an underwater wildlife extravaganza, so spectacular that divers return for an average of 10 trips each.

Priding itself as Asia's Dive Capital, the country lies in the center of the coral triangle which boasts of the most biodiversity and marine-rich waters on earth. It has often been said that the Philippines is to scuba divers, what Switzerland is to skiers, Hawaii to surfers, and Nepal to mountaineers. For those who like to snorkel or anyone seeking an underwater adventure, be a spectator to an aquatic symphony of over 2,000 species of marine fish, as well as more than 400 out of the 500 known coral species in the world.

1. Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is comprised of two distinct reef systems -- the North Reef and the South Reef. The marine park lies in the middle of Sulu Sea, southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. It is a major nesting spot for endangered sea turtles as well as rare species of fish such as the unusual fox–faced rabbitfish.

2. Anilao is the closest weekend paradise for divers based in Manila. Located in the southeast tip of Batangas and nestled in the midst of the quiet town of Mabini, Anilao possesses no presence of powdery sand beaches but the ocean facing it promises a tantalizing life of sea water creatures in its 35 dive sites.

3. Balicasag Island in Bohol is surrounded by a coral reef that is good for both diving and snorkelling. There is a marine sanctuary on the southern side of the island where you will find soft and hard corals in the shallows, together with anemones, sponges, crinoids and feather stars as well as barracuda, jacks, groupers and batfish, among others.

4. Moalboal in Cebu is beautiful and picturesque. Pescador and Sunken Islands are favorites among underwater photographers and snorkelers. The house reef boasts of interesting marine life such as white tips, eagle rays, turtles, frogfish, moray eels, devil fish, etc.

5. Apo Reef is located off the west coast of the island of Mindoro. Apo Reef diving has some spectacular drop-offs and walls with some of the best visibility in the country. If you like big fish action, Apo Reef will not disappoint you, it is abundant with schools of trevally, tuna, barracuda, hammerheads, white and black tip reef sharks, manta, eagle and sting rays, and turtles.

6. Apo Island in Negros Oriental, the most populous and diverse aquatic ecosystem in the world, was recreated at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on a 27,000 sq. ft. area costing million. This interactive state-of-the-art project called The Philippine Wild Reef Exhibit took almost 10 years to complete. But of course, why would you fly to Chicago to see the replica when you can see the real thing here.

7. Puerto Galera in Mindoro is blessed with one of the world's most beautiful natural harbors. It is known as the Pearl of Mindoro and is world–famous for its splendid beaches, coral reefs, and exquisite dive sites. There are shallow coral gardens, interesting rock formations, and colorful species to watch, like crabs, shrimps, sea anemones, moray, and trumpet fishes.

8. Subic Bay in Olongapo is one of the best wreck diving sites in Asia. Subic's World War II wrecks covered almost the entire war period. No less than 25 Japanese ships were reported sunk during the war years. Some of these may have been removed in the late 1950s as salvage operations were done to open up the bay for shipping.

9. Malapascua in Cebu was discovered for its wide white sandy beach and later, for its beautiful coral gardens and excellent dive spots. Malapascua offers the only daily thresher shark sightings in the world.

10. Coron Bay in Busuanga island, Palawan is the final resting place for nine sunken ships from World War II. Also found in waters surrounding the island are limestome walls which rise to heights of 22 meters offering a spectacular view above and below water. Because the area draws so much interest, dive centers are plentiful, as are boats and rental equipment to visit the site.

source (http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/docs/beauty_of_the_phils/current/buffet_dive_sites.html)

^^ i think its not totally true .. i hope they can see Tawi-tawi and Sulu Archipelago

Subic Bay ?

^^ i think its not totally true .. i hope they can see Tawi-tawi and Sulu Archipelago

Subic Bay ?

I think the list has to do with the tourists...Sulu and Tawi-tawi first has to invite tourists so they can be up in the list. No matter how good their dive sites are but tourists are scared in going there....fear of the ASG..:ohno:

because im an experienced diver and ive only been to a few dive sites around Cebu... i would definitely recommend Moalboal and Pescador Island. if you want to be thrilled by sharks you can go to Malapascua Island...

if you wanna experience great diving around Cebu you can always contact me thru PM or you can book your dive @ Pacific Cebu Resort Inc., although booking here in the Philippines is limited to a few because the resort caters first to Japanese bookings... :)

WARNING!

Everyone please be mindful of what you post. CvC scenarios will not be tolerated. Thank you very much for your cooperation on this matter.

its interesting and good to know that 4 of the ten top dive sites are in central visayas! :banana:

^ And even more if we count Central Philippines as a whole

hmmm... so Boracay must be in the next 10 huh.. :D... well I don't know how to scuba so I just snorkel.... in that list I've only been to Puerto Galera and Balicasag Island... In Balicasag, I didn't appreciate it much, probably because we arrived in the island late and had to depart early the next day...

I liked snorkeling in Puerto Galera more... :D well Honda Bay and Boracay are good places for snorkeling too.. :D

about Sulu and Tawi-Tawi... I do bet that there are a lot of undiscovered tourist dive sites there being an archipelago as itself.... we'll just have to make sure the area is safe for tourists though and they'll be explored...

^^ well i know some divers go there (sulu & tawi-tawi) and i think they are not keen to let others know the places ...


in Gov. Generoso (Mati) you can dived w/ butandings , dolphins, dugongs but they don't want to let other divers to go there ;)

^^ i think they have to deal with the security issues first, mas makakasama yun pag may tourist na tapos biglang nadamay sa gulo, baka yung kakarampot na nagdidive dun ay mawala pa pag may hindi magandang nangyari sa isang nagdidive dun.

^ Yep and madadamay ang reputasyon ng buong Pilipinas

i commented w/ this article bec the writer does'nt have any idea what his "talking about" and btw its not the issue of security issue here, the issue here is where in the Philippines are the best dive sites and if he labelled the most popular dive sites i agree w/ him , but best dive sites? i think he never been to the best dive sites in the Philippines , well he have to see first the 7,100 islands of the Philippines :cheers:

btw not all divers are tourists most of them are explorers :)

^ I guess its best in all factors - popularity, scenery, security, etc.

^^ agree, when you say best, it should include security. but i agree, basilan and the sulu archipelago has some of the nicest beaches in mindanao, and that would include dive sites

when you dive, you explore... so you tour, then youre a tourist in your own right.

^^ thats' your opinion some divers are "stay-in" just like proffesional surfers do ;)

"stay in"... meaning they dive on one particular place over and over again? just like some "professional" surfers do? are they amateurs? because most (a big number) of divers dont just "stay-in", and as you said, they explore.

^^ it means they reside or have a particular place to dive or surf ,just like in Siargao prof. surfers and not amateurs are already residing or coming back to Siargao bec of the great waves there .

i think you misled the meaning of a tourist and an explorer :)

but surfing is waaaay too different from diving, surfing needs a good climate and a good shoreline (which needs to be favorable to big waves etc...) and shorelines exposed to an open sea (para mas swak ang salpok ng waves) so i think that explains why there are "stay-in" surfers, and napakahirap maghanap ng good surfing area, new hotspots for surfing are mabenta kasi kakaunti lang ang magagandang surfing areas particularly in the phils. and though i believe na there are "stay-in" divers, most of the divers pa rin are not "stay-in" kasi you eventually get bored diving the same spot over and over again, you would be wanting for more than what you have experienced before, and, borrowing your line nga, you would want to explore, if you want to explore, what are the things that you should consider? diba one main priority is security? you wouldnt want to dive an in an area with battleships sailing above you..

^^ i think your way off, your insisting too much on security ..well thats a "tourists diver", why diving is not a risk?

if you really an avid or an addict diver you know where to stay. its very expensive to travel to other dive sites so you have to pick your "best dive site. and why can't you explore in one place? i know many prof. divers "stayed- in" Malapascua and even put up a diving shop or diving school there.

i know im way off on emphasizing on security, but why wouldnt i? security is the issue on question if we talk about diving in sulu and tawitawi, simple as that. those divers "staying-in" in malapascua started off as "tourist divers".... as most "stay-in" divers today are. diving is risky, but no matter how careful you are, how advanced your gadgets and training are, if you get exposed to "external (conflict related) risks" that is beyond your control, eh goodluck na lang.

dont get me wrong here, im not against any development in the sulu archi or other divesites in other areas, whats best for sulu and tawitawi is best for the country as a whole, sulu and tawitawi do have good dive sites, but again, issues on security would exclude them to belong among the best/top list.

^^ i think this thread is about best dive sites nothing more , nothing less.

btw how would you know that no one dives in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi? maybe they are not " listed" but sure do from the tourist destinations in Sabah they explored the islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi even the President and her family did some exploring there .

did i ever say nobody is diving in sulu? read the previous posts, nobody ever denied your claim that there are divers diving in sulu, the place has a big potential, but its just not the right time to put them among the best/top/most popular list, and i agree with most of the listed sites in post#1, theyre officially the country's best...

but respecting your opinion, i wouldnt argue if you put them among your "personal" best list.

well in your equation no security= less divers or no one dives ," best divers" dives when there are great dive site to explore imo

anyway where not getting anywhere , i am not against any places i just want the facts and not a portion of the Philppines.

and i think malapascua and Coron deserve on top of subic bay .

well in your equation no security = less divers or no one dives.

^^ this is so true, which brings us to why sulu and tawitawi is not on the list.

^^ naku pina palito mo naman ako ...

^^ ikaw ang gumawa ng equation, its not from me, im agreeing more on the "less divers" than on the "no one dives" statement, okay?

did i ever say nobody is diving in sulu? read the previous posts, nobody ever denied your claim that there are divers diving in sulu, the place has a big potential, but its just not the right time to put them among the best/top/most popular list, and i agree with most of the listed sites in post#1, theyre officially the country's best...

but respecting your opinion, i wouldnt argue if you put them among your "personal" best list.

:)

read post #26 dinabaw... parang ako ata malilito sayo

^^ hehe bro nalilito ka kasi you didn't get my point alisin nga natin yan "security issue" i think thats bothering you lets focus on the best diving site in PI ... ok i say it again how would you know that there are less or no divers diving in Sulu ? you have a list? please don't bother by that "no divers " its just a figurative statement ;)

and i say it again Malapascua and Coron deserve on top of Subic Bay get it?

gtg

i do TOTALLY get your point, maski haluan pa natin ng ibang issues other than security, i still get your point, ang hindi ko lang maintindihan is why youre so bothered why sulu is not on the list, hihimayin ko ng isa isa

how would you know that there are less or no divers diving in Sulu ? you have a list?

for this i replied

"did i ever say nobody is diving in sulu? read the previous posts, nobody ever denied your claim that there are divers diving in sulu, the place has a big potential, but its just not the right time to put them among the best/top/most popular list"

lagyan pa natin ng translation para mas maintindihan mo yung sagot ko, okay?

"wala akong sinabi na walang nag didive sa sulu, basahin mo yung mga previous posts dahil wala namang kumokontra sa sinasabi mong may mga divers sa sulu, malaki ang potensyal ng lugar pero hindi ngayon ang tamang panahon na mailagay siya sa best/top/most popular list"

there are divers in sulu, true, pero hindi na natin kailangan ng proof to know na sulu attracts less divers compared to the 10 listed on post#1 kaya nga sila napasali sa listed 10 dahil theyre the best and most popular in the country.

and i say it again Malapascua and Coron deserve on top of Subic Bay get it?

so? may sinabi ba ako na dinedeny ko or nag aaprove ako sa view mo? its immaterial for me. never commented anything about this statement so why bother to ask me if i get it?

besides rage, who's only dove around cebu, it looks like i might be the only other diver to post on this thread.

if you took a poll among divers in the philippines, the top ten list will probably be very close to the list on the initial post. that list is pretty much accurate.

diving doesn't have anything to do with security, snorkeling, or surfing. what makes dives interesting are the underwater ecosystem (marine life), underwater cliffs, caves, pass throughs, wrecks, etc.

WARNING!

Everyone please be mindful of what you post. CvC scenarios will not be tolerated. Thank you very much for your cooperation on this matter.

what are CvCs ?

well in your equation no security= less divers or no one dives ," best divers" dives when there are great dive site to explore imo

anyway where not getting anywhere , i am not against any places i just want the facts and not a portion of the Philppines.

and i think malapascua and Coron deserve on top of subic bay .

wreck diving is of a different class distinct from reef diving.

what are CvCs ?

City Vs. City

besides rage, who's only dove around cebu, it looks like i might be the only other diver to post on this thread.

if you took a poll among divers in the philippines, the top ten list will probably be very close to the list on the initial post. that list is pretty much accurate.

diving doesn't have anything to do with security, snorkeling, or surfing. what makes dives interesting are the underwater ecosystem (marine life), underwater cliffs, caves, pass throughs, wrecks, etc.


ai thanks @bartman you got my point.

i dunno why some people insists in security issue in diving. but i will agree Sulu and Tawi-Tawi archipelago lacks tourists and diving facilities .for people who don't know where or what Sulu Archipelago.It's not only Basilan or Jolo , it consists of 100+ gorgeous islands , some islands are closer to Malaysia & Indonesia it stretched maybe from Manila upto the center of Visayas. they are frequented by divers who are based in Malaysia , this is a lost in Philippine tourism and if the Philippine govt' has more vision & will we can have more tourist divers and can claim the title "Haven of Divers"

and hope Filipinos erased this notion of Sulu and Mindanao being "troubled region" . Well Israel , Egypt & even Lebanon have more tourists , why? they have the sites and the facilities to go to.

wreck diving is of a different class distinct from reef diving.

Coron Islands and environs is called the "ship cemetery" it was here the Greatest Sea Battle in history started , the American Navy played decoy to lure the Japanese Fleet , not only shipwrecks but fighter planes are all scattered in that area plus Coron have the pristine and diverse marine life.

City Vs. City

ah, ok. tnx. honda civic ang pumasok sa isip ko when I saw CvC :)

Coron Islands and environs is called the "ship cemetery" it was here the Greatest Sea Battle in history started , the American Navy played decoy to lure the Japanese Fleet , not only shipwrecks fighter planes are all scattered in that area plus Coron have the pristine and diverse marine life.

oo nga pala. :)

[QUOTE=PINOYmeat;15530113]i do TOTALLY get your point, maski haluan pa natin ng ibang issues other than security, i still get your point, ang hindi ko lang maintindihan is why youre so bothered why sulu is not on the list, hihimayin ko ng isa isa

why i said Sulu & Tawi- Tawi Archipleago must be included ? where in the Philippines can you get abundant pearls? natural pearls are a benchmark that the sea is still clean and active of Marine life.

for this i replied


"did i ever say nobody is diving in sulu? read the previous posts, nobody ever denied your claim that there are divers diving in sulu, the place has a big potential, but its just not the right time to put them among the best/top/most popular list"

lagyan pa natin ng translation para mas maintindihan mo yung sagot ko, okay?

"wala akong sinabi na walang nag didive sa sulu, basahin mo yung mga previous posts dahil wala namang kumokontra sa sinasabi mong may mga divers sa sulu, malaki ang potensyal ng lugar pero hindi ngayon ang tamang panahon na mailagay siya sa best/top/most popular list"

there are divers in sulu, true, pero hindi na natin kailangan ng proof to know na sulu attracts less divers compared to the 10 listed on post#1 kaya nga sila napasali sa listed 10 dahil theyre the best and most popular in the country.


well read my post again i said " popular does not mean the best dive sites" short-cut ko lang yan baka hanapin mo naman kung saan.



so? may sinabi ba ako na dinedeny ko or nag aaprove ako sa view mo? its immaterial for me. never commented anything about this statement so why bother to ask me if i get it?


sinabi ko yan dahil nahihirapan ka mag compare whats' Best Dive Site and Popular Dive Site.

why i said Sulu & Tawi- Tawi Archipleago must be included ? where in the Philippines can you get abundant pearls? natural pearls are a benchmark that the sea is still clean and active of Marine life

pero hindi naman lahat g nagdidive eh naghahanap ng pearl eh, diba? :lol: (take this as a ajoke, wag mo seryosohin)

well read my post again i said " popular does not mean the best dive sites" short-cut ko lang yan baka hanapin mo naman kung saan.

sinabi ko yan dahil nahihirapan ka mag compare whats' Best Dive Site and Popular Dive Site.

you are already getting redundant...

isa lang ang masasabi ko, sulu and tawitawi are good dive sites, pero its still not in the league of the 10 listed on post#1, its not yet their time dahil nga sa issues na hindi ko na babanggitin dahil youre in denial, maybe in the future. pero ngayon? naaah!

-=case closed=-

‘RP coral reefs, second largest in Asia, in bad shape’
By Katherine Adraneda
Monday, September 24, 2007

Close to a decade after the El Niño phenomenon hit the country in 1998, Philippine coral reefs – the second largest in Southeast Asia – remain in “bad shape,” and the situation continues to be “bleak” unless intensified protection and preservation efforts are done to save them, according to an international reef conservation group.

In the latest data of Reef Check, the world’s largest reef conservation organization, only less than five percent of the country’s estimated 27,000 square-kilometers of coral reef are considered in “excellent condition.”

Among them are world-famous destinations like Tubbataha Reefs Marine Park in Palawan, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Apo Reef in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, and Verde Island Passage off Batangas.

Domingo Ochavillo, country director of the California-based group, noted that the larger areas of coral reefs are unable to recover from the adverse effects of El Niño and the impact of human activities such as blast fishing and marine pollution over the years.

“In general, the coral reefs in the Philippines are still in bad shape,” Ochavillo said, pointing out that the 1998 El Niño caused the “most serious” impact as it resulted in coral bleaching, or the death of 20 percent of the country’s coral reefs. The El Niño phenomenon is an abnormal warming of surface ocean waters in the eastern tropical Pacific.

“It can be said that it might have even turned for the worse, as it’s a very bleak situation for the coral reefs in the Philippines,” Ochavillo added.

According to Reef Check’s latest survey, the threats to Philippine coral reefs are similar to most developing countries that have high population growth rates and with local coastal communities contributing a significant portion of the national population.

Reef Check said this “continued burgeoning of the country’s population” is definitely increasing its negative impact on the health of the coral reefs as shown in the group’s indicators.

The group said so-called “high-valued” indicators have very low densities based on their long-term data, and “they seem to have not recovered yet.”

An example, the group survey stressed, is the decreasing density of Napoleon wrasse, a fish species listed under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species.

Reef Check said the density of Napoleon wrasse in Philippine coral reefs has been consistently low and almost always zero.

The same observation on barramundi cod has been noted by the conservation organization.

Although the densities of grouper fish (Lapu-lapu) are in a slightly better state, Reef Check said these are nevertheless considered low.

“This group of fishes is highly targeted especially in the live reef fish food trade to account for their low densities. Although these fishes are naturally low in abundance in the wild, over-fishing has pushed their densities much lower,” Reef Check stressed.

Moreover, the group said that it is now very hard to find bump-head parrotfish in fished coral reefs.

Sweetlips, snappers and moral eels are all very low in abundance as well.

However, Reef Check data have indicated that these fishes are more abundant in protected reef areas.

Meanwhile, Reef Check said the trends in the highly targeted invertebrate indicators are likewise not better.

It said that sea cucumbers, lobsters, triton shell, and pencil urchins are very low in abundance.

“The triton shell and the pencil urchins are in fact very hard to find now in fished reefs. These organisms have been highly targeted by fishermen for the curio trade. Giant clams and banded shrimps are still found in many reefs but the impact of over-fishing for the curio and the ornamental trade will continue to drive their abundance much lower,” Reef Check said.

Decreasing trend

Natural disturbances constitute a significant factor that negatively impacts the health of coral reefs. But while typhoons are a normal occurrence in the Philippines, El Niño events seem to be more frequent leading to the warming of the coastal waters and subsequent coral bleaching that in turn cause widespread and increased mortalities of coral reefs, the group said.

However, Ochavillo lamented that human activities continue to aggravate the degradation of coral reef in the country with incidences of over- fishing, dynamite fishing, and marine pollution.

Ochavillo noted that since 1997, the coral reef cover in the Philippines has been on a decreasing trend.

In 1997, he said citing records, the Philippines’ live hard coral reef cover was at 60 percent. But this went down 40 percent in 1998; more than 20 percent in 1999; around 30 percent in 2000; 20 percent in 2001; more than 20 percent in 2002 to 2005; and around 30 percent in 2006.

Ochavillo emphasized that the best way to ensure the protection and preservation of Philippine coral reefs is the establishment of more marine protected areas (MPAs) since this mechanism makes sure that fishing and other human activities are regulated or even banned.

Reef Check underscored recovery in a number of protected reefs, where there is an existing “no-take policy.” These areas include the Apo Island and Danjugan Island in Negros.

pero hindi naman lahat g nagdidive eh naghahanap ng pearl eh, diba? :lol: (take this as a ajoke, wag mo seryosohin)



you are already getting redundant...

isa lang ang masasabi ko, sulu and tawitawi are good dive sites, pero its still not in the league of the 10 listed on post#1, its not yet their time dahil nga sa issues na hindi ko na babanggitin dahil youre in denial, maybe in the future. pero ngayon? naaah!

-=case closed=-

whoo read bartman's posts he's a diver ;)

i agree tubataha is #1 and i think apo island rank higher than others ....100+ island prestine, and unadulterated and "not in your league" ummmm

well eto na lang my opinion is based on National Geography and Time Magazine reviews yours is a glossy tourist magazine ;)

^^ unwittingly, you concluded by yourself where i get my sources :ohno:
:applause: :applause: :applause:

im not questioning who should rank above another, the 10 listed in post#1 deserves to be in the list whatever rank they got. im just stating that tawitawi and the sulu archipelago still cant be at the league of the ten listed in post#1

my dad is a former government servant. and its soooo easy to tap navy frogmen to teach his sons to dive. and what do you know? i live in cebu, one of the diving hotspots of the country, diving sites are plenty! i may not be a professional diver but i sure had my diving stints in olango and zamboanga where i had my first diving lesson, and believe me or not, it was under a big navy battleship anchored in southcom... :lol:

if you took a poll among divers in the philippines, the top ten list will probably be very close to the list on the initial post. that list is pretty much accurate.

^^ read bartmans statement
:okay: :okay: :okay:

im not so sure but im getting the impression that it would have some problems in accuracy if tawitawi and sulu are included in the list, but well, to end all arguments, maybe they should be included.... on the 11th...

Thread cleaned and opened.

Please stay on topic to prevent off tangent comments, insults, and other verbal attacks. Thank you very much for your cooperation on this matter, and happy posting! :colgate:

three things...

1. thanks for reopening the thread

2. @ pinoymeat - being a navy frogman doesn't qualify one to teach scuba diving; one needs to be a certified Dive Instructor. i sure hope you were given the basic skills training and briefing before your first dive. so if your first dive was off a ship in zamboanga, how did you get to dive in olongapo? who took you diving? from your posts, i'm pretty certain you don't have a c card. i suggest you take lessons from a certified instructor and get certified. PLEASE dive responsibly.

3. @ dinabaw - there is no such thing as a local or international certificate. a c card allows the holder to dive anywhere in the world within prescribed limitations.

fyi, my most recent dives were off the coast of kona, hawaii last month; anilao, batangas in may-june; and cozumel, mexico in march.

^^ You're welcome @bartman. :colgate:

three things...

1. thanks for reopening the thread

2. @ pinoymeat - being a navy frogman doesn't qualify one to teach scuba diving; one needs to be a certified Dive Instructor. i sure hope you were given the basic skills training and briefing before your first dive. so if your first dive was off a ship in zamboanga, how did you get to dive in olongapo? who took you diving? from your posts, i'm pretty certain you don't have a c card. i suggest you take lessons from a certified instructor and get certified. PLEASE dive responsibly.

3. @ dinabaw - there is no such thing as a local or international certificate. a c card allows the holder to dive anywhere in the world within prescribed limitations.

fyi, my most recent dives were off the coast of kona, hawaii last month; anilao, batangas in may-june; and cozumel, mexico in march.

sorry sir but maybe she never explained clearly but she said she needs a certain requirement to dive in Dubai . that's why she did her requirment in Davao by a PADI instructor .maybe she's applying the c card .


my cousin taking a dive lesson from a PADI dive instructor .

her 3rd dive the 4th and last dive was scheduled the day after, which consists of 40ft. dive at night before she got her international Diving Cerificate.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6752/dsc01002yl2ua8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1209/dsc01003af0wr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/2734/dsc01013ka9ej8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4286/dsc01014xo9px1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

my dad is a former government servant. and its soooo easy to tap navy frogmen to teach his sons to dive. and what do you know? i live in cebu, one of the diving hotspots of the country, diving sites are plenty! i may not be a professional diver but i sure had my diving stints in olango and zamboanga where i had my first diving lesson, and believe me or not, it was under a big navy battleship anchored in southcom... :lol:



just curiuos. was it really a battleship ? I didn't know we had battleships but who knows what they have hidden in the deep south :)

^^ old conking battleship, lots of them docked in the south :lol:

@bartman, frogmen are different from PADI divers, theyre military po, though thyere not qualified to teach diving to civilians, i dont think nagkulang sila when it comes to training, and please read my previous post, its not olongapo... its olango, an islet in mactan. and dont worry for me, im not doing it right now, it was just a brief experience when i was like in high school. aaaaigght?

^^ old conking battleship, lots of them docked in the south :lol:

@bartman, frogmen are different from PADI divers, theyre military po, though thyere not qualified to teach diving to civilians, i dont think nagkulang sila when it comes to training, and please read my previous post, its not olongapo... its olango, an islet in mactan. and dont worry for me, im not doing it right now, it was just a brief experience when i was like in high school. aaaaigght?

cool, it's olango then. that's really NOT a big deal.

and yes, i know that navy frogmen are military and NO it's NOT aaaaigght :bash: like you said, they're NOT qualified to teach. so what were they doing getting you underwater?

a situation like you described is highly irresponsible! :ohno:

dude.. i dont wanna argue with you about diving... YOU have the AUTHORITY, ok now? easy lang! take a deep breath.... good!

listen, i'm NOT arguing either
you have to understand, it's every diver's responsibility to prevent a situation like you described

hindi ka pa rin tapos? anyway, nagkulang ata yung previous post ko... i forgot this line...

"thanks for the concern" :okay:

aaaaiiight?

Best dive sites in the Philippines.....wow....tough one. It is time to set the record straight about dive sites in the Philippines. THEY ALL ROCK!!!! I prefer the Visayas Region. It is important to note that we sit right in the middle of the greatest marine biodiverse region of the world. Now let's get some real divers involved in the thread to see what people think is best.

^^ old conking battleship, lots of them docked in the south :lol:

@bartman, frogmen are different from PADI divers, theyre military po, though thyere not qualified to teach diving to civilians, i dont think nagkulang sila when it comes to training, and please read my previous post, its not olongapo... its olango, an islet in mactan. and dont worry for me, im not doing it right now, it was just a brief experience when i was like in high school. aaaaigght?

marami din sa Canjulao Lapu2x City... kami yung nka.kuha ng contract nila para scrap yung mga barko nila diyan.

about those navy frogmen, they are also spearfishing in the area... alot of fish and corals have considered the old ships as their homes. ang laki ng mga isda dude! just across Cebu's International Port.

Try Cabilao Island in Bohol, it's really nice. Try to buy diver's guide at National Bookstore, there are many diving sites to explore.

Coron in Forbes Traveler’s top 10 best scuba sites (http://www.mb.com.ph/TOUR20071002104635.html)


The teeming diverse marine life in and around the sunken Japanese warships off Coron, Palawan have been listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba sites in the world.

Forbes Traveler is the travel and leisure publication of leading international business and financial resource Forbes Magazine. It caters to the affluent traveler, providing facts and reviews from tour experts aware of their reader's sophisticated tastes.

In a statement, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano enthused, The Forbes article speaks of how rich our country is in natural wonders and how it translates to a unique and unforgettable experience for tourists. With the ongoing assertive and collaborative efforts of our travel industry, increased patronage for our other islands is not far behind.

Appearing in the August 2007 issue, the article entitled "The World’s 10 Best Scuba Spots" recognizes Coron as the ideal spot for those looking for the wreck diving rush. According to expert panel member Jack Jackson, an author, underwater photographer and member of the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) network, the future for divers here is immense.

Forbes Travelers top 10 list was deliberated by Jackson and other scuba and water sports pros: Sport Diver Magazine Executive director Tom Morrisey, Scuba Diving Magazine editor–at–large Nick Lucey and Ocean First Divers Operations manager Amy Christopher. Sport Diver Magazine and Scuba Diving Magazine are the top resources for water sports enthusiasts around the world, while Ocean First Divers is one of the biggest environmentally–conscious dive tour operators in the United States.

The panel of judges considered the quality of the currents, favorability of water temperature, visibility level, as well as the diversity of marine life, caves and sunken vessels in deciding the best destinations. Coron shares the spotlight with the Sudanese Red Sea as top recommendations for divers who prefer exploring shipwrecks.

Also in Forbes prestigious list are the Cocos Island in Costa Rica, the Blue Hole in Belize, Bali in Indonesia, Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Providenciales (or Provo), Turks and Caicos islands in the Caribbeans, and Dinahs Beach in Papua New Guinea.

Coron is located southeast of Busuanga Island, Palawan and accessible by ferry or domestic air carrier from Manila. On Sept. 24, 1944, the island witnessed the US Navy's aerial bombardment of a Japanese fleet entering the country. Today, the wreckage of some 12 cargo and support vessels is home to a myriad of marine creatures and offers endless adventures to divers of all skill levels.

Coron is also home of Barracuda Lake, nicknamed the craziest dive site in the Philippines as it challenges divers to climb first the sharp limestone cliffs before reaching the water form that is part fresh and part saline. The area is a sanctuary to barracudas.

Secretary Durano sees great potential in scuba diving that will benefit the country. "I strongly urge the local governments and community leaders of our coastal towns to build up their areas for water sports and nature tours. This is one way of creating sustainable development as it opens up business opportunities like resorts, professional guides and transportation, while ensuring the protection of the environment."

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is currently presenting Palawan, Puerto Galera, Anilao and the country’s other top diving and water sports destinations to the European outbound travel market, where there is a large concentration of diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

^^ ...no need to argue, guys! ....all dive sites in the philippines is collectively one of the best in the whole world....uh ha!

Boracay & Palawan among world's best (http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/docs/beauty_of_the_phils/current/boracay_palawan_worlds_best.html)

International publications have cited Boracay and Palawan as two of the best destinations in the world.

The white, powdery sands and azure waters of Boracay, Aklan landed in the top 10 beach destinations of the Asian Wall Street Journal. The publication noted Boracay as a favorite among Asian holiday seekers for the variety of activities and entertainment available—from water sports to spas, from all-night parties to quiet, secluded nooks. It is also the only Southeast Asian attraction in the survey, joining other upcoming and exotic places such as Honduras, Abu Dhabi and Montenegro.

Asian Wall Street Journal''s list was endorsed by a panel of executives from global companies in the luxury hotel and cruise industry, including Four Seasons, which operates 74 hotels in 31 countries, the internationally acclaimed Ritz Carlton, high-ranking Asian brand Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and Amanresorts, a company that specializes in top-quality spa getaways.

Meanwhile, the Internet-based SmartTravelAsia.com''s latest annual reader poll, Best Travel Brands 2007, also ranked Boracay as one of the top 10 holiday destinations in Asia, sharing the same slot with Palawan.

Over one million subscribers, comprised mainly of jet-set business executives and affluent travelers who make an average of 15 trips a year, participated in the online voting process. Most of the respondents are based in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Australia, India, China, Malaysia and Japan.

Forbes Traveler Magazine, on the other hand, cited diverse marine life in and around the sunken Japanese warships off Coron, Palawan for including it in the top 10 best scuba sites in the world.

Forbes Traveler, the travel and leisure publication of Forbes Magazine, caters to the affluent traveler. It provides facts and reviews from tour experts aware of their readers'' sophisticated tastes.

Forbes Traveler''s top 10 list was chosen by known underwater photographer Jack Jackson and other scuba and water sports pros: Sport Diver Magazine executive director Tom Morrisey, Scuba Diving Magazine editor-at-large Nick Lucey and Ocean First Divers operations manager Amy Christopher. Sport Diver Magazine and Scuba Diving Magazine are the top resources for water sports enthusiasts around the world, while Ocean First Divers is one of the biggest environmentally conscious dive tour operators in the United States.

Also in Forbes'' Traveler''s prestigious list are the Cocos Island in Costa Rica, the Blue Hole in Belize, Bali in Indonesia, Bonaire in the Dutch Carribean, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Providenciales (or Provo), Turks and Caicos Islands in the Carrbeans, and Dinah''s Beach in Papua New Guinea.

The Department of Tourism is currently presenting Palawan, Puerto Galera, Anilao and the country''s other top diving and water sports destinations to the European outbound travel market, where there is a large concentration of diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Guys,


Would like to know your best diving destination in the Philippines?!?!?!

I'm planning to go where most of you had tried it or at least you find it the best!

:banana2::banana2:

Diving Davao, Philippines
Posted on August 16th, 2008.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/1263/coverlatestpw2.gif (http://imageshack.us)


The new issue of Scuba Diver Australasia magazine just out has my article about diving Davao in the Philippines -- a still largely undiscovered muck diving paradise

The southern Philippines have been off the dive map for a few years due to unrest around the large island of Mindanao, but stability in the region has seen Davao open back up for intrepid foreign travelers. It's easy to get there, a quick flight from Manila with Cebu Pacific, and the diving is equally easy to access too - despite Davao being a huge port city, within 20 minutes of heading out from the marina, you're in the middle of the huge Davao Gulf, with the pristine Samal Island fringed with palm trees and beaches dead ahead.

The diving around Davao is great if you want to find weird and wonderful critters and don't mind the viz being a bit turbid. The local guides can't do enough to help you and are justifiably proud of the diving in the area. Now's the time to go before everyone else gets there...

You can read more about Davao in my article in the current issue of Scuba Diver Australasia (http://divehappy.com/philippines/diving-davao-philippines/) it's the cover story, Diamond In The Rough

Luring French divers into RP waters (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090117-183991/Luring-French-divers-into-RP-waters)

http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-01180842550720.jpg

Amid imperiled economies all over the world, with travel and leisure among the biggest industries to be hit by the downturn, some Philippine tourism experts—practitioners as well as policy hands—are pinning their hopes on a sector that might yet prove to be recession-proof: divers.

“It’s an upscale market, certainly not for the backpacker type,” said Yvette Lee, director for marketing and media affairs of Expedition Fleet, a company that operates a mix of resorts and diving boats aimed mostly at foreign, usually European, divers.

Expedition’s typical “Liveaboard” package of seven nights on a specially outfitted diving boat and three nights on shore in a first-class resort cost around 1900 Euros. A rather steep price, but “it’s a top-tier package that brings you to some of the best diving sites in the Philippines, and even 100 Euros can go a long way here,” explained Lee. “That amount is inclusive of meals and accommodations already, so it’s a pretty good package.”

Proof that the market for diving in Philippine waters remains on the upswing is that, even if the summer season hasn’t started yet, Lee said her company’s trips to the Tubbataha Reef are almost fully booked for the year.

“The Philippines as a diving destination is relatively low-cost, so it will remain attractive,” echoed Tommy Soderstrom, a Swedish national who owns a diving resort, El Galleon, with its own diving school, in Puerto Galera, Mindoro.

Soderstrom, who has lived in the country for 21 years and is married to a Filipina, said the Philippines offers great bang-for-the-buck value for divers—a considerable factor even for high-spending but pragmatic travelers.

“In Puerto Galera alone, there are 25 to 30 diving sites within 15 minutes of each other, so it’s very convenient,” he pointed out.

Exhibit

Lee and Soderstrom were among the Philippine-based tour operators who joined the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) participation in France’s premiere diving exhibit Salon de la Plongée, held a week ago at the Parc des Expositions-Porte de Versailles in Paris.

The other private-sector participants included Abyss Scuba Divers, Atlantis Dive Resorts, Atmosphere Resorts, Marco Vincent Dive Resort, Sea Explorers Philippines, Sampaguita Resort and Cathay Pacific.

They were in Paris with DOT to try to capture a significant chunk of France’s diving market. The French are among the world’s most enthusiastic divers. Around 400,000 are registered practitioners, members of some 2,500 active clubs around the country.

Salon de la Plongée is, in effect, their exhibit—an international fair that brings together French and foreign exhibitors specializing in diving. Last year, it hosted more than 400 exhibitors and around 40,000 general public visitors, majority of whom held Grade 2 (Advanced level) diving skills on the French grading system.

The fair offered not only an array of global diving destinations, but also companies and brands hawking all manner of diving gear and accessories, even lessons in a large indoor pool.

The Philippines was “Destination of the Year” in the 2008 exhibition, a distinction that, with the country’s extensive exposure on the TV show “Koh-lanta” (the French version of “Survivor”), resulted in greater awareness of the Philippines as an alternative leisure destination for the French.

According to DOT records, French tourists accounted for the highest percentage growth (24.4 percent) among European visitors to the Philippines in 2007. From January to October 2008, despite the creeping economic squeeze, French arrivals still managed a respectable 20.94-percent increase. This makes France one of the country’s fastest-growing tourist markets in
Europe today.

Not only are the French, and European tourists in general, high spenders, they also stay in the country longer—around 10 days, spending around 100 US dollars a day. It’s not hard to see why, said Mark Sutch, France country manager for Cathay Pacific, which has the biggest share—about 45 percent—of the French tourist market to the Philippines.

“You’ve got a fantastic array of diving sites, the sites are relatively unspoiled, Filipinos are a very welcoming people, and European visitors get a lot of value for their money, with hotel prices, food and drinks very affordable,” he pointed out. Sutch himself dived in Philippine waters during his stint as Cathay’s country manager in Manila a few years ago.

“If the Euro remains strong, the Philippines will remain a very affordable and attractive destination,” said Sutch. “People into diving are very passionate about it; the industry will hold up, I believe.”

“We’ll just have to offer them the right package,” said Venus Tan, Philippine tourism attache for the Western, Central and Eastern European markets.

“Travel is sacred to the Europeans, and with ‘Koh-lanta’ and other French diving operators featuring the Philippines as their main diving destination, we’ve created a buzz as far as this niche product is concerned. It’s one of our strongest suits—we have the highest marine bio-diversity in the world!—and we have to stay in this market and build on it.”

Different breed

French tourists, said Tan, are a different breed. Generally they want rustic surroundings and greater interaction with local people and culture. “They don’t like staying in concrete structures. They don’t just stay in the resort to dive, they want to immerse themselves in local food, to talk with people. That’s an advantage for us, because we’re very sociable. The impression always is that Filipinos are very friendly and hospitable.”

Tan is looking at another sub-set of the market—airline employees with travel privileges, a big sector in Europe—to buoy the market, through active advertising and editorial presence in consumer magazines, newsletters and other publications.

The sustained PR campaign the last two years has resulted in many French travel firms taking a second look at the Philippines.

About 14 major French diving operators have or are featuring the country in their 2008-2009 campaigns, while Nouvelles Frontieres, one of France’s biggest tour operators, pushed the Philippines as a top destination in its sprawling exhibit booth and dive brochures.

Air France, too, devoted 17 pages of its inflight magazine to Philippine destionations, while the popular French Travel Guide had nine pages of pictures of Bohol, Palawan and other main attractions.

“Our goal is to make the Philippines a destination that can compete with the Caribbean and the Red Sea among French divers,” said Tan. “Divers will travel to dive, and we’re here.”

What about French tourists who aren’t too keen on diving? The country, it seems, has got them covered, too.

In March this year, another international fair called Destinations Nature! will open in the same venue. The focus this time is ecotourism, and its featured destination: The Philippines. Vive le honeymoon.

To all anglers,

Mind if you share your fishing spots around the Philippines?

I know that surfers like to keep their surf spots a "secret" but this is something we could actively promote aside from diving.

Calicoan Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
http://www.calicoansurfcamp.com/

http://news.abs-cbn.com/special-report/04/11/08/san-juan-la-union-surfing-capital-north
http://www.ivanhenares.com/2007/10/surfs-up-in-san-juan-la-union.html

Surfing in Calicoan - Guiuan, Eastern Samar

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c124/alfinsky/Surfing_in_Calicoan.jpg

I have friends who surf and their top three choices are:

(1) Siargao;
(2) La Union;
(3) Aurora.

The BOI and DOT is having a project to promote the 400kms white sand beaches of Davao Oriental for foreign investors to develop. With such a wide stretch of beaches and with some of its shores facing the pacific ocean, it won't be surprising if they will find an excellent surfing site there similar to Siargao or Hawaii.

I remembered once while aboard a ship on the way to Davao, one can see large waves hammering the white sand shores of Davao Oriental in a far distance, and sometimes the splashes could even reach the height of coconut trees (!).

The BOI and DOT is having a project to promote the 400kms white sand beaches of Davao Oriental for foreign investors to develop. With such a wide stretch of beaches and with some of its shores facing the pacific ocean, it won't be surprising if they will find an excellent surfing site there similar to Siargao or Hawaii.

I remembered once while aboard a ship on the way to Davao, one can see large waves hammering the white sand shores of Davao Oriental in a far distance, and sometimes the splashes could even reach the height of coconut trees (!).

^^ Siargao will have some competition. Nice!

Davao Oriental....

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n233/davaoeagle/wave2.jpg

BOI to promote Davao Oriental's white sand beaches
By Mai Gevera

Davao City (22 January) -- Seeing the big potential of Davao Oriental's 400 kilometer white sand shoreline, the Bureau of Investment (BOI) is planning to boost the tourism sector of the said province this year.

BOI chief Gil Dureza said during yesterday's Club 888 Forum at Marco Polo Davao that many are wondering why investors have been hesitant to develop Davao Oriental's white sand beaches.

Dureza said that the wide stretch of beaches is comparable to the popular beaches in Boracay. The place also offers excellent dive sites and other beach sports like skimboarding and surfing.

"This year, we will definitely hold a roadshow to be held in Boracay getting the top ten resort owners as our audience and this will open up better opportunities for the province," he said.

Not just tapping the local market, BOI has also thought of holding a second roadshow in Bali, Indonesia this time to capture foreign investors.

Davao Oriental is strategically located in the easternmost part of the region XI. It ranges about 189.30 in kilometers from its common boundaries. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean in the East, Davao Province in the West, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur in the North and Davao Gulf and Celebes Sea in the South. Its proximity to the Pacific justifies the efforts of grooming Davao Oriental as the gateway to the Pacific.

One of the popular white sand beach is the Dahican Beach in the city of Mati. It is known for its tranquil white sand beach and gentle blowing breeze from the Pacific Ocean. The place is ideal for windsurfing, and skimboarding. (PIA)

The BOI and DOT is having a project to promote the 400kms white sand beaches of Davao Oriental for foreign investors to develop. With such a wide stretch of beaches and with some of its shores facing the pacific ocean, it won't be surprising if they will find an excellent surfing site there similar to Siargao or Hawaii.

I remembered once while aboard a ship on the way to Davao, one can see large waves hammering the white sand shores of Davao Oriental in a far distance, and sometimes the splashes could even reach the height of coconut trees (!).

They should come up with a development plan as early as now, we don't want it to end up like Boracay or Puerto Galera.

They should come up with a development plan as early as now, we don't want it to end up like Boracay or Puerto Galera.

Most likely, it will actually be connected with the Davao-City-Samal Island-Davao Oriental link. Your concern reminded me of an article on Samal entitled 'Why Samal does not want to be the next Boracay". I believe they will consider such concerns on Davao Oriental also. Some areas there are already being groomed for tourism and fishing in some areas were prohibited enabling the profusion of many fishes that tend to idle around the cottages and resort vicinites.

Besides, at 400 kms stretch of white sand beachlines, there's wide room for (well protected) development, but it's good that concerned people will be vigilant about this.

Puraran Beach is a world-class surf spot and perhaps the most popular attraction in Catanduanes.

Ever since the 1970s, when an Australian surfer by the name of Peter Sutton discovered that this secluded cove harbors long-barrel waves perfect for surfing and christened them the "Majestics", international surfers and backpackers have endured the rough roads and tempestuous weather to experience this charming beach.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/3288474470_a9a56bbdc8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3287665651_c4bebe9824_b.jpg

Photos and description by eazy traveler (http://flickr.com/photos/eazy360/)

^^
...Beautiful...

Guys, Club Manila East just opened its newest wave pool (aside from the existing one). It's pretty big, one portion is reserved for those who want to take up surfing lessons.

Try it! The more Filipino divers and surfers there are in the Philippines, the more environmentalists we'll have!

Dahican Beach, Mati, Davao Oriental

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1661/mati24aj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/6536/mati9qk3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7733/23522519.jpg
Link: http://www.sportdiver.com/article/Magazine/2009-Worlds-Best-Diving--Resorts-Atlantis-Dumaguete

Apo Island

http://images.travbuddy.com/5968_11809750142285.jpg
Colourful corals and fish


http://images.travbuddy.com/5968_11809750274482.jpg
Coral reefs


http://images.travbuddy.com/5968_11809739659496.jpg


http://images.travbuddy.com/5968_11809750094489.jpg


http://images.travbuddy.com/5968_11809750191776.jpg


http://images.travbuddy.com/5968_11809750232747.jpg

^^
...Philippines' natural BEAUTY...

^^ Nice pics.

15-inch butanding rescued in Sorsogon (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=447216&publicationSubCategoryId=68)
By Katherine Adraneda Updated March 10, 2009 12:00 AM


A marine conservation officer holds a baby whale shark, which was found with a rope on its tail tied to a stick in Pilar town, Sorsogon. WWF
MANILA, Philippines - A 15-inch whale shark, locally known as butanding, has been found in Sorsogon.

Conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) reported yesterday that the rescue of what could be the smallest whale shark in the country, and perhaps in the world, might lead to answers to the mystery of where the sea creatures breed.

According to the WWF, the baby whale shark was caught last Friday in nearby San Antonio, a barangay of Pilar town, adjacent to Donsol in Sorsogon and was allegedly about to be sold.

A Butanding Interaction Officer (BOI) from Donsol town identified as Embet Guadamor alerted the municipal agricultural officer as well as WWF’s project leader in Donsol, Elson Aca, as soon as he received the information Saturday morning.

“A veteran of several years of fieldwork, including a multi-year stint with humpback whales in the Babuyan Islands, Elson (Aca) knew instinctively what to do. Now in stranding response mode, he grabbed his camera, cell phone and a copy of Fisheries Administrative Order 193, protecting whale sharks, and rushed to the Tourism Office,” related Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, vice-chairman and CEO of WWF-Philippines.

A team consisting of the tourism officer, agricultural officer, BIO, and Aca quickly drew up an operational plan to rescue the small whale shark, which WWF-Philippines christened the “Million Dollar Baby” for its significance and rarity.

They found the whale shark with a rope around its tail tied to a stick stuck into the sand.

The team freed the shark and checked to see that the animal was unhurt. They then documented the discovery and measured the shark, which was 15 inches from tip to tail. They put the whale shark in a large plastic bag with water to allow it to swim freely in preparation for release.

About three hours later, the team boarded a banca and took it out to deep water, where it was less likely to get entangled in a fish net, and set it free.

Tan said many researches have been done worldwide on whale sharks, but to date, no one knows where the whale sharks breed or give birth.

Tan noted that the whale shark rescued in Pilar town last Saturday was so small that “it was probably born (there) and could have been what biologists call a neo-nate.”

“Not only is this animal the smallest live whale shark on record ever to be captured and released here in the Philippines, it is also the first indication that the Philippines, at the apex of the Coral Triangle, is probably one of the places on the planet where these giants of the sea are born,” Tan pointed out.

“For many years, scientists thought that Donsol was merely one of many ‘gas stations’ along the global network of marine highways where whale sharks cruised. This new discovery is the first ever indication that this coastline may actually be a birthing site. This comes as no surprise. After all, this happened in the Coral Triangle – the nursery of the seas – where life begins, and many things remain possible,” he added.

Whale shark saved in Philippines, may be smallest (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=447270&publicationSubCategoryId=200)
Updated March 10, 2009 11:38 AM


MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Activists in the Philippines have rescued what they believe might be the smallest offspring of the world's biggest fish — a whale shark the size of a forearm, a conservation group said Tuesday.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WFF) said maritime officials and activists in Pilar town in the eastern Philippines rescued the 15-inch (38-centimeter) -long whale shark last week and released it in deep waters. Its tail was tied to a small rope on a beach.

The group called it "arguably the smallest living whale shark in recorded history."

WWF said the discovery is the first ever indication that this coastline may be their birthing ground. The group has encountered very few baby whale sharks and can only compare the size of its new discovery to embryos found in a dead female in 1996 _ which measured 14.6 to 18.9 inches (37 to 48 centimeters), according to Elson Aca, project manager for the WWF whale shark tracking project.

The gentle creatures, which can grow to be as big as a bus, make regular stops along the Philippines' eastern shores from December to May, attracting thousands of tourists. But little is known about where they breed as they cruise the world seas.

]New Cebu Pacific route to boost Siargao tourism
Updated March 06, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - After low cost airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) recently launched its thrice a week service from Cebu to Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, local government units in the Mindanao province eyes a boost of its tourism activities as now more domestic and foreign tourists will have a faster alternative for travel.

The new route also paved way to the re-opening of the small Siargao airport in the municipality of Del Carmen, said its mayor Constantino Navarro IV in an interview during the Siargao- Cebu inaugural flight last Wednesday.

“Months ago, another low cost airline was flying in this route but it went off due to low passenger volume. But with this new route of Cebu Pacific, we are looking at bringing more tourists to Siargao so that they can participate in our three international sporting events like the International Women’s Surfing this April, International Game Fishing this May and the Men’s International Surfing Competition this September,” said Navarro.

Even the congressman of the first district of Surigao del Norte Francisco Matugas eyes positive prospects with the re-opening of the Cebu-Siargao route.

Matugas said that Siargao Island thrives on tourism and their tourism products are starting to peak in the world market however their major limitations consist of transportation and the new route will be a way to address this problem.

“We are grateful for the first commercial flight of Cebu Pacific to Siargao Island because this will further enhance and boost our tourism landscape and stimulate job employment. Siargao is a popular destination for surfers and we are so far developing this destination for another activity called game fishing,” said the congressman.

Matugas announced that to boost up flights going to Siargao, a new terminal will be put up and its runway will be extended to accommodate bigger planes and a fund of P20 million has already been released for this project.

Airport manager Gina Villamor said that other airline companies have come to her office with proposed interests to operate in the route but since they have limited capacity in their terminal shed, they were not able to accommodate all of them.

Currently, CEB is the only airline flying to the Cebu-Siargao route and this service operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the flight departs from Cebu at 10:45 am and arrives in Siargao at 11:55am while the return flight leaves at 12:45pm and reaches to Cebu at 1:25pm.— Rhia de Pablo

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=445986&publicationSubCategoryId=108[/

Siargao really needs some boost. It has waves better than Bali's. It can even rival Hawaii.

from www.cloud9surf.com

SIARGAO BREAKS

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/saganasurf.jpg?t=1236925434

^^

WOW! galing naman nito! tutuhanin ko na talaga ang siargao this summer! ;)

from www.cloud9surf.com

SIARGAO BREAKS

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/saganasurf.jpg?t=1236925434

The Siargao dream... I could just imagine the power of those waves, scary! Don't make me wipe out please! Surfing ain't as easy as it looks! :nuts:

FRM:http://www.cebu-philippines.net/siargao-philippines.html

Siargao Philippines Gears Up for Int'l Game Fishing Tournament in Surigao del Norte

Preparations are underway in Siargao Philippines for the three-day 2nd International Game Fishing Tournament which will be held on May 7-9, 2009 in Pilar town in this scenic and paradise Siargao Island.

Organizers of the tournament announced that more than 100 foreign and local anglers have already manifested their commitment to participate and catch the largest bony fish in the open sea off the northeastern tip of the Caraga Region composed of the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.

Officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the First District of Surigao del Norte, the municipal government of Pilar and the Siargao Philippines Game Fishing Tournament 2009 said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to witness the big affair and hand out the prizes of almost 500,000 (half-a-million) pesos to the anglers who will tally the highest weight points and heaviest catch during the three-day international tourney.

The symbolic throwing of a fishing rod in Siargao waters will mark the launch of this province's bid to become a favorite destination of local and international anglers.

The organizers said that as of now, foreign anglers from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Russia, Taiwan, the United States and other Asian countries have already signified their eagerness to participate in the big fishing sea tournament.


Siargo Island's niche as one of the best surfing sites rides on the crest of its powerful rollers or waves including the "Cloud 9," which is considered one of the world's top surfing waves.

Moreover, the island's centuries-old eco-system is a rich breeding ground for marine life such as marlins, groupers, rays, octopuses, tuna, crabs and squids.

Aside from its attributes as a surfing and game fishing paradise, Siargao Island also boasts of 8,760 hectares of mangroves, the biggest in the country, pristine white sand beaches, and tropical marine life within a rich, long stretch of coral reefs.

Various infrastructure projects costing more than P400 million, including roads and airport development, are ongoing to make Siargao Philippines, a scenic island, more accessible to both domestic and foreign tourists.

From Inquirer.net

THE CORAL TRIANGLE, a vast expanse of ocean containing the world’s most diverse and valuable coral reef ecosystems, has so far been spared the untoward effects of climate change.

And the Philippines—which is right in the middle of this global center of marine biodiversity that is also referred to as the Amazon of the Seas—can help keep things that way, said United States marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter.

Carpenter will be presenting a paper co-authored with UP Marine Ecology Marine Science Institute professor Perry Alino at the 2009 Coral Triangle Initiative Summit to be held in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on May 13 to 15. Alino was a delegate to some of the CTI organizing meetings.

More than 30 percent of the world’s coral reefs are found in the Coral Triangle, an area which spans Indonesia, a part of Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands, covering 5.7 million square km., the equivalent of half of the entire United States. The triangle is home to over 600 reef-building coral species, or 75 percent of all species known to science, and more than 3,000 species of reef fish.

Scientists’ warning

Scientists have warned that the world’s coral reefs, already facing several threats to their health because of all kinds of human disturbance, are under further threat from climate change, the complex of effects arising from the burning of forests and fossil fuels.

Carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases trap heat, leading to global warming, which raises ocean temperatures significantly leading to coral death. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may imperil the coral’s ability to construct reefs.

Carpenter noted that other coral sanctuaries, like those in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean, have been hit “very hard” by climate change.

Another kind of threat

But coral reefs in the Coral Triangle are not in immediate danger from climate change, said Carpenter.

They are under threat from seemingly unrelated activities, like poor land use and overdevelopment, uncontrolled logging, slash-and-burn agriculture (kaingin), which is hastening sedimentation, which in turn smothers the corals, Carpenter explained.

According to Carpenter, people, no matter how far they are from the oceans, can still affect the corals.

An example would be loggers who cause erosion, which eventually smothers corals in mud. Even the seemingly harmless act of collecting corals, or even applying nonbiodegradable suntan lotion on oneself can adversely affect coral reefs, said Carpenter.

Carpenter, who has been diving in the country’s oceans since the 1970s and considers the Philippines to be “the best place in the world for a marine biologist,” laments that the country has “one of the highest rates of deforestation of any country on earth.”

He urged local communities to take ownership of their environment and give “respect for life and habitats” to help avert the destruction of corals.

Apo Island best example

He cited what he believes to be the best example of how a local community can take ownership of its marine environment.

Tiny Apo Island off the coast of Negros Oriental hosts the spectacular 34 sq. km. Apo Reef. As early as the 1970s, moves were made to set up marine protected areas on the island. The protection program was started by Dr. Angel Alcala, a biology professor and director of the Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management at Silliman University in Dumaguete City.
According to Carpenter, the 800 or so residents of Apo Island do not want to move away because they all want to help conserve the island ecosystem.

“The biomass of fisheries has increased in marine protected areas. I was almost in tears when I recently saw a big grouper and a big lapu-lapu on the reef, each at least a meter long. The two of them were together,” he said.

He said fishermen on the island understand that if they cast their nets outside the marine protected area instead of inside it, they would end up catching more.

“The everyday people are the ones who have won on Apo Island because they were able to take the situation under their control, not under government control. And they made a perfect pristine environment of a place where they could also fish in,” Carpenter said.

Verde Island

By contrast, an accumulation of trash is destroying Verde Island, located in the Verde Island Passage that separates Batangas from Mindoro, which Carpenter describes as having “one of the highest concentrations of marine biodiversity on the planet.”

“I used to snorkel there. And if you dive near the shore there are plastic bags, trash everywhere. You have garbage floating around.”

Take a second look at your tanning and sunblock lotions, said Carpenter.

“Lotions that are biodegradable are best for the environment. Stay away from petroleum-based lotions,” he said.

Sun tan lotion, shark fin’s soup
“Fifty people in the water with sun tan lotion are actually leaching out things that can be toxic to marine species,” he said.

Carpenter also cited another human activity destructive to the environment—eating shark’s fin soup.

“Tell everybody you know never to eat it,” he said.

Full story (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090426-201483/RP-5-other-Coral-Triangle-nations-to-meet)

me and some friends went diving in Anilao last year (that's me with the blue fins)

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at 65 ft deep - the grotto - the cross was blessed by Pope John Paul II and was put there by FVR

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from http://www.siargaogamefishing.com

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Schedule of activities
06 May 2009 (Wednesday):

9AM-4PM: Arrival / Registration of participants/guests

6PM: Anglers’ Briefing and Welcome Dinner / Press Briefing
Raffle of Boatmen

7PM: Cultural Show

07 May 2009 (Thursday): Grand Opening:

5:30AM: Anglers’ Check-out at Pilar Boulevard

10AM : Grand Opening of the 2nd Siargao Invitational Gamefishing
Tournament 2009 At Pilar Boulevard
(Guest of Honor: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo)

12NN : Lunch / Relax

4PM: Angler’s Check-in at Pilar Boulevard / Weighing Station

7PM : Dinner / Free Time

08 May 2009 (Friday) : Tournament Proper:

5:30AM : Anglers’ Check-out at Pilar Boulevard

10AM : Gamefishing clinic/lessons for guests (optional)

12NN : Lunch / Relax & have leisure at Magpopongko Beach (Optional)

4PM : Angler’s Check-in at Pilar Boulevard / Weighing Station

7PM : Dinner / Free Time

09 May 2009 (Saturday): Closing Program and Awarding of Prizes:

5:30AM: Anglers’ Check-out at Pilar Boulevard

10AM : Gamefishing clinic/lessons for guests (optional)

12NN: Lunch

4PM : Angler’s Check-in at Pilar Boulevard / Weighing Station

7PM : Awarding Ceremonies

7PM : Bikini Babe

10 May 2009 (Sunday):

4 AM : Check-out / Proceed to Dapa

6AM : Depart for Surigao City via Chartered Boat

9AM : Arrive Surigao City / Breakfast at Peng Yu Restaurant

10AM : Proceed to Surigao City airport/ Check-In

11.45AM: Depart for Manila via PAL Express

Available Flights:

Cebu Pacific:

Manila-Cebu (4.50AM/6.35AM/8AM) + Cebu-Siargao (10.45AM/Return flight 12.15PM) every Monday/Wednesday/Friday
Cebu-Surigao (10.45AM/Return Flight 11.55AM ) every Sunday/Saturday/Tuesday/Thursday
PAL Express:

Manila – Surigao (9.30AM/Return Flight 11.45AM) daily[/CENTER]

TOURNAMENT PRIZES:

BIGGEST BILLFISH CATEGORY: (minimum size is 15kg)

Biggest Php50,000.00; Second Php30,000.00; Third Php10,000.00.



BIGGEST TALAKITOK: (minimum size is 3Kg)

Biggest Php30,000.00; Second Php15,000.00; Third Php10,000.00.



BIGGEST WAHOO/TANGUIGUE: (minimum size is 5kg)

Biggest Php30,000.00; Second Php15,000.00; Third Php5,000.00

.

BIGGEST DORADO: (minimum size is 5kg)

Biggest Php30,000.00; Second Php15,000.00; Third Php10,000.00.



BIGGEST OTHERS [Except shark, Stingrays, Puffer fish, Dolphin (lumba) and turtles]

(minimum size is 3Kg)

Biggest Php30,000.00; Second Php15,000.00; Third Php5,000.00

originally posted by ibex

Surigao Del Norte
Summer Olympiks 2009
Schedule of Activities

May 4

"BANDAHAN SA TAG-INIT"
Battle of the Bands 2009
Venue: Gen Luna

May 4-6

Beach Football Cup
Skim Boarding Challenge & Clinic
Venue: Gen Luna

May 9-10

Gov. Robert Ace Barbers Invitational Mountain Bike Challenge 2009
Venue: Dapa & Gen Luna

May 10

"Search for SIARGAO SUMMER BODS 2009"
Venue: Gen Luna Boulevard

May 11

Launching of the "1st Gov Robert Ace Barbers
Inter-Municipality Basketball Tournament 2009"
& Beach Volleyball Challenge 2009 (Siargao Island)
Venue: Gen Luna Municipal Gymnasium

May 12

"SAJAW SIARGAO SA TAG-ARAW"
Modern Dance (Hip-hop) OPen Competition
Venue: Gen Luna Boulevard

May 11-14

Siargao International Women's Surfing Cup 2009
Venue: Cloud 9, Catangnan, Gen Luna

Beach Volleyball Man & Women's Cup
Venue: Gen Luna Boulevard

May 16

Launching of the "1st Gov Robert Ace Barbers
Inter-Municipality Basketball Tournament 2009"
& Beach Volleyball Challenge 2009 (Mainland)
Venue: City Gymnasium, Surigao City

May 16-17

Sen. Robert Z. Barbers Memorial Cup
"Bankarera 2009"
Venue: Mabua, Surigao City

May 18-20

Cloud 9 Masters Cup 2009
Venue: Cloud 9, Catangnan, Gen Luna



Sponsors:

Provincial Government of Surigao Del Norte
Municipal Government of General Luna, SDN
Department Of Tourism
Events Manila

Tangat wreck is a Japanese gunboat sunk in 1944 by US forces. At its shallowest the wreck is about 5 meters deep, and about 18 meters at its deepest.

I went to dive there last weekend

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Tangat wreck is a Japanese gunboat sunk in 1944 by US forces. At its shallowest the wreck is about 5 meters deep, and about 18 meters at its deepest.

I went to dive there last weekend

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We were in Coron too last weekend. Hehe. Buti ka pa nakapag scuba diving hehe. We went snorkeling at the Lusong gunboat wreck. :okay:

know what guys, why dont you explore the biggest big gun battle in the history site that did happened in the surigao straight and discover the WW2 wrecks there! But only the experieced divers can survive due to the swift currents though. Most were not yet explored and discovered.Thats totally a great adventure awaits you.:).

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http://dfa.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/spanish-diving-fair.jpg

Through the joint efforts of the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona and the Department of Tourism office in London, the Philippines’ participation at the Salón de la Inmersión Diving Fair proved to be a resounding success, generating many queries and reservations from local divers for diving tours in the Philippines.

The Diving Fair was held at the Fira de Cornellà, Catalonia on 13-15 March 2009. Fira de Cornellà is about 25 minutes’ drive from Barcelona.

The Philippine stand was the largest and most beautiful at the fair, and was personally visited during the opening by Cornellà Mayor Antoni Balmon and by the Catalan Agriculture Secretary, Xavier Castella.

As part of the Philippines’ diving promotion campaign, Philippine Consul General Eduardo de Vega was interviewed at the fair during the taping of a segment of a local radio program (“A Toda Costa”) dedicated to diving aficionados.

Speaking entirely in Spanish, the Consul General highlighted not only the spectacular diving sites of the Philippines, but other aspects of the country as well (culture, gastronomy, sights, architecture) which would make a visit to the country an unforgettable one for tourists from Spain.

http://dfa.gov.ph/?p=3908

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yours truly :)

:)

Pics of the 3rd Siargao International Women Surfing Cup at Cloud 9, Brgy. Catangnan, Gen. Luna, Siargao

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Gen. Luna Mayor Felipe Espejon welcoming the guests and tube riders to the 3rd Siargao International Women Surfing Cup.

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Si Gob. Barbers nakigkumusta sa mga surfers.. :cheers:

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Ms. Brooke Farris, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Surfing Professionals Australia-Asia expressed her utmost gratitude to Gov. Robert Ace Barbers and the rest of the organizers for spearheading the 3rd Siargao International Women Surfing Cup in Siargao Island.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9z3fiiWp65M/SgjNKtiF3QI/AAAAAAAAApc/kuzGu2q5z_g/s400/3rd+Siargao+International+Women+Surfing+Cup+071.jpgGov. Gov. Robert Ace Barbers acknowledged the people behind the success of the 3rd Siargao International Women Surfing Cup. He stressed that the said event is just a culminating activity for the whole island of Siargao.


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The opening ceremony of the 3rd Siargao International Women Surfing Cup ended with the ceremonial breaking of the surfboard.

:)

Jari na sir, mga participantes ni sila.. :carrot::pepper::carrot::pepper::lock::cucumber::banana2:

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DURING THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL GAMEFISHING TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATED BY 100 ANGLERS AROUND THE WORLD

The symbolic throwing of the hook, line and sinker
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Some foreign and local anglers, nabantayan nijo na mas hamok pa an mga spectators sa may tent kaysa sa mga participants. :lol:
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Ang mga naggagandahang dilag ng Siargao. :banana:
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(from left to right) Pilar Mayor Luco Gonzales, Del Carmen Mayor Bully Navarro, Sec. Ace Durano and Rep. Lalo Matugas
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Donsol, Sorsogon

;36143422']Swimming with the Whale Sharks
by Norman Aquino (http://www.flickr.com/photos/landscapist/)

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;35853870']Amazing photos of a whale shark encounter in Donsol
by Norman Aquino (http://www.flickr.com/photos/landscapist/)

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Donsol, Sorsogon

;36646664']Underwater Donsol
by therealbenbrown (http://www.flickr.com/photos/therealbenbrown/)

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;36199442']The Gentle Giant
by lucas price (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucasprice/)

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this isn't really a dive spot but anyway...
we were snorkeling along the boundaries in Gilutungan Marine Sanctuary, Cordova, Cebu

it's about 15ft deep. i took these shots:

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divers preparing for a shore entry, at Dive & Trek, Bauan, Batangas

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this isn't really a dive spot but anyway...
we were snorkeling along the boundaries in Gilutungan Marine Sanctuary, Cordova, Cebu

Bai, it IS a dive spot. Hehe. There are so many divers in the area especially during weekends. Final dives for getting an open water diving license are usually conducted here.:)

this isn't really a dive spot but anyway...
we were snorkeling along the boundaries in Gilutungan Marine Sanctuary, Cordova, Cebu

it's about 15ft deep. i took these shots:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/SSC%20Meet%2005-10-09/PX5100223-1.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h102/cebupics3/SSC%20Meet%2005-10-09/Px5100240.jpg

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if those fishes were not protected by the nearby marine sanctuary, they're good for sutukil. ay kanami gid. naglaway lang ko.

Breaking Free (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lStZQnNducY) - This is a video of me enjoying cute little waves caused by lpa in san juan, la union.

this was taken just last week (may 2009) so waves aren't really that big caus e it's not surf season yet.

Hi there does anybody know of any dive sites in catanduanes :cheers:

flickr find taken last May,3 2009 Siargao Surfing Actions

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At siargao pwede ka magdive and swim with the jellies at bukas grande islands, sohoton cove!:)

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poisonous ba sila?^

poisonous ba sila?^

they are harmless..no need to worry..there are millions of them in the place you will sure be amazed..

Not really a dive spot, but still awesome.

Encounter with the 'Butanding'
Photos by Norman P. Aquino (http://www.flickr.com/photos/landscapist/)

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DIVING WITH THE WHALE SHARK IN SURIGAO CITY

PHOTOS taken April 2009 courtesy of SURIGAO DIVE CLUB
this 12M long whale shark was seen roaming around Surigao City's underwater world..

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SURIGAO'S FAMOUS DIVE SITES

Surigao may not yet be a major tourist destination, but it has its share of sightseeing spots. Among those that might appeal to you are its diving sites, which contain some of the most fascinating elements and underwater life forms in the archipelago.

The Wall

For sheer size, the dive site christened as the Wall is worth exploring, but there are a lot of other factors going for it.

The currents do not fluctuate as much so even new divers will have little trouble adjusting to the conditions. There is a sloping wall here that goes down some 50 meters, covered with colorful corals, and the wall itself has several crevices and holes which you can explore. There are also lots of fish and marine life there.

The Caverns
As the name suggests, the Caverns is filled with several fissures and cracks that will bring out the explorer in you.

Each of these caves have their own attractions, but one thing they share in common is that they are spacious, so you can swim in the caves, which can turn the dive into a most unique experience. There are also several types of eagle rays, parrotfish and mackerels around.

Machine Gun Center
Exactly how the site got the name is not clear, but one thing that will become apparent once you get there is its splendor.

You dont have to go too deep (just around 10 meters), to see the centerpiece, a coal garden resting on beautifully sculpted rock formations. Besides the corals, there are other caverns and places to uncover, not the least of which is a boat that sank somewhere here years ago.

Nigels Hook
Nigels Hook is one of the more challenging dive sites in Surigao, but the dive will be worth it once you see whats in store.

The rock promontories here are varied and shaped in unique ways, giving you plenty of rooms to investigate. A variety of stingrays, black tip sharks and some sea turtles can be seen in the area.

Satan Rock
Satan Rock, or simply the Rock, is a dive center known for its strong currents but also for the lovely scenery.


As you go into the waters with your guide, be sure to check out the walls, as they are filled with corals of great diversity. Among the numerous marine life you will find here, one of the most common is the manta ray. There are also several barracudas.

Dive Sites around Siargao Island Philippines

In and around the small Islands of Siargao Philippines, there is a unique opportunity for both beginners and advanced divers to find shallow dive spots without current and for advanced divers to enjoy drift or deep dive spots within the outer reefs of Siargao Island Philippines.

NR. Dive site Remarks max.Depth

1. Seeco Reef Coral formation in the south of naked is. 11 m
2. Jorchs Coral Rocks Coral Rocks in the south of casulian is 21 m
3. Cathedral 270° on the wall of cloud 9 rock entry 20 m 33 m
4. Door in the Wall Rock formation 270° close to eastcorner of casulian 19 m
5. Pangitlogan North/South Wall 270° outer reef 31 m
6. Shark Point Coral Rock’s in the south of Anahawan 22 m
7. Eddies Tunnel South corner of Antokon Is. 22 m
8. Antokon Tower’s 4 Rocktower’s east of Atokon 25 m
9. Coral Rocky Bridge Coral Rock’s southwest of Casulian 18 m
10. Coral Sloop Sunken Rock 24 m
11. Dako Coral Beach Staghorn Reef 9 m
12. Dako South West Rock formation with Tunnel 17 m
13. Dapa Channel Sloop, Gorgonien 22 m
14. West La Janosa Coral Hill Westside of La Janosa 18 m
15. Whip Coral Plateau Coral Hill east of Siargao 22 m
16. Nakiauit Coral Sloop Nakiauit Point 19 m

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"Better to sink in boundless deeps, than float on vulgar shoals..." Herman Melville, Mardi and a Voyage Thither.

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Diving the deepest battleships

Diving the HIJMS Yamashiro and Fuso has always been a dream since the project was launched by the late John Bennett. "Diving the Yamashiro is a technical, logistical, physiological and human challenge. It involves state-of-the-art technology and extensive preparation and experience.… But it’s a dream come true for any diver…"

The goals of the Yamashiro Project

Positively identifying the different wrecks in Surigao Strait.

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During the Battle of Leyte, November 24th 1944, 5 aircraft carriers, 7 cruiser, 2 escort carriers, 15 destroyers and 3 battleships were sunk. A big controversy took place about the exact location of the HIJMS Fuso and HIJMS Yamashiro. Diving these wrecks will help to better understand what happened more than 60 years ago.

Confirming the resting place of one of Japan’s greatest Naval Commanders and his Battleship



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Vice - Admiral Nishimura, Shoji, hero of the Japanese Navy during WWII. As shells came down like rain all around him as his command proceeded up Surigao Strait, he relentlessly kept his force on its course toward oblivion. He lost his life along with hundreds of other Japanese sailors. Although he knew his command was doomed, he did his duty and sacrificed himself and his command in true Samurai tradition, thus keeping his honor.

Diving the deepest battleships ever explored by Technical Divers worldwide
The wreck of the HIJMS Yamashiro rests in the Strait of Surigao, Philippines, at a depth of 200m / 660 fsw. The wreck of the HIJMS Fuso lies nearby, also at great depth. John Bennett, former World Depth Record holder, planned to dive these wrecks. Unfortunately John lost his life in a tragic accident. The Yamashiro Project is a tribute to this outstanding diver.

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Cedric Verdier is the first diver to ever explore this wreck, using a Mixed-Gas Closed-Circuit Rebreather to a maximum depth of 196m. Read a diary of the 1st successful expedition on the HIJMS Yamashiro.



More information about the Yamashiro

The HIJMS Yamashiro was the flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during WWII. Built at the Yokosuka Naval Yard, she was first commissioned in 1917 and modernised in 1935.

Displacement: 39,154 Tons
Dimensions: 698’ x 100’5” x 31’9” - 213m x 30m x 10m
Speed: 25 knots
Crew: 1400




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Wow the reefs look good here, and there's surfing too.

DestinAsian (http://www.destinasian.com/issuedet.php?id=916), a Hongkong-based magazine, recognize Siargao Island as one of Asia's best island beaches.

10 Great Island Beaches

For that ultimate tropical idyll,nothing beats a ravishing stretch of sand—particularly when the beach in question is located on an equally serene isle. After a considerable amount of island-hopping around the region, our writers have identified 10 such strands that are among the best in Asia. Some of these picturesque shores are remote and undeveloped, while others pamper visitors with luxurious lodgings. But all share tha most elusive quality: paradise



Compiled by Natasha Dragun, with reports from Cynthia Rosenfeld, Leisa Tyler, David Tse, Martin Westlake, Petrina Price, and Cathy Paras-Lara.

From Malaysia to the Maldives, Asia has its fair share of exotic islands, fabled archipelagos, and legendary beaches. The fact that many come with abundant offshore attractions and luxury lodgings makes a visit even more appealing. Here, we travel to 10 countries to profile the region’s hottest island shores—endless stretches of sand fringed by rain forest and coral reefs—looking at when to go, what to do, where to be pampered, and the best places to eat and sleep when you arrive.

Bai Sao
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Getting to Bai Sao, known locally as Star Beach, requires patience, but you’ll be well rewarded for your effort. Set on the southeast coast of Phu Quoc—Vietnam’s largest island, 50 kilometers from the mainland in the Gulf of Thailand—Bai Sao’s gentle arc of powdery sand sweeps down to shallow, turquoise waters that are warm year-round.

Where to Stay
Save for the occasional beach shack, Bai Sao is as yet undeveloped. But comfortable lodgings are close at hand. On Phu Quoc’s west-coast Duong Dong Beach, La Veranda (84-77/398-2988; laverandaresort.com; doubles from US$135), is only four kilometers from Bai Sao, easily accessed by bicycle or taxi. Rooms come with private balconies, paddle fans, and handmade decorative tiles, while the resort’s main wing is home to a breezy restaurant with ocean views.

What to Do
Feast on barbecued seafood at the small restaurants along Bai Sao in between dips in the bathwater-warm water. For something more active, hire a bike and pedal to the village of Ham Ninh, where you can pick up pearls and the island’s famed fish sauce. You don’t need scuba tanks to explore the shallow reefs, but there are several dive outfits on the island, and bamboo shark sightings are common offshore.

When to Go
The monsoons strike the island between June and November. Avoid the rain and visit in the dry season, when temperatures hover around 30°C.

Godellawela Bay
Sri Lanka
Set at the southernmost tip of the country, Godellawela Bay earned its local nickname, Dream Beach, for a reason. The long stretch of soft white sand is lapped by gently curling waves, and crystal-clear waters extend as far as the eye can see. The bay is hemmed by soaring coconut palms and rocky bluffs, making it one of the most secluded shores on the island.

Where to Stay
Postcard-perfect views are afforded by the 30 rooms at Amanwella (65/6887-3337; amanwella .com; doubles from US$325). Linger on daybeds on your private terrace before retreating to your suite—think classic Aman sleekness accented with floor-to-ceiling windows and fantail coconut-wood furniture. The resort’s restaurant dishes up the catch of the day above a 47-meter-long infinity pool.

What to Do
Time seems to lose meaning at Amanwella, where daybeds and hammocks pepper the path to the beach. Once you do finally make it to the shore, you might be rewarded with sightings of baby leatherback turtles—hatchings occur here every spring. Farther afield, spot elephants, exotic birds, and free-roaming tigers at Uda Walawe National Park.

When to Go
Sri Lanka’s sun shines brightest from November to April.

Kenting Beach
Taiwan
Nestled at the southern tip of Taiwan and surrounded by national parkland—fields of sugar cane, banana and coconut groves, and rain forest —Kenting Beach is a popular holiday spot. But if you time your visit right, you might have this strip of sand to yourself.

Where to Stay
The Kenting Chateau Beach Resort (886-8/886-2345; ktchateau.com.tw; doubles from US$182) features three themed guest wings; rooms in the Marbella Hall and Italian-style Positano Hall come with ocean views and private balconies. Seafood stars at the resort’s four restaurants; the Barbados Beach Bar is just meters from the sand and is great place to catch a dazzling sunset.

What to Do
From bird- watching to banana boating, there’s never a dull moment on Kenting Beach. Ornithologists will want to head inland to the Kenting National Park on the banks of Lungruan Lake. On any given day in October, thousands of migrating gray-faced buzzard eagles and Chinese sparrow hawks pass through here. If you’re feeling restless, try your hand at paragliding, mountain biking, or snorkeling.

When to Go
Surfers will not want to miss the awesome curls that roll in between November and March. With the monsoon season past, these months are also good for diving and snorkeling—the waters are crystal clear, and the crowds have subsided. Avoid summer, when temperatures can soar and the beach becomes overrun with vacationers from Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Landaa Giraavaru Beach
Baa Atoll, Maldives
Clownfish and Oriental sweetlips add color to the azure waters that surround this 18-hectare isle in the Baa Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane flight north of the international airport. Of the Maldives’ 1,190 coral islands, Landaa Giraavaru boasts one of the most romanticsandbanks—it changes hue and shape from sunrise to sunset.

Where to Stay
Guests at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives Landaa Giraavaru (960/660-0888; fourseasons.com; doubles from US$800), the island’s only accommodations, can watch fish swim into view from the massage beds inside Landaa Spa’s glass-bottomed suites. Waves break against Sri Lankan architect Ismail Murad’s striking over-water villas, while at Al Barakat, the open-air restaurant, underwater lights keep guests entertained while they dine on aromatic mezzes and succulent chicken couscous with cinnamon, chickpeas, and raisins.

What to Do
Take an underwater tour with one of the resort’s six resident marine biologists, who oversee endeavors like the 200-plus coral propagation trays that enhance the island’s lagoon. Snorkel deeper into the Indian Ocean in search of butterfly fish and white-tail unicorn fish, or strap on a tank and dive with mantas and sharks.

When to Go
The best time to view underwater life is between December and April, when the sea is calm and clear. Manta rays and whale sharks are seen in their highest numbers from July to November.

Luhuitou Bay
Hainan Island, China
Hainan Island, China’s southernmost province, may be best known for its Yalong Bay resorts, but nearby Luhuitou Bay has won us over for its crowd-free strip of white sand. Backed by foothills, the beach borders calm, clear waters that offer some of the best diving on the island.

Where to Stay
Opened in 2008, the Banyan Tree Sanya Resort & Spa (86-898/8860-9988; banyantree.com; doubles from US$249) offers 49 villas, each with private plunge pools, landscaped gardens, and outdoor bathtubs. The decor is smart and minimal, with an earthy palette offsetting the tropical surrounds. Four open-air restaurants and bars look out to the South China Sea, where fishing boats ply the waters in search of your next meal.

What to Do
It may not have its own dive center, but the Banyan Tree can arrange scuba expeditions in a snip. On dry land, make the most of the resort’s village tours, or tee off at the nearby Sanya Luhuitou Golf Course. Recuperate at the Banyan Tree’s sprawling spa, where traditional Chinese medicine is paired with state-of-the-art hydrothermal facilities.

When to Go
The rainy season hits the island between May and October and can turn the sand into sludge. The best time to visit is between November and March, when temperatures are in the mid-20s.

Nihiwatu Beach
Sumba, Indonesia
Around 400 kilometers east of Bali on the southwest coast of Sumba Island, this pristine strand is a popular pilgrimage site for surfers, who descend to hang ten on theoffshore wave known as “God’s Left.” But when they pack up their boards come evening, you’ll have the entire 2.5-kilometer-long stretch of sand to yourself.

Where to Stay
The Nihiwatu (62-361/757-149; nihiwatu.com; doubles from US$490) resort’s sea-facing villas include a sprawling three-bedroom hilltop chalet with private pool overlooking the Indian Ocean. The thatched-roof rooms are outfitted with Sumbanese textiles and a host of modern amenities.

What to Do
In the interest of surfer safety, a strict policy limits wave riders to nine at a time, but there is plenty to keep you entertained otherwise. The resort organizes activities like fishing trips (the area is famed for its Spanish mackerel, wahoo, and trevally), snorkeling and scuba diving, and boat excursions to the three seashell-strewn coves of Konda Maloba Bay, an hour’s journey to the south. At low tide, staff leads tours to nearby villages, where you chat with locals and pick up beautiful handicrafts.

When to Go
The best breaks wash ashore from April to December, after which the monsoon season descends. The Nihiwatu resort is closed from January 10 to February 28.

Radhanagar Beach
Havelock Island, India
One of only a handful of India’s far-flung Andaman Islands where tourism has a toehold, Havelock fulfills the pristine-beach dreams of no more than 10,000 visitors a year. Those who make the journey will be rewarded with a stunning two-kilometer ribbon of footprint-free sand along Havelock’s west coast. Radhanagar, unofficially known as Beach No. 7, backs onto dense rain forest, where coconut palms reach out from a thick mesh of ferns and cast shadows over the translucent, sandy-bottomed cove.

Where to Stay
The island’s best digs, Barefoot at Havelock (91-319/228-2151; barefootindia.com; doubles from US$80) is a rustic, low-impact resort with 18 thatched-roof cottages built from bamboo and palm fronds. Some come with air-conditioning, but a better way to cool down is with an Iyengar yoga class by the water. Even the most jaded globetrotters will fork over the considerable fee to have their photo taken underwater with Rajan, the resort’s 58-year-old swimming elephant—his trunk is his snorkel.

What to Do
Lionfish and Napoleon wrasse abound in the 15 dive sites off Radhanagar. Snorkelers will be enthralled by the vibrant hues of the lagoon’s coral gardens, just meters from the sand. Visitors can also kayak through surrounding mangroves in search of monitor lizards and crocodiles, trek into the canopied forest (home to 150 animal and plant species unique to these islands), or go deer-spotting along the beach at sunrise.

When to Go
Rajan remains on land during the monsoon season, from May to October. To avoid the downpours, and to glimpse turtle hatchlings, visit between December and March.

Siargao Beach
Siargao, Philippines

Siargao Island, a tiny islet 800 kilometers southeast of Manila, is another site that surfers flock to on a regular basis. The waves at Cloud 9, a notorious break off the island’s eponymous beach, are said to be the best in the Philippines, and the white sands they curl towards are powder-soft.

Where to Stay
The brand-new Kalinaw Resort (63-921/320-0442; kalinawresort.com; doubles from US$136) is the only luxe accommodations on the island. Kalinaw (which translates as “peaceful” in Visayan) features a series of design-oriented cottages with dark-wood floors, free Wi-Fi access, and beach views.

What to Do
If you’re not tackling Cloud 9’s barrel rolls, take to the water and explore the nearby Sohoton Caves, a beachfront nature reserve hemmed by wild forest cliffs with semi-submerged caves. Alternately, ask the resort to pack you a picnic hamper and spend the day paddling between the shallow reefs.

When to Go
The best waves are to be had between July and November, although these months do coincide with monsoon season. To avoid the rain, visit between November and May.

Sunrise Beach
Koh Lipe, Thailand
One of the 51 islands that constitute the Tarutao National Marine Park in the Andaman Sea, off the southwest coast of Thailand, the tiny isle of Koh Lipe is as popular for its sand as it is for its sea. Of the island’s four main beaches, Sunrise catches the early morning rays, casting silhouettes of coconut palms over a stretch of soft sand.

Where to Stay
One of the newest hotels on the island, the Idyllic Concept Resort (66-81/802-5453; idyllicresort.com; doubles from US$83) is set amid tropical gardens that end in ocean-facing bungalows overlooking Sunrise Beach. Sixteen airy villas are minimal in design, but come with mod-cons including flatscreen TVs and broadband Internet access.

What to Do
The petite island is easily explored on foot, but Idyllic can also organize bikes and motorcycles. While the reefs immediately offshore abound with aquatic life (the 2004 tsunami had little impact here), divers should not miss the opportunity to explore Tarutao, Thailand’s first marine park, covering some 1,490 square kilometers. These waters are home to dolphins and sperm whales, as well as an incredible 25 percent of the world’s tropical fish species.

When to Go
The best, albeit busiest, time to visit Koh Lipe is in December, when the weather is relatively cool and the rainy season has passed. Diving is optimal in March and April, when the water is still and clear and tourist numbers have subsided. Daily ferries connect Koh Lipe with surrounding islands from November to May, with weekly crossings between May and November.

Teluk Dalam Kecil Beach
Redang Island, Malaysia
Set at the northern tip of Redang Island, off the east coast of the Malay Peninsula, this idyllic beach is lined with powder-soft sand surrounded by rain forest. Splash about in the turquoise waters of the sheltered lagoon, or swim out to Aziz’s Reef, 100 meters offshore, where you’ll find an underwater menagerie bursting with marine life.

Where to Stay
The best lodgings on this sparsely populated strip of sand are the new hillside villas at the Berjaya Redang Beach Resort (609/630-8888; berjayaresorts.com; doubles from US$265), replete with private patios and unbeatable lagoon views. What to Do It’s hard not to spend day after lazy day on the beach. But if you must take shelter, pull up one of the resort’s padded sunloungers, set under thatched umbrellas. There’s always a game of volleyball on the go, and the Berjaya’s marine centre is fully equipped to take out divers of all experience levels. On-land adventure seekers can trek into the rain forest towards Teluk Dalam Besar Beach, equally idyllic and often deserted.

When to Go
Redang is blessed with blue skies for most of the year, except between November and January when the monsoon strikes.[/QUOTE]
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CALICOAN ISLAND, GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR

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a personal guide to scuba diving in Thailand and South East Asia

Davao Scuba Diving, Philippines – The New Muck Diving Destination

by Chris on July 14, 2009

Despite having a feast of great muck diving, Davao Gulf in the Southern Philippines has remained largely off the dive map. All that could be about to change.

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Yellow Frogfish © Jeff De Guzman

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Hairy Pipefish © Jeff De Guzman


This article was first published in Scuba Diver AustralAsia magazine, Issue 4, 2008. It appears here in a slightly different form.

Photos were kindly provided by Jeff De Guzman, who also illustrated my story in the magazine.

To see more of my stories for Scuba Diver AustralAsia magazine, visit my Scuba Diving Magazine Stories page.

If you were asked to picture what an emerging macro diving destination looks like, chances are you’d be thinking of somewhere remote and uninhabited, a Lost Eden island in the middle of nowhere. But less than 30 minutes boat trip from the huge city port of Davao on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao lies a plethora of spectacular small critters that will have macro enthusiasts grinning with delight. While locals have been diving in Davao’s waters for years, there has only been a trickle of foreign divers visiting up to now. It’s still an undiscovered dive destination in both senses - there are exploratory trips being carried out by local dive company Wind And Wave each month to explore further along Davao Gulf’s miles of coastline as it rolls out to the ocean.


Davao lies at the apex of Davao Gulf, a huge V-shaped swathe of flat calm water that eventually opens out into the Celebes sea. The Gulf is sheltered from typhoons thanks to being surrounded by a ring of mountains, crowned by Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines. Within the Gulf itself, and just across the water from the Davao city, lies the large island of Samal, which creates a natural channel between itself and the mainland and harbours virtually all of Davao’s dive sites. Unlike the mainland, Samal remains largely undeveloped besides one luxury hotel resort, Pearl Farm. The rest of the island features the thickly set palm trees and fringing white beaches for which the Philippines are famous. It’s hard to believe it’s only a few minutes boat ride away from the traffic clogged streets of Davao. Local fishermen paddle tiny one man outriggers up and down the shore as they go about their daily catch, and the occasional container ship heading in for the port is still dwarfed by the sheer size of the Gulf. And all the while, Mount Apo looms overhead catching clouds amongst the bright blue sky. It’s not a bad view at all from the dive boat.


Davao’s 20 plus dive sites are situated in clusters around the Pearl Farm resort and Samal’s three smaller sister islands, Ligid, Malipano and Talicud, as well as scattered along the coast of Samal itself. It quickly became clear from our first few dives that if you want gin clear water and big pelagics, you’ll probably be disappointed by Davao diving. While sailfish, dolphins. dugongs and even whale sharks have been occasionally spotted by local fishermen along the coast of Davao Gulf, they’re rarely seen by divers. The water can be turbid and silty, giving an average viz of around 10 metres, and there’s the occasional strong current which can signal the beginning of an impromptu drift dive. But for adventurous divers who aren’t bothered by less than postcard perfect conditions, Davao provides some fantastic opportunities.

Kaputian is a dive site in point. Dropping in at dusk, it seemed an unprepossessing flat gentle slope of small rocks, with patches of sand and sea grass. Within seconds I was mesmerized by the cowfish that seemed almost as taken with me, backing away slowly but keeping its gaze firmly fixed on me as I had a quiet grin about its cute big eyes and horns. When the cowfish had finally had enough of me, I’d only moved a few more metres before encountering the frozen profile of a reptilian eel, looking like an ornate bottle buried in the sand. More dynamic was the tiny bright blue bobtail squid that resembled a minature cuttlefish, which I only left alone when one of the guides started arcing his torch in a gentle circle to illuminate the graceful seahorse he’d found, some 8 inches or so long.

We had split up into two groups to maximize our spotting time, and there was a flurry of excitement from the other group as they stumbled across one of the holy grails of macro diving: a clown frogfish. This tiny creature, panstick white with a huge red stripe running through it just like its namesake, was almost wholly buried amongst the small rock chunks that make up the slope. Our guide Ricci was all smiles when he got out the water as it was the first time he’d ever seen one, let alone found one – even more impressive given it was a night dive!

As we headed back to Davao that night, it was already decided we’d go back in search of the clown frogfish. Instead, we subsequently encountered a harlequin shrimp in all its polka dotted finery and a pair of Pegasus. We dived Kaputian three times in all and it felt like a different site each time and that there was something not only new but quite special too.


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Red Frogfish © Jeff De Guzman

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Besides the fine muck diving along Samal’s coastline, Ligid and Talicud, two of the islands just off Samal, provide impressive coral landscapes with teeming fish populations. Big Ligid and Little Ligid are located around the other side of Samal on the north eastern tip. Little Ligid is a private island that’s available to rent by the day if you’re feeling particularly decadent. Big Ligid is one of Davao’s signature sites and provides the best chance of seeing roving pelagics like packs of barracuda and whitetip sharks riding the currents, which also improves the viz.

The island’s craggy limestone walls provide a scenic backdrop topped with dense foliage above water, while underneath the surface the ocean has hollowed out a fascinating cave in Ligid’s wall and a pinnacle off its furthest point. The vertical wall drops at around 20 metres and the cave is a large triangular gap at its base. The cave repaid our curious torchlit investigation of its floor with some vibrant nudibranches. Ligid’s wall itself is quite breathtaking – the vivid golds of the clouds of fish hovering over emerald green coral with random spots of bright pink and red look like the work of some aquatic graffiti artist, a stunning and slightly overwhelming mix of colours and textures. Seeing a full sized black and white banded sea snake gracefully sidewind across this landscape provided the final touch to a great dive.

Mushroom Rock at the other end of Samal is also a local favourite, a collection of sites with steep walls dropping to 30 metres completely suffused with a neverending tumble of soft corals whose fronds reach out from their vertical incline. It’s comparable to Mansud Wall, on Samal’s other small island Talicud. Both provide the perfect conditions for an exhilarating drift dive. The abundance of soft coral on Mansud’s vertical wall which has a plateau at around 12 metres and then continues down is breathtaking, perfect for hanging in the current and simply taking it all in. The fish life is also abundant here, with plenty of clownfish and the usual reef suspects, along with a ghostpipefish which seemingly materialized out of nowhere, so good was its camouflage.


Mansud’s two neighbouring sites are very different – Coral Garden is a slightly murky coral patch that provided fantastic photo ops of jawfish peering suspiciously at us from their vertical hideyholes. There is an abundance of the always noteworthy spearing and peacock mantis shrimp in Davao Gulf as well – we spotted them on several dives, lurking amongst rocks and coral and, in one instance, defiantly standing out in the middle of the pebbles and facing us down. Babu Santa was particularly good for spotting mantis shrimp, another ugly looking site of scrubby vegetation on white sand that revealed playful pairs of puffafish cavorting wide-eyed around us, leading the way to the highlight of this dive and a first for me - a clown snake eel, much smaller than the reptilian eel and its crazy paving camouflage making it look a little less sinister. Even the trash on this site (Talicud island is a popular place for Davao partygoers) had become home to glass shrimp peering out of the neck of a discarded beer bottle.

Right by the Pearl Farm resort are the tiny islands of Malipano, on which are built the owner’s quite stunning array of beach houses. Two WWII era Japanese wrecks lie directly in front of the resort in murky conditions that make them only of interest to wreck enthusiasts. Besides seeing another seasnake racing across the deck of one wreck, we also encountered the biggest lionfish I have ever seen, nearly a foot across, only rivaled by the giant puffafish that hoved into view during our following dive at Bing’s Corner.


Bing’s is a site on Malipano island that encapsulates Davao diving in a way, with a contrasting mix of big, expansive reef and tiny creatures. It’s an excellent wall dive with a spectacular carpet of soft corals, lots of fronds and fans meshing in with one another, with a strong drift current in places too. The viz was a little silty but that didn’t really matter. Amongst the explosions of coral growth we went looking for pygmy seahorses in one of the immense scarlet gorgonian fans jutting out from the wall – we had no luck this time round, but the giant puffafish was a consolation, as was the plethora of nudibranches we found along the way, with no less than five vivid green and red nudibranches grouped together (easily identified post-dive as chromodoris nembrata).

When you add up the beauty of Davao’s natural surroundings above water with the fascinating array of critters under the surface, the ease with which you can visit the city and get to the dive sites as well, the convenience of having big city luxury nearby, and the genuine pride and excitement the dive guides have in Davao in showing off what is still a largely undiscovered dive destination, Davao has got a lot going for it. It may never be a chart topper like Palau or Sulawesi, but Davao has its own unique dive charm.

Thanks to: Albert and all the team at Wind And Wave Davao for organising a great trip in Davao. And to Carlos, for the cheese.

How To Get To Davao:
There are regular daily flights from Manila to Davao with Cebu Pacific , Air Philippines and Philippines Air. Air Philippines allow scuba divers 25kg of extra baggage for free on production of their scuba certification card. Check flight comparison sites Wego.com Kayak.com andSkyscanner for current flight prices.

Entry/ Visa Requirements:
Most nationalities can get a free 30 day visa on arrival at Manila Airport. Check with your local Filipino embassy.

Language:
Tagalog is the official language of the Philippines. English is spoken widely.

Best time to dive:
Davao’s sheltered position means year-round diving is possible. The official off season is July to February - I went in September.

Currency:
Filipino Peso. US Dollars and credit cards are widely accepted, although check ahead with your dive operator to ensure you take acceptable payment.

Dive Happy (http://divehappy.com/philippines/davao-scuba-diving-philippines-the-new-muck-diving-destination/)

Siargao Fishermen Catch Nearly 9-foot Long, 132 Kilos Giant Fish
June 26, 2009 by Ben

June 26, 2009

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SURIGAO CITY – It could have been the foreign anglers’ grandest catch but what these World-class game fishing enthusiasts failed to achieve were the success of the two local fishermen who never thought in their years of catching fishes their only means of livelihood, to catch a 8 foot, 8 inches long with 50.5 inches width and 132 kilos “Pacific Blue Marlin”.

Surigao City-based broadcaster Jun Parada who personally saw the giant fish as he was in Siargao Island at the time it was caught told this writer hundreds of coastal Barangay Asinan residents partake the meat of the giant fish after ten hours it got finally subdued.

Parada said he was in the island town of Pilar to cover the recently concluded 3rd Siargao International Game Fishing tournament.

Pilar Mayor Lucio Gonzales identified the fishermen who accidentally caught the giant fish as Allan Salvadoza and Constancio Batistil, both residents of Barangay Asinan, Pilar, Surigao del Norte.

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According to the two fishermen, they were sailing off coast Barangay Asinan morning of April 14 just four days after the scheduled April 6-10, 2009 3rd Siargao International Game Fishing Competition concluded wherein known local and foreign anglers participated.

The highest catch achieved during that now going popular game fishing tournament was a 40-kilograms blue marlin, Pilar Mayor Lucio Gonzales said.

The two fishermen said they were on their daily regular fishing expedition that day when they suddenly noticed their crude fishing tools’ ropes got tightened and their regular size motorized fishing boat powered by a ten horsepower engine seemed to be dragged away by the fish hooked in their baits.

When they tried to pull the rope, it seems the fish was so heavy that they nearly got thrown away from the fishing boat thus they decided to go near the shore and seek from the people.

They got the surprised of their lives when they saw the fish they accidentally caught was twice bigger and taller than them.

They then just let the giant fish struggle from time to time as its giant mouth was already hooked with its huge hooks intended for big fishes of their fishing rod. Thus it took them ten hours to finally catch the giant fish.

They accidentally hooked the giant fish around 9:30 a.m. April 14 but it was already 7:30 in the evening when it was finally caught with the help of many people in Barangay Asinan shore.

Barangay Asinan residents were shocked of the hugeness of the giant fish thus after they measured it after it died due loss of blood from the iron hooks hooked into the fish’s giant mouth they decided to divide the fish’s giant meat where some 700 people were able to partake it for dinner.

They claimed it was the biggest fish and first catch so far in their years of staying in the coastal Barangay of Asinan.

Local officials of Pilar are hoping it will be included in the Guinness Book of World records.(Ben Serrano)

http://mindanao.com/blog/2009/06/siargao-fishermen-catch-nearly-9-foot-long-132-kilos-giant-fish/

flickr find

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flcikr find

ride the barrel

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flcikr find

DURING THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL GAMEFISHING TOURNAMENT IN PILAR, SIARGAO

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flickr find

@ stimpies break
siargao

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take a boat out a few miles and anchor, and there's a left that breaks off this rock in the middle of the ocean...this was taken with a disposable waterproof camera...

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Philippines - 5 Great Scuba Diving Destinations
The Philippines, being an archipelago with 7,107 islands within its territory has many marine places and aquatic areas perfect for water sport activities such as scuba diving. There are numerous places inside the country that are ideal to go for scuba diving expeditions. Here are five great scuba diving destinations in the Philippines:

1. Batangas – located south from Manila, the nearest place to consider scuba diving from the country’s capital. One can enjoy diving here any time of the year, and the best time during the months of November until June the coming year. Batangas coasts are rich with beautiful coral reefs especially the “Layag-Layag Reef” that is found mostly in this area. There also is the Sombrero Island or the Hat Island where it is shaped like the corners of the hat. Here, one can find the vast collections of corals, seashells and many other marine creatures. Divers will surely enjoy exploring under water spectacles once they get to Batangas.

2. Boracay Island – this very famous beach destination is also known for its amazing underwater features. Boracay is located in Visayas Regions, in Caticlan Province. Lots of divers enjoy scuba diving here and have a glimpse of the country’s most wonderful marine life. There are plenty of attractive and colorful sets of coral reefs here that have been a favorite subject among the underwater photographers for its remarkable beauty.

3. Tubbataha – located in the southernmost part of the Philippines, in the Sulu province. This is a very well known place in the Philippines where the best coral reef gardens are seen. The place is well preserved and is completely for kept for diving only, without any modern facilities in the area. The Filipinos protected this site from hazards making it naturally beautiful and attractive throughout the years.

4. Davao – also located at the southern part of the Philippines, in its Mindanao regions. The place is packed with underwater splendor that has been a favorite of lots of scuba divers. There are several sites in Davao where divers can enjoy scuba diving. There is the Mushroom Rock, Ligid Island, Talicud Island, and the Pearl farm, also known as the Isla Malipano.

5. Cebu – a very famous city in the Philippines that is also known as the “Queen City of the South”. Cebu has many striking beaches for divers to choose from. There is the Mactan island, that has several beach resorts and are perfect for divers both beginners and scuba diving experts. There is also the Olongo Island group that has a vast collection of reefs that are definitely must-see.


goingplacesinasia (http://www.goingplacesinasia.com/2009/08/philippines-5-great-scuba-diving.html)

DISCOVER CALICO-AN ISLAND, GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR!

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From Surigao Today

Surigao del Norte town aiming to become Southeast Asia’s game-fishing capital



SIARGAO Island, Surigao del Norte—A sleepy community of barely 10,000 people, Pilar town and its people have big dreams—to become the game-fishing capital of Southeast Asia, if not Asia itself.

With the support of the national government and the Department of Tourism (DOT), the people of Pilar are pooling their resources, bayanihan- style, to lure tourists. Some 27 homes in the town have signed up for the town’s home-stay program, which allows tourists to live with local families and experience rural life in Pilar while enjoying the town’s outdoor adventures.

The program started a year ago, when the town hosted the first Siargao game-fishing tournament. Without hotels and pension houses, town mayor Lucio Gonzales rallied the residents to open up their homes to their local and international guests. The DOT pitched in, identifying 16 houses which became recipients of a P75,000 grant to renovate their houses.

“We had nothing to offer, but our hospitality,” Gonzales said. The 2009 version of the game-fishing event drew anglers from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Russia, Taiwan and the United States to compete with local anglers from all over the country.

The event was opened by President Arroyo. This year’s winner caught a 120-kilogram marlin just off the coast of Siargao.

One of the participants of the home-stay program was Carmencia Umbros. Although Umbros did not get the cash assistance, she opened up her three rooms to a delegation from General Santos City, who stayed in her house for two consecutive game-fishing tournaments.

“They liked it here the first time so they contracted me to host them again in May this year,” Umbros, a retired public-school teacher, said.

Her brother-in-law across the street just finished installing air-conditioning units in a room and is wrapping up a paint job, courtesy of the cash assistance from the DOT.

For P1,200 a day, Umbros’s house offers an air-conditioned room and full board meals plus a little extra.

“When the anglers come home from a day at the sea, I could not allow them to go to bed hungry so I cook for them,” Umbros said. “As with men, there should be unlimited rice.”

Mayor Gonzales said Pilar wants to show the other side of Siargao aside from the now world-famous surfs of Cloud 9.

“Our fishing grounds are perhaps the richest in the country,” he said. “Our dream is to be the fishing capital of Southeast Asia.”

With a community like Pilar and residents like Umbros, the dream may not be that far from becoming a reality. (Business Mirror) mmmm

From Surigao Today

Surigao del Norte town aiming to become Southeast Asia’s game-fishing capital



SIARGAO Island, Surigao del Norte—A sleepy community of barely 10,000 people, Pilar town and its people have big dreams—to become the game-fishing capital of Southeast Asia, if not Asia itself.

With the support of the national government and the Department of Tourism (DOT), the people of Pilar are pooling their resources, bayanihan- style, to lure tourists. Some 27 homes in the town have signed up for the town’s home-stay program, which allows tourists to live with local families and experience rural life in Pilar while enjoying the town’s outdoor adventures.

The program started a year ago, when the town hosted the first Siargao game-fishing tournament. Without hotels and pension houses, town mayor Lucio Gonzales rallied the residents to open up their homes to their local and international guests. The DOT pitched in, identifying 16 houses which became recipients of a P75,000 grant to renovate their houses.

“We had nothing to offer, but our hospitality,” Gonzales said. The 2009 version of the game-fishing event drew anglers from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Russia, Taiwan and the United States to compete with local anglers from all over the country.

The event was opened by President Arroyo. This year’s winner caught a 120-kilogram marlin just off the coast of Siargao.

One of the participants of the home-stay program was Carmencia Umbros. Although Umbros did not get the cash assistance, she opened up her three rooms to a delegation from General Santos City, who stayed in her house for two consecutive game-fishing tournaments.

“They liked it here the first time so they contracted me to host them again in May this year,” Umbros, a retired public-school teacher, said.

Her brother-in-law across the street just finished installing air-conditioning units in a room and is wrapping up a paint job, courtesy of the cash assistance from the DOT.

For P1,200 a day, Umbros’s house offers an air-conditioned room and full board meals plus a little extra.

“When the anglers come home from a day at the sea, I could not allow them to go to bed hungry so I cook for them,” Umbros said. “As with men, there should be unlimited rice.”

Mayor Gonzales said Pilar wants to show the other side of Siargao aside from the now world-famous surfs of Cloud 9.

“Our fishing grounds are perhaps the richest in the country,” he said. “Our dream is to be the fishing capital of Southeast Asia.”

With a community like Pilar and residents like Umbros, the dream may not be that far from becoming a reality. (Business Mirror)


go! siargao!!

pictures DURING THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL GAMEFISHING TOURNAMENT IN PILAR, SIARGAO

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Swimming with Whale Sharks in Donsol, Sorsogon
by Elysia Eric Kim (http://www.panoramio.com/user/3512635)

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getting to siargao

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International:

The best way to get to Siargao is via Cebu (Philippines). There are international flights from Hong Kong, Singapore and Kota Kinabalu to Cebu. For affordable flights from Manila to Cebu, please see www.cebupacificair.com & www.philippineairlines.com .

National:

1.) Chartered flights from Cebu DIRECT TO SIARGAO are available any time, although bear in mind that the Sayak Airport in Siargao is NOT night-rated and therefore has a sunset limitation for take-offs and landings. Aviatours offers charters (2-4 passengers; flying time of about 1 hour & 10 min.) Please contact us for more information about chartering a plane from cebu. There are no taxis at the Sayak Airport (Siargao) and transfers have to be arranged in advance.


2.) Commercial flight to Siargao VIA SURIGAO

a. From Manila: PAL Express has daily flights from Manila to SURIGAO (not to be confused with SIARGAO). Current schedule is as follows:

* ETD Manila 0930H
* ETA Surigao 1115H
* ETD Surigao 1145H
* ETA Manila 1313H


b. From Cebu: Cebu Pacific Airline The Cebu-Surigao flight is scheduled four-times weekly (Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday) starting November 13, 2008. It departs for Surigao at 10:20am and lands at 11:10am. It leaves Surigao at 11:30am and arrives in Mactan Cebu International Airport at 12:20pm

IN SURIGAO, you to connect with the last ferry from Surigao to Siargao. You also have the option of chartering one of our boats for the crossing to Dapa, Siargao.

Other airlines have expressed their intention of flying to Surigao and Siargao. We will update you on developments as soon as there are any.
Contact details of charter companies and airlines are as follows:

1. AviaTours: +63-32-341-2268, +63-32-495-2268,+63-919-637-6097,+63-919-359-2858; malou.napata@flyaviatour.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
2. Opulent Aviation: +63-32-340-4579, +63-32-495-6982, +63-917-623-1717, +63-918-909-1495
3. Cebu Pacific: www.cebupacificair.com ; +63-2-702-0888
4. PAL Express: www.palexpressair.com ; +63-2-855-8888

Suluan Island, Eastern Samar

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www.panoramio.com

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flickr find

Suluan Island is a small island in the Philippines, in the province of Eastern Samar. It lies east of Leyte Gulf, near Homonhon Island and Calicoan Island.

It was the first ever landing place of Ferdinand Magellan's Armada after their 98 days Pacific crossing although Samar was their first land sighting. Samar did not have a safe harbor. "They headed to Suluan and dropped anchor for a few hours of respite." (source: Laurence Bergreen's Over the Edge of the World). They then next dropped anchor at Homonhon Island, where they spent a week with the natives, and then to Limasawa, where the 1st ever Christian mass was held March 31, 1521.

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Dahican Beach-Mati, Davao Oriental

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Davao City

In the months of July & August you can surf in the heart of Davao City....

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Mergrande Beach Resort, Davao City


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@ Davao Gulf

Mati, Davao Oriental

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Davao Sale (http://images.google.com.ph/imgres?imgurl=http://photos.friendster.com/photos/38/52/10772583/1_456908306l.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.davaosale.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php%3Ff%3D48%26t%3D157598%26start%3D35&usg=__piVRAUrViTYDQmdXfKCuX3NPT2A=&h=400&w=600&sz=27&hl=tl&start=152&um=1&tbnid=9_RNBAt5JmaW7M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddavao%2Bcity%2Bsurfing%2Bphotos%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Dtl%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D140%26um%3D1)

Wow used to have a friend who lived in mati named grant mackay

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@ Davao Gulf

OT: this one is my favorite picture...hehehe

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WATCH OUT FOR

Siargao National Surfing Cup Cloud 9 – General Luna October 15 to 20 - 2009

Siargao International Surfing Classic Cloud 9 – General Luna October 21 to 27-2009

Edito Alcala wins Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in perfect barrels
Written by surfline.com
Tuesday, 18 August 2009

CONDITIONS: Some of the world's best tube riders chucked the dice and booked flights to the remote island of Siargao last week, despite a less than assuring forecast. Pay off? Did it ever. We're talkin' clean, hollow, overhead rights at the most famous wave in the Philippines -- uncrowded, unexpected, all weekend long. When Cloud 9 is on, it's on.

OVERALL PERFORMERS: Edito 'Peso' Alcala gets the nod here. The 20-year-old local ace put on the blinders, tucking into pit after perfect pit and defeating defending champ Wade Goodall in the process. He surfed away with a hefty $7,500 check for the win. Goodall posted the event's only 10-point ride during the semifinal round.

QUOTE: "I'm so happy. It's a dream come true to win this event and beating the reigning champion in the final makes it that much more sweeter. I'm stoked." -- Edito Alcala, winner of Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational

HIGHLIGHTS: Alcala and Goodall dueled in a 35-minute, tit-for-tat, mano y mano finale. And to no one's huge surprise, last year's winner led through most of it. But Alcala grew up surfing this wave, and sitting in second with two minutes to go and with priority, he dipped into a deep Cloud 9 cavern to score a heat-winning 9.43 ride and last-minute victory. Finishing in equal third today was Hawaii's Granger Larsen, who was eliminated by Goodall in one semifinal, and Indonesia's Lee Wilson, who went down to Alcala in the other.



source : http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/edito-alcala-wins-billabong-cloud-9-invitational-in-perfect-barrels-tunnel-vision_18963/

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SAMAR ISLAND PARADISE :D

Yn7yu2IJvmI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn7yu2IJvmI

Sigaboy, Davao Oriental


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We have just returned from Governor Generoso where we met the Governor, Mayor and many local officials who are actively trying to promote diving and eco tourism in that area.

Though we were prevented from diving due to the sea state, this area promises to have some of the best diving in the Philippines. It's open to the sea and - by all accounts - has plenty of shark, rays, jack and tuna. Many people there - and here in Davao - have reported sighting of tiger shark in this area (towards Cape St Augustine). In fact, I have a good diver friend who saw a tiger shark there a couple of years ago.

"We have some friends who are going back there this week to check a few sites out. The area is stunningly beautiful and - regardless what people think - is extremely safe with great local people who are incredibly hospitable.

My wife and I are leaving the Philippines for a couple of months to dive the Turkish South Mediterranean (an area we know well) but will return to Davao in October. We are planning a week or so of exploratory diving there when we return. Are there any experienced divers who might be interested in joining us to open up dive tourism there? Accomodation will be tents on the beach and all costs to be shared (no profits). Photographers/videographers are partticularly welcome. Please send me a private message if you are interested in further information. Thanks."

Scuba Magazine (http://www.scubamagazine.net/showthread.php?t=992)

thanx screwface!

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Surigao Divers

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Patrick Chua

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Close Up of the Crocodile Fish, Cymbacephalus beauforti
Photo by Lyndon Cubillan

Nonoc Diving

source : http://www.surigaoislands.com/diving

^^unique to crocodile fish na ito ah...

Moalboal, Cebu

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tara na sa siargao!:banana:

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/billabong.jpg?t=1254806449

28.07.2009
BILLABONG EXTENDS SPONSORSHIP OF BILLABONG CLOUD 9 INVITATIONAL – NEW 3 YEAR DEAL ANNOUNCED

LEADING surf company Billabong is proud to announce its continued sponsorship of the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in the Philippines.

The new, three-year deal ensures Billabong naming rights sponsorship of the Philippine's premier surfing event until 2012.

'Cloud 9' - a powerful, hollow right-hander has produced a smorgasbord of flawless, barrelling waves for the event since its inception in 2007, with a plethora of surf stars from around the globe sampling its delights.

In a major coup, the exclusive invitational event will offer a world-class field of 48 invited surfers a chance to compete for an upgraded US $30,000 prize pool from 2010.

Adding to their commitment, Billabong has also thrown their support behind the Philippine’s National Surfing Titles, which are held the week leading into the prestigious Cloud 9 event.

Billabong SE Asia Marketing Manager Peter Thew says they’re excited to be raising the profile of the prestigious tournament, whilst promoting surfing in the Philippines.

"The Cloud 9 Invitational is one of those special events and definitely an event we had no choice but to continue supporting,” said Thew.

“It's exciting to be able to announce this deal, as it will see Billabong increasing the prize purse, but also taking on the Philippines Nationals to help the already rapid progression of the Philippine talent. Billabong is also immensely grateful for the continued support of the Government - without them this event would not be possible!"

Similarly, Provincial Governor Robert Ace S. Barbers said, "We are happy with the renewal of our contract with Billabong for another three years of engagement to stage the annual Siargao International Surfing Competition beginning year 2010 to 2012.”

“Billabong gave us the opportunity to be internationally known as the host of the only recognized international surfing event in the country.”
Contest director, Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said the deal is a major plus for the event.
“This event has been running for over 15 years now and this new deal is a testament to the unique and prestigious event that it is,” he said.
“The event will attract the very best tube riders from around the world and put them in what is arguably the world’s most perfect right hand tube.”
Premier surfers to receive an invitation to the 2009 event include former world tour surfer Bruce Irons (Hawaii), Pipeline Master Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii), World Qualifying Series (WQS) shredder Owen Wright (Lennox Head, Aus), Australian big wave charger Laurie Towner (Yamba, Aus), Sunshine Coast sensation Julian Wilson (Coolum, Aus), Brazilian ace Jadson Andre and Hawaiian hotshot Dusty Payne.

Due to Siargao's proximity to the Philippines, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second deepest stretch of water in the world to create flawless, hollow barrelling waves.

The 2009 tournament, which has a US $20,000 prize pool, will run from October 21-27, with 2 days of competition surfing across a seven-day event window.

The tournament contest site is Siargao Island’s 'Cloud 9', a powerful, hollow right-hander that has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia.

The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational 2009 is proudly supported by Billabong, Province of Surigao Del Norte, Stoked Inc and Sagana Resort.

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FROM THE SMILE MAG :lol:

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Thursday, October 8, 2009
1st Siargao Invitational Skimboarding Challenge 2009

by padagata

Instant! Like an instant noodles. In case you don’t know, Burgos is in Siargao Island. The other part. There’s also a Surfing National Comp.

On October 10-12, 2009, the 1st Siargao Invitational Skimboarding Challenge 2009 is happening.

Hoorah to the locals for pulling it off the last minute.

Prizes: 10,000; 8,000; 6,000; 4,000
Plus: Best Skimboard Design: 1,000 and Best Freestyle: 1,000

for more info visit my blog.:)

D-Day Looms for Surfers in Next Week's Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in Philippines
October 16, 2009
PRESS RELEASE

D-DAY is looming for an international cast of surfers with the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in the Philippines less than a week away from starting.

'Cloud 9', a powerful, hollow right-hander located on Siargao Island will again be the focus of the global surfing community with entry confirmations from some of the world's hottest surfers including pipeline master Jamie O'Brien (Hawaii), 2007 runner-up Nick Vasicek (Coolangatta, Australia), 2006 champion Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, Australia), New Zealand's first ever World Champion surfer Jay Quinn (Gisborne, now Gold Coast, Aus) and Hawaiian surfing royalty Makua Rothman.

An invite to compete in the 2009 competition was made all the more attractive with USD $20,000 on the table and the allure of flawless, barrelling waves.

48 surfers from Hawaii, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and 12 local wildcards will compete in a specialised format, which culminates in man-on-man heats from the quarterfinals.

Reigning champion Edito 'Peso' Alcala (Philippines), who rode barrel after perfect barrel to beat 2007 title holder Wade Goodall (Caloundra, Qld, Aus) in last year's final, will don a competition vest to defend his title.

Local ace Alcala, who learned to surf at the revered break, will again prove tough competition for his international riders after putting in plenty of practice at Cloud 9 in the past month.

"It's been pumping for weeks," said 20-year old Alcala.

"We've been experiencing plenty of typhoons that have created some great waves. Hopefully it'll continue into next week."
:banana::banana:


What separates the specialty event from standard competitive surfing is that invited contestants are involved in deciding what conditions they will surf in.

With only two full days required to finalise the competition and a seven-day competition window, organisers have the luxury to wait for ideal conditions in which to run the event during Cloud 9's prime swell period.

Due to Siargao's proximity to the Philippine Deep, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second deepest stretch of water in the world to create flawless, hollow barrelling waves.

The 2009 tournament will run from October 21-27,2009.

The tournament contest site is Siargao Island's 'Cloud 9', a powerful, hollow right-hander that has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia.

The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational 2009 is proudly supported by Billabong, Province of Surigao Del Norte, Stoked Inc, Von Zipper sunglasses, Nixon, Kustom footwear, Friendster, and Sagana Resort.

www.billabong.com

PUNTA BILAR DIVE CENTER

HOUSE REEF DIVES

-Enjoy comfortable 1 hour duration dives at our 2 kilometer long house reef teeming with corals and plenty of marine life for your macro photography!

PHP700 per person for shore dive

PHP800 per person for boat dive (small boat)

PHP500 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 1 diver

SCUBA LESSONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

-From our 2-dive TRY SCUBA package to PADI, NAUI and CMAS certifications, you can earn your Scuba “fins” at Punta Bilar!

PHP2,500 per person for 2 intro dives with dive guide

PHP15,000 per person for PADI Open Water Certification (complete gears included)*

PHP20,000 per person for NAUI Scuba Diver Certification (complete gears included)*

PHP8,000 per person for CMAS Certification (complete gears included)*

*depending on instructor availability

-ADVENTURE DIVES AND DIVING SAFARIS

We can arrange adventure dives at Cantrasa Shoal, our signature 500 meter by 300 meter sea mount just 5 minutes from the dive center or go on a diving safari at nearby islands!

Cantrasa Shoal

PHP2,000 per person per Dive (small boat), and get one extra tank free for house reef dive!

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 1 diver

Basul Island

PHP3,000 per person for two dives (big boat), with meals

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 2 divers

Malimono

PHP3,000 per person for two dives (small boat), with meals, with land transport

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 2 divers

Taganaan Wall dives

PHP3,000 per person for two dives (small boat), with meals, with land transport

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 2 divers

Nonoc Jetty dives

PHP3,500 per person for two dives (big boat), and with meals

PHP750 dive guide good for 2 divers

Minimum 4 divers

-GEAR RENTALS AND SALES

We have a complete set of scuba gears for rent and we sell both brand new and barely used items from reputable suppliers such as Scubaworld, Whitetip, Nautilus and Divers Point!

PHP750 Complete Gear Rental Whole Day!

BCDs, Regulator sets, Wetsuits, mask, snorkel, clips, etc for SALE!

-UNDERWATER SURVEY AND SALVAGE DIVING

Our experienced divers can survey reef systems, sunken or aground vessels and find lost items at the bottom of the sea! We have underwater photo and video equipment and dive platforms for long weeks of diving!

Please email us for a quote! (http://www.surigaoislands.com/diving)

-BOATWORKS

We make wooden catamaran boats from the finest lumber and craftsmanship coming out of the Philippines!

Please email us for a quote! Include Length and Breadth, and desired budget and we will send you a free quote and basic design!

-HOTEL AND FLIGHT BOOKINGS

When you’ve decided to come to Surigao, just email us and we will arrange all you flight details!

Please email us your enquiry! (http://www.surigaoislands.com/diving)

DIVE SITES

1. FUN DIVE



Punta Bilar House Reef

-A two kilometer stretch of corals just 5 minutes from the city center. You can do ten dives here and still want to dive some more. Open 24 hours a day! Get to meet Aris, our resident giant frogfish and thousands of other fish and critters. A total of seven dive sites in one reef!

2. ADVENTURE DIVE (One day)



Cantrasa Shoal

-500 meter by 300 meter sea mount just 5 minutes from the dive center. Because of fast currents in the area, this is only for the brave and experienced divers. Once you dive Cantrasa, you’ll never want to surface!

Basul Island

-Basul Island has reef systems that challenge advanced divers because of unpredictable currents buts lots of things to see. Imagine Gibraltar with a tropical reef!

Malimono Sanctuary

-30 minute drive from the City and get to see schools of trevally, jacks, etc..

Taganaan Wall dives

-30 minute drive from the City and you will be rewarded with a lagoon of limestone rocks and islets for endless wall dives!

Nonoc Jetty dives

-A jetty dive that showcases the wonders and beauty of something preserved for 30 years!

3. DIVING SAFARI (Overnight)



Hagakhak Island

-Thirty kilometers north of Surigao accessible by private boat. Pristine Boracay type beach. A private island and sanctuary. Overnight alone in paradise. What more can you ask for?

http://www.surigaoislands.com/diving

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yahooo!!

Sunday, October 18, 2009
Alcala, Landrigan carry RP fight in Cloud 9 surfing

Edito "Piso" Alcala and Fil-Australian Luke Landrigan will carry the fight against a host of top foreign surfers led by Queensland Open champ Nick Vasicek of Australia in Wednesday’s Billabong Cloud 9 International Surfing Championship in Siargo Island.

Edito Alcala
As the defending champion, Siargao native Alcala was given an outright seeding in the $20,000 event while Landrigan, a silver medalist in the 1st Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia last year, was allotted a wild card slot.

The duo will be joined by 10 other Pinoy surfers who will be selected from the ongoing Philippine National Championship, also being held in Siargao.

Vasicek, the 2007 Cloud 9 meet runner-up, will headline a star-studded foreign cast that include Bruce Irons, Jamie O'Brien, and Dusty Payne of Hawaii, Owen Wright, Laurie Towner, Julian Wilson of Australia, and Jadson Andre of Brazil.

“With a lot of good surfers in the field, I think it will be hard to win. But I will try my best," said the 21-year-old Vasicek, who skipped last year’s tournament due to commitments back home.

One of the most prestigious events in Asia, the Billabong Invitational will be staged at the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines," featuring Cloud 9, a powerful, hollow right-hander that has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia. - GMANews.TV

D-Day Looms for Surfers in Next Week's Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in Philippines
October 16, 2009
PRESS RELEASE

D-DAY is looming for an international cast of surfers with the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in the Philippines less than a week away from starting.

'Cloud 9', a powerful, hollow right-hander located on Siargao Island will again be the focus of the global surfing community with entry confirmations from some of the world's hottest surfers including pipeline master Jamie O'Brien (Hawaii), 2007 runner-up Nick Vasicek (Coolangatta, Australia), 2006 champion Ryan Hipwood (Gold Coast, Australia), New Zealand's first ever World Champion surfer Jay Quinn (Gisborne, now Gold Coast, Aus) and Hawaiian surfing royalty Makua Rothman.

An invite to compete in the 2009 competition was made all the more attractive with USD $20,000 on the table and the allure of flawless, barrelling waves.

48 surfers from Hawaii, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and 12 local wildcards will compete in a specialised format, which culminates in man-on-man heats from the quarterfinals.

Reigning champion Edito 'Peso' Alcala (Philippines), who rode barrel after perfect barrel to beat 2007 title holder Wade Goodall (Caloundra, Qld, Aus) in last year's final, will don a competition vest to defend his title.

Local ace Alcala, who learned to surf at the revered break, will again prove tough competition for his international riders after putting in plenty of practice at Cloud 9 in the past month.

"It's been pumping for weeks," said 20-year old Alcala.

"We've been experiencing plenty of typhoons that have created some great waves. Hopefully it'll continue into next week."
:banana::banana:


What separates the specialty event from standard competitive surfing is that invited contestants are involved in deciding what conditions they will surf in.

With only two full days required to finalise the competition and a seven-day competition window, organisers have the luxury to wait for ideal conditions in which to run the event during Cloud 9's prime swell period.

Due to Siargao's proximity to the Philippine Deep, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second deepest stretch of water in the world to create flawless, hollow barrelling waves.

The 2009 tournament will run from October 21-27,2009.

The tournament contest site is Siargao Island's 'Cloud 9', a powerful, hollow right-hander that has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia.

The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational 2009 is proudly supported by Billabong, Province of Surigao Del Norte, Stoked Inc, Von Zipper sunglasses, Nixon, Kustom footwear, Friendster, and Sagana Resort.

www.billabong.com

I think it's inappropriate to rejoice in times like this, the suffering that bought these typhoons is still fresh and another strong typhoon which will surely hit the Philippines.

I think it's inappropriate to rejoice in times like this, the suffering that bought these typhoons is still fresh and another strong typhoon which will surely hit the Philippines.

yeah, i understand.. for the sake of the international surfing competition and with the weather condition nowadays, this what drives the international surfers flock their way into our country and expecting a bigger waves.. ..Billabong together with friendster also made an effort to help the victims of the typhoons for relief operations and fundings.. I think it does complement.

yeah, i understand.. for the sake of the international surfing competition and with the weather condition nowadays, this what drives the international surfers flock their way into our country and expecting a bigger waves.. ..Billabong together with friendster also made an effort to help the victims of the typhoons for relief operations and fundings.. I think it does complement.

well just be sensitive , the higligthed "hopefully it will continue next week" it's just a bad taste in the mouth so to speak, even though it's great for Surigao but thousand of filipinos are still suffering as we speak.

cloud 9 G.L.

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/097.jpg?t=1256094882

Surfers gather in Siargao for Billabong Cloud 9

MANILA – Some of the world’s best surfers are set to test the waters of Siargao in Surigao del Norte beginning on Wednesday as they participate in the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational 2009.

A total of 48 competitors will surf at Siargao Island’s Cloud 9. The contest site is a “powerful, hollow right-hander that has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia,” stated the event’s website.

The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational, which has a prize pool of $20,000, will be held from Oct. 21 to Oct. 27. The competition will be held for two days across a seven-day window.

Stoked Inc. president JV Borromeo, one of the event’s organizers, said on “Mornings@ANC” that they have to allocate for the window because surfers “need the quality of waves.”

Filipinos who made it to the top 12 of last week’s qualifying will compete with the world-class surfers.

Among those who have been invited to the event are former world tour surfer Bruce Irons (Hawaii), Pipeline Master Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii) and World Qualifying Series shredder Owen Wright (Australia).

Hawaiian Dusty Payne, Australian Laurie Towner, Brazilian ace Jadson Andre, and
Australian Julian Wilson also received invitations.

Cloud 9

According to contest director and Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark, Siargao’s Cloud 9 is “arguably the world’s most perfect right hand tube,” he said in a statement.

Event coordinator Mumph Ruiz, meantime, said: “Cloud 9 has been popular for more than 13 years now, at least 15 years ago.”

He said that “manic surfers” just kept it a secret.

The right-hander produces a “smorgasbord of flawless, barreling waves,” the statement added.

RP surfing

Borromeo said holding the Cloudy 9 event is great for Philippine surfing.

“It’s pretty phenomenal,” he said of RP surfing these days. “From what I see, now it’s just grown astronomically. The lifestyle has taken in a lot of people.”

He noted that a lot of surfers go to La Union on a weekly basis. “You have the continuous flow of tourists, surfers coming in, finding that we’ve got so much to offer, so many breaks.”

Joncy Sumulong, manager of the Philippine Surfing Team, mentioned the “amazing quality” of RP surfers.

In fact, the reigning Billabong Cloud 9 champion is a Filipino. Edito Alcala won in 2008 “on the last wave on the last few seconds of the last day,” noted Sumulong.
as of 10/21/2009 12:15 AM

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SOMEDAY I COULD TAME THOSE WAVES!:) INSCRIPTION IN THIS SCULPTURE.

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Siargao Island enjoys increase in tourist arrivals, says Gov. Barbers

by Fryan E. Abkilan
Gen. Luna, Siargao Island (21 October) -- The 15th Siargao International Surfing Cup dubbed as the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational 2009 successfully opened today, October 21, 2009 with 48 confirmed international cast of surfers and 12 local wildcards participated.
Speaking before a crowd of local and foreign tourists, Gov. Robert Ace Barbers proudly bared the increase of tourist arrivals in the island. "In this side of the town, of this island of Siargao, in the small town in the island of Mindanao called Gen. Luna we have been enjoying an increase of tourist arrivals, in fact, we have a lot of tourist coming from not just Europe, America, and Australia but likewise coming from Asia as well."
Gov. Barbers acknowledged the efforts made by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, who was the event's guest of honor, for bringing in a considerable number of local and foreign visitors not just in the country but also in the island paradise of Siargao.
"With the Secretary of Department of Tourism around who has been every time marketing asking tourists to come, in fact, during his tenure as the Secretary of Tourism it was only during his time that we broke the record of more than 2 Million tourist arrivals in the country and with that it is because of all the efforts exerted by no less than our good secretary."
"Our efforts to market this place would not have been possible as well if it were not with the full support of Dir. Letty Tan, your hardworking Regional Director for Tourism is the same as hardworking as the secretary," Gov. Barbers added.
Meanwhile, Gov. Barbers acknowledged the support of Billabong, DOT and the local government unit of Gen. Luna who are behind the success of the event. "I would like take this opportunity to thanked and give credit where it is due. This competition would not have been possible if it were not for the 101% support of these people."
He then urged everyone to take good care of these people for according to him, "kini sila are the ones responsible in making sure that everything turns out right, everything in the competition turns out successful and in addition to that, these are the same guys that brings tourist in this island in this town."
Gov. Barbers is optimistic that with this competition, "it will not just give national prominence to this town, to this island of Siargao but likewise give international prominence to this country of the Philippines." (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Melissa R. Mateo's Photos - CLOUD 9, SIARGAO sept18-30, 2009

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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Second lay day in a row at Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational
Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational

Cloud 9 Siargao Island Philipines
21 - 27 October 2009

Second Lay Day in a Row at Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 October, 2009 : - - Another lay day has been called at the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in the Philippines today, with small 2ft (0.5-1m) waves on offer for the US $20,000 specialty event. With only 12 heats to be completed, contest organisers are hopeful of a spike in swell overnight with a further increase into Tuesday.
When competition resumes, Hawaii’s Makua Rothman will face off with Australia’s Sam Page (Manly, NSW, Aus) in heat four of round four. Other round four heats include Ht5 Shinpei Horiguchi (JPN) vs Carlito Nagolo (Phl), Ht6 Gavin Beschen (Haw) vs Dionisio Espejon (Phl), Ht 7 Joel Nantes (Aus) vs Agus Frimento (Phl), Ht8 Rodolfo Alcala (Phl) and Garrett Parkes (Aus).
Due to Siargao's proximity to the Philippine Deep, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second deepest stretch of water in the world to create flawless, hollow barrelling waves. The 2009 tournament will run from October 21-27,2009.

The tournament contest site is Siargao Island’s 'Cloud 9', a powerful, hollow right-hander that has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia. The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational 2009 is proudly supported by Billabong, Province of Surigao Del Norte, Stoked Inc, Von Zipper sunglasses, Nixon, Kustom footwear, Friendster, and Sagana Resort.
www.billabong.com

The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational is on hold
Written by Editor at SurferToday.com
Saturday, 24 October 2009 13:39

Gavin Beschen


http://www.surfertoday.com/images/stories/gavinbeschen.jpg
The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational was put on hold in the Philippines today with diminishing conditions on offer for the unique, specialty tube riding event.

After two days of big, flawless barrels, contest organisers opted to call a lay day with epic conditions expected to hit the region into next week.

Typhoon Lupit, which generated 2.0-2.5m hollow, barrelling waves for the opening two days of the event before tracking WNW towards the northern region of the Philippines, has turned ENE and is now likely to produce epic conditions towards the back end of the seven day waiting period.

The opening three rounds of competition has already turned out multiple 10 point rides with some of the most insane conditions seen for an event this year.

12 heats remain until the 2009 Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational champion is crowned.

Remaining round four heats include – Ht4 Sam Page (Aus) vs Makua Rothman (Haw), Ht5 Shinpei Horiguchi (JPN) vs Carlito Nagolo (Phl), Ht6 Gavin Beschen (Haw) vs Dionisio Espejon (Phl), Ht 7 Joel Nantes (Aus) vs Agus Frimento (Phl), Ht8 Rodolfo Alcala (Phl) and Garrett Parkes (Aus).

Due to Siargao's proximity to the Philippine Deep, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second deepest stretch of water in the world to create flawless, hollow barrelling waves.

The 2009 tournament will run from October 21-27,2009.

The tournament contest site is Siargao Island’s 'Cloud 9', a powerful, hollow right-hander that has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia.


SOURCE: Billabong

surfersvillage.com

Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational

Surfing Australia
Cloud 9 Siargao Island Philipines
21 - 27 September 2009

Jamie “O” So Good on Opening Day of Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in Philippines


http://www.surfersvillage.com/img/st/500___Jamie_switch.jpg

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 October, 2009 : - - An international cast of surfers were literally on 'Cloud 9' today with Typhoon Lupit whipping up epic 1.5-2 metre (6ft plus) waves for the opening day of the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational at Siargao Island in the Philippines.

Cloud 9 lived up to its hype, serving up a smorgasbord of hollow, tubing waves, as contest organisers opted to run round one heats before completing four sudden-death round two heats to close out the day.

Excellent scores were the norm as surfers from Australia, Bali, Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, South Africa and the Philippines pushed their tube riding skills to the limit, weaving deep through the bellies of cavernous waves in a tussle for important round three berths.

Hawaiian hotshot Jamie O’Brien fired a warning shot to his fellow rivals by switch footing his way through a Cloud 9 keg to post the event’s first perfect 10-point ride.

The former pipeline master, who arrived at the out-of-the-way break only a few hours before his opening round heat, showed no signs of jetlag, netting a combined two-wave total of 17.80 to easily beat Australian Cahill Bell Warren (9.83 – Jan Juc, Victoria) and local Philippines surfer Rodolfo Alcala (3.10) in a one-sided affair.

“We had a really long mission from Hawaii after making a last minute decision to come to the event,” he said. “I had just got back from Tahiti, so I just jumped on a plane the next day and flew over here with Makua (Rothman).” After a couple of 7 point rides, O’Brien, who surfs in the natural ( left foot forward) stance, paddled into a big, perfect barrel before bottom turning, weaving the tube and cleanly exiting in the switch stance.

Post heat, O’Brien said he was surprised to score so big.

“I didn’t feel too good out there. I was really out of it. I had a 7 and a 6, but I thought I was going to get beaten. That one came through and it seemed a good opportunity to go switch and get a big score. I went for it and got the best score I’ve gotten for going switch. I’m stoked.”

Fellow Hawaiian Rothman was equally impressive in round one, bagging an excellent scoring 9.00 tube ride on his opening wave before backing it up with an 8.53 to take down Balinese ripper Agus Frimento and local Philippines surfer Rommel Rojo, and easily progress through to round three.

The excellent rides continued to come thick and fast with Australian Sam Page (Manly, NSW) threading through the eye of a big, perfect barrel to net the event’s second 10-point ride in the last heat of the day. Other standouts included Australian Nick Vasicek (Coolangatta, Qld), New Zealand’s Jay Quinn (Now Gold Coast, QLD, Aus), Gavin Beschen (Haw), Dale Staples (South Africa) and Stephen Walsh (Lennox Head, NSW, Aus).

Competition is expected to continue tomorrow with Typhoon Lupit predicted to continue to lash the region with flawless, barrelling waves. Surfing will reconvene at 6am with a possible 6.30 am start. First heat in the water will be heat five of round two, which will feature LukeL andrigan (Phi), Bonifacio Figuron (Phi), Shinpei Horiguchi (JPN) and Chris Watkins (PHI).

Due to Siargao's proximity to the Philippine Deep, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second deepest stretch of water in the world to create flawless, hollow barrelling waves.

The 2009 tournament will run from October 21-27,2009.

The tournament contest site is Siargao Island’s 'Cloud 9', a powerful, hollow right-hander that has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia. The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational 2009 is proudly supported by Billabong, Province of Surigao Del Norte, Stoked Inc, Von Zipper sunglasses, Nixon, Kustom footwear, Friendster, and Sagana Resort.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Garrett Parkes takes the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in the Philippines


http://media.apnonline.com.au/img/news/2009/10/27/SPORT-surfing-parkes_t325.jpg


Australian surfer Garrett Parkes (Byron Bay, NSW, Aus) has taken out the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational in the Philippines today, beating Hawaiian Makua Rothman in a man-on-man final.
Cloud 9 didn’t quite turn on the epic conditions seen for the opening rounds of the unique, specialty event, with finalists having to mix innovative, new-school manoeuvres with aerials, on-rail carves and barrel rides in rising 3-4ft (1-1.5 metre) waves.
Parkes, who stitched up the Gold Coast’s Joel Nantes (Coolangatta) in the quarters before taking down local Carlito Nogalo in the semis, made the most of the smaller conditions to bag two mid-range scores – a 5.50 and a 4.67- in the extended 35 minute final.
“It wasn’t exactly the real cloud 9, not many barrels,” said Parkes, who collected USD $7,500 for the win.
“But I made do with what I had. I managed to get through a few heats this morning and just keep it going through to the final. I’m stoked.”
Parkes, who was a standout throughout the entire event, said he wasn’t fazed entering the final after Rothman beat event favourite and former pipeline master Jamie O’Brien in semi one.
“I was trying not to think about,” he said.
“I just knew I had to get a few scores on the board. It got to the 5 or 6 minute mark and I got a little nervous. But he ended up coming in a minute early so I knew I had it.”
Rothman, who waited patiently for set waves, lacked rhythm in the high-stakes final, breaking two boards to finish with a 2.66 total to Parkes’ final winning tally of 10.17. Rothman surfing away with USD $ 4,500 for his efforts.
Semi final one was quite a show, with Rothman netting a last second victory over fellow Hawaiian O’Brien.
What started as a slow-scoring heat quickly transformed into a tight scoring affair with Rothman nailing the semi’s highest individual wave score – an 8.83 mid heat.
O’Brien hit back scoring a 8.40 and 6.50 to hold the lead briefly.
But with 10 seconds reaming, Rothman pulled into Cloud 9 drainer, weaving through the barrel before cleanly exiting to book a spot in the final with a 6.80.
Semi two was just as thrilling with Parkes besting local Philippines surfer Carlito Nogalo.
Parkes made the perfect start jagging an 8.00 on his first wave to setup victory – 13.33 to Nogalo’s 10.77.
The 2009 edition of the Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational was blessed with some of most amazing conditions seen for an event this year, with perfect 6-8 ft barrels rolling through the Cloud 9 line-up for the opening two days of competition.
Due to Siargao's proximity to the Philippine Deep, big swells from the Pacific Ocean roll in from the second deepest stretch of water in the world to create flawless, hollow barrelling waves.

The 2009 tournament will run from October 21-27,2009.

The tournament contest site is Siargao Island’s 'Cloud 9', a powerful, hollow right-hander that has been frequently compared to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia.
The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational 2009 is proudly supported by Billabong, Province of Surigao Del Norte, Stoked Inc, Von Zipper sunglasses, Nixon, Kustom footwear, Friendster, and Sagana Resort.

SOURCE: Billabong

DIVING IN SURIGAO

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/dive.jpg?t=1258091345

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/dive3.jpg?t=1258091401

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/dive5.jpg?t=1258091429

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/dive2.jpg?t=1258091455

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/dive6.jpg?t=1258091479

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/1-5.jpg?t=1258091573

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/dive4.jpg?t=1258091597
photos from surigao dive club
visit http://surigaoislands.com/diving/gallery02.php

MORE OF SIARGAO

http://www.picsearch.com/info.cgi?q=Siargao%20Island&id=Rg4temmfSGdIRAPxJZx2WQL9gq4yjKIlw0nUgDm4bhc&start=41

TTjeXK6ynEY&feature=related

flickr find


snorkeling+siargao

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/3890348188_63f7e468da.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/3890347690_c5ec9536fa.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3890346488_70d0a034f2.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/3889546767_e35896d0ef.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3889543605_8c6820c1f9.jpg

N8nqu-r2AH4

This kind of topic needs to be 'Sticky'. I'm pretty sure Philippines are one of those countries that has plenty of diving spots, coral reefs, pristine beaches and surfer's paradise.

I've been looking for many great sites in Asia but it seems Philippines is not on those lists. Their hotels are not on top 100 lists in Travel and Leisure Magazine and their resorts are not even on any lists at all. There is something wrong here. I think Philippines needs to start promoting their Tourism Industry. I only heard these nice places from talking to a Filipino friend.

Underwater Seascape and World Class Divesites of Surigao City will be featured tonight Wednesday 11:30 pm on GMA TV 7's Born To Be Wild hosted by Kiko Rustia

SURFVIVOR Siargao (Jun 11-14, 2010) January 18, 2010
Posted by thetravelfactor in SURFVIVOR.


SURFVIVOR Siargao
Jun 11 – 14, 2010
Siargao, Surigao de Norte

PACKAGE RATE
P6,000 to P7,500 per person depending on total number of participants

PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
Transportation:
* Roundtrip private van transfers from Siargao airport to resort
* 1 day Island hopping (Guyam, Daku, Naked Island)
* 2 surf lessons with instructor and board
* Beach bumming!

Accommodation:
* 4D/3N air-con accommodation
* Resort Amenities: volleyball, massage, pool table, videoke

Meals:
Day 1 – dinner
Day 2 – breakfast, lunch
Day 3 – breakfast, dinner
Day 4 – breakfast

Not Included:
* roundtrip airfare
* terminal fees (P200 in NAIA 3)
* other meals

DRAFT ITINERARY:
* Interchangeable depending on wave condition
Jun 11 – Travel time to Siargao. Check-in and free time.
Jun 12 – Three Island hopping (Guyam, Daku, Naked) – beach bum and snorkel
Jun 13 – Surfing/beach bumming day!
Jun 14 – Batch 1 flight Siargao to Manila. Stop over in Cebu for lunch
– Batch 2 extended stay (subject to extra fee)
Jun 15 – Batch 2 travel to Surigao. Flight Surigao to Manila. Stop over in Cebu for lunch.

Book Your Own Flight
www.cebupacificair.com
1. Manila (MNL) to Siargao (IAO)
11 Jun 2010
5J 559 depart MNL 04:45H 1 stop(s) CEB 06:00H arrive IAO11:30H

2a. for 4 days and 3 nights stay
Siargao (IAO) to Manila (MNL)
14 Jun 2010
5J 878 depart IAO 11:50H 1 stop(s) CEB 12:40H arrive MNL 19:45H

2b. for 5 days & 4 nights stays
Surigao (SUG) to Manila (MNL)
15 Jun 2010
5J 876 depart SUG 11:45H 1 stop(s) CEB 12:30H arrive MNL 19:45H

BOOKING AND RESERVATION GUIDELINES
* No regform, No reservation. To reserve, please fill-out registration form then send to tours@travelfactor.org Subject: SURFVIVOR Siargao (Jun 11-14, 2010)
* Then you will receive thru email account details where to deposit payment (BPI). For group reservations, please send your registration forms in one file & email.
* Everyone is required to download and submit registration form. Copy of e-ticket is required to confirm your slot.
* Please register only if you are 100% sure you are joining. And if after registering you need to back-out, please have the courtesy to notify us properly thru email.
* Full payment must be settled within the agreed timeframe. Should you need extension, please coordinate with Travel Factor
* Non-refundable but transferable to other person. Travel Factor must be notified asap or at least 5 days before the trip. In this case, the “proxy” must fill-out and submit registration form.
* The payments made to us are only refundable if we cancel due to weather issues or fortuitous events.
* Upon payment, you will receive a copy of complete guidelines, including things to bring, itinerary, reminders, etc…

FOR INQUIRIES/COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS
email your concerns to tours@travelfactor.org with your name and contact number Subject: SURFVIVOR Siargao (Jun 11-14, 2010)

or contact Travel Factor at 359-2434 or 0917-8475341

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM
http://travelfactor.org/downloads/TF2009-RegForm.xls

AVAILABLE SLOTS http://www.travelfactor.org

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/234/submariner.jpg (http://img51.imageshack.us/i/submariner.jpg/)


© Ivan Sarenas

“Submariner”
Into the Blue

In Malita, Davao del Sur, fishermen such as Dodo (in photo) earn from part-time gigs as dugong guides. Here he plunges into the blue of the Davao Gulf with major lung power and two nifty homemade diving gear: an antipara (or native goggles made of carved wood and bottle glass), and a single fin made from a piece of plywood attached to one leg.

blogalicious (http://images.google.com.ph/imgres?imgurl=http://www.photo.net.ph/blogalicious/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/submariner.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.photo.net.ph/blogalicious/only-in-the-philippines/ivan-sarenas-for-the-19th-philippine-travel-mart-photo-exhibit/&usg=__BlbEfXd6F4gvZI5eyKjeyMO1TSY=&h=675&w=450&sz=245&hl=tl&start=200&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=8RFZ3r3YDj0aKM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddavao%2Badventure%2Bphotos%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Dtl%26sa%3DN%26start%3D180%26um%3D1)

:cheers:

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs202.snc3/20967_271534940686_552655686_3590732_5042496_n.jpg

Marine reserve gives island paradise a second lease of life
By David Challenger, CNN
February 5, 2010 -- Updated 0551 GMT (1351 HKT)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Apo's reputation as a successful example of green sustainability grows
Reefs surrounding the island were severely damaged by destructive methods of fishing
Scientists spearheaded initiative to reverse island's fortunes by setting up a marine reserve
Apo Island, Philippines -- "Welcome, welcome," call out local women holding colorful T-shirts and quilts as pump boats carrying tourists pull up onto the shell-lined beach. "Please look, we have many things to sell."
Wading ashore through the crystal clear water, visitors are immediately struck by an air of optimism and confidence that resonates throughout the island village community.
But it could have ended up being all so very different.
Situated in the Mindanao Sea in the southern Philippines, Apo Island may be small at just 0.7 km/sq, but its reputation as a successful example of environmental sustainability has grown rapidly, all due to a bold experiment that started in the 1970s.
Back then, it was a struggling fishing community that had turned to more productive but highly destructive methods of fishing such as using dynamite and arsenic. Reefs surrounding the island were severely damaged, fishing stocks quickly dwindled, and fishermen were forced to sail further away to find worthwhile catches.
Its future, like many other fishing communities in the Philippines at that time, was grim: Apo was at risk of becoming a permanently poor and sleepy island where coral rubble and green and blue-green algae predominated.
Before the reserve, families were very poor and children were forced to stay on the island for their whole lives
--Liberty Pescobello Rhodes
The island's predicament pricked the interest of academics in nearby Silliman University in Dumaguete, the lively capital of Negros Oriental, including marine biologist Dr. Angel Alcala.
Shocked by Apo's seemingly self-destructive course, yet heartened by its potential for sustainable existence, Alcala spearheaded an initiative to turn around the island's fortunes by setting up a "no-take" marine reserve in 15 percent of the 104 hectares of coral reef around the island.
By 1982, the plan was in effect.
"The marine reserve, totally closed to fishing, in the course of time improved in coral cover and in fish biomass, fish abundance, and species richness," Alcala explained. "This is in contrast to the rest of the island where fishing was allowed. After several years, the volume of fish catch increased substantially, which was interpreted as the result of spillover of fish from the marine reserve as well as the result of the cessation of destructive fishing in all parts of the reef."
The effects soon proved beneficial to Apo's community -- fishermen were able to increase their catches closer to the island after fish biomass increased from approximately eight tons per square kilometer to about 155 tons per square kilometer.
The corals and other marine species inside the marine reserve also improved considerably, which attracted visitors who paid user fees to the community to dive among the blossoming reefs.
"Because of the protection of its coral reef, people earned a good living in transporting tourists from the Negros mainland to Apo. People on the island engaged in small businesses and improved the local economy," Alcala said.
The reserve has given autonomy back to Apo locals, which has helped give it back to all fishing communities in the Philippines
--Dr. Angel Alcala
RELATED TOPICS
Philippines
Sustainability
Today, the island holds a population of about 680 people. It has small villages that are connected by attractive paths, which are decorated with natural flora. Colorful roosters mingle with wayward dogs as they vie for shade under the modest but sturdy houses. Children dart in and out of their homes, always smiling or laughing -- youths who would have once faced limited prospects.
"Before the success of the reserve, families were very poor and children were forced to stay on the island for their whole lives," explained Apo village head Liberty Pescobello Rhodes. "But now they can go to college in cities, marry non-Apo spouses, get good jobs, and send money back to the island community."
There's still no 24-hour electricity, and by no means is island life comfortable, but the knock-on effect of the marine reserve's success has helped the community improve its infrastructure.
"Some tourists have ended up contributing money to our community," says Rhodes. "Some examples include a German dentist who donated toothpaste and toothbrushes for a whole year, while another guest from the UK gave us money to help build a library."
Moreover, Apo's success at reinventing itself is proving an inspiration to other struggling fishing communities in the Philippines, critical in a nation made up of more than 7,000 islands.
Many visitors coming from various parts of the country's coastal communities have seen first hand the results of Apo's efforts, and set up programs of their own.
"There are about 563 marine reserves in the whole of the Visayas and another 500 or so in other parts of the country," Alcala said. "Many of these have been established on the Apo model of community-based marine reserves. It has given autonomy back to the locals of Apo, which in turn has helped give it back to all coastal fishing communities in the Philippines."

:cheers:

diving at malapascua, cebu

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/518/medium/Coralscape2.jpg
http://scubster.com/files/catfish.jpg
http://www.malapascua-island.com/Go_to_Malapascua/Logon07__Calangaman_and_Gato/dive-visclo.jpg
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/images/thumb/5/5a/Wtr_diving.jpg/300px-Wtr_diving.jpg

^^ :rock:

something to CLICK for SIARGAO

http://blueskysportfishing.com/

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/9000/cnnb.jpg


Marine reserve gives island paradise a second lease of life
By David Challenger, CNN
February 5, 2010 12:51 a.m. EST

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/5371/apo.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2820/beforekj.jpg
Apo Island, Philippines -- "Welcome, welcome," call out local women holding colorful T-shirts and quilts as pump boats carrying tourists pull up onto the shell-lined beach. "Please look, we have many things to sell."

Wading ashore through the crystal clear water, visitors are immediately struck by an air of optimism and confidence that resonates throughout the island village community.
But it could have ended up being all so very different.

Situated in the Mindanao Sea in the southern Philippines, Apo Island may be small at just 0.7 km/sq, but its reputation as a successful example of environmental sustainability has grown rapidly, all due to a bold experiment that started in the 1970s.

Back then, it was a struggling fishing community that had turned to more productive but highly destructive methods of fishing such as using dynamite and arsenic. Reefs surrounding the island were severely damaged, fishing stocks quickly dwindled, and fishermen were forced to sail further away to find worthwhile catches.

Its future, like many other fishing communities in the Philippines at that time, was grim: Apo was at risk of becoming a permanently poor and sleepy island where coral rubble and green and blue-green algae predominated.

The island's predicament pricked the interest of academics in nearby Silliman University in Dumaguete, the lively capital of Negros Oriental, including marine biologist Dr. Angel Alcala.

Shocked by Apo's seemingly self-destructive course, yet heartened by its potential for sustainable existence, Alcala spearheaded an initiative to turn around the island's fortunes by setting up a "no-take" marine reserve in 15 percent of the 104 hectares of coral reef around the island.

By 1982, the plan was in effect.

"The marine reserve, totally closed to fishing, in the course of time improved in coral cover and in fish biomass, fish abundance, and species richness," Alcala explained. "This is in contrast to the rest of the island where fishing was allowed. After several years, the volume of fish catch increased substantially, which was interpreted as the result of spillover of fish from the marine reserve as well as the result of the cessation of destructive fishing in all parts of the reef."

The effects soon proved beneficial to Apo's community -- fishermen were able to increase their catches closer to the island after fish biomass increased from approximately eight tons per square kilometer to about 155 tons per square kilometer.
The corals and other marine species inside the marine reserve also improved considerably, which attracted visitors who paid user fees to the community to dive among the blossoming reefs.

"Because of the protection of its coral reef, people earned a good living in transporting tourists from the Negros mainland to Apo. People on the island engaged in small businesses and improved the local economy," Alcala said.

Today, the island holds a population of about 680 people. It has small villages that are connected by attractive paths, which are decorated with natural flora. Colorful roosters mingle with wayward dogs as they vie for shade under the modest but sturdy houses. Children dart in and out of their homes, always smiling or laughing -- youths who would have once faced limited prospects.

"Before the success of the reserve, families were very poor and children were forced to stay on the island for their whole lives," explained Apo village head Liberty Pescobello Rhodes. "But now they can go to college in cities, marry non-Apo spouses, get good jobs, and send money back to the island community."

There's still no 24-hour electricity, and by no means is island life comfortable, but the knock-on effect of the marine reserve's success has helped the community improve its infrastructure.

"Some tourists have ended up contributing money to our community," says Rhodes. "Some examples include a German dentist who donated toothpaste and toothbrushes for a whole year, while another guest from the UK gave us money to help build a library."
Moreover, Apo's success at reinventing itself is proving an inspiration to other struggling fishing communities in the Philippines, critical in a nation made up of more than 7,000 islands.

Many visitors coming from various parts of the country's coastal communities have seen first hand the results of Apo's efforts, and set up programs of their own.

"There are about 563 marine reserves in the whole of the Visayas and another 500 or so in other parts of the country," Alcala said. "Many of these have been established on the Apo model of community-based marine reserves. It has given autonomy back to the locals of Apo, which in turn has helped give it back to all coastal fishing communities in the Philippines."

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/6593/thejw.jpg
source (http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/03/apo.island/index.html)

Cebu is ranked at #6 for favorite diving sites around the world by About.com (http://scuba.about.com/od/wheretodive/ig/Favorite-Dive-Destinations-08/6th-Place--Cebu.htm)

Here is the ranking:

1. Bonaire, Netherland Antilles
2. Cozumel, Mexico
3. Egypt
4. Florida, USA
5. Galapagos Island, Ecuador
6. Cebu, The Philippines
7. Fiji
8. Greece



http://z.about.com/d/scuba/1/0/w/0/-/-/73924403.jpg

Representing everything that South-East Asia is famed for, Cebu is the most popular of the Philippines' many diving treasures. Characterized by brilliant corals that are typical of the Pacific ocean along with all sorts of nudibranchs and fish, Cebu is also home to an abundance of Manta Rays and Sharks. After winning the South-East Asian round Cebu finished up sixth overall.

VISIT CARAGA SIARGAO
SURIGAO


http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/21971_1293986302691_1021297090_3091.jpg?t=1267836193

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/5568_1190849804343_1021297090_30601.jpg?t=1267836394

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http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/5568_1190765402233_1021297090_30600.jpg?t=1267836558

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/5568_1190765442234_1021297090_30600.jpg?t=1267836615

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/n15017560650_3439386_617.jpg?t=1267836751

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/resort-mangrove.jpg?t=1267836793

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/21065_104861249535960_1000003625-1.jpg?t=1267836817

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/dinagat1-1.jpg?t=1267836840

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/SUNDAYOBEACH.jpg?t=1267836864

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/LIBJO-1.jpg?t=1267836887

VISIT CARAGA SIARGAO
SURIGAO




http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/dinagat1-1.jpg?t=1267836840

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/SUNDAYOBEACH.jpg?t=1267836864

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo288/mike_durero/LIBJO-1.jpg?t=1267836887

Nice scenic spots!:cheers:

Gj_JFdWWSBQ&feature=related

N8nqu-r2AH4&NR=1

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VISIT http://surfandrock.wordpress.com/, ALL ABOUT SIARGAO SURFING!

Apo Island, located at Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines, is rated one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Surrounded by hundreds of species of fish and marine life, the island is a jewel of the underworld. Spectacular diving is usually accessible at deep sea level, but a beautiful reef is found right beyond the shores of Apo Island Beach Resort. Apo Island Beach Resort is nested in a private cove within unique rock formations on a beautiful white beach. Please click on the below sections to view more information about Apo Island Beach Resort.


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What to see here:
Moray eels, frogfish in different colors, many nudibranches, scorpion fish, devil fish, pipe fish, bat fish, seahorses, juvenile travellies, octopus, harlequin ghost pipe fish, harlequin shrimps, whiskered pipe fish, flamboyant cuddle fish, sea snakes and juvenile bat fish.

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The main attraction are the schools of barracuda and the underwater hot springs as well as puffer fish, rabbit fish, cat fish, garden eels, leopard sweetlips, juvenile bat fish, ribbon eels, shrimps, crabs, flounders and nudibranches.
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Mandarin fish, lionfish, scorpionfish, many nudibranchs, schools of catfish, freckled porcupinefish, big schools of yellow tail snappers, blue spotted stingrays, moray eels, ringed pipefish, crocodile fish, juvenile batfish, devilfish, ghost pipefish, frogfish, ribbon eels, twin spotted goby, double spotted lionfish, comet fish, blue ringed octopus, spanish dancer.

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Source (http://images.google.com.ph/imgres?imgurl=http://www.haveinternetwilltravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/apo-465x309.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.haveinternetwilltravel.com/2008/12/29/the-dive-sites-of-dauin-and-apo-island/&usg=__lBExF0bHGz8g7ey0ddlFB2vI2p4=&h=309&w=465&sz=22&hl=tl&start=5&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=8mwp_3bRgaMt4M:&tbnh=85&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dapo%2Bisland%252Bbest%2Bdive%2Bsite%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bworld%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dtl%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1)

Apo Island is internationally acclaim for its dive sites. Apo is only a 72 hectares volcanic rock island in the Mindanao sea, with population of around 700 and growing who are mostly fisherman and employee of the govt that help protect the Apo Island sanctuary.

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There is a church, an elementary school and several sari sari stores for basic needs. There is no nighlife to speak off , I like it that way, no blaring karaoke machines singing "My Way" on the middle of the night.

Water is scarce, and expensive too, all drinking water are still coming from the mainland. The people are very friendly, and can speak conversational English, probably because of the foreign divers that frequent visit the place.

I truly admire the friendliness of the people of Apo and their willingness to help, people know as well when you arrive and what resort you are staying, hmm... that really shows how small the island is, local knows all new guests . The vendors are all interested to know when are you going home... why? for them to sell their "only in Apo" tshirt.

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Marine Reserve
The island boast of spectacular coral gardens and diverse marine life, prompting the government of the Philippines to declare it as a marine reserve.

Guidelines from the local govt ...

1. Entire island being a marine reserve, 500meters offshore from high tide mark, is protected from all fishing methods. Friendly reminder for divers, spear fishing is not allowed on this area.

2. For the coral reef "fish sanctuary" on the south east of the island, fishing is prohibited year round and it is highly encourages for snorkelers , not to step on the coral reefs, as its the habitat of small fishes. Once destroyed, its very hard for it to grow and be place for the fish.



Exciting island experience on the fish sanctuary area ..

1.There is a Clownfish city, for those fans of Nemo this is the place to go..spectacular, indeed a city.

2. A school of jack fish is a bonus to all divers and snorkelers. It is frightening at first, as I fear that a single bite from each of the jackfish, 2 seconds you are gone. That is just from my hyperactive imagination, jackfish didnt bite me, but they circle around for few moments, before it swim away.

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UBBE Apo Island + Siquijor
Apr 9 – 12, 2009
Apo Island, Siquijor, Dumaguete

Travel Factor’s Ultimate Beach Bumming Experience and Snorkeling/Scuba Diving trip to Apo Island, Siquijor, and Dumaguete.

PACKAGE RATE
P6,000 to P6,800 per pax depending on total number of participants (group sharing)

PACKAGE INCLUSION
• Van service airport to hotel to airport
• All land and sea transfers during tours
• 3 Days and 2 Nights aircon accommodation at Dumaguete City with daily breakfast
• Apo Island day trip with picnic lunch
• 2 Days and 1 Night aircon accommodation at Siquijor with free use of resort amenities such as swimming pool
• 1 Buffet Lunch at Siquijor
• Siquijor Island Tour
• Dumaguete Countryside Tour
• 1 Fiesta Lunch at Dumaguete City
• All entrance fees and environmental fees
• Travel Insurance
• Travel Factor ID, Lanyard

not included:
- Roundtrip airfare and terminal fee
- Snorkel gears (recommended to bring your own)
- Scuba Diving gears and fees at Apo Island
- Other meals

Diving Rates:
P1,500 per dive includes complete scuba diving gear, tanks, weights, dive guide, boat transfer

Draft Itinerary
Apr 9 – Scuba Diving/Snorkeling at Apo Island. Overnight at Dumaguete.
Apr 10 – Travel to Siquijor. Siquijor Island tour. Overnight at Siquijor.
Apr 11 – Beach bumming at Siquijor. Free time. Overnight at Dumaguete
Apr 12 – Dumaguete Country-side tour. Flight back to Manila.

Book Your Own Flight
Manila – Dumaguete via Cebupacific/PAL Apr 9 ETD 07:05AM ETA 08:20AM
Dumaguete – Manila via Cebupacific/PAL Apr 12 ETD 04:25PM ETA 05:40PM

BOOKING AND RESERVATION GUIDELINES
* No regform, No reservation. To reserve, please fill-out registration form then send to tours@travelfactor.org Subject: UBBE + DIVE Apo Island & Siquijor (Apr 9-12, 2010)
* Then you will receive thru email account details where to deposit payment (BPI). For group reservations, please send your registration forms in one file & email.
* Everyone is required to download and submit registration form. Copy of e-ticket is required to confirm your slot.
* Please register only if you are 100% sure you are joining. And if after registering you need to back-out, please have the courtesy to notify us properly thru email.
* Full payment must be settled within the agreed timeframe. Should you need extension, please coordinate with Travel Factor
* Non-refundable but transferable to other person. Travel Factor must be notified asap or at least 5 days before the trip. In this case, the “proxy” must fill-out and submit registration form.
* The payments made to us are only refundable if we cancel due to weather issues or fortuitous events.
* Upon payment, you will receive a copy of complete guidelines, including things to bring, itinerary, reminders, etc…

FOR INQUIRIES/COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS
email your concerns to tours@travelfactor.org with your name and contact number Subject:UBBE + DIVE Apo Island & Siquijor (Apr 9-12, 2010)

or contact TEAM TF +632-3592434, +632-7465119, +63917-8475341

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM
http://travelfactor.org/TF2010-REGFORM.xls

CHECK AVAILABLE SLOTS at www.travelfactor.org

DISCLAIMER
Recommended for fun-loving & adventurous people who would like to meet new friends while traveling. All participants must be of good health condition. Prior experience with surfing is not required. Non-swimmers can also join.

Apo Reef
by divecal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42649416@N02/)

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Apo Reef
by Tommy Schultz (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommy-schultz/)

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;54210647']Apo Reef
by Tommy Schultz (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommy-schultz/)

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Tommy Schultz, a friend from Virginia, USA, used to be a Peace Corp volunteer in Dumaguete. He used to be a member of a local Dumaguete band called "Frying Nemo". Quite an interesting name for a band which also speaks of his affinity to the sea. Here is his website: http://tommyschultz.com/ (http://tommyschultz.com/).

Tommy Schultz, a friend from Virginia, USA, used to be a Peace Corp volunteer in Dumaguete. He used to be a member of a local Dumaguete band called "Frying Nemo". Quite an interesting name for a band which also speaks of his affinity to the sea. Here is his website: http://tommyschultz.com/ (http://tommyschultz.com/).

Thanks for the info!

great!

Siargao on the latest issue of Get Lost! magazine.


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Get Lost! is a quarterly Australian travel magazine. Good exposure for Siargao. :okay:

San Luis, Batangas

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The Marine Life of Coron, Palawan
Source: Joepi Paloma (http://www.flickr.com/photos/joepiclicks/)

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THE 4TH CLOUD 9 MASTERS,G.L. SIARGAO

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hD-MqMs_ZOU&feature=fvsr

how to get to siargao

cebu pacific flies direct to siargao from cebu

cebu pacific flies direct surigao-cebu vv,surigao-manila vv.

airphil express flies also direct surigao-cebu vv and surigao manila vv.



surigao city to siargao-


montenegro shipping roro vessel departs surigao pier 12 noon arrives dapa port at 3pm.
you can also take a boat at the boulevard area at 6am arrives siargao,dapa at exactly 8am.

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J&A Mindanao, on July 2, 2009, said:

Taken in November 2007 during a dive expedition. This area has hardly ever been dived due to its remoteness and strong & constant currents. It has highly biodiverse marine life and much of the coral is still pristine.

The coral reef has been described as a 'double atoll' and lies on the dividing line between the Celebes Sea and Pacific Ocean. It is theorised that this large reef could act as a 'seed bank' for coral and marine life within the Gulf of Davao.

panoramio (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/24054397)

Surigao gears for int'l surfing competition

8/09/2010
abs-cbnnews.com

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the local government of Surigao are in the thick of preparations for the 16th International and National Surfing Cup next month.

The tournament is part of the “Siargao Surfing Festival 2010” which was formally launched in General Luna, Surigao del Norte.

Local surfers from Baler, Aurora, Camarines, General Luna and other parts of the country are expected to compete in the national competition which will kick off on September 22 and end on September 25.

The international tournament, meantime, will begin on September 27.

Aside from the top-level surfing competition, the festival will also feature the Siargao skim boarding challenge, a street dancing festival, agri-aqua trade fair and exhibits, neo-ethnic dance competition, fashion show, street parties, and other sports activities.

According to the DOT, the International and National Surfing Cup is one way to promote tourism and showcase Surigao’s natural wonders. – With reports from ANC and Richmond Hinayon, ABS-CBN News Caraga

Categorized | Featured, Philippine Travel News, Surigao Del Norte

1st Siargao Island Surfing Festival

Posted on05 August 2010. Tags: 1st Siargao Island Surfing Festival

A grand surfing festival, dubbed as 1st Siargao Island Surfing Festival, will be held in one setting for local, national and international from September 21 to October 1.


Siargao Island Surfing Festival

Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas said that among the surfing sporting event that will be held at the annual festival are the National Surfing Competitions and 16th International Surfing Cup and other foreign surfing competitions held at the country’s surfing capital, Cloud 9 in General Luna, Siargao Island.

Series of activities are lined-up for the two-week yearly festival like various sports events, cultural and talent shows and tourism/trade fairs, Surigao del Norte provincial tourism officer Ivonnie Dumadag said.

Among the special guests who signified their intention to attend the first surfing festival were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Department of Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Dumadag said.

Dumadag said the festival will have a grand launch tomorrow (August 5) at Paseo Cabuntog, General Luna town, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

“At the grand launching, we will explain to media and invited guests why the festival was conceptualized and what are other activities at the festival to attract local and foreign tourists as we expect this year’s surfing festival will be big bang to our local tourism industry”, Dumadag said.

Governor Matugas, for her part, said re-invigorating Surigao del Norte tourism industry is one of the priority development agenda of her administration.

“We have huge potentials in tourism and we already created an international niche in the industry as we aimed more because we have not fully showcased the best of the best in Surigao tourism,” the governor said.

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:banana::banana:

Danjugan Island Marine Reserve
Cauayan, Negros Occidental

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photos from Danjugan Island facebook page

For those who really find pleasure in wreck diving, I got these in my war history files. Please take note of the GPS locations so can verify each dive site:

Japanese shipping at Busuanga Island
According to official Japanese and American sources following vessel movements are proven:

i) Kogyo Maru:
(Aux. Supply Ship, IJN/Navy) After she had survived TF 38`s air attacks on Japanese shipping in Manila Bay and Harbor on 21 Sep 1944 she received sailing order to transfer to Coron Bay and weighed anchor at 1730 the same day. She arrived in Coron Bay on 23 Sep 1540 and dropped anchor in position 11°58`54"N / 120°02`15"E (GPS). The night was spent in trying to camouflage bridge and main deck. In the morning of 24 Sep at 0900 she was attacked by U.S. dive bombers. After she had received several bomb hits the vessel sank with 39 men.

ii) Okikawa Maru:
(Civilian oiler) She had been mistaken for more than 50 years to be a ship of very similar shape and size named Taiei Maru. She was in Manila Bay during the said air attacks. The ship got strafed but was only slightly damaged. On 22 Sep she was ordered to move to Coron Bay and set sail at 1500. The vessel arrived in Coron Bay on 23 Sep 1800 and dropped anchor near Concepcion. At 0855 on 24 Sep the ship was attacked by 70 dive bombers. The first two or more groups just strafed her and continued to head for the seaplane tender Akitsushima which anchored a few cables to the West. At 0910 the bombers had scored numerous series of hits, and the vessel began to sink. Three gunners and 5-6 sailors were dead. Rest of the crew abandoned the ship. However, contrary to statements of Helldiver crew Bowie and Dietrich (AG-31) Okikawa Maru did not sink at once. The forecastle remained afloat and burned until 9 Oct when another U.S. air group appeared and, in a final strike, send her to the bottom in position 12°01`10"N / 119°58`07"E (GPS).

iii) Olympia Maru
(Army cargo ship) Laden with 1,250 tons rice and 500 cubic meters supply materials for the Japanese occupation forces in the Philippines she had suffered one direct bomb hit while in Manila Bay on 21 Sep. When (Japanese) Southern Army Command received air warnings on a second attack the vessel was ordered to relocate to Coron Bay. She arrived on 23 Sep 1540 and dropped anchor just West of Tangat Island. On 24 Sep around 0900 about 40 dive bombers took on Olympia Maru after she had weighed anchor already and tried to evade the attacking planes. 10 aircraft attacked from starboard, then from port side. But it was not until the third wave when the bombers scored direct hits to the engine room causing an explosion of the fuel tank at port side (the vessel was Diesel-engine!). Fire spread over the engine room when another bomb went through again. The engine stopped, another series of bombs hit the galley and cargo holds. At 1330 fire spread all over the ship bending the midship section. At 1426 the ship sank from the stern in position 11°58`21"N / 120°02`39"E (GPS). 14 crew members, 3 gunners and 2 passengers went down.

iv) Taiei Maru:
(Army cargo ship) Regrettably, I still have no details on the history of this mysterious ship. Kawano-san as well as Prof. Yamada have been requested to investigate, but to date they have not found any clue that this vessel was actually in Coron Bay at the time of TF 38`s attack. American sources still insist that two vessels with this name were sunk on 24 Sep 1944.

As I have found out, the oiler at Concepcion is not Taiei Maru but actually Okikawa Maru. A quite modern civilian tanker of 9,929 gross tons named Taiei Maru and very similar to the older Okikawa Maru had been torpedoed already on 21 Aug 1944 by submarine USS Haddo in position 13°30`N/120°15`E. Just after dawn at 06:00 a.m. Haddo attacked a Japanese convoy, sank Kinryu Maru (4,392 gross tonnage) and Norfolk Maru (6,576 gross tonnage) and torpedoed Taiei Maru, but was unable to observe sinking of the latter. It is obvious that even the Japanese were confused over the multiple naming of their ships. Actually, the civilian oiler Taiei Maru never arrived in Manila. Therefore, it seems that Haddo scored also this victim.

With regard to its dimensions and tonnage, I’m quite confident that the famous wreck lying on her starboard side close to the pearl farm was the former freighter Taiei Maru! If I would be a dive operator at Coron I would have already removed the encrustation at the stern where everybody can see the letters "CEI...SH". This might be the name of the vessel before being captured by Japanese troops. If somebody may reveal the entire name the Military History Dept. in Tokyo may probably find out more about this ship.

By the way, it would be of interest that there are records on no less than six (6) vessels, freighters and tankers which served for the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces under this name. Whoever wishes to know each vessel’s fate, please let me know (web-contact@t-online.de).

As you can see on every dive the vessel suffered from a series of direct hits in the bridge superstructure as well as into the hull. Obviously, she must have received some below-waterline hits on her starboard side which caused a tremendous explosion of the engine-room which finally led to her sinking. She lies in position 11°59`19"N / 120°02`08"E (GPS).

Moreover, Ekkai Maru ex-Morazan had been bombed and definitely sunk by TF 38 in Manila harbor on 22 Sep 1944. The reason why many wanna-be`s and self-made researchers still believe that Ekkai Maru was sunk in Coron Bay is very simple:


According to the JANAC list she was lost in Coron Bay. The JANAC list was issued in 1947 when Japan was still devastated and Japanese naval experts willing to assist the Americans were not available. Most guys are using this source today as it is freely available; however, for serious researchers it has become obsolete and useless.
According to General Headquarters of the U.S. Military History Section she was sunk in Manila on 22 Sep 1944. This source was published after meticulous evaluation of the Imperial Japanese naval operations in WW II in 1952!


(Some British and Australian guys like Pete Gallo and Michael McFadyen are still spreading this nonsense over the internet. I really hope that you may easily reconstruct your website in accordance with the facts and figures given in this recap.)

v) IJNS Irako:
(Navy Provision Store Ship/Reefer) Allied type designator: AF
Irako had been underway from Japan to Takao (i.e. Kaohsiung/Taiwan today) when she was damaged on 12 Aug 1944 by unknown cause. Carrying a deck load of reconnaissance water planes she arrived in Coron Bay around 22 Sep 1944 and tried to hide her presence between Tangat and Lusong Island. In the morning of 24 Sep a number of fighter bombers of Air group 31 expended their bombs on the vessel. Already by their first strike they scored direct hits into the midship section. Set ablaze on the bridge superstructure Irako began to sink over the bow. However, it took some time before she finally went down with considerable casualties. Her final resting place is in position 11°58`10"N / 120°02`20"E (GPS). (Nice photographs and expert line drawings available upon request.)

vi) IJNS Akitsushima:
(Navy Seaplane Tender) Allied type designator: AV
The vessel had suffered from minor damage inflicted by U.S. air attacks near Buka Isl. on 1 Sep 1942 and received two direct bomb hits during "Operation Hailstorm" in Truk Lagoon on 17 Feb 1944. However, she remained afloat due to her very strong construction and state-of-the-art bulkhead design (just look at this point when diving the wreck next time). Criticism over the relative long Japanese building times for special service vessels are, by the way, not justified. In comparison, allied ships of similar purpose and design stood little chance to survive bombings like these.

After being repaired in Japan she was back to service in July/August 1944. Akitsushima arrived in Coron Bay almost at same time as Irako and anchored in the narrow sound separating Lajo Isl. and Manglet Isl. Strafed by Lt. (J.G.) Tuaspern and his wing of AG-31 she was first mistaken to be a destroyer escort (DE). VB-18 later scored one direct hit into the aft part of the vessel causing a tremendous explosion most likely of the fuel tanks for the flying boat. She capsized within a few minutes and sank in position 11°59`20"N / 119°58`15"E (GPS). (Nice photographs and expert line drawings available upon request.)

vii) IJNS Kamoi:
(Navy Oiler / Special Seaplane Carrier) Allied type designator: AO
Her previous history is still not known well enough. It seems that she arrived in Coron Bay in company of IJNS Akitsushima and anchored close to Lusong Isl. On 24 Sep 1944 she got bombed by Air group 31. After being hit on the forecastle by Bowie and Dietrich (VF-31) she caught fire, but managed to escape by steaming southward. Seriously damaged and crippled the vessel reached the open sea without being hit again. Steaming at dead slow speed she was torpedoed on 27Sep by a U.S. submarine about 240 nautical miles south-west of Manila. Upon arrival at Hong Kong (on? Oct 1944) she was docked to undergo extensive repairs. There she was bombed repeatedly by U.S. naval aircraft on 5 and 7 April 1945 and finally ran aground. (Nice photographs and expert line drawings available upon request.)

viii) Unidentified Supply Ships (2):
According to the "After Action Report" of VF-31 there were two (2) other auxiliary supply ships in Coron Bay area at the time of the attack. One was a ship of 4-5,000 gross tons at anchor just West of Lajo Isl., the other was a vessel of 7-8,000 gross tons in the Coron Passage between Busuanga and uninhabited Coron Isl. heading eastward. The latter remained untouched while the other got strafed by Anderson-Duggin and McLaughlin-Arnold from VF-31 and was set aflame from stern to bow. As stated in the report she was believed sunk. It would be useful to make test dives at the western tip of Lajo Isl. to find out whether another big ship lies there on the bottom or not.

ix) Kyokuzan Maru:
(Army Cargo Ship) She was anchored near a small uninhabited island called Dimalanta at the north coast of Busuanga with another 2 cargo ships lying abreast. As VB-19 was a couple of minutes behind the other Air groups, attacks had already begun over Coron Bay when they reached the north-eastern shore of Busuanga at 09:00 hrs. The leader of the entire strike force (Commander Ellis of AG-18?) ordered VB-19 to attack the targets in the northern area. Unfortunately, the pilots were not allowed to drop their wing tanks which it was "believed considerably affected the accuracy of the bombing". Out of 10 planes attacking the Japanese ships 8 lost one wing tank during the dives. Main target was, of course, the single stack 10,000 tons-AK which is believed to be Kyokuzan Maru. According to the "After Action Report" of VB-19 Lt. (J.G.) L. R. Swanson scored a direct hit upon her port side, and "three or more very near misses on this ship" from other planes were noted. As a result, the ship was set aflame on port side near her living quarters. However, it is obvious that vessel did not sink due to the bombing as hull, cargo holds as well as engine room are still intact and lifeboat davits have been swung out (note this point during your next dive). It is believed that her crew scuttled and abandoned the ship later on. The position of the wreck is in 12°09`58"N / 120°09`19"E (GPS).
One of the other two cargo ships received a very near miss and got strafed thereafter. A small fire broke out, however, it is believed that both remained afloat and managed to escape.

x) Unidentified Submarine Chasers (3) and Gun Boat (1):
When VF-31 teamed up to sink the Japanese ships in Coron Bay there were also three (3) sub chasers (SCS) patrolling West of Coron Isl. They were strafed by Kona-Free-Zimmerman as well as another unidentified plane. Consequently, two of them sank. One might be the so-called "Skeleton Wreck" lying in shallow water at Balolo Point. The other was either never located or she was likely able to creep to Tangat Isl. where she finally ran aground in the passage between Tangat and Apo Isl. (see "East Tangat Wreck").
One gunboat was strafed by Wilson when cruising close to Concepcion village. Disabled by hundreds of machine-gun bullets she was caused to beach herself at the Southern tip of Lusong Isl. (see "Lusong Wreck").

xi) Nanshin Maru No. 27:
(Civilian tanker / 834 gross tonnage.) The so-called "Black Island Wreck" can be easily identified as a small tanker converted to carry specific fuel (gasoline, Diesel, lube oil etc.) in small isolated tanks for replenishment of land-based depots. It is in fact of certain interest that there were more than 30 identical vessels of the Nanshin Maru-type in operation for the Imperial Japanese Navy. These coastal tankers were not much conspicuous, quite slow and unarmed. However, due to their cargo they were vulnerable even to machine-gun fire from attacking aircraft.
According to U.S. sources Nanshin Maru No. 27 traveled in company of Nanshin Maru No. 25, Nanshin Maru No. 3 as well as another vessel named barely Nanshin (53 gross tonnage.) which might have been some sort of tug boat. The submarine U.S.S. Guitarro attacked the small convoy on 27 Aug 1944 just 5-8 nautical miles north of Calawit Isl. (Busuanga) sinking Nanshin Maru No. 25 in position 12°21N/119°55E. On the other vessels only medium damage was inflicted. It is assumed that the submarine attacked the Japanese vessels by her guns as torpedoes were too expensive to be wasted for minor enemy supply ships. Nanshin Maru No. 27 then continued to proceed to Busuanga and entered Illulucut Bay south of Calawit Isl. where she was probably anchored and repaired. It is reported that she sank on 13 Sep 1944 at the mouth of the Bay by unknown cause. However, I dived in that area in 1994 but found no debris. Obviously, the vessel was given up and drifted in the tidal current towards Malahon Isl. ("Black Island") where she ran aground and finally sank in position 12°09`22"N/119°49`05"E (GPS).

WAVES
Visit And Captivate At The Idyllic Oriental Negros




SURFING in BAYAWAN
Bayawan City, Negros Oriental

There's another surfing destination in the Philippines and that is in Bayawan City in the province of Negros Oriental. During the Habagat Season, the sea in Bayawan swells which makes it ideal for surfing.


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Mv5IrMfkgHo





photos by:
peroverj, rey ramos, pj, sande, lokal vibe


Click Here to View the Different Tourist Spots of Negros Oriental
Visit and Captivate At The Idyllic Oriental Negros (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=980898)[/b]

^^


Wow, this is another added attraction for negros island......thanks for posting @ Miguel....

12th Siargao National Surfing Cup opens on Friday
at Thursday, September 16, 2010


The much awaited national surfing event in the country will finally kick-off at Cloud 9, Gen. Luna in Siargao Island this province on Friday, September 17, 2010.

Gov. Sol Matugas said that around 86 confirmed local surfing enthusiasts all over the country will compete over the next five days from Sep. 17 to Sep. 21, 2010. The event is part of the month-long festivity in the island dubbed as the 1st Siargao Surfing Festival with its theme: “Kabibo 2010.”

The lady governor said that aside from the formal opening of the local surfing cup, other activities will also commence tomorrow, these include: The 1st Gov. Sol Matugas Open Beach Volleyball Challenge, Agri-Aqua Trade Fair, Best Municipal Booth, Kabibo Hip-hop Dance Competition, Photo-shoot Competition and Nightly Yugyugan Open Party at the town’s boulevard sponsored by San Miguel Beer.

With all these series of activities, Gov. Matugas is hopeful that the local tourism industry cannot only bring prestige but most importantly, create jobs to the locals and hopefully achieve quality life and at the same time help boost the economy of the province.

Gov. Matugas also bared that Ilocos Norte representative, Hon. Imee Marcos and mayor of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Hon. Maja Sales have confirmed there attendance to be the guests of honor in the event.

Reports revealed that 1st Dist. Rep. Francisco Matugas, 2nd Dist. Rep. Guillermo Romarate, Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, LMP President Sheila Mae Orquina-Cebedo and around 20 mayors of the province are fully supportive of the activity and will also grace the event tomorrow. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

NATIONAL AND 16TH INTERNATIONAL SURFING CUP WILL OPEN NA SA SIARGAO!! MAGSURFING NA TA SA SIARGAO!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dotcaraga/2332892800/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dotcaraga/2332892800/sizes/z/in/photostream/

BEACH
Visit And Captivate At The Idyllic Oriental Negros

Skimboarding at Cangmating and Agan-an Beach
Sibulan, Negros Oriental

Cangmating and Agan-an are two adjoining coastal barangays of Sibulan. The beach can give a panoramic view of its neighboring islands Cebu and Siquijor. It's wide coastline makes it a hotbed for extreme skimboarders but if one is not into extreme sports, a beachcomber can just dip into its cool waters or stroll along its fine sand beach.

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photos by:

noel-teenie, neenerish, maigurl, charlie sindiong, juancho reyes, mfgabenz



Click Here to View the Different Tourist Spots of Negros Oriental
Visit and Captivate At The Idyllic Oriental Negros (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=980898)

from

Alan Milan's Photos - Cloud 9 , Siargao on facebook

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs720.snc4/63999_440627101798_744761798_5291142_3223382_n.jpg

^^


Wow, beautiful pics.....:cheers:....ganda ng Siargao.

LA UNION SURFING BREAK
OCTOBER 29 - 31, 2010
URBIZTONDO BEACH, SAN JUAN, LA UNION

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photos from: Langyaw (http://langyaw.com/2010/05/04/surfing-in-la-union-riding-the-waves/), http://lokalsoul.com/2010/09/09/la-union-surfing-break-5-events-and-activities/

Cloud 9 , a few weeks after the international surfing cup
October 20, 2010
mike durero pics

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Puerto Galera
Philippines


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source (http://www.divepuertogalera.com/dive-sites/)

Puerto Galera
Philippines


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source (http://www.divepuertogalera.com/dive-sites/)

:cheers: BEAUTIFUL great pics!

from CNN
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/12-overlooked-islands-worth-visiting-454538?page=0,1

12 overlooked islands worth visiting
Run away to Asia’s little-known, eco-rich isles


Word has long leaked out on “island paradises” like Phuket and Boracay. In high season, some beaches seem to have more tourists than sand.

Unless you’re a hardcore Survivor fan, however, vacationing on an uninhabited rock isn’t the solution.

Strike a balance.

Sail away to these overlooked isles, which have enough amenities and activities to keep you breezy.

12. Innoshima, Japan
Innoshima, Japan

A small island in the Seto Inland Sea, Innoshima has a scurvy history: in the 16th century it was a battleground for Murakami Suigun pirates. The swashbucklers’ legacy remains in the maritime museum and annual Pirate Festival. Find the best of Innoshima here.

Why the island is unknown: Innoshima isn’t included in most tour guides or excursions.
How to get there: The island is connected to the mainland by Innoshima Bridge. From Hiroshima Station, take the JR San-yo line to Onomichi Station, then transfer to a bus for Innoshima.
Where to stay: Visitors stay either in Innoshima or the mainland city of Onomichi. The city has a chart of accommodations.

11. Izu Oshima, Japan
Izu Oshima, Japan

Travellers who shun the sun will feel at home in eerie Izu Oshima. Dissidents were once exiled to the volcanic island, including the shaman En no Gyoja, whose spirit supposedly fathered Sadako from The Ring. And thousands of Japanese have thrown themselves into the bubbling Mt. Mihara. Find a complete guide to the island’s spooky side as well as its cheerier attractions.

Why the island is unknown: While technically part of Tokyo, the island is remote and has a foreboding reputation.
How to get there: Take a two-hour hydrofoil from Tokyo’s Takeshiba port terminal, or a 45-minute flight from Haneda or Chofu airports.
Where to stay: Book a rustic hotel through Rakuten.

10. Siargao Island, Philippines
Siargao Island, Philippines

Located 800 kilometers southeast of Manila, the laid-back town attracts top surfers who between July and November for some of the best waves in the world. The season peaks with the annual Siargao Cup. For those who wipe out, there are fishing and dive sites.

Why the island is unknown: Until recently, flights to Siargao were not readily available.
How to get there: Philippine Airlines offers flights from Cebu to Siargao five days a week. SeAir takes off three times a week. You can also board a 12-hour overnight boat from Cebu, or a faster boat from Surigao.
Where to stay: The General Luna district is centrally located. Visit surigaoislands.com for listings.

9. Kinmen Island, Taiwan
Kinmen Island, Taiwan

Kinmen was a military reserve and tension zone between Communists and Nationalists. Since the island is close to the mainland, curious Chinese come to gape at bullet-ridden walls and get sloshed on local Kaoliang liquor.

Why the island is unknown: Officials lifted travel restrictions to the island only about 10 years ago.
How to get there: Fly on one of Taiwan’s domestic carriers, or take a one-hour boat ride from Xiamen to Shuitou.
Where to stay: The tourism board suggests traditional homestays and inns.

8. Shengsi Island, China
Shengsi Island, China

Shengsi is known as China’s “hometown of mussels” and hosts the annual Mussel Culture Festival. When you’ve eaten your fill of hairy clams in Seafood Town, walk to Lingyin Temple or Huaniao lighthouse, one of the largest in Asia. CNNGo has a foodie’s guide to Shengsi.

Why the island is unknown: Qingdao and Dalian are the bigger beach destinations in eastern China.
How to get there: Take Metro Line 4, get off at Nanpu Bridge Station and walk to 1588 Waima Lu. Ferry tickets are RMB 109 (steamboat) or RMB 140 (fast boat) including free shuttle bus to the harbor (which leaves at 8:30 or 9am).
Where to stay: For hotel options, click here.
7. Pulau Lang Tengah, Malaysia
Pulau Lang Tengah, Malaysia

Pulau Lang Tengah has the best-preserved ecosystem of the Redang Marine Park islands. The rich coral reef holds hundreds of species, including the endangered green and hawksbill turtle. Scuba. Snorkel. Tan on white sand.

Why the island is unknown: Most beach bums go to Redang and Perhentian Islands.
How to get there: Hop on a speed boat from Merang Jetty on Redang Island, or from Perhentian Islands (CNNGo has a guide to these isles). The ride takes 30-40 minutes.
Where to stay: The island has three resorts: D’ Coconut Lagoon, Redang Lang Tengah and Lang Sari.


6. Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia
Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia

Bali’s noisy traffic and tourists have disappointed many relaxation seekers. The solution: head 12 kilometers southeast to the tiny neighboring island of Nusa Lembongan. Surf, snorkel and explore local seaweed farms in silence.

Why the island is unknown: The giant next door: Bali.
How to get there: Boats depart from Bali’s Sanur Beach daily at 8 and 10 a.m. (the trip takes 90 minutes). Several tour companies offer drop-offs and packages.
Where to stay: Budget accommodation are found mostly in Jungutbatu, while luxury hotels are in Mushroom Bay. Here’s a list.

5. Koh Phra Thong, Thailand
Koh Phra Thong, Thailand

Koh Phra Thong is a New Age nature retreat. Eco-tourists can watch colorful birds in the mangroves and leopard cats in the rainforest. Or do yoga and spa treatments on the beach.

Why the island is unknown: Phuket, Ko Samui and Ko Phi Phi receive the bulk of Thai tourism.
How to get there: Take a bus, car or plane to Khuraburi, then sail to Koh Phra Thong on a longtail or speedboat. Full details here: kohphrathong.com.
Where to stay: Golden Buddha Resort has 25 unique beachfront houses. The island also has a budget option and homestays: kohphrathong.com (accommodation).

4. Koh Rong Saloem, Cambodia
Koh Rong Saloem, Cambodia

The nearly untouched island is considered the most beautiful in Cambodia. Perhaps not for long, as the government is currently pouring millions into Koh Rong Saloem. Until then, hiking, swimming and plain relaxing are the top activities.

Why the island is unknown: Sihanoukville, Kep and Koh Kong are more highly developed.
How to get there: A two-hour boat leaves from Ochheuteal Beach in Sihanoukville at noon daily.
Where to stay: Visitors speak highly of Lazy Beach. Eco Sea Dive is another option.

3. St. Martin’s Island, Bangladesh
St. Martin’s Island, Bangladesh

St. Martin’s is a delicate beauty. As tourism heats up, officials are making efforts to protect the endangered turtles and corals. Tread carefully at the sea turtle hatchery, then cool off under the coconut palms.

Why the island is unknown: Bangladeshis began visiting in greater numbers over the past decade, but foreigners remain largely unaware of St. Martin’s.
How to get there: Fly or bus to Cox’s Bazar, then catch a bus to Teknaf, on the southern tip of Bangladesh. From there, ferries run daily and take approximately three hours.
Where to stay: Here’s a list of guest houses on St. Martin’s. The best time to visit is between November and March.

2. Lakshadweep Islands, India
Lakshadweep Islands, India

Lakshadweep boasts some of the best scuba diving in Asia. The water has a 20-to 50-meter visibility, and swarms with rays and sharks. Agatti is known for its clear lagoons, Kadmat has light boats for rent, and teardrop-shaped Bangaram glows with phosphorescent plankton at night.

Why the island is unknown: Only the three islands mentioned above are open to foreign tourists, who must obtain proper permission.
How to get there: Foreigners must have an entry permit, which can be arranged by a tour group or hotel. Starting September 24, Air India will offer flights from Chennai to Agatti in the Lakshadweep Islands. You can also fly from Kerala, via Indian Airlines or Kingfisher.
Where to stay: The most luxurious hotels are in Bangaram, followed by Agatti and Kadmat.

1. Monkey Island, Vietnam
Monkey Island, Vietnam

Dao Khi, or Monkey Island, is ruled by thousands of long-tailed macaques who live in the mangrove. Watch out -- these Curious Georges are known to steal food and clothes. The Can Gio biosphere reserve also houses a Saltwater Crocodile Sanctuary, home to some 80 crocs.

Why the island is unknown: Nha Trang a busy beach town, so visitors forget to take the short trip to Monkey Island.
How to get there: Take a 20-minute boat ride from Da Chong Wharf in Nha Trang City.
Where to stay: TripAdvisor rates and reviews Nha Trang hotels.


Read more: 12 overlooked islands worth visiting | CNNGo.com #1 http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/12-overlooked-islands-worth-visiting-454538?page=0,1#ixzz13l2YLOkt

'Greatest Naval Battle' Recalled in Surigao Rites
at Friday, October 29, 2010

The world's “Greatest Battle in the History of Naval Warfare” was remembered in this northeastern-tip port city of Mindanao on Monday.

The commemoration was participated in not only by Surigaonons but also by American, Australian and Japanese visitors who came and once again showed interests in remembering the day the Japanese Imperial nation bowed down to the United States and Australian Navy during the "Battle of Surigao Strait" on Oct. 25, 1944.

The 66th year commemoration of that greatest event of war history was held at the Lipata Ferry terminal complex where the site of the famous sea battle can be seen.

The commemoration ceremony was led by City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas and Gov. Sol F. Matugas. The memorial service started at 4:30 a.m. with a floral offering, lighting of candles and the lighting of the memorial flame by participating American, Australian and Japanese representatives.

The wreath-laying followed at the Surigao del Norte National High School which was the site of the Japanese encampment during World War II.

The flag-raising was witnessed by representatives of the Japanese Embassy, Australian Embassy, and the American Embassy. A 3 km. and 5 km. commemorative run was also held together with the Bike for Peace called "Banjak Surigao."

Other commemorative celebrations were the "Bugsay Race" at the Surigao City Boulevard, a commemorative cruise at Surigao Strait in the afternoon for the History teachers, students and World War II veterans, exhibits in the Surigao Strait diorama, World War II memorabilia at the Luneta Park, the Navy Night Party featuring the Bureau of Protection Alarm band and the film showing of the "Battle of Surigao Strait," and the awarding of prizes to winners by the City Officials headed by Mayor Matugas and assisted by Vice Mayor Danny Menor, City Councilors and Jake Miranda SCCI president.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the construction of a War Memorial edifice over-looking the site in Sitio Looc, Lipata, was also signed by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith, City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, Gov. Sol F. Matugas, PDTC Chairman Johann Jake Miranda, Richard Nick Amores Chairman of Surigao City Tourism Council, and Fernando "Jun" Almeda Jr., President Emeritus of the Surigaonon Heritage Center and noted local historian who wrote the Book "Battle of Surigao Strait."

“This historic event will remind all Filipinos how our heroes defended our very own native land during the last big gun naval battle in the Philippine history, and this must be remembered always," said Mayor Matugas. (Manila Bulletin

the Underwater beauty of
Verde Island
Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

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all credits to the owner. (http://photos.camperspoint.com/index.php?page=7&search=Puerto%20Galera)

more pictures in
Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon Provinces Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=824628&page=13)

Scuba diving with Batfish and banded Moray
Puerto Galera Mindoro Philippines

vODiuWCc_lU

from Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon Provinces Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=824628&page=14)

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Scuba Diving in Puerto Galera, Philippines Diving at Coco Beach Resort

Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon Provinces Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=824628&page=14)

Puerto Galera
Oriental Mindoro, Philippines


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photo credits to the owner. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g294254-w35-Puerto_Galera_Mindoro.html#22014154)

more photos in
Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon Provinces Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=824628&page=21&highlight=mindoro)

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

-SXV-RvM4yI

m8yEX8lDA2U

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More than a year after the installation of the sewage treatment plant,
waters have become safe for swimming and bathing
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Free public water playground right in an urban zone!

Apo Reef: a haven for divers

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Off the coast of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro is the world famous Apo Reef. It is about three to four hours by banca from Sablayan.

On reaching Apo Island, visitors will be welcomed by the beauty of blue water, powdery white sand and colorful coral reefs.

The Apo Reef Natural Park consists of the three islands. Apo Reef, the largest among the three islands, is the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world.

Apo Reef has a shallow lagoon with a depth of two meters to 10 meters surrounded by mangrove forest which serves as source of food, nursery and spawning ground of several coastal and marine species of fauna and sanctuary of birds. Its diverse corals are approximately 34 square kilometers of reef where different species of fish, marine mammals and invertebrates thrive.

It is also the largest atoll like reef in the Philippines, is a submerged platform that is a submerged of a 34 sqkm sub triangular northern and southern atoll like reefs separated by a 30-m deep channel that is open to the west The channel runs east to west from 1.8 m to 30 m deep with a fine white sand bottom numerous mounds and patches of branching corals under the deep blue water.

The main geographical features of Apo Reef are submerged. There are three islands that mark it on the surface: the Apo Island, Apo Menor (Binangaan and Cayos del Bajo Tinangkapang).

The largest is the 22-hectare Apo Island which harbors mangroves and beach vegetations, while Binangaan is a rocky Iimestone island with relatively few vegetation and Cayos del Bajo (200-300 sq.m.) is a coralline rock formation with no vegetation. Ogie Salvador, PIA
mindoropost (http://mindoropost.com/2011/01/18/apo-reef-a-haven-for-divers/)
:cheers::cheers::cheers:

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Reef on Apo Island
tripAdvisor.com (http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g298463-d642933-w2-Amontillado_Beach_and_Dive_Resort-Negros_Visayas.html)
:eek::eek::eek:

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Koala Dive Site, Anilao Batangas
by Rhonson Ng - Rhonson is an adventure affionado who is a diver, spelunker and a climber since the 1990’s. Recently, Rhonson plunged-in to a dive at the Koala Dive Site in Anilao, Batangas and took amazing photos off its reef. You may visit www.pbase.com/rhonson_ng to take a look at his awesome works.
photo credits to the owner (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=138842379477594&set=a.138842259477606.20959.119418201420012)
from Batangas Thread

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Jover Vasquez (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lentemarikina/5366048750/sizes/z/in/set-72157625724177839/)

PORT OF DAPA

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CLOUD 9

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PASEO DE CABUNTOG

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HIDDEN ISLAND RESORT
BUKAS GRANDE, SIARGAO ISLANDS

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CLUB TARA

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TIKTIKAN LAKE

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BOLITAS CAVE

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CRYSTAL CAVE

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SOHOTON COVE

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HAGUKAN CAVE

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PITCHER PLANT

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NEWLY CONSTRUCTED RECEPTION

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http://www.siargaogamefishing.com/images/resized/images/stories/siargao_images/poster_541_768_541_768.jpg

for the mechanics, registration and info, visit the site:

http://www.siargaogamefishing.com/

Hundred Islands National Park:

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SIARGAO SPORTSFISHING AND GAMEFISHING WEBSITES

http://blueskysportfishing.com/category/news/

http://siargaofishing.com/

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We are inviting you to the 4th Siargao International Game Fishing Tournament which is set on April 28-May 01, 2011. We have attached the following for your ready reference:

1. Tournament Guidelines
2. Schedule of Activities
3. 2011 Registration Form
4. Flight schedule

Registration fee is P1000 or US$22 per person plus P3,600 for boat rental with boatman for 5 days excluding gasoline. We appreciate it if you can send back your registration form on or before April 01, 2011.

Should you have any queries or clarification regarding this tournament, please feel free to get in touch with me through my mobile number 0929 6721508 or email: zenpallugna@yahoo.com.ph This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | psftour@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

See you in Siargao.

Cheers,
Zeny Pallugna
Tournament Coordinator

http://www.siargaogamefishing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=82:welcome-to-the-4th-international-game-fishing-tournament&catid=42:home

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ilokano (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilokano/4361780167/)

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JanLendL (http://www.flickr.com/photos/janlendl/3265759757/sizes/z/in/photostream/)

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Photos by: Kookie B. at deathbyplatforms@blogspot.com (http://deathbyplatforms.blogspot.com/2011/02/la-union-trip-photo-diary-part-02.html)

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Sabang Inn scuba diving in the Canyons - Puerto Galera

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SCUBA Diving in Sabang, Puerto Galera

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Scuba Diving from the Dumaguete Pier in the Philippines

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Topside, this was the most unimpressive dive site I’d ever seen, with docked cargo ships and unpleasant noises and smells of industrial activity. Descending to the sand at about 20 feet did not provide much inspiration as we were greeted by some rusted cans and a baby’s diaper (used, apparently). I was left wondering why the boatload of experienced divers and divemasters was so keen on this site.

Dumaguete is on the Bohol Sea in Negros Oriental, Philippines, approximately 30 hours from Houston via Honolulu, Guam and an overnight in Manila. It is an absolutely fabulous dive location, at the northern portion of the “Coral Triangle”, the region of the greatest coral reef biodiversity in the world, and therefore well worth the arduous trip from Texas.

The pier at Dumagute was no exception; it turned out to be the richest site of photo opportunities and encounters with weird and wonderful creatures in Negros Oriental. In this photo I was lucky to capture some very interesting behavior between 2 similar looking fish species, and equally fortunate to have Marco Inocencio from Atlantis Dive Resort interpret the activities. According to Marco, the larger fish in the hole is a false cleanerfish (Aspidontus taeniatus), while the two smaller fishes that are shown in full view are cleaner wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus). The larger fish is a mimic; it’s actually a member the blenny family who is posing as a cleanerfish in order to take bites of skin and flesh from other fishes looking for a cleaning. The false cleanerfish is distinguished from the cleaner wrasses by its head, which ends in a “nose” with its mouth slightly under and behind it while the heads of the cleaner wrasses terminate with their mouths. If you look closely enough you’ll see the characteristic pouty lips of the false cleanerfish, presumably because she isn’t much appreciated for her clever disguise and food-gathering methods!

Source (http://oceanicventures.com/2011/02/scuba-diving-from-the-dumaguete-pier-in-the-philippines/)