| To Scuba Dive in the Philippines! If there was only | | | | 5. Nudibranchs - those sea slugs (and non-slugs) |
| one reason a globe-trotter would visit the world's | | | | which have caught the attention and imagination |
| second largest archipelago, that would be it. | | | | of divers around the world. There are hundreds |
| Why, you may ask? | | | | of nudibranch species scattered in locations such |
| Read through the 8 interesting facts below and | | | | as the Sinandigan Wall (Nudibranch Paradise) in |
| perhaps your next question will be - why not? | | | | Puerto Galera, Malapascua, etc. |
| 1. The Philippines, specifically a certain area in the | | | | 6. It would take more than a calendar year to |
| Verde Island Passage between Mindoro Island and | | | | fully appreciate Philippine scuba diving. For limited |
| mainland Luzon, has been dubbed by experts as | | | | dive vacations, go for top destinations. These are: |
| the "center of the center of the world's marine | | | | Sabang in Puerto Galera, Malapascua in Cebu, |
| life biodiversity." This makes for an underwater | | | | Coron in Palawan, Anilao in Batangas, and Balicasag |
| museum of nature's sea life art. | | | | Island in Bohol, among others. |
| 2. The entire cluster of islands comprising the | | | | 7. LiveAboards are great ways to explore several |
| Philippines offers all-year-round diving destinations. | | | | areas at once in the Philippines. There are even |
| As such, there are hundreds of dive shops open | | | | trips that offer a so-called Visayan Safari where |
| 365 and 1/4 days annually catering to advanced | | | | most of the must explore diving destinations are. |
| technical adventurers, recreational divers, and | | | | Such LiveAboards may even include a visit to the |
| those yet to "get wet." | | | | Tubbataha Reef located in the protected |
| 3. The Philippines is a major player in the Coral | | | | Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in the |
| Triangle - defined by the WWF as "A Place of | | | | southernmost part of the Philippines. |
| Unrivaled Richness, Importance and Beauty - The | | | | 8. Perhaps the best thing about booking a dive |
| Nursery of the Seas." The great number of | | | | holiday in the Philippine Islands is the "never-a-dull |
| vibrant coral gardens around the islands offers | | | | moment" feel one experiences whether actually |
| second by second picturesque encounters when | | | | diving or in-between dives. Most areas See entry |
| diving. | | | | number 6. |
| 4. Out of the 7 species of marine turtles (locally: | | | | The next time you plan your scuba visit to the |
| Pawikan) in the world, 5 of them are encountered | | | | Philippines, bear the facts above in mind. You may |
| by divers exploring Philippine waters. These | | | | go back home wanting more but each and every |
| species are the Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, | | | | visit will, without a doubt, be a magnificent |
| Olive Ridley, and the Leatherback which is the | | | | experience. |
| largest marine turtle found in the country. | | | | |