Holidays on the islands of the Philippines is a great opportunity to explore the country that Magellan in ancient times called paradise on earth. The unique fauna of the country, as well as its flora, as well as ancient history and culture, attract so many travelers here. This state consists of a huge number (more than 7000) of small and rather large islands located in the Pacific Ocean.
Traveling to the Philippines provides an excellent opportunity to spend a summer vacation especially active: hiking, diving, mountain biking, rock climbing, parachuting, surfing, speleology - all this awaits curious tourists here. The only question that worries diving enthusiasts is which island is best for diving in the Philippines. In our article we will answer it.
Island population
Undoubtedly, the main positive quality of the Philippines is its incredibly kind inhabitants, who are distinguished by special hospitality. Filipinos have long been famous for their truly perfect hearing, so many people on the island play a variety of instruments. Their increased interest in the guests of the island is very sincere, because of which their cordiality leaves pleasant memories of the rest.
Islands and beaches of the Philippines
In this area, as noted above, there are a huge number of places for a full summer vacation and diving. Because of this, it is very difficult for travelers to choose one of them for themselves. The most interesting Filipino islands as well as local beaches will be listed below. There are various diving tours in the Philippines. All of them are very interesting. The main thing is to choose an island.
Panay
This area of land is undeservedly deprived of attention by modern travelers. Perhaps this is due to the increased popularity of the island of Boracay, which is located in the north of Panay. There is quite a lot of time and place for discoveries, adventures, and hiking. The island has a mountainous terrain covered with a jungle, as well as an extended coastline.
East Negros Province
Arriving in Dumaguete, you can quickly get to the cozy island of Apo, which is the best for diving. You can stay in comfortable hostels. Also near Dumaguete is Tambobo Bay and Siquijor Island. In this area you can fully relax on the cleanest beach without spending a lot of money.
Not far from Dumaguete there is the best (according to the guests of the country) place in all the Philippines - Sugar Beach. Between the islands of Negros and Panay is the province of Guimaras, as well as a small piece of land, which is known for the fruits of mangoes. Guimaras is separated from Panay by a narrow strait.
Local residents earn money by serving travelers, agriculture, fishing, coal mining, weaving unique carpets, and making baskets from local vines.
Cebu
Fully equipped, has all the conditions and equipment for adventurers: spectacular mountain peaks, dense tropical forests, pristine beaches, as well as an emerald island that spans 450 km2. The third part of this land area is occupied by virgin rainforests, some of them are endemic.
The island can not be called uninhabited. Over 4 million people live here permanently. Add to this figure about 2 million tourists who come here every year, and you will understand that loneliness does not threaten you here. The capital of the island is the city of Cebu of the same name. Diving in the Philippines is an exciting and exciting event. In Cebu you will find dozens of schools and centers where you will be happy to help you immerse yourself.
Coron
This is an idyllic place where tourism is just beginning to develop. Divers from around the world come here to dive by the coral reefs. However, it is worth noting that there are no professional centers in the Crown for diving in the Philippines, which is why you need to bring the required equipment with you.
On this piece of land, very few people want to stay for a long time, although its coast impresses with clean white sand and beautiful palm trees. Fields with rice and groves with coconuts deserve attention. Having rented a motorcycle, you can go to the highest point, which offers a wonderful view of almost the entire district.
Malapascua
This island is located near Boracay and the northern part of Cebu. It is especially famous for the Bounty Beach area, where recently quite a few small-sized hotels and equipped beaches have been built. The beauty of Malapascua is not inferior to the reliefs of Boracay, despite the relatively short length (2.5 km) and width (1 km) of the island. Here you will not find large-scale hotels and noisy night clubs.
Pour
The northern coast is separated from the island of Samar by the Strait of San Juanico and a narrow strip of the ocean. This is a picturesque patch of the country that travelers undeservedly ignore. Even after spending all summer here, the tourist will not lose the novelty of emotions from local lakes, hills, serrated mountain peaks and endless beaches.
Bohol
This is a real "land of miracles", where there are all conditions for a great vacation. There are quite a few natural attractions: chocolate hills with an observation deck for admiring the local beauties, as well as endemic tarsier. This is a primate that lives only in this area. Tourists will like the beaches with white sand, which are transported from here to the various islands of the Philippines.
In Bohol, nightlife is poorly developed, and there are quite few shops with various goods. The main local attraction is river rafting, as well as watching the life, hunting and fishing of the Aboriginal village. For lunch, they offer paw-paw fish. There are quite a lot of divers on this island who like snorkeling (a kind of snorkelling, flippers and snorkeling) or scuba diving.
Palawan
In fact, this is a mini-archipelago, which consists of one large and several small islands. This is a paradise for divers. The main attraction of the archipelago is the National Park, where there are many caves. They are interconnected by an underground river with a length of 8 km.
Where to learn to dive
Top diving schools in the Philippines:
- DIVERSAINT. It consists of a team of experienced instructors who teach scuba diving enthusiasts how to dive properly with PADI scuba diving. The main activity of the DIVERSAINT school is the organization of diving, as well as a variety of tours in the Philippines. One-day diving can be different in the number of participants, the level of comfort, as well as the distance to the dive site.
- Divers Community Club is the first Russian diving school in the Philippines, which is located on the island of Panglao, but carries out tours to various parts of the country. Panglao has a fairly diverse underwater world, good visibility, and very warm water. Here you can find a large number of underwater inhabitants of coral reefs. This is a favorite school not only for professionals, but also for beginners who plan to dive for the first time.
- SABANG FUN DIVERS - qualified instructors have everything that is necessary for training in diving: reliable gear and equipment, a training class, high-speed boats. If necessary, the client can arrange a transfer and comfortable accommodation, taking into account the financial capabilities of the person.
Philippine Diving Reviews
Some tourists say that the Philippines is the most extreme country, which is ideal for diving. To get acquainted with the nature of the Philippines on your own, you should understand that this is an island state. Traveling between the islands, you need to spend a lot of time and money on a variety of transfers.
Housing on the islands of the Philippines is quite affordable, but its cost increases depending on the proximity to beaches and resorts. If desired, you can settle in private homes, hostels, bungalows or hotels. The sea on the islands is warm and affectionate, and the beaches have a fairly developed and equipped infrastructure.
Food in the Philippine Islands is not particularly exotic - without overseas insects. Paying for services and purchases, you can and should bargain, because the prices here are overstated several times.
Tourists write in reviews that diving in the Philippines is magnificent. At the bottom you can see many colorful snails, sea urchins, stars, scallops and dozens of amazingly beautiful fish. Centers where they teach scuba diving and provide equipment are in almost every hotel.
How the trip to the dive site goes is entirely up to the organizers. Some tourists complain that they were not offered even water for the whole day.
Total
Holidays on the islands of the Philippines is a dream come true on a full vacation. Soft white sand, blue warm sea, coral reefs, palm trees, fascinating diving, as well as truly breathtaking sunsets. There are a lot of uninhabited islands, each of which attracts with its primitive and unusual. Everyone should be here.