Photo credits: Bohol Philippines<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nPanglao Island, Bohol, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Visayas, right up there with Boracay and Cebu. Whatever your reason for visiting, whether it be to relax on its beach or to go scuba diving, you will need to book a tour to Balicasag Island from Panglao Island. Booking a Bohol diving package will allow you to relax and enjoy your time away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Balicasag Island is a marine sanctuary and a recommended stop on any Bohol island hopping cruise, measuring around 600 meters in diameter. Bohol’s diving is among the highlights of Philippine island hopping. Around it are five excellent places to do scuba diving, including the Balicasag Marine Sanctuary, which features a drop-off of 200 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photographers interested in macro subjects will find enough to capture the vast wall. The school of barracudas is another diving attraction here!\u00a0 It’s a fantastic spot to visit, and you won’t believe your eyes once you see how far you can see, depending on the time of year. The Black Forest is the premier diving destination in Bohol, earning its name from the amount of stunning black corals found there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dive with a friendly group of resident sea turtles at Turtle Point, as the name suggests. Just don’t go near from them and don’t rush in. To show your good intentions, approach slowly, and never touch any sea life or other animals. In addition, technical divers can explore caves here that are as deep as 60 to 75 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Royal Garden (with an average depth of 18 meters), Diver’s Haven, and the Cathedral wall all offer excellent diving and have a wide variety of marine life, including soft and hard corals, sea turtles, and several fish species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Moalboal<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMoalboal is home to the world-famous sardine run, where up to seven million fish congregate in a massive swarm (called a “bait ball”) near Panagsama Beach, providing an unforgettable experience for freedivers, snorkelers, and divers. Large schools of fish swim against the backdrop of seawalls, canyons, and caves in the seas around Moalboal, providing divers with a wide variety of diving opportunities. The nearby island of Pescador is known for its dramatic seawall covered in soft corals and teeming with deep reef fish, as well as a cathedral cavern on the island’s western side that is home to octopus, moray eels, and snake eels. If you want to swim with even larger marine animals, the two-hour trip to Oslob to swim with whale sharks is well worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 Mindoro<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Photo credits: Papa Fred’s Beach Resort<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWith its tropical environment, Mindoro is a year-round diving destination and is home to the world’s second-largest contiguous coral reef. Divers of all skill levels can find a suitable dive here, from shallow shore dives to more advanced drift dives or even wrecks. The lively restaurants and bars of Puerto Galera are conveniently located within walking distance of each other, while the city’s beaches and diverse dive spots are easily accessible via boat. Divers of all skill levels can find something to wow them in the waters surrounding Verde Island, with novices enjoying the safety of the bays and shallow reef dives and experts marveling at the big pelagic species carried by the strong currents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Yapak 1<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYapak 1 is another wall dive, however, it’s more suitable for experienced divers searching for an extra challenge. With a depth of up to 230 feet and currents of up to two knots, it is one of the deepest places on Earth. However, Yapak 1 is often regarded as Boracay’s premier diving destination, so if you’re up for the task, you won’t be disappointed. White sand beaches are available for relaxing after a day of diving, and there is a wide variety of fascinating marine life to observe. Two of the most favorable months to go are February and March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Manit Muck<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nManit Muck, or “Secret Bay,” is a fantastic place for divers of all experience levels to go for a night dive. The rich aquatic life at this location makes every visit special. Dive at different times of day to view different things. Manit Muck is a blackwater diving and photographic paradise, and it is widely regarded as one of the top macro photography locations in the world. It is located two hours distant from Manila.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 Manta Bowl<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Photo credits: Seek The World<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nManta Bowl is a seven-hectare underwater shoal, so called for its bowl-like shape and high population of manta rays. Since manta rays are drawn to the area’s strong currents, this spot doubles as a feeding and cleaning station for the creatures. The right season to dive at this Philippines site is somewhere between December and May, though the manta rays are prominent all year round. If you want to get away from the cold this winter or simply enjoy your Christmas vacation, this location is ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Monad Shoal<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThere is no need to seek any further if you are searching for the greatest shark dive in the Philippines. Sightings of thresher sharks are virtually guaranteed at Monad Shoal, a submerged island rich in this species (though some patience may be required). This is Malapascua’s most popular diving location, so expect a high volume of visitors. While diving is possible year-round, the ideal time to encounter sharks is from March to May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Preparing For Your First Dive<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBefore jumping off the deep end, beginners should prepare for an enjoyable and safe underwater adventure. Before your long-awaited Philippine scuba diving trip, do these things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Find your diving style.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFirst, choose a path. Beginners usually start with Discover Scuba Diving or Open Water Diver. The first is a one- to two-hour introduction to the colorful underwater world, while the latter is a comprehensive scuba diving certification course with pool and ocean dives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Find a good diving center.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nChoosing the correct diving school is important for safety and comfort underwater. Beginners need a lot of instruction, education, and care. So, while arranging a dive trip in the Philippines, choose a diving center with certified instructors, well-maintained equipment, and the right dive affiliations. You can read reviews and ask friends before you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Prepare your gear.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt’s tempting to get the best dive gear for your vacation. However, beginners need little gear. Most diving courses include rental gear, so don’t rush to buy. Experience is needed to determine what gear you like and is comfortable with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scuba diving novices should avoid distractions. Until you’re more experienced, don’t bring your underwater camera or other sophisticated gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Things To Keep In Mind When Traveling To Philippines<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>The length of your visit is not limited.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDepending on your nation of origin, you may be able to extend your stay in the Philippines from 24 months to 36 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Ferries are subject to the weather.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTravelers to the Philippines in the rainy months (June\u2013October) should be prepared for a stretch of inclement weather. Additionally, if a storm is in the forecast, you will not be able to take any boats, such as the one that connects El Nido and Coron. In extreme cases, bad weather can force the cancellation of the ferry service for an entire week. If getting to your accommodation involves taking a ferry, think twice before making any non-refundable hotel reservations in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>There is a heck of a lot of airports.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou might be thinking that the best way to see the Philippines is to fly into one of the larger cities and then take a bus or ferry to one of the more remote villages. But many smaller cities and villages have airports that can provide domestic flights at a reasonable price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, getting to El Nido from adjacent Puerto Princesa would require a 5-hour shuttle ride because neither city has an airport. Direct flights will save you nearly a whole day compared to driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Know tricycles.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTricycles are motorcycle sidecars. They depend on location, but most small communities use them for transportation. One ride in the Philippines is pretty much assured for your stay. They’re not really comfortable like your car, so renting a motorbike or a driver-driven car is best for long trips. And before booking, negotiate the price!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Coins.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis will help individuals traveling to smaller provinces or islands with cheap public transport and sari-sari businesses (small convenience stores where items are sold per piece instead of in packs). Always carry at least a 50 peso bill because tricycle drivers rarely have change for a thousand or even 500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Tip servers.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhilippine service is cheap, hence, tipping is usual. Rounding up cab fares is typical. If in doubt, tip based on service. Waiters, massage therapists, and tour guides in the Philippines make minimum wage, so a tip goes a long way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>BONUS: Famous Water Activities In The Philippines<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/span>\ud83d\udfe6 <\/strong>Wakeboarding.<\/strong>