Underwater Philippines - Scuba Diving and Snorkeling - Neville Coleman

located 800 km off mainland Asia, the Philippines 7,107 islands are nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the China Sea.
The scuba diving, snorkeling and underwater photography are magnificent! 
Surrounded by coral reefs this infinite marine resource boasts one of the richest and diverse underwater marine life faunas to be found anywhere in the world.

A modern day symbol of Philippine culture, "Jeepneys" are the most popular means of transport throughout much of the Philippines. They have certainly come a long was from their original modified versions of World War 11 American jeeps. Drivers have specialized licences and regular routes they can operate.
( photo: Nigel Marsh)

Puerto Galera has a large number of dive shops and a flourishing diving industry much of which is positioned close to the waters edge. Bankas line the inshore beaches and as can be seen by this image, the water is crystal clear and the area well sheltered from storms and rough seas.
( photo: Nigel Marsh)

The country

Located 800 km off mainland Asia, the Republic of the Philippines 7,107 islands are nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the China Sea. Surrounded by coral reefs this infinite marine resource boast one of the richest and diverse underwater faunas to be found anywhere in the world. The diving is magnificent! 

 The islands are of rugged terrain with high rainfall in some areas and rain forests. On the coasts there are a number of deepwater harbours formed naturally by the uneven coastline. The Republic of the Philippines is made up of four major groups of larger islands. Only 3000 islands have been named and of these only 450 have more land mass than 2.6 sq. km.

 People

The people are historically Malay into which a melting pot of other Asian races have intergrated through thousands of years of occupation. The Philippines is one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world, having over 92 million people.

Although there are over 90 languages recorded, the main language Tagalog ( Filipino) are both used in schools and in most places English can be understood.

The majority of Filipinos are Catholic (due to the many years under Spanish influence) though there are a large content of Muslims and Protestants present throughout the islands.

Friendly and hospitable by nature, the Filipinos have a great strength in family relationships, a good sense of humour and a ready ability to share their national identity and pride in country with visitors.

For those who prefer their mode of transport a little less hectic, there are pony carriages a - plenty for a little sight - seeing, all in good time.
( photo: Nigel Marsh)

History

Well known to the ancient traders, the island chain now known as the Philippines were at one time the domain of nomadic hunters and gatherers, with some cultivators and fishermen who fished for fish and shells.
As the presence of people grew, ports were established as trade centres as most early visitors came by boat. It is known that the local people traded with Arabia and India. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries there was a strong Chinese presence which has been known form the ancient gravesites found around the old ports. 
In 1521 Ferdinand Magellan made landfall with 3 ships in the employment of Spain.
He was subsequently killed in an ill - prepared attempt to bring a local chieftan under Spanish rule. 
The entire attack was a disaster from beginning to end.
Magellan brought his ship to the location of the offending village and found that it was low tide and his cannons were out of range of shore. He then landed his armour- clad forces ( 50 men) at the edge of the reef and they had to wade through chest deep water for several hundred metres towards the 1000 well - armed wariors waiting for them. All were killed. 

Out of his 3 ships, only one got back to Spain, loaded up with spices ( cloves). Most of the men died of scurvy, or starvation on the return journey and only 18 survived out of the original 500 that began the historic journey to find a westward passage to the Spice Islands.

Today a Museum of National Treasures and shrine to Philippine's National hero Jose Rizal who was executed there in 1896, Fort Santiago was originally erected as a defence fortress for the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1571.
It was reconstructed with stone walls in 1592 and eventually became the official venue for the spice trade to America and Europe for over 300 years and is part of the walled city of Intramuros, in Manila.
( photo: Nigel Marsh) 

His journey was followed by Miguel lopez de Legazpi another Spanish flagged adventurer who landed at Cebu and claimed it for Spain. The area now known as Manila was under the control of Musilm influences at this time but they lost the fight, to concede the area to Spanish forces who took control of the region and surrounding islands in 1571.  

During the Spanish/American war a U.S navy fleet entered Manila Bay and in the ensuing battles that followed, the combined forces of Americans and local Filipinos defeated the Spainish forces.
However, although June 12 is still recognised as Independence day by the Filipinos, they had to eventually go to war with their new allies and only took control of their own destiny on 4 th of July 1946. 

Diving

This beautiful little male Ornate Ghost Pipefish Solenostomus paradoxus only grows to around half the size of a female.
This species occurs across the Indo - Pacific and although not rare, is always treasured as a find by underwater photographers.
It appears that males often move around in search of females during the breeding season.
(Photo Neville Coleman)

Due to the large area of coastline, the numbers of islands and the infinite numbers of reefs diving and snorkeling in the Philipines is a daunting process just to make a descision on where to go. The magnitude of the area is really unbelievable and the numbers of islands and reefs still to be explored and dive sites to be named, are beyond calculation.

Found in several areas of the Philippines, Bolland's Phyllodesmium nudibranch Phyllodesmium sp. is fairly rare and still undescribed. It is also found in Papua New Guinea where it grows to 50 mm and mimics the soft coral it feeds on.
(Photo Neville Coleman)

However, even though the underwater flora and fauna of this vast region may take underwater explorers many decades to explore and record, what is recorded shows that it is without doubt that the Philippines has one of the most numerous and diverse of any yet known in the world.

Diving regions

The geography of the Philippines is such, that to adequately display the dive areas and potential sites it will be necessary to look at each major region in its own light and endeavor to display the well known sites that exist as recognised dive sites first and look at expeditioning on the drop downs. 

 Batangas

More common at Batangas than other areas of the Indo - Pacific, the Flambuoyant Cuttlefish Metasepia pfefferi is a find nobody ever gets tired of seeing. In April they may be seen in pairs, a smaller male accompanying a larger female. The species hunts both day and night and affords some wonderful opportunities for good behavioural sequences.
(Photo Neville Coleman)

This is the most northern region, just a few hours south of Manila. This area is serviced by dozens of up to date dive shops and dive resorts. The diving is as spectacular as anywhere along the mainland islands and the number of dive sites are innumerable. They contain every possible habitat with an absolute treasure trove of species to be found anywhere.  A recent expedition discovered over 60 undescribed species of nudibranchs inhabiting the reefs.

Being so close to Manila it is well within the local divers weekender dive trip and hundreds of divers make the trip down every weekend.
Much of the diving is from bankars, though shore diving is excellent during offshore winds.

Puerto Galera 

Diving Bangkars on the beach at Batangas can be recognised by the paint damage on the sides due to the diver steps being used on a regular basis. These boats perform a multitude of tasks, but are mostly employed in the diving industry.
( photo: Nigel Marsh)

Known throughout the Indo - Pacific region, the Wide - banded Cuttlefish Sepia latimanus is more likely to be seen in the vicinity of coral reefs. Females often lay their eggs deep within stands of Fire Coral to protect them from predators.
(Photo Neville Coleman)

It takes about four, or five hours to get from Manila to Batangas by vehicle. The ferry trip from Batangas to Puerto Galera takes a further one, to two hours.
Buses leave Manila on the hour and at the Batangas Pier there are a wide variety of ferries which service Puerto Galera. It is possible to organise a package trip which includes bus trip and ferry transfer.

A brilliant species by anybody's standard, the Dusky Nembrotha Nembrotha kubaryana is often seen on the reefs at Puerto Galera.  The species is known from the Philippines, to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and across to the east coast of Australia. It grows to 90mm and feeds on ascidians.
( Photo: Nigel Marsh)

The town itself is comprised of merging coastal villages and according to information sources, it has the best natural harbor in the Philippines.  Once a refuge for the Spanish Galleons, two old cannons used by Spanish warships are still present in the town and exhibited as tourist attractions. In more modern times, the harbour has become  rimmed with beach resorts, dive resorts, dive shops, hotels, bars and restaurants.

Generally seen on sandy, or even muddy bottom, the Oriental Sea Robin Dactyloptaenia orientalis may be found in offshore lagoons, or inshore areas. In swimming mode they present a spectacular sight.
(Photo Neville Coleman)

There is no doubt that the diving is brilliant. My colleage Nigel Marsh and his wife Helen had a marvelous diving adventure there and brought back a wealth of images including many that I used in NUDIBRANCHS ENCYCLOPEDIA.

Scuba diving is a great experience. Over 40 dive sites can be reached within ten minutes from most dive centers. The Puerto Galera Dive Association (PGDA) represents the top dive centers in the area. Most dive centers offer PADI dive courses from beginners to professional level in different languages.

Apo Island & Reefs

Not as common as some other species, the Spine -cheek Anemonefish Premnas biaculatus is often found living amongst the tentacles of the Bulb - tentacled Sea Anemone Entacmea quadricolor.
(Photo Neville Coleman)

West of the island of Mindoro, the Apo Reef region can only be accessed from liveaboards. Boats leave on a regular basis directly across the Mindoro Strait from San Jose, or out of Batangas. The region has been one of the most popular dive destinations in the Philippines for many years and is mostly dived in between the monsoons, from March till June when the weather and seas are relatively calm.

Although this region only appears as a dot on the map it would take many years to explore it all underwater. Visability is excellent around the island and reefs with the exception of some lagoons, which can be a bit turbid. 

Palawan

A resident of coral slopes and drop offs, Forster's Hawkfish Paracirrhites forsteri has a "wait and watch" style of hunting. It sits high on a coral outcrop, so it has a commanding view and swoops down on any small creature moving below.
(Photo Neville Coleman)

Serviced by liveaboards from San Jose, Batangas and Puerto Princesa on Palawan, the islands and reefs in this region are all situated on the Palawan shelf which extends to the Mindoro Strait in the north and northeast to the Cuyo East Pass. Compared to other places in the Philippines, the Palawan region is known to be comparitively shallow and has less sheer drop offs.
While the north western reefs on Palawan Island have coral low coral growth reiniscent of rougher water the tides and currents are rich in plankon so there is always the chance of seeing large fish and rays. In the sheltered areas good stands of stony corals exist.
Several other groups of islands exist in the region including, Busuanga Island group, Kulion Island group, Cuyo Islands group, Quiniluban Islands group and the Tubbataha Reefs and cay complex.  

 Vistayas

The Common Lionfish Pterois volitans is one of the most well known scorpionfish. its dorsal spines are quite venomous and anybody careless enough to be spined can only get some relief by soaking the wound in hot water.
These fish are the ultimate underwater hunters, herding smaller prey into a striking position with their wide - spreading pectoral fins.
(Photo Neville Coleman) 

This region is centered around Cebu Island and Cebu City, the second largest city in the Philippines and an area which has extensive facilities; the Mactan International Airport, a bevy of hotels, restraunts, excellent communications system and the largest professional diving community in the Philippines.
The dive shops and dive resorts in this region can offer every type of diving and snorkeling service. From shore dives, to day boat dives through to liveaboard diving.

Recommendations

There are many remote areas, islands and reefs which divers would love to be shown BUT the most importance in any exercise of education and providing information on diving is that there is adequate access to the areas and the facilities.

In some places it is possible to dive from the shore, but to get to the really great dive sites it is best to stay at a dive resort and take advantage of the local knowledge and their facilities, dive boats and ( the most important) local guides.

Related to the Moray Eels, this Blue Ribbon Eel Rhinomuraena quasita is a male. When the males get to a certain length they change into females, fading from blue to yellow. The black ones are juveniles.
(Photo Neville Coleman)

For the more adventure minded diver there are a large number of liveaboards which have trips out to the more distant areas.
To me this is the ultimate kind of diving. Having a dive site right there below you, day and night, with pick up boats and guides that know their "critters" and where to find them, shore beats the hell out of my old ways of diving.

Neville Coleman's diving expeditions, fauna surveys, photographic fauna surveys and marine life identification courses include every major group of marine life. 

Neville Coleman's expertise in marine life identification extends to the identification of Algae, Sea Grass, Forams, Sponges, Stony Corals, Soft Corals, Sea Anemones, Sea Jellies, Zoanthids, Corallimorphs, Black Corals, Flatworms, Segmented Worms, Crustaceans, Barnacles, Shrimps, Rock Lobsters, Hermit Crabs, Squat Lobsters, Molluscs, Chitons, Univalves, Bivalves, Cephalopods, Octopus, Cuttlefish, Squid, Opisthobranchs, Nudibranchs, Sea Slugs, Bryozoans, Sea Mosses, Echinoderms, Sea Stars, Feather Stars, Brittle Stars, Sea Urchins, Sea Cucumbers, Ascidians/Sea Squirts, Marine Fish, Sharks, Marine Reptiles, and Marine Mammals, all found in the waters around the islands of the Philippines.

( Copyright Neville Coleman)

Travel tips (guide only)

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that, at the time of booking, you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy of your choice.

Departure taxes

Associated charges and taxes for departures from Australia are prepaid prior to your departure from Australia and shown on your airline ticket. Taxes applicable in the Philippines may be required to be paid at your Philippines airport of departure. Please check details with your travel consultant.

Climate

The Philippines is tropical and experiences three distinct seasons; cool from November to February, hot and dry from March to pay and rainy from June to October. The average humidity is 77 per cent. Average temperature range in °C

Cool November-Febraury 22-28°

Hot/dry March-May 22-32°

Rainy June-October 22-28°

Passports and visas

Australian passport holders visiting the Philippines must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the departure date, an outbound air ticket and stay less than 21 days in order to enter without a formal visa. For longer stays, you must obtain a visa before departure from Australia. Non-Australian passport holders should contact their travel consultant regarding visa requirements.

Important: It is important to double check your visa requirements with the appropriate embassy/consular office as visa regulations may have changed.

Money changing

It is much better to change money at the airport. Rates might not be what you get from the locals but at least you do have a rate that you can see and check. There are many ways that you don‚t really end up better off.

Airport

Manila airport is very security conscious with removal of belts, shoes, hats, watches, pens etc. to go through x-ray.  After personal screening there is also "stand on a box" pat downs to further check for concealables. The airport is very busy and packed with commuters. Buses are used to transfer passengers from the lounge to the plane on the tarmac.

Roads/traffic

All roads are dusty and choked with traffic. Every type of vehicle seems to be there and all on the road going one way or the other. It seems an impossible task to get anywhere but hours later, there you are, at your destination. However, as long as time is no object the traffic does keep moving, if only slowly in the built-up areas.

Accommodation

There are a range of excellent hotels in Manila at various rates between A$1115.00 per person per night down to A$92.00. However, we found Aloha Hotel was quite close to the airport, with its own security, excellent restaurants and air-conditioned rooms for US$35.00 and they have a pick up service to and from the airport.

Healthwise

Although Malaria may not be noticeably present in all areas of the Philippines it is in the malaria region. I always take my own mosquito net and take my prophylactics and repellent AND USE THEM, as malaria is forever and I don‚t need it. Out in the sticks anywhere it‚s best to abide by the old rules. If you skin, shell or cook it, you can eat it. However, bottled water is best if one is unsure and avoid salads in uncertain areas.