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Philippines
The republic of the Philippines is an archipelago of 7107 tropical islands
and islets set in deep blue waters that contain some of the richest marine-life
systems on earth. It is the second largest archipelago in the world after
Indonesia, though more compact - so inter island travel is easy.
Once a colony of Spain, today the Philippines architecture
still reflects the Spanish influence. The Filipino people are a warm
and a fun loving race keen to make your stay a pleasurable experience.
Travel on the local transportation, the "Jeepney", public transport
vehicles originally adapted from U.S. army jeeps ornately painted.
Manila is the gateway to the Philippines. This bustling city offers international
duty free shops, with markets and nightlife to suit everyone. Accommodation
ranges from budget to five star hotels.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
CLIMATE: The
best time for diving is March to May which sees about 10 - 30 metre
visibility in Coron (and about 20-40m in Bohol) It can get a little
choppier after that time, and from Sep through to Feb visibility
drops down considerably due to strong winds/turbulence and plankton
density.
CURRENCY: The
peso is the unit of currency. One Australian dollar is worth approximately
38 pesos and one US dollar is worth approximately 42 pesos. The
US currency is the most widely accepted currency for travellers cheques.
DRESS: It
can be very warm and humid in the Philippines so it is recommended
that you take cool, lightweight and crease-resistant clothing.
The Locals dress can best be described as lively and informal.
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS: Australian & US passengers travelling
to the Philippines require a passport which must be valid for
six months beyond your intended stay and an onward or return
air ticket. You will then be issued with a 21 day visa on arrival.
If you intend to stay longer than 21 days but less than 59 days
you must obtain a multiple entry 59-day visa prior to arrival.
Visas can be extended within a country for a fee.
HEALTH
REQUIREMENTS: Refer to your doctor for the latest health
and inoculations required for this destination.
LANGUAGE: Filipino
is the national language. English and Spanish are widely spoken.
Many dialects are also in existence.
ELECTRICITY: Electricity
is 220 volts.
DEPARTURE
TAX: Most taxes are prepaid on your airline ticket.
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EL
NIDO
El Nido Resort (3 ½ star
property)
El Nido Resort is located in the north-western
tip of Palawan. The island is a 75 minute charter flight from Manila,
followed by a 45 minute boat ride by motorised outrigger. The resort
is situated in a cove with a white sandy beach with a breakwater
and coral reef. The accommodation is air conditioned cottages,
and the international restaurant features fine cuisine with seafood
the specialty. The major dive sites are Mantinloc,Tapuitan and
Codroa which have fjord type land masses with sheer walls. El Nido
is a boutique resort with the emphasis on it’s remote and
natural surroundings.
 
Lagen Island Resort (left), Miniloc Island Resort (right)
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CORON
PALAWAN
Coron
is has fast become prominent for its excellent wreck diving. Close
to the end of World War II, the American Navy discovered a camouflaged
fleet of Japanese war ships around Busuanga Island. Taskforce 45
attacked the fleet and sunk 24 ships. Twelve wrecks have been located
at diveable limits, (between five and forty-two metres.)
As well as excellent wreck diving, there are several
exquisite coral dives and drop offs. Unique sites include Barracuda
Lake at Coron Island and Gunther's Cathedral. There are many wrecks
located only a short boat ride from the island of Coron. The Akitsushima,
Kogyo Maru, Irako, and the gun boat Lusong are just a few. The
Barracuda lake is a dive not to be missed. It requires a little
effort to make the climb, gear laden, to the site but it is well
worth it. Water temperatures vary dramatically,(28-36 celsius),
unusual scenery and of course the encounter with the resident
barracuda make this dive one to remember.
Most
of the Coral diving takes place around Coron Island or the nearby
reefs between Coron
& Culion. Dive sites like, the Pinochle, Maming corner, the Rocky
corner and the Coral garden. These are beautiful dives along the
wall's of Coron Island. The wall's are filled with a big variety
of hard and soft corals, big Fan's. Perfect dive sites for under
water photography with wide angle & macro. Different kind of
Nudibranchs, Lionfish, Crocodile fish, Clown fish &, even some
times Turtles, Sharks and ray's!!
Sangat Island Resort
 An
extraordinary resort concept which will change the way travelers
think about and enjoy vacations by providing guests with a relaxing
natural experience as an antidote to their stressful 'high-tech'
everyday life.
Sangat is the only resort island offering diving facilities in
Coron Bay with 12 Japanese shipwrecks,
some located very close to our beach. Nobody can take you there
faster and more comfortably! Why stay in Coron Town when you can
combine diving with a unique, natural experience on Sangat with
its clear water, white beaches, tropical forests, and fascinating
variety of flora and fauna, in an ecologically sound Resort.
Discovery
Island Resort
Situated on the small island,Decanituan Island, the resort is just 10 minutes away from the Coron town centre. The resort offers you western standard accommodation, combined with nature & an idyllic island. Friendly staff and good service let you feel right at home here. The Resorts own water shuttle service is available 24 hours to transport you from the Resort to Coron town and back so getting around is easy and convenient. The bungalow style accommodations are built into the hill, with an overlooking view over the bay and in native outlook. All bungalows are with double or twin-bed, bath & toilet overlooking terraces. Equipped with nitrox facilities and close to Coron Bay, this resort is ideal for diving around the famous Coron Bay Japanese wrecks of World War II.
Discovery
Island Divers
Equipped with nitrox facilities and close to Coron Bay, Discovery Divers are ideal for diving around the famous Coron Bay Japanese wrecks of World War II. Today, 14 Wrecks are located in dive able depths (between 5 and 40 meters). Most of the sunken vessels were between 100 - 200 meters of length. There are beautiful dives along the walls of Coron Island. There are also coral and drop off dives, lake dives, as well as a great cave dive at “Gunter’s Catherdral”. The wall’s are fi lled with a big variety of hard and soft corals, big Fan’s. Perfect dive sites for under water photography with wide angle & macro. Different kinds of Nudibrunches, Lionfi sh, Korckodile fi sh, Clownfi shes, and even some times Turtles, Sharks and ray’s.
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PUERTO
GALERA
 Puerto
Galera in Mindoro is known for its exceptionally beautiful little
white sand beaches, some fringed with reefs teeming with rich
and diverse marine life, and excellent diving spots. It has
long been regarded by geologists, botanists, and students of
the University of the Philippines as an ideal place to study
the ecostructure of plants, animals, and micro-organisms in
almost undisturbed natural conditions.
Puerto Galera
is accessible by boat from Batangas. There are buses that leave
Manila daily for Batangas.  Today,
Puerto Galera is a major destination for low-budget, fun-loving
travellers who seek sun, sand and sea. Many come to enjoy its
beaches, which are crowded with hotels, restaurants, discos,
and rental services for water activities. The good snorkelling
and diving sites are the beaches near Sabang: Coco Beach, Big
and Small La Laguna, and nearby Paniquian and Verde Islands.
There are dive shops that cater to those who want to enjoy the
reefs.
PORTOFINO RESORT
Portofino
is a first-class Spanish-Mediterranean design of award winning
architectural character with white sand, beach front diving,
swimming and dining.
The
waterfront resort overlooks a white sand beach and crystal
clear waters that have snorkelling and SCUBA diving 40 meters
from the waters edge. There are five scuba diving facilities
and a fully equipped gym within 200 meters of the site. There
are many fine local and European style restaurants within a 10
minute walk in addition to the on site Portofino Restaurant surrounding
a beach front waterfall and swimming pool.
Located
on the finest white sand beach in Puerto Galera and set in a
grove of coconut palms, this condo-hotel is constructed in award
winning, Spanish-Mediterranean style architecture.... white wash
walls contrast with the red Vigan tile floors and roof. There
are fine local woods hewn in a rustic but carefully finished
texture complimenting the smooth and rounded plaster finishes.
There are 25 first class, fully furnished, air conditioned residential
units (homes) with full cooking facilities in addition to a bar
and full service restaurant in the resort.
ACTION DIVERS
PorSituated in beautiful Puerto Galera is Action Divers, which is located adjacent to the Portofi no Resort. Action Divers offers the highest standards of personalized service, uncompromising safety and exceptional value. Dive in and discover why discerning scuba divers choose Action Divers for the very best in world-class scuba diving adventures plus kayaking, trekking, golf, sailing, windsurfi ng, fi ne dining and great nightlife! All dive sites (more than 25) are only a 5 - 10 minutes boat ride away from Action Divers which allows you to come back to the dive centre after every dive. This gives you a great fl exibility in your dive planning and other activities between dives. Puerto Galera has some of the best coral and wall diving anywhere in the Philippines, and Action Divers know the area exceptionally well. The team of international dive professionals at Action Divers are dedicated to giving you the best service, best value and the most memorable diving.
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BOHOL
Southeast
of Cebu, a one hour, forty-five minute flight from Manila lies
the island of Bohol. There are direct flights daily from Manila
to Tagbilaran City, the access point to Bohol. As you drive through
the city you can see the remains of the Spanish rule with a visit
to the Baclayon Church a must.
Bohol
Beach Club (3 star property)
This
is a forty-nine room resort located off Pangaloo Island. All
rooms are air-conditioned with ocean views. There is a swimming
pool to relax in and activities include: glass-bottom boat, tennis,
billiard and table tennis.
Over a dozen dive sites are easily accessible from the in-house
dive operation professionally run by the Bohol Beach Club. Concentrating
on three dive locations including: Cabilao Island, Panglao Island
and Balicasag Island.
Beautiful drop-offs await you, with spectacular coral growths.
Gentle drift dives carry you along the walls with the chance of
sightings of Hammerheads at certain times of year.
BALICASAG ISLAND RESORT
Hailed as one of the best dive spots in the world, the resort boasts native-inspired 10 aircon duplex cottages(with 2 room/cottage, average size of its room is 19.64 sq.m), has a private toilet/bath and individual veranda where guests may enjoy the breathtaking view of sun, sea and surf. Outdoor bar and an open-air restaurant that serves international and local cuisine. It is ideal for scuba divers and nature-lovers alike.
 
Images and text courtesy of www.philtourism.com
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LIVEABOARD
Southeast
of Cebu, a one hour, forty-five minute flight from Manila lies
the island of Bohol. There are direct flights daily from Manila
to Tagbilaran City, the access point to Bohol. As you drive through
the city you can see the remains of the Spanish rule with a visit
to the Baclayon Church a must.
OCEANIC EXPLORER
MV Oceanic Explorer is a full service dive cruiser with comfortable cabins, spacious and fully airconditioned. Onboard are the caring and highly experienced crewmembers. They strive to make your stay an extraordinary experience. This vessel will move you to a great diving and let you discover diving Philippines in a Explorer way.
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