Any Of You Scuba Diving In Pi??

[Steve GCC]

Hi guys, just finished my Padi Rescue Diver course.  Have had couple of dives when visiting PI, couple in Mactan and couple with the wale sharks.

 

Any of you dive together or with other expats, if so what dive sites and areas?  Would be interested to find out as may effect final decision on where to settle in coming years.

 

Divers do it deeper   :cheersty:

[BrettGC]

Hi mate,

 

I'm a Divemaster myself, thought about taking it even further but as you know, it's bloody expensive. 

 

I've done a bit of diving in and around Subic/Barretto and it's a lot better than expected. A pretty good choice of reef or wreck dives that will keep you busy for a week.  The vis is good sans rain and they're doing a lot of work to restore the reefs to encourage more recreational divers.  I'm not sure what it's like in Mactan, but the guides/instructors in Subic were very professional and all their qualifications were valid and in-date (I asked to see them).  I take my own reg, fins, mask etc, but that's just me, all their gear seemed modern and well maintained.  My only concern was they had the air intake a tad too close to the exhaust of their compressors to my mind, but that could be my ex-navy anal retentive attitude to safety and procedures coming to the fore; didn't experience any issues with their air at all though.  Overall a good experience but nothing that blows your mind if you've done anything similar to the reef here in Aust, Kosrae Island or Truk Lagoon in Micronesia - my best diving experiences - but still worth a look; the historical wrecks are interesting and it was just great to get back in the water again after some time away from it. 

 

I know that it's a massive scene in Southern Negros where SAO and I have a house, but have yet to experience it.  Reputedly, some of the best diving in PI if not the entire region.

 

One of the things I love about PI diving is that if there's not something there to keep you interested, or you've exhausted your options locally, it's a great jumping point for other sites in the region, particularly with the low cost of air fares out of the country compared to the West. 

Edited February 5, 2014 by BrettGC

[Medic Mike]

I am a PADI, SDI, NAUI, and TDI instructor. I still teach every once in a while. I currently dive off Mactan from time to time. However I really enjoy the diving off Palawan.

[Geoff Thomas]

Hi guys, just finished my Padi Rescue Diver course.  Have had couple of dives when visiting PI, couple in Mactan and couple with the wale sharks.

 

Any of you dive together or with other expats, if so what dive sites and areas?  Would be interested to find out as may effect final decision on where to settle in coming years.

 

Divers do it deeper   :cheersty:

Submariners do it deeper for longer. Actually! Lol

[Geoff Thomas]

Some great dive sites and people with dive shops all over, a few of my friends have been here for 20 years plus and rave as I do about many of the sites here. As you've mentioned mactan and maybe you are coming back this way to experience more, give me a shout closer to your next arrival to Cebu and I will gladly point you in the right direction, in the mean time get on line, it's full of interesting places all over.

[BrettGC]

Submariners do it deeper for longer. Actually! Lol

 

Proud wearer of my "Dolphins" :P... Diesel boats forever!!

Edited February 5, 2014 by BrettGC

[OnMyWay]

I've done a bit of diving in and around Subic/Barretto and it's a lot better than expected. A pretty good choice of reef or wreck dives that will keep you busy for a week. 

 

Brett, who did you dive with in Subic and where?  I still have not gone diving here yet and I need to get out there.  I heard that the vis is rarely very good so I have been dragging my feet.  I was thinking about trying Camayaan divers as the water seems to be nice out that way.

[BrettGC]

 

I've done a bit of diving in and around Subic/Barretto and it's a lot better than expected. A pretty good choice of reef or wreck dives that will keep you busy for a week. 

 

Brett, who did you dive with in Subic and where?  I still have not gone diving here yet and I need to get out there.  I heard that the vis is rarely very good so I have been dragging my feet.  I was thinking about trying Camayaan divers as the water seems to be nice out that way.

 

 

Hi Mate,

 

The vis is ok, better than I expected, but you're right, not great.  I did my diving through Blue Rock resort, I've known the owner for years (acquaintance, not a friend per se) and found them to be very good.  Here's a link to their dive page:

 

http://www.bluerocksubic.com/the-blue-rock-dive-center/

[Thomas]

I don't dive myself, but if I remember corect:

/Panglao island, Bohol, is a diving centre for tourists, so I guess it's some earning chance there too.

/Now I have forgot where, but somewhere "between" the main Negros islands.

[David B]

I dove in Coron, Palawan in January '16. Went out for a day. There are a dozen or so wartime shipwrecks and the reefs.  Vis was less than expected,  bleaching, pollution and litter are taking a toll.  When I told the DM that I was going to dive Borocay next, he told me not to bother.  So I  didn't dive there, but Borocay was a great time otherwise.