Luzon with over 800 islands is the biggest of the three primary islands of the Philippines. It is the entry point for the southern Tagalog islands where I usually scuba dive, Anilao. We have 8 regions in Luzon.
1. Ilocos / Ilocandia where a new dive spot has recently been discovered aptly called the Saint’s reef just by the foot of the Santa view deck by the west Philippine Sea with beautiful rock formations.
2. Cagayan Valley that has excellent Batanes diving
3. CAR which is the Cordillera Administrative Region wherein we do not have diving here but the famous Sagada and Baguio are a must-visit.
4. Central Luzon where the most historical dive sites are located which is Subic Bay, whose wrecks serve as artificial reefs for rays, reef fishes, octopuses and macro critters.
Clark International Airport located in Central Luzon is the easiest entry point for those visiting these four regions. Booking your flights directly to CRK is now more accessible because more and more International airlines are flying directly to Clark Pampanga. Scuba Sirens can easily pick you up from this airport as part of the all-inclusive packages we have for these four regions.
5. The National Capital Region or NCR is the Capital City of The Philippines. It is where the Central Business District, Old Manila, Ninoy International Airport, and Scuba Sirens are located. This is usually our jump-off point however we can easily pick you up at any airport as part of our private transfer service.
6. Calabarzon region- ah the Southern Tagalog Region where Anilao is located and where I learned to scuba dive. Noteworthy mentions are Calatagan and San Juan whose excellent diving is a must-try for every level. The center of the center of the center of marine shorefish biodiversity is located. The Verde Island Passage
7. AND our gem the Mimaropa region the mecca of the Philippine scuba diving community, Tubbataha flourishes under the careful regulations of Mama Ranger and her team of scientists and park rangers.
This region is also where Puerto Galera the most beautiful Scuba Diving jump-off for most scuba divers in the Philippines. Where excellent drift diving across the most amazing reefs ever beheld due to the fact that is closer to Verde Island Passage the VIP than where it was logged in which is the Calabarzon region. I much prefer to dive the VIP from Puerto Galera because most safety guides are trained here and well trained they are. Did I mention the drift dives here are fantastic and this is where the historical deep diver John Bennett set his world record catapulting the apex regulator reliability to scuba history.
This is also the region of Apo Reef of Occidental Mindoro that can be visited via live aboard like Tubbataha or enjoy a two-night island life in the most remote island with its natural lagoon where baby black tip sharks grow up in the nursery, where birds from all over the world can settle down before flying elsewhere, where dolphins still graze and even play with the turtles.
The second largest reef system next to the Great Barrier Reef is indeed a marvel to visit.
8. And last but not the least Bicol or Bicolandia where the Manta Bowl Shoal is snuggly located for our marine pelagics who frequents this area. This cleaning station is where Whale Sharks, reef sharks, and of course the Manta Rays have frequented.
And this is only Luzon.