We have several Scuba Diving destinations South of Makati City. Anilao being the most established, having been developed since the 80s as the scuba center of Luzon. It is where I learned to scuba, where I grew my fins and fell in love with the underwater world. Anilao has over 56 Scuba Dive sites and still growing every decade. A far cry from the 90s when I started, my playground grew and grew as more environmentalist worked with the local government to maintain and guard their coasts.
Mabini and Bauan is now parent to almost 50 house turtles, and almost always now present in every dive you do. Whether from shore or boat, they are either the welcoming committee or the come back soon representative.
I used to wonder what the fuss was all about with seaturtles, but after meeting several huge turtles, I am now hooked. I am mesmerized at how beautiful they can move, these mystical beings that holds so much rewarding experience.
My favorite dive spot is Batok by Sombrero Island, a bit further down is Beatrize Rock. But Exploring Batok alone is already a marvel. The Coral Garden of this beautiful dive site has table corals bigger than your full arm width. And if lucky a shark or two will drop by and be your scuba dive highlight.
Speaking of Sharks we go further down to Sorsogon the Whale Shark Capital of the Philippines and not to mention where Manta Bowl is. Preserved for what they really are a haven for Mantas and Whale Sharks. You will distinctly love how this high level Scuba Dive destination has piqued a lot of scuba divers curiosity for over a decade now. An underwater bowl dive site with a strong drift experience and Mantas that beautifully dances as you glide by. This is also where the famous 9 whale shark video was shot which triggered a lot of divers to head on to Bicol, strap on a tank and pray they get as lucky as that diver did.
Ok, Let us now visit three of our newbies from the South. Calatagan, a favorite of mine because I had been frequenting these shores as a snorkeler and I am now happy to announce that they now have a Scuba Center to provide for your Scuba Diving needs. It is also now a Marine Sanctuary Project, recently launched, fresh off the oven so please support and help flourish, because it is quite a rewarding feeling to be helping the seas that we all love.
San Juan Batangas, is not a recently opened dive center, it has been for almost 2 decades now, however discontinued somewhat but is now recently revived promoted by a couple of well-known Scuba Diving Professionals in the Philippine Industry.
Lobo Batangas an extension of San Juan is now also fast becoming a scuba dive destination with a couple of Scuba centers and resorts as a weekend getaway from City Dwellers.
And last but not the least is Ternate. Ah Cavite, the most awaited, the most dreamt of by city dwellers since it is the ultimate project of my dreams and I guess a lot of us who are excited to help that side of Luzon that can be seen but never realized. Ternate is just by Manila bay, so easily accessed by just a 30 minute ferry ride, but destroyed because it is by Manila Bay. For just a year in, the Ternate Marine Park is now borne. To help sustain and regain the natural beauty that has been incurring the damage of a progressive nation for decades. It is now time to reclaim our birthright as keepers of the coral triangle and we will try to bring back as much of the sea life that can be found all over this country where it must begin, by the shores of Manila Bay. I cannot call it a dive destination yet, however, it is my dream to do so and I hope it will be realized soon faster than the one dearest to my heart Anilao.