Cover The underwater world of Philippines, Southeast Asia, Pacific Ocean. (Photo: Giordano Cipriani/GettyImages)
The underwater world of Philippines, Southeast Asia, Pacific Ocean. (Photo: Giordano Cipriani/GettyImages)
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This is your sign to get a diving license
Diving is one of the most freeing activities one can do. Other than the thrilling adventure you’ll embark on, it allows you to look at the world from a new perspective—uncovering things never before seen. From navigating shipwrecks to exploring colourful reefs and befriending sea creatures, scuba diving transports you to a whole new world beneath the surface.
The open water can be terrifying for some, and the uncertainty of the depths may be too much to handle. But when you see pictures of a bed of colourful corals or massive schools of fish, you can’t help but wonder what it’s like to swim among them. So, to help you ease your fear, Tatler spoke with four divers about their passion for the deep sea.
In case you missed it: 7 must-visit diving sites in the Philippines for the summer
Above Apo Reef (Photo: Farhan Sharief/Unsplash.com)
Apo Reef (Photo: Farhan Sharief/Unsplash.com)
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As scary as the ocean may be, you can’t argue that it isn’t a beautiful place. Despite covering 71 per cent of the earth, we’ve only explored five per cent of what’s down there. For some, that curiosity is what sparks their interest. For Rachel Cole, marine biologist and owner of Bahura Dive Siquijor, the ocean’s hidden beauty is what inspired her to see it for herself. “When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the ocean, and diving was my way of being able to experience all of the incredible marine life. It’s like my happy place.”
If you’re having any hesitations about taking the plunge, Justine Ramirez, Ocean Advocacy Officer for Blue Alliance, can inspire you otherwise. “During my first checkout dive, I was initially reluctant because I had to study so much. But once I got in the water, I forgot everything that made me reluctant about diving. When I saw the fish above me, it was like the sky was a school of red-toothed triggerfish. For 45 minutes, it was me and another world. The ocean is a place you don’t belong in as a human, but weirdly enough, I felt so at home.”
Exploring the ocean free of any constraints offers freedom. Imagine drifting slowly as you admire life underwater, spotting a rare animal, or inspecting tight crevices to find treasures. “Diving is freedom. You’ll go down and experience things you don’t normally see. I’m very much for nature, and to go down and cruise around with the fish and enjoy yourself—it’s quite nice,” said Conny Jeppson, PADI territory director for APAC.
Why dive in the Philippines?
Situated in the Coral Triangle, the Philippines hosts a vast array of marine life—75 per cent of the world’s coral species, making it a teeming hub of biodiversity. “The Philippines is the centre of biodiversity on the whole planet. As a marine biologist, I came to live in the Philippines to open a dive shop because it’s one of the best places in the world to experience incredible marine life,” shared Cole.
The Philippines also offers plenty of destinations for every diver. Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced pro, there’s something for everyone. “The Philippines is in the Coral Triangle—with Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor Leste, the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea. So, if you want to look at coral reef ecosystems, the Philippines is one of the best places to go. You can also go to the open water for sharks and bigger fish. The bottom line is that you will not get bored diving here,” said Ramirez.
Whether looking to see sharks up close, wander above hundreds of corals, or traverse historical wrecks that tell stories through the environment, the Philippines has thousands of sites where you can do it all. “I’ve been travelling the world to dive, but the Philippines offers everything. I can go to Malapascua for the sharks, Dumaguete for the macro, and Anilao [as it is] beautiful. [The Philippines] has something for everyone,” shared Jeppson.
“The Philippines has a wide range of diving. If you want to see macro, frogfish, nudibranchs, whale sharks, thresher sharks, tiger sharks, and manta rays, there’s so much here. Everybody can be happy in the Philippines,” added Reed.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
