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Enjoy that zero-gravity feeling while swimming with the ocean’s pretty creatures!
There’s so much in the world to explore. Besides vast lands, there are also vast oceans just waiting to be discovered. This is why going diving every once in a while is good for you: not only does it train you to become a better swimmer and help strengthen your lungs, but it also gives you the chance to see some parts of the world that are worth visiting.
Luckily, the Philippines houses innumerable diving spots where you can explore the rich marine biodiversity and even historical shipwreck sites. In case you didn’t know, Subic Bay has a thriving underwater scene! If you’re keen to go diving soon, you must know where the best diving spots in Subic are for a guaranteed good time. Listed below are five of the best diving spots in Subic, so read on and find out where you can go for your next underwater adventure!
1. Mango’s Dive Center
Location: 116A National Highway, Barrio Baretto, Subic, Olongapo City
Explore one of Mango Dive Center’s diving spots!
Image: Mango’s Dive Center Facebook Page
Accredited by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors or PADI, Mango’s Dive Center is home to the most diverse wreck diving spots in the country. The dive center offers both recreational and technical diving instructions and lessons for first timers. Besides wreck diving, you can also rent kayaks, go on a relaxing beach tour on a boat, or have a fun little beach picnic.
2. Camayan Divers
Location: Camayan Wharf, West, Ilanin Forest East, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Get to see the beauty of Subic Bay’s wrecks and reefs while swimming right next to unique creatures.
Image: Camayan Divers Facebook Page
Sea turtles, fishes, dolphins, and even sharks—these are only some of the many sea creatures that you can encounter when you go on a dive at Camayan Divers! Camayan Divers is a 5-star PADI-accredited resort located just beside Ocean Adventure. On your trip, you can choose to rent the dive resort’s diving kit or bring your own equipment and just avail their storage bins and lockers complete with a wetsuit hang and dry rack. The place also provides scuba lessons from beginner to advanced levels.
3. Johan’s Beach and Dive Resort
Location: Midway at Baloy Long Beach, Barrio Barretto, Subic Bay, Olongapo
Lounge at the resort’s beach front after a good day’s dive!
Image: Johan’s Beach and Dive Resort Facebook Page
As one of the most trusted diving spots in Subic, Johan’s Beach and Dive Resort has different diving courses fit for all kinds of divers. Some of these include novice diving, which is suited for beginners; nitrox diving, or diving using a gas mixture of nitrogen and oxygen concentration; and technical diving, a course that allows you to explore the ocean’s deeper part that is no longer reached by natural light. The resort has a total of 30 wreck dive sites and 30 coral sites that you can check out with the help of three diving instructors.
4. Grande Island Resort
Location: Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales
Get to encounter sea creatures that you’ve probably never seen before!
Image: Grande Island Resort Facebook Page
Be one with the sea and dive at Grande Island Resort! The island recently conducted a reef restoration program last September to help make sure that the coral reefs of Subic Bay are well-preserved and taken good care of. With this initiative, you’d see nothing but the absolute beauty of the reefs of Subic when you explore underwater. You can opt for a scuba diving session that lets you discover the vast oceans more or go helmet diving and walk around the shallow part of the ocean floor amid various fishes and creatures. Either way, both diving courses are a lot of fun!
5. Ocean Adventure
Location: Ocean Adventure Approach Rd, Ilanin Forest West, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Are you brave enough to face the predator of the ocean?
Image: Ocean Adventure Website
Here’s the final spot where you can meet new underwater friends! Ocean Adventure isn’t just a marine theme park but also one of the best places to go diving in Subic Bay. The park offers various diving courses and sites that you can try and visit, including an intimate dive with creatures like dolphins and sharks, as well as shipwreck site diving. Note that some activities can be a bit riskier than other recreational diving courses, so they may require a diving certification card that proves you are a professional diver.
Want to discover more spots in Subic for adventurous trips? Check out Yoorekka.
You’ll truly never know how deep you can go if you don’t visit the best diving spots yourself. When the quarantine is lifted, don’t miss the chance to say hi to the lovely sea creatures waiting for you down below!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions wherever you go. Have a great trip!
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