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It’s more fun in the Philippines!

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We have just returned from an amazing trip to the Philippines that took in three diving destinations and offered a wide variety of marine life and experiences. Out itinerary was intense, and we were determined to pack in as many dives as we could in our two week assignment. We will be writing a series of blogs and features about the trip over the coming weeks. To kick this off, here is brief overview of what we did.

Our itinerary:

We flew from Heathrow to Manila with Philippines Airlines (approx. 14 hours) and then on to Cebu (just over an hour). Philippines Airlines have a generous baggage allowance of 2x 23kg hold baggage per person plus 7kg hand luggage, so we had no issues with all our camera & dive kit!

A 3 hour transfer by car took us to our first resort – Magic Island Dive Resort in Moalboal. We had three days of diving (4 nights stay) and we packed in 9 dives, as well as snorkelling with Whalesharks! The diving offered plenty of variety with the beautiful reefs of Pescador Island, millions of schooling sardines in Moalboal, a truly amazing Mandarinfish mating dusk dive, diving and snorkelling with Whalesharks, as well as plenty of macro critters. We even tried a black water (drifting over deep water) night dive. It was quite a start to our travels!

For our next two transfers between resorts we travelled by land and sea, to enable us to dive as much as possible. Our second destination is Magic Oceans Resort in Anda, Bohol and we got there via road, ferry and road journeys that run very smoothly, arriving in time to unpack and get organised for another three days of diving. The diving here is macro-lovers heaven, with an epic night dive, and wall dives covered in coral, with nudibranchs everywhere, including the amazing Shaun the Sheep nudibranch which is tiny! We do another critter-packed 9 dives before it is time to move on once again.

Our final destination was Atmosphere Resort & Spa in Dauin near Dumagete. This involved another car, ferry, car journey to get there, taking in all the sights and sounds of this bustling nation as we passed. The diving here is famous for its muck diving, and frogfish are one of the key species that live here in abundance. We have never encountered so many in a single dive and the dive centre has a dedicated marine biologist on site who is obsessed with these enigmatic creatures. Apo Island, famous for its incredible reefs and abundant turtles is also just a short boat ride away. We also experienced some of the more relaxing opportunities this resort has to offer, such as a wine tasting, a massage and a trip on a more local style of transport…

Please watch out for our tales from the Philippines on Scubaverse.com in the coming weeks.


For more information please visit:

Magic Island Dive Resort

Magic Oceans Dive Resort

Atmosphere Resorts & Spa

Philippines Department of Tourism

All images & text by Frogfish Photography

 

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered.Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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The ‘Big Scuba Day Out’ – The Ultimate Day for Water Lovers!

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Big Scuba Day Out

Get ready for an unforgettable day of adventure, exploration, and all things scuba and watersports! Oyster Diving’s Big Scuba Day Out is taking place on Sunday, 4th May 2025, at Mercers Park, near London —and best of all, entry is completely FREE!

Whether you’re a seasoned diver, a total beginner, or just looking for a fun day out by the water, this event has something for everyone — including lovely walks around the lake with your four-legged friends!

Come and experience the latest dive gear from some of the world’s leading brands, including Santi, Suex, Apeks, Aqualung, Garmin, GoPro and XDeep. Get hands-on with dive scooters, cutting-edge dive computers, and high-performance gear designed to take your underwater adventures to the next level.

Take part in fun dives with expert guides try out other exclusive demo kit. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills, try out new equipment, or simply enjoy the stunning underwater world of Mercers Park, this is the perfect opportunity.

A special raffle in aid of the Shark Trust will include prizes such as PADI branded goodies, Apeks 30m reel and wet notes, and Shearwater Peregrine TX worth £689!

As a special highlight for those wanting to “live the dream”, Course Director Mark Taylor and PADI Regional Manager Emma Samuelsson will be giving an exclusive talk at 12:00 PM about how to become a PADI Pro, including Divemaster and Instructor pathways. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion for diving into a career, this is the perfect chance to get insider knowledge from one of the best in the industry.

Not just for divers, the Big Scuba Day Out also offers a variety of watersports courtesy of www.aquasports.co.uk. Try your hand at kayaking, paddleboarding, or other exciting water activities.

After all the action, relax on the beautiful lake terrace, where you can enjoy a selection of delicious food and licensed bar while soaking in the breathtaking views.

Don’t miss this incredible day of diving, watersports, and fun for the whole family. For full details and to register your interest, visit Oyster Diving’s website. https://oysterdiving.com/diving-club/uk-diving-trips/the-big-scuba-day-out-4th-may/.

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Experience a night Dive at the West Rock Shipwreck with Euro-Divers

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shipwreck

There’s something magical about night diving— the ocean transforms into a whole new world, alive with mystery and wonder. At Euro-Divers Meeru, we love sharing this unique experience with our guests, and the West Rock Shipwreck is one of our favourite sites for night diving.

Here’s why:

Setting the Scene

The adventure begins at 17:30 as divers gather on the boat. After thoroughly checking our equipment, the boat departs for the dive site. The 15-minute journey is a treat, with the calm sea and the soft glow of the setting sun creating the perfect atmosphere.

Arriving at West Rock, the boat gently moors above the wreck. As our team briefs you on the dive, we will walk you through the special night diving techniques, such as using a torch and maintaining buddy contact, ensuring you feel confident and prepared. While we wait for the sun to set, there is time to relax with a cup of tea or coffee and take in the breathtaking colours of the Maldivian sunset.

shipwreck

The Dive Begins

Once darkness settles, it’s time to dive. The West Rock Shipwreck—a small cargo freighter sunk in 1999—rests at 20 meters on a sandy plateau. Over the years, it has become a vibrant reef, teeming with marine life.

As we descend, the beams of our torches cut through the dark water, revealing the wreck’s coral-covered surfaces. It is always thrilling to see the wreck come to life under the light. Colourful nudibranchs, scorpionfish, frogfish, and shrimps are just a few of the creatures that call this wreck home.

We often find parrotfish and pufferfish inside the wreck settled in for the night, while lionfish and moray eels lurk in the shadows. We frequently spot larger residents, too—Napoleon wrasse or even a resting nurse shark, peacefully tucked away beneath the ship’s hull. Every corner of the wreck offers something new to discover.

Underwater Galaxy

As the dive comes to an end, we have one final highlight to share. During the safety stop at 5 metres, we may ask you to switch off your torch and gently move your hands through the water. This action stirs up bioluminescent plankton, lighting up like tiny stars surrounding you— a magical, otherworldly experience that never fails to amaze.

Post-Dive Bliss

Emerging from the dive, we are welcomed by the cool night air and a canopy of stars. The boat crew helps us as we climb aboard, where hot tea or coffee awaits to warm us up. The journey back to shore is filled with shared stories and a sense of camaraderie that only diving together can create.

Night dives like this one at the West Rock Shipwreck offer more than just an exploration of marine life; they remind us of the beauty and mystery of the underwater world.

For more information, contact the Euro-Divers Meeru team at meeru@euro-divers.com or visit www.euro-divers.com.

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