The Divemaster Life Philippines -

The Divemaster Life

Philippines

Article by Phil Jennings

For anybody who has been to college or a university, you will know that it’s not just about the education but it’s also about the people, the place, the good memories and experiences that are shared. I look back at when I did my Divemaster course in the Philippines, the course itself was fantastic, but the place and people really made it special.

What gives the Philippines the edge over other dive destinations is how easy it is to set up home here. It is affordable, the locals are super friendly, the dive sites are right on your door step and the ability to work remotely with stable internet is a deciding factor for many. There are several dive destinations that come to mind, Panglao, Puerto Galera, Moalboal, Malapascua and Dauin.

Panglao is located in the heart of the Philippines in the Visayas. The island itself is one big dive site, in close proximity of Balicasag Island, a world class dive site. For an enthusiastic scuba diver who wants to set up camp and complete their Divemaster course, Panglao offers the perfect balance of a provincial feel mixed with a town vibe offering endless options for places to eat, drink, hangout and live a hassle-free life. SK Academy in Panglao is one SDI facility to contact.

On the island of Mindoro, three hours south of Manila, there is the famous diving destination, Puerto Galera. The town has everything you could want, stable internet, grocery stores, restaurants/bars and amazing dive sites. The diving in Puerto Galera is challenging, this is perfect for Divemaster candidates to be put to the test and really learn about how to assess dive conditions and manage divers. Dive Dojo, Blue Lagoon and Pacific Divers can facilitate Divemaster courses.

Moalboal is famous for the sardine ball that lingers all you round and Pescador Island. The town is three hours south of Cebu City. The place has a really nice, small-town vibe. The internet is very stable and the dive sites are 5-10 minutes away. The town has a high volume of scuba divers, this means Divemaster candidates really get to have a good experience with customers.

Malapascua is also part of Cebu and instead of going three hours south, you travel three hours north then take a short boat to the absolutely stunning island. You will be spoiled completing your Divemaster course here as there are daily encounters with thresher sharks. The island has a village vibe and is easy to get around by walking. Surprisingly enough, the internet connection is good, and all groceries are available

Finally, we have Dauin on the island of Negros. Dauin is famous for its macro life and is the go-to place for underwater photographers from all over the globe as it is also the closest point for diving Apo Island. The town itself is quite spread out so if you were to spend a long time there you would need to rent a motorbike. Dauin is 20km away from Dumaguete, a small city, a great place to chill, have some food or maybe walk on the boulevard and watch the sunset. Divemaster trainees can expect to learn a lot about marine life and photography. SDI facilities in Dauin are Critter Republic, Apo Scuba and Side Effects.

When you decide to enroll in your SDI Divemaster course in the Philippines, remember these suggestions, it’s not just about what is underwater but also what is offered on land. This experience will stay with you forever, make it a positive one!